Tag Archives: UKIE

Train2Game News UKIE outlines new manifesto for games industry

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UKIE LogoOn Tuesday, Ukie, in partnership with Activision Blizzard and Ubisoft, hosted its largest ever Westminster Political Reception to announce a range of policy recommendations and to celebrate the cultural and economic importance of the UK games sector.

The event, held at Millbank Tower, was attended by more than 200 members, MPs, Peers, policy makers and industry figures from a range of creative industry sectors.

The event saw the launch of the new Ukie Policy Manifesto for the next Parliament that outlines initial plans for how to further grow the UK games sector following the introduction of tax breaks earlier this year, and the introduction of the new Computing curriculum earlier this week.

Created with input from Ukie’s members, the Policy Manifesto calls for action on three headline areas of policy support:

· Support to help UK games companies grow across the UK – including regulatory stability, better infrastructure and a long term roadmap where games businesses can access public funding and support proportionate to the other screen industries

· Promotion of the UK games industry abroad – demonstrating that the UK is one of the leading videogame industries in the world, including a focus on funding, fully supporting and working with industry on trade and investment activity such as trade missions and helping UK businesses to reach overseas marketplaces

· Building a strong and diverse talent pipeline – including supporting the new Computing Curriculum, investing in careers guidance and extending and making permanent the Skills Investment Fund

The reception heard from Justin Tomlinson MP, PPS to Ed Vaizey, on the work that the coalition government has done to support the UK games sector.

Justin Tomlinson MP said: ““The UK games industry is going from strength to strength, recovering some of the ground lost to other countries over the last few years. This growth has been helped very much by the hard work put in by Ukie and the major policy initiatives introduced by this government, such as a new computing curriculum and the recent introduction of production tax relief. However, more can of course be done and in my new role working closely with Ed Vaizey I very much welcome Ukie’s new Policy Manifesto and look forward to discussing its recommendations with Jo and her team in more detail over the coming months.”

The guests also heard from Dr Jo Twist, CEO of Ukie, and Roy Stackhouse, General Manager for Activision Blizzard UK and Ireland, discussing Ukie’s manifesto proposals and the strength of the UK as a place to make games.

Ukie CEO, Dr Jo Twist said: “We were delighted by the introduction of games industry tax relief earlier this year but quickly realised that it is essential that we maximise the opportunities that the new scheme presents. We have therefore spent the last six months speaking to our members from across the breadth of our sector about the measures that they would like to see the UK government introduce to truly put the UK’s games industry on the global map. Our Policy Manifesto outlines our members priority asks and we will be following this up with more detailed papers and briefings to MPs to continue our push to make this the best country in the world to make and sell games.”

UK MD of Ubisoft, Rob Cooper commented on the importance of the Westminster Reception in maintaining a positive view of the UK games sector: “Events like these are vital in showing the significance of the UK games industry, both culturally and economically, to a high profile audience of policy makers and other VIPs. We are delighted to support this year’s event and Ukie’s work generally in giving a voice to UK games businesses of all sizes from multinationals like Ubisoft, to smaller developers, making and selling some of the most vibrantly creative interactive entertainment in the world.”

Guests at the reception had a chance to play some of Ubisoft and Activision Blizzard’s latest titles including Valiant Hearts: The Great War, Just Dance 2014, Diablo III and Skylanders: Trap Team. Charity Special Effect were also there demonstrating their latest innovations to help young people with different abilities enjoy games.

You can find Ukie’s Policy Manifesto for the New Parliament here: http://ukie.org.uk/news/2014/09/ukie-westminster-reception

Train2Game News Great British Summer Game Jam

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Great British Summer Game JamMind Candy has partnered with Autodesk to encourage people to get into game development, promote the UK’s games industry and experiment with new technology and hardware in the first ever Great British Summer Game Jam.

The Jam will see development teams creating games around the “British Summer” theme to win a variety of prizes from the likes of Unity3d, Marmalade and PlayJam. Ukie is also supporting a special “Accessibility Award”, judged by accessibility consultant Ian Hamilton, for the game which is the most accessible to those with impairments and disabilities.

The Great British Summer Game Jam will run from Saturday 5th July to Sunday 6th July but teams will be encouraged to tinker with some of the new technology that Mind Candy has collected from various partners from Thursday 26th June to start preparing for their game. The technology for the jam is provided by partners Autodesk, Marmalade, Unity3d, Simplygon, Allegorithmic, PlayCanvas, PlayJam (GameStick), Simplygon and AMD. Anybody of any skill level can sign up, be it students or established developers, and take part remotely or in person at Mind Candy’s offices in East London, where jammers will be kept supplied with sustenance, funky office space, WiFi and power.

CTO of Mind Candy, Jeff Reynar said “At Mind Candy, we know from experience that a small game idea can turn into a massive break-out hit.  We love Game Jams and run them internally – they are a great way to discover and try out new ideas, or just to have fun! We are hugely excited to be hosting The Great British Game Jam in our London office and can’t wait to see what everyone creates!”

