Tag Archive for Computer games

MSP Welcomes New Dundee Computer Games Company’s First Products

December 16, 2011 Joe FitzPatrick MSP No comments

Dundee City West MSP Joe FitzPatrick, Convenor of the Cross Party Computer Games Group at Holyrood, has welcomed news that the city’s newest company, Outplay Entertainment, has released its first two computer games titles.

Launched in Dundee in February with the creation of 150 jobs, the company has developed two games – Word Trick and Booty Quest – for Facebook.

The company was set up by brothers Douglas and Richard Hare, who relocated to the city from the US, and specialises in games for mobile phones and social networks.

Joe FitzPatrick said: “I welcome these exciting new Facebook games from Outplay and hope they will be hugely successful.

“Word Trick is described as a “turbocharged crossword game with a twist and Booty Quest is a “Match-3 game”, which gives players 90 seconds to race to the top the leaderboards.

“I am looking forward to playing the games and to this company’s further successes in the market.”

New Cross Party Group on Computer Games Formed at Holyrood

November 18, 2011 Joe FitzPatrick MSP No comments

A new group to enable politicians and professions involved in the computer games sector in Scotland  to collaborate more closely on key issues of concern was established last night at Holyrood in a meeting attended by MSPs from all parties.
Dundee City West MSP Joe FitzPatrick was elected Convenor of the Group and said that he hoped the new group would enable better development of policy, improve communications within all parts of the sector and  raise awareness of the opportunities and challenges facing the sector.
In the initial meeting, officers were elected and both TIGA (the trade association representing the UK’s games industry) and NESTA (the National Endowment for Science, technology and the Arts) have said that they will be collaborating with the new group.
Speaking after the meeting, Joe FitzPatrick said: “I am pleased that the group has been established. The main aim is for developers and those key stakeholders at Universities and Colleges to get their message across to MSPs and keep the sector and politicians involved and informed.
“The next stage is to register the new group with Parliamentary Standards and get on with organising a first full meeting.
“It is hoped that the group will organise fact-finding visits to companies, educational institutions and key parts of the computer games sector.
“The industry currently faces a number of difficulties in securing finance for projects, which is inhibiting growth in the sector here in Dundee and across Scotland. With that in mind, we intend to examine whether a targeted tax relief, which would have to be introduced by the UK Government, or a Creative Content Fund as proposed by TIGA could alleviate some of the difficulties being faced by developers.
“While not all of these issues are within the remit of the Scottish Parliament, we hope this new Cross Party Group will create a stronger voice for the key partners in the industry in Scotland and more influence in policy-making to enable the sector to flourish, develop and expand, bringing high-quality jobs to Dundee and Scotland.”

Tax Levers Required at Holyrood For Computer Games Industry to Reach Full Potential

October 27, 2011 Joe FitzPatrick MSP No comments

The SNP Government has reaffirmed its support for the computer games industry in Dundee and across Scotland.

MSP for Dundee City West Joe FitzPatrick is confident that the games industry has a bright future but he said, during First Minister’s Question time today at Holyrood, that for the sector to achieve its full potential, greater powers for the Scottish Parliament must be in place, including control of the tax levers.

Speaking in Parliament, he said: “In Dundee and across Scotland the SNP Government have supported the creative and digital industries.

“I am currently in the process of establishing a Cross Party Group focussed on the Computer Games Industry in Scotland to maintain this support.

“The Scottish Government has already showed clear leadership on this issue in the face of Westminster neglect, with £3.35 million direct support provided to the games sector as part of an overall £6.75 million given by the Scottish Government and its agencies in the last year.

“Over the last few weeks I have been in contact with TIGA to discuss this interesting proposal for a Creative Content Fund to provide direct funding to games developers that can then be recouped from the profits made by successful developers and reinvested yet again to allow even more small businesses to flourish.

“TIGA’s Games Tax Relief proposal estimates that while it would initially cost around £200 million in loss as tax receipts, they would ultimately generate almost £400m in extra tax receipts for the Treasury as these businesses grow.

“If the Scottish Government was given control over these vital tax powers then we would be able to get crucial support to these small businesses, enabling them to create jobs and fuel the economic recovery.

“TIGA and the industry recognise this but the UK Government is at odds with the best interests of the games industry’s needs in Scotland.

“The First Minister has promised a meeting between the SNP Government and TIGA to discuss the Creative Content Fund and the best way to move forward.”

