Wake up you lazy MPs - an industry needs you!
According to UK government minister Margaret Hodge* in answer to Nigel Evans (conservative MP for Ribble Valley), progress is slow when it comes to establishing a centre for excellence for computer games production, as proposed in the Government's 2008 Creative Britain report.
Hodge explained that, "The Northwest Regional Development Agency is commissioning a feasibility study into establishing a centre of excellence for computer games, which is due to report on 31 January 2009."
We've contacted the NRDA to find out how the commissioning of the feasibility study is going. After all, if the study is due to report back in January 2009, you'd expect it to actually, well, have been set up. We'd also be keen to know whether this centre of excellence will be of any actual use to game developers - or at least the ones who haven't moved to Canda, France or Australia by the time the study actually reports back.
Hodge also responded to a question from John Hayes (Shadow Minister, Innovation, Universities and Skills). Hayes asked, "What EU grant aid may be provided for development of computer games in the UK with an EU cultural element; and what the qualifying criteria are for such grant aid?"
No surprises from Hodge, "There is no specific European grant aid for games companies but UK games companies can access investment through European regional development funds.
"Article 87(3)(d) of the EC treaty authorises member states to give aid to promote culture provided it does not adversely affect trading conditions and competition, but at the moment this does not apply to video games in the UK.
"Within the UK, Government currently offer research and development (R and D) tax credits for businesses. As one of the commitments in our recently published Creative Britain document, we have outlined the aim to work with small businesses, with a particular focus on the video games industry, to make the current system of R and D tax credits more user friendly.
"The Technology Strategy Board are currently assessing bids to a new £10 million fund to inspire new collaborative research and development ideas for the creative industries, including the video games industry.
First awards have already been made for feasibility study bids (awards up to £15,000); these are done on a monthly basis on a cycle running from March-August."
Our bolding... yes, the UK government hasn't changed its mind since February regarding the fact that it sees the industry as 'small business'.
* Minister of State (Culture, Creative Industries and Tourism), Department for Culture, Media & Sport; Barking.
Source: Theyworkforyou
Hodge explained that, "The Northwest Regional Development Agency is commissioning a feasibility study into establishing a centre of excellence for computer games, which is due to report on 31 January 2009."
We've contacted the NRDA to find out how the commissioning of the feasibility study is going. After all, if the study is due to report back in January 2009, you'd expect it to actually, well, have been set up. We'd also be keen to know whether this centre of excellence will be of any actual use to game developers - or at least the ones who haven't moved to Canda, France or Australia by the time the study actually reports back.
Hodge also responded to a question from John Hayes (Shadow Minister, Innovation, Universities and Skills). Hayes asked, "What EU grant aid may be provided for development of computer games in the UK with an EU cultural element; and what the qualifying criteria are for such grant aid?"
No surprises from Hodge, "There is no specific European grant aid for games companies but UK games companies can access investment through European regional development funds.
"Article 87(3)(d) of the EC treaty authorises member states to give aid to promote culture provided it does not adversely affect trading conditions and competition, but at the moment this does not apply to video games in the UK.
"Within the UK, Government currently offer research and development (R and D) tax credits for businesses. As one of the commitments in our recently published Creative Britain document, we have outlined the aim to work with small businesses, with a particular focus on the video games industry, to make the current system of R and D tax credits more user friendly.
"The Technology Strategy Board are currently assessing bids to a new £10 million fund to inspire new collaborative research and development ideas for the creative industries, including the video games industry.
First awards have already been made for feasibility study bids (awards up to £15,000); these are done on a monthly basis on a cycle running from March-August."
Our bolding... yes, the UK government hasn't changed its mind since February regarding the fact that it sees the industry as 'small business'.
* Minister of State (Culture, Creative Industries and Tourism), Department for Culture, Media & Sport; Barking.
Source: Theyworkforyou