CEO of Ukie, Dr Jo Twist said “We are really proud to be part of this fantastic initiative and to be supporting the Accessibility Award in particular. Jams like these are a great way to raise awareness around issues like accessibility and with today’s huge array of technology, tools, and ways to reach new audiences on different platforms, there has never been a more exciting time to make games. It will be fantastic to see what kind of creative and innovative projects come out of the Jam from some of the UKs best developers.”

The Jam kicks off with a briefing session and tech presentation at Mind Candy’s office today (Thursday 26th June). It will be recorded and put on online after for anybody who misses it. For more information or to register for the briefing session, follow this link – http://gbsgamejam.eventbrite.com

Train2Game News Radius Festival

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RadiusIf you love games then you’ll love the Radius Festival, successor to last year’s hugely successful ‘EToo’ event, founded by The Guardian’s games editor Keith Stuart, game designer and producer Georg Backer, and Loading Bar Manager Jimmy Dance.

The ambition was to create an event where people could discover and explore new and interesting games – and over the course of four days, it attracted over a thousand visitors.

This year EToo has evolved into the more ambitious Radius Festival, which will include several separate events.

The festival kicks off this Monday, June 9th, with “Radius Loading”, a big E3 media briefings party at the new Loading Bar location in Dalston, London, where popular gaming podcast Midnight Resistance and friends will collectively analyse the major press conferences.

Then, between June 19th – 21st, the “Radius Exhibition” will showcase a range of fascinating, exciting and intriguing games, from both well-known studios and new talent. The venue is one of London’s premiere locations, the White Space, seconds away from Leicester Square, right in the heart of London.

“Radius Exhibition is not just for developers; it is for everyone who loves to explore, discover and engage with games and their creators”, game developer and Radius organiser Georg Backer says, “which is why we’re curating the exhibition rather than asking developers to pay for exhibition space, and why the exhibition is free to attend.”

“There are amazing games out there, many unheard of, struggling to be discovered. We want to help them find an audience”, adds Andy Payne, chairman of UKIE, CEO of Mastertronic and co-organiser.

During the evenings, the venue will host the “Radius Show”, a live-streamed Internet show broadcast on Twitch featuring developer interviews, guest stars and many surprises. As with last year’s show there will be amazing games, interesting conversation, fascinating insights, breaking news and controversy.

“Last year we had everyone from comedian and actor Rufus Hound to video game poets and a music group that uses modified Guitar Hero controllers,” says co-founder of Etoo and Radius, Keith Stuart. “We’ll also have some great guest presenters, and I’ll be wearing a new jumper.” 

The full line-up for the “Radius Exhibition” and “Radius Show” will be announced very soon, along with a few surprises.

The Radius Festival is a not-for-profit event supported by sponsors that include Sega, Mastertronic and game designer Mike Bithell, who says “Grass roots events like Radius are the unsung heroes of game devs, bringing exposure to the projects and people that define our medium’s future. I’m excited to do my bit to help the folk at Radius empower new people. Also I’ve been assured that there will be a Volume poster in the bathroom of the event.”

Keith Stuart adds “Radius continues what Etoo started, but one thing won’t change: Radius will maintain the intimate and friendly atmosphere for developers, gamers and everyone who is enthusiastic about technology, creativity and gaming.”

Get your free tickets for “Radius Loading” and “Radius Exhibition” here: http://radiusfestival.eventbrite.co.uk

Train2Game News UKIE on Tax Relief

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UKIE LogoUK games trade body heralds new reliefs as a huge boost to the UK games and interactive entertainment sector and pledges to now further promote the UK games industry to the rest of the world

Following today’s announcement that the long-awaited games production credit scheme has been greenlit by the European Commission, Ukie CEO Dr Jo Twist said: “This is a huge boost to the UK games and interactive entertainment sector and the start of a great new era of games production in the UK. We are delighted the European Commission recognised the clear market failure for the production of games with a British and European flavour, using UK-based creative and highly skilled talent.

“We are extremely happy to have played a part, as a strong collective voice for the industry, to get the scheme over the finishing line. We have been in constant contact with government throughout the process and have applied pressure and evidence for the scheme to be introduced at every opportunity.

“I’d like to thank all the hundreds of games companies and individuals across the country who have worked so hard collectively and who have played such a crucial role in getting to this point. The next strategic priority for us now is in applying pressure in different ways so that games businesses can access more programmes which support access to international markets, training and finance so we can be fully recognised as a sector that can lead the world again.”

Ukie will be focussing on ensuring UK developers from all parts of the country and of all sizes know how to benefit from the scheme. Ukie will also be working with its creative industry partners and the UKTI to ensure more support can be accessed by UK businesses to access new markets and to promote the UK as a destination for studios.

“We are touring the country for a series of events with experts from UK government and other industry experts to give simple, clear advice to the companies so they know what they have to do to benefit.”

Ukie will be launching their tax production credit roadshows and how to workshops around the UK from April with tax experts Saffery Champness and the BFI (who are administering the cultural test) on hand to help developers understand how they can apply for them. The first briefing session will be on 15 April in London at UkieHQ (2pm). Further sessions will also be held on the evening of 30 April in Edinburgh (6pm) in partnership with the Scottish Games Network and in Birmingham on the afternoon of 2 May (2pm), in partnership with Innovation Birmingham.