UK Coalition Missing A Trick Over Games Investment Claims MSP

July 12, 2011 Joe FitzPatrick MSP No comments

Dundee City West MSP Joe FitzPatrick today responded to a reply he has received from the Treasury which shows that the UK Coalition’s main plan to stimulate industry including computer games industry is based almost exclusively on lowering the rate of corporation tax.


Joe FitzPatrick said: “It plans to have the main rate reduced to 23% by 2014, which it claims will be the lowest rate in the G7 and will therefore, it claims, keep the UK internationally competitive for business.


“I’m certainly in favour of using varying of corporation tax to stimulate growth – in fact we want Scotland to have those very powers, similar to what Northern Ireland is to be granted, and if Scotland did have those powers we would certainly use them to provide incentives for business investment.


“We would look into setting up a Creative Content Fund to finance new development and enhance access to finance and marketing.


“But the problem with the answer I have received from the Treasury Minister is it continues to reject the idea of any specific targeted tax relief for the computer games industry alongside the ‘blunt instrument’ measure of corporation tax.


“We should be doing both. Why can’t the Treasury use all the levers at its disposal, continue lowering the corporation main rate but also introduce specific tax relief now? That would pay off with a greater tax take as the industry expands to fill the opportunities of the expanding market.


“The increasing number of countries offering specific tax support to their computer games sector is providing evidence that the increasing growth in the sector worldwide will be taken up by competitors like the United States of America, Canada and South Korea on the back of funding and support by their governments.


“What we’re calling for is not about giving away tax money to the computer games industry, it is an investment decision and as such it makes clear sense. It would be highly targeted and would offer best value for money.


“TIGA, the games industry body, has been able to demonstrate with strong research and data that any specific tax relief given would more than pay for itself in a short time span. The Treasury would get back more than it invested.


“It’s a measure that has had the apparent support of a number of leading figures within the three main UK parties. Tories and Lib Dems pledged to introduce it if elected but have reneged on their promise.


“This is not just an obscure financial wrangle. The creative industries and digital publishing sector employs up to 3,000 in Dundee and it is vital that we do not lose out on increasing our market share as the market expands — or fail to benefit from creative work done in Dundee when new products are brought to the global market.”

MSPs Welcome Games Boost For Dundee

February 10, 2011 Joe FitzPatrick MSP, Shona Robison MSP No comments

Dundee’s SNP MSPs Joe FitzPatrick and Shona Robison welcomed the jobs boost announced today [Thurs 10th] by Scotland’s First Minister.

Shona Robison said: “I welcome this fantastic news of 150 new high quality jobs in Dundee from Outplay Entertainments establishing a new headquarters in the city.

“It is a huge vote of confidence in the Scottish Games Industry and in Dundee.

“But while the efforts of the games industry itself and the Scottish Government to support it are considerable – you have to ask how more could be achieved if we also had the full backing of the UK Government in the form of tax relief for research & development for the games sector.

“The creative industries employ around 3,000 in Dundee. It is time for the Coalition to do its bit too and reconsider its opposition to tax relief so that we can develop even more jobs in the industry.”

Dundee West MSP Joe FitzPatrick said: “I am delighted to welcome Outplay to Dundee’s thriving games development sector. Although the computer games sector is clearly thriving – as this fantastic announcement shows -  we are still at risk of losing ground to overseas competitors.

“Significant tax credits are on offer for companies developing games in Canada and France which the UK government refuses to match.’

 “Tax relief for games development would create more money for the taxpayer than it would cost.

“Now is the time for stronger support and investment from the UK Government to the Computer Games Industry – to match the support coming from the Scottish Government.

 “There are huge opportunities available globally and we want the Scottish-based games industry to remain competitive in world terms.

“Fantastic as today’s announcement is, we can grow the sector even faster with everyone pulling together on behalf of the industry.”

Minister Launches 2014 Commonwealth Digital Games Competition

January 24, 2011 Shona Robison MSP No comments

Minister for Sport Shona Robison today visited a Dundee computer games firm to officially launch a landmark competition linked to the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Students from across Scotland are being challenged to design a digital game for the major sporting event.Any student studying in Scotland  is eligible for the competition which will see both the winner and runer-up take home a cash prize of £2014.

In addition to this, the winner will work with Dundee games company 4J Studios has been selected to work with the winning entrant to transform their concept into a working game which will appear free-to-play on the official Glasgow 2014 website.

To enter the competition, students must come up with a digital games concept which aligns with the ideals of the Commonwealth Games Federation – humanity, destiny and equality – and the Glasgow 2014 brand – living life to the full, endeavour, reponsibility, stylish, genuine and fun.

