Realtime Worlds: games tax break calls continue
- By Graham Huband
- Published in the Courier : 19.08.10
- Published online : 19.08.10 @ 12.56pm
(Page 2 of 2)
"The task must now be to ensure that Dundee and Scotland retain as many highly-skilled individuals as possible and that buyers can be found quickly for Realtime Worlds' continuing operations.
"This sad news underlines the significant investment and risk attached to the video games industry and is evidence that the UK Government must take urgent action to support a sector which offers huge benefits to the Scottish economy.
"It is a very long time since video game development was conducted by bedroom programmers and garage industries. Today's video games are multi-million pound projects developed over several years by huge teams of highly educated and skilled individuals.
"The risks — as we have seen this week — are enormous, but are outweighed by the potential rewards."
She spoke of the "great track record" of new talent, thanks to places like Abertay University.
"However, this strong position has been challenged in recent years by other parts of the world offering more attractive fiscal regimes for gaming companies.
"Scotland must match or better the tax breaks offered by our rivals if we are to compete in the future, and that will require urgent action from the UK Government to reconsider its position on tax breaks, denied to the games industry in June's emergency Budget."
Dundee and Angus Chamber of Commerce said the demise of Realtime Worlds is not a death sentence for the industry in the city.
Chief executive Alan Mitchell said the company was "very important" but does not represent the whole sector.
"It remains a very viable sector and a thriving sector. It's very sad and very disappointing and clearly bad news for the individuals affected, but Realtime Worlds may yet emerge from the administration process as a viable concern," he said.
"A number of individuals may go on and set up their own businesses. What's to say the next generation won't come from within Realtime Worlds?"
Add a comment