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TIGA calls on UK Government not to overlook indies with games tax relief

Plus, incentivise updates and fresh content

TIGA calls on UK Government not to overlook indies with games tax relief
Having sampled industry opinion via developer workshops, UK trade association TIGA has published its recommendations for the forthcoming games tax relief, calling on the Government not to forget smaller studios.

Association CEO Richard Wilson believes that, as well as a flat rate of relief of 30 percent, the Government needs to ensure indies aren't left out of the picture.

Big and small

"TIGA aims to strengthen the UK video games sector and to ensure that the industry supports the wider economic recovery," said Wilson.

"If GTR is designed to support both small budget games and larger projects, provides a significant level of relief and incentivises continuous content creation, then we can achieve these objectives."

Wilson added that games are "increasingly being developed as a service, with a large amount of the content being created and released post-launch", noting that it is "important that studios are able to claim relief on costs arising after the release of a game."

Give and you shall receive

TIGA claims to have polled the opinion of more than 100 developers from across the UK, with the body suggesting studios should be incentivised to work on additional content post release, such as downloadable extras or updates.

The organisation has also claimed the Government needs to support free releases monetised by in-app purchases or advertising.

While TIGA would prefer a flat relief rate of 30 percent, an alternative suggestion is to offer projects up to £250,000 a 30 percent tax break, with 25 percent on offer for projects over said figure.

If such recommendations are adopted, TIGA estimates more than 4,660 jobs in the industry will be secured, with £188 million invested in the development scene.

That, in turn, will increase the sector's contribution to UK GDP by £283 million and contribute £172 million to the Treasury.

With a fine eye for detail, Keith Andrew is fuelled by strong coffee, Kylie Minogue and the shapely curve of a san serif font.