Minister for Public Health and Sport Shona Robison said: “The games development sector is a Scottish success story and a vital part of our creative industries. As a result I have no doubt that the creativity and imagination of our students will result in a game that is fitting to mark the Commonwealth Games coming to Scotland in 2014.

“This groundbreaking initiative is an opportunity for Scotland to stamp its own innovative character on the Games and reflect the success that already exists in our world renowned games sector.

“The 2014 Games will be an amazing experience for both Glasgow and Scotland. We are working hard to maximise the long term benefits and this contest will help contribute to that goal by encouraging creative talent and forging links between education and industry.”

Glasgow 2014 Chief Executive John Scott said:  “Scotland has a exceptional computer games industry and we want it to play an important part of Glasgow 2014, starting with this competition to get students involved in creating a game to go on our website.

“I can’t wait to see the designs that are submitted and to see the winning concept go from being on paper to a reality. Glasgow 2014 is all about getting people involved from across Scotland and inspiring people to strive to do their best. I hop that this competition achieves that.”

Studio Director at 4J Frank Arnot said: “I am delighted that 4J Studios has been awarded the contract to develop the winning entry in the Scottish Government’s Digital Game Contest and I am greatly looking forward to working together with the winning student to transform their concept into a finished product.”

The judging panel will include renowned Scots game designer and entrepreneur Dave Jones who was involved in the creation of both Lemmings and Grand Theft Auto.  Unable to be present at the launch he has

L-R: John Scott, Chief Executive Glasgow 2014, Shona, Chris Van der Kuyl of 4J Studios.

previously said: “I am very much looking forward to judging the Scottish Government’s digital games contest which undoubtedly will see ideas to match the exciting occasion of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.”

Background: The competition is open to students studying any course and is not restricted to those undertaking a computer sciencfe, game or art course. The competition is open for ten weeks until midnight on 4th April 2011. The winning game will appear free-to-play on the official Glasgow 2014 website at www.glasgow2014.com

4J won the contract through the Public Contracts Scotland Portal’s open procedure.

‘Constructive’ Meeting with Scottish Secretary on Computer Games Support

October 7, 2010 Joe FitzPatrick MSP No comments

Dundee West MSP Joe FitzPatrick, who today attended the meeting with Scottish Secretary Michael Moore and key figures in the Computer Games Industry at Abertay University, said that he is ‘hopeful’ the Coalition Government might yet see the merit of introducing tax breaks for research and development in the industry.

Commenting after the meeting, Joe FitzPatrick said: “It has been a constructive meeting and I have a feeling that the Scottish Secretary is genuinely interested at looking at all the possibilities for supporting the industry including the option of tax breaks for R&D.

“The visit by the Scottish Secretary’s visit was very welcome and it comes in the context of a consultation which the UK government is holding with businesses this autumn to review the support which R&D tax credits provide for innovation.

“I am aware that the Lib Dems pledged support to the idea of tax relief for computer games industry before the election so I am hopeful that the Scottish Secretary will be willing to consider all the options afresh.

“I previously welcomed the positive progress before the election where Chancellor Darling gave support to the idea, although there was subsequently no money in Labour’s final budget for it, so the new Government have the opportunity to do better.”

In July, the Dundee West MSP received a reply from David Gauke, Minister at HM Treasury, containing a promise that the Government will consult with business in autumn 2010 to review the support R&D tax credits provide for innovation and the proposals of the forthcoming Dyson review.

Joe FitzPatrick said: “I welcome this apparent willingness to look again at the position. The Treasury letter concluded by ‘welcoming any representations on the schemes as part of this process’ by which I take it that there is some possibility of a rethink since the Emergency Budget was introduced so soon after the election.

“I contacted leading industry figures and major stakeholders such as the games industry body TIGA to ensure that the strongest possible representations would be made to the review.”

Politicians ‘Deeply Disappointed’ at APB Shutdown

September 17, 2010 Joe FitzPatrick MSP, Shona Robison MSP, Stewart Hosie MP No comments

Commenting on the news today [Friday] that the Administrators of Realtime Worlds have apparently failed to find a buyer  interested in taking over the APB game, Dundee’s SNP politicians expressed ‘deep disappointment’ .

Begbie Traynors, the accountancy firm in control of the company since it went into receivership in August, will announce later today that of 300 expressions of interests – whittled down to a short leet of six – none could make the online game viable.

Dundee East MP Stewart Hosie said: “This is deeply disappointing. I am saddened that there is apparently no buyer for the remainder of Realtime Worlds.

