Molyneux: Game tax breaks can help UK innovation

British development figurehead Peter Molyneux has applauded the Government’s decision to back the UK with a game development tax break initiative.

The former Lionhead boss, whose garlanded career in games has entered its thirtieth year, said that British developers “have always been an important force” for the sector.

“Now with the tax break proposal we can look forward to Britain becoming the centre for innovation and investment,” he added.

“This is great news for small and large companies alike.”

The Coalition government’s decision to introduce games tax breaks in the UK will create and safeguard as many as 5,000 direct and indirect industry jobs, trade body Tiga has claimed.

About £50 million has been set aside to fund the tax breaks for two years, though that figure could be adjusted following a consultation period with the industry.

Earlier, Eidos life president Ian Livingstone praised the UK government for “sending a very positive message to the world for the UK to claim it is the best place to develop games and digital content".

Activision CEO Bobby Kotick praised the tax credits initiative as "a great first step" for the UK.