Tiga: “We cannot afford to ignore the subsidised competition”

Richard Wilson, CEO of UK game developer trade association Tiga, has renewed its call for tax breaks for UK developers in the face of the new tax credit system for the US state of Georgia.

“Georgia’s introduction of games development tax breaks illustrates once again that other state and national governments are competing to create the most hospitable environment for games production," said Wilson.

The Georgia tax credit system allows qualifying products to benefit from a 20 per cent reduction in taxes, with a further 10 per cent available to products that display an animated Georgia promotional logo.

"If the UK Government wants to see a thriving video games industry in this country, then it must create a more favourable taxation system, keep the regulatory burden on business relatively light and work to increase the supply of suitably qualified graduates," Wilson continued.

“The UK games development sector continues to be a world beating industry, but we cannot afford to ignore the heavily subsidised competition. The playing field continues to be tipped against UK games developers. Our position as a leading player in the development of video games is at stake.”