“While we are extremely disappointed for the remaining staff and their families, I am also a little surprised at the news, given the high level of initial interest in the company from investors.  

“There are also a high number of online subscribers who are still playing the game APB, estimated to be 130,000.”

Dundee West MSP Joe FitzPatrick said: “This is sad news for the Computer Games industry in Dundee.

“Realtime Worlds had an exceptional track record as Dundee’s largest Computer Games Company and APB was a very bold – and expensive property to develop. In retrospect, it was perhaps too expensive to develop, too big a project. But I am saddened that many of the talented RTW team in Dundee will not be re-employed under the same roof.

“We were expecting news of a successful buy-out, given the number of expressions of interest in the remnant of the company.

“I thought it could have been commercially viable to continue with APB as an online game to recoup the development costs and move through into profit. The game has been successful – perhaps just not successful enough on a big enough scale – to achieve that. 

Shona Robison, MSP for Dundee East said: “It’s very sad news for those who were first made redundant exactly a month ago – on 17 August – and who will not now be re-employed.

“However, the talent and quality in Dundee and the strength and resilience of the Computer Games industry here is such that it can bounce back from this setback.”

The former company’s other main asset, Project MyWorld was bought two weeks ago by investors whose identity has not yet been disclosed nor were job numbers made public at that time and Begbie Traynors will now focus on selling assets and IP rights from within the game, whcih is expected to shut down over the weekend.

Dundee MSP Invites Computer Games Czar to Dundee

May 19, 2010 Joe FitzPatrick MSP One comment

Dundee West MSP Joe FitzPatrick has written to the newly appointed Digital Economy ‘Czar’ Jeremy Hunt to invite him to visit Dundee to meet key staff at the University of Abertay and the largest employer in the area, Realtime Worlds.

The MSP is aware that Mr Hunt, Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, will receive “many invitations of this nature in the first few weeks of your appointment but ask that you give real consideration to the importance of this industry to the city of Dundee and to the UK as a whole.”

The MSP adds that “any tax relief granted would be extremely small in comparison to the return on the investment, and would be a big step in the recovery of our economy.”

The MSP wrote yeseterday to George Osborne, the Chancellor of the Exchequer and to Vince Cable, Secretary of State and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills asking what was the new coalition government’s position on tax relief for the computer games industry.

The MSP has previously welcomed the positive progress before the election where Chancellor Darling gave support to the idea, although there was subsequently no money in the budget for it.

Joe FitzPatrick said: “I have strongly urged George Osborne to introduce tax relief for computer games development in the forthcoming budget on 22 June to put the Scottish industry on a level playing field with competitor countries around the world.

“I have also asked that he could progress the issue further in conjunction with other major stakeholders such as TIGA.

“I have also written to Vince Cable and am aware that the Lib Dems pledged support to the idea of tax relief for computer games industry before the election.”

Several months ago, the MSP raised a motion at the Scottish Parliament calling for tax relief for the games industry which employs up to 3,000 in Dundee.

Tories Questioned Over Computer Games Tax Breaks

April 15, 2010 Joe FitzPatrick MSP One comment

Dundee West SNP Candidate Jim Barrie has written to Tory Leader David Cameron after it emerged that the recently published Conservative manifesto contains no mention of tax breaks for the computer games industry.

Joe FitzPatrick MSP for Dundee West has also written to the Tory Shadow Chancellor George Osborne and to Scottish Tory Leader Annabel Goldie.

 The Dundee politicians are concerned that in the event of a Tory victory on May 6, the Scottish industry will lose out.

 Jim Barrie said: “The games Industry has enjoyed significant growth over recent years and Mr Cameron will probably be aware that Dundee is a leading world centre for games development and training, however, due to tax breaks offered by other countries Dundee is now facing a competitive disadvantage.   

“I brought to his attention that a recent report by the games industry body TIGA, which I attached for his information, shows that unless a similar tax regime to Canada and France is introduced in the UK it could lead to the loss of 200 Jobs in Dundee over the next 5 years.

Commenting on their action, Joe Fitzpatrick said: “In contrast, offering tax relief on research and development activities for computer games companies could create 350 Graduate level Jobs and 45 million pounds of extra investment in Dundee over the next 5 years.

“The TIGA report also shows that the tax break would pay for itself, over five years the tax measure would cost 192 million but would deliver 415 million in tax receipts.

 “We have asked the Tories to reconsider their position and commit to introducing tax relief on research and development to support the computer games industry.”

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