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A report published by Microsoft in collaboration with BCS and Intellect, Developing the Future, has confirmed that the UK tax environment has become less favourable to games developers. The report also echoes Tiga’s argument that an insufficient number of pupils and students study computer science, physical science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Richard Wilson, CEO of Tiga, said:

“This new report confirms that the UK’s tax system is becoming increasingly uncompetitive in comparison to the tax systems in other countries. This is detrimental to the interests of the UK software industry in general and to the games development sector in particular. The UK games industry would benefit from a tax break for games production and from a reduction in the tax burden on business. In the absence of such tax measures, the sector will not fulfil its potential.

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DR Studios Ltd, a UK based independent software developer, has joined Tiga.

Founded in April 1998 and based in Milton Keynes, DR Studios is a multiplatform games developer, currently developing games titles for the Wii, DS, PC, 360 Mac, Iphone and download space.

Clive Robert, CEO of DR Studios, said:

“DR Studios is delighted to join Tiga. Richard’s work in increasing the profile of Tiga and therefore of the UK games development community as a whole has been nothing short of excellent. DR Studios are proud to be a part of Tiga.

“The UK games industry has never had it tougher and in this challenging economic climate it is paramount that we stand together as one voice and make it known that the UK games business is an industry that people want to know about. The UK development community’s slip to 5th in the world rankings has a direct correlation with the lack of governmental recognition and support. The only way this on-going decay can be stopped is by the UK development community standing together and showing the rest of the world what it can do given a level playing field; Tiga represents that UK development unity. I would encourage every developer in the UK to join Tiga and help the UK regain the development crown it once had.”

Richard Wilson, CEO of Tiga, said:

“I am really pleased by DR Studios’ decision to join Tiga. Clive Robert, Tony Bickley (DR Studios’ COO) and Suzanne Tomkinson (DR’s CFO) run a highly experienced, innovative development studio. It’s a privilege to be able to represent industry professionals of Clive, Tony and Suzanne’s calibre.”

Tiga

-Justin

Tiga said today that while the Government’s short term approach to the economic downturn, a fiscal stimulus, makes sense, its long term strategy to increase taxation was wrong. A third of games developers already believe that the tax burden is holding back their businesses. The Government’s long term fiscal strategy will add to this burden.

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Tiga today backed the Government’s plans to introduce regulatory budgets as a way of reducing the regulatory burden on UK businesses, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the video games sector. However, Tiga urged the Government to remember that UK businesses such as games developers compete in a global market. Regulatory budgets should be framed to help ensure that the UK creates the most conducive regulatory environment in which to operate a business. Tiga made the comments in response to the Government’s policy paper, Regulatory Budgets: a consultation document.

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Endrant Studios Ltd, the independent software developer, has joined Tiga. Founded in April 2008 and based in Sevenoaks, Kent, Endrant Studios is a multiplatform developer, currently developing the multiplayer portion of id and Activision’s new Wolfenstein game.

Neil Postlethwaite, managing director & co-owner of Endrant Studios, said:
“Endrant Studios is delighted to join Tiga. I have been greatly encouraged by Tiga’s increased levels of activity over the last 9 months, particularly by its determination to fly the flag for developers in political circles and by its willingness to speak out on issues that matter to the industry.

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Tiga today welcomed the thrust of the Conservative Party’s proposals to ease the tax burden on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), but warned that their plans to promote training were unnecessarily restrictive. The Conservative Party’s plans for business were set out in the policy document Keep Britain Working, published today.

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This week Tiga will be helping to support the UK’s largest Group ever to attend Game Connection Europe in Lyon. Tiga has secured significant financial assistance from UKT&I for 13 UK games businesses attending the trade show.

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31st October 2008

Tiga said today that with leading opposition politicians recognising the importance of the games development sector and the persuasiveness of the case for tax breaks for games production, the Government would soon have to show its hand: would it be trick or treat for the UK video games industry? Tax breaks for games production or indifference?

Tiga held an event with Nesta (National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts) on Tuesday 28th October 2008 as part of London Games Festival week. The event focussed on providing best practice business advice to games developers. The occasion also gave an opportunity for leading Conservative and Liberal Democrat MPs to set out their parties’ approach to the video games industry.

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Redbedlam has joined Tiga as one of the UK’s few specialist Virtual World developers.

Kerry Fraser-Robinson, RedBedlam’s President and Founder, said:

“It’s about time we put ourselves at the heart of the UK’s development community. Tiga has done a great job of putting UK developers on the map and I believe that we will benefit from the membership services and political representation they make on our behalf.”

Fred Hasson, ex-Tiga CEO and founder, recently joined RedBedlam as Executive Director.

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16th Sept 2008 - Tiga is pleased to announce that the University of Portsmouth has joined Tiga as an educational affiliate member. The University’s Department of Creative Technologies continues to demonstrate its on-going commitment to closer industry liaison and relationship building to ensure curriculum development for all of their games course is relevant to the industries skill requirements.

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