More dates in Newcastle, Liverpool and Bristol will be confirmed soon. Please register for all the events here.

Train2Game News UKIE still positive after budget

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UKIE LogoUK games trade body still optimistic of getting a decision from the EC soon and urges UK government to continue pushing as hard as possible for their introduction.

Responding to the Budget announcement by Chancellor George Osborne, Ukie CEO Dr Jo Twist said the following about the lack of any announcement on the long-awaited games production tax credits by the Chancellor.

Dr Twist said: “The ongoing delay to the UK games tax relief scheme has been very frustrating for UK developers. Whilst there was not any announcement about the European Commission’s decision in this year’s budget, we continue to be confident that our case is strong and that we will receive word from the EC soon. We know that the Treasury and other UK government departments have worked hard to convince Europe of the case for UK Games Tax Relief, and we will continue to do everything we can to help push tax relief over the finishing line and get this vital scheme in place for UK developers as soon as possible”.

The full Budget document (the Red Book) sets out a small change to the legislation behind Games Tax Relief, in paragraph 2.114, which would be enacted should the relief get clearance. However, the relief remains subject to state aid clearance, meaning that final European Commission approval is still required before it can go ahead.

There was other relevant news for games companies in the Budget however, with announcements of:

·         The Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme to be made permanent
·         Extra £85 million in next two years in grants to employers to support 100,000 new apprenticeships
·         £20 million over 2 years to support degree-level apprenticeships
·         Confirmation that Corporation Tax will be 21% in April, 20% from April 2015
·         £2,000 Employment Allowance announced last year will come into force in April – reduces Employer National Insurance Contributions
·         UK Export Finance will be reformed to support intangible exports, be much more proactive in support of UK businesses, and have its direct lending budget double to £3 billion at the lowest permitted interest rates.
·         R&D Tax Credit for loss-making SMEs will increase from 11% to 14.5%
·         Enterprise Zone discounts on business rates and Enhanced Capital Allowances will be extended by 3 years
·         Double the Annual Investment Allowance for businesses to £500,000 until the end of 2015
·         Provide £42 million over 5 years to set up the Alan Turing Institute to lead the world in Big Data and algorithm research

In response, Dr Twist said: “Many of these new announcements are welcome steps which should help further cement the position of the UK as the best place in the world to make and sell games. Helping SMEs to grow more quickly is particularly crucial, and the announcements on SEIS and export support should have a good impact in this regard.

“However, it is Games Tax Relief which will have a real impact in unlocking our sector’s cultural and economic potential, as the government recognised when introducing the scheme. It is vital that we get it in place as soon as possible”.

Train2Game News: UKIE and Nesta mentoring

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UKIE LogoUkie, who bring games industry expertise and Nesta, who have years of experience of running successful creative industry mentoring schemes, have partnered to develop a mentoring scheme designed specifically for UK games businesses.

Building on the success of Nesta’s wider creative Business Mentor Network, the Video Game Mentoring Network has been set up by Ukie and Nesta to advise and nurture games businesses with an appetite for growth.

The scheme will be officially launched in April but games businesses are being invited to express their interest in being mentored now by contacting mentoring@ukie.org.uk

Businesses joining the games mentoring network will receive:

  • One-to-one business mentoring in the form of 10 two-hour sessions over a 6-12 month period

  • An induction workshop at the start of the programme to get the most out of your mentoring sessions

  • Workshops and events designed to meet other members of the wider Network

  • Coaching support – in addition to mentoring

Ukie and Nesta want businesses of all sizes to apply to be mentored, from start-ups who have been established for less than two years, to established and high growth potential business who are looking to scale. They are also calling on potential mentors to express and interest in being part of the scheme. The minimum criteria for applying are simply that you must be a registered business that:

  • Has made or sold a game in the UK in the last 12 months or have a game ready to bring to market in the next six months.

  • Or you can also be a business that has launched a product or service in the UK that supports the creation and selling of games within the last 12 months.

  • Being a Ukie member automatically qualifies you to apply.

Ukie CEO, Dr Jo Twist said: “This partnership with Nesta gives games businesses an amazing opportunity to get first hand expert advice from people with proven track records in the games industry. Mentoring is invaluable both for mentees and for mentors. Our industry is especially good at collaborating and sharing stories and experiences so we encourage all businesses to apply and be part of the network.”

Mentors for the programme are being selected from successful leaders in the games industry, with experience of working in a variety of businesses from creating their own successful independent development studios and publishing companies, to working at senior levels for multinational games businesses. Individuals can express interest in becoming a mentor by contacting mentoring@ukie.org.uk.

Train2Game News: UKIE still campaigning for Games Tax Relief

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UKIE LogoUkie has again called for the planned games production credits for UK games businesses to be introduced as soon as possible.

The games trade body has cited new UK production statistics released today by the BFI, that show the new High-end Television Tax Relief has delivered over £233 million for the UK economy in its first nine months, as evidence of the benefits that a similar relief system would bring to the UK’s games sector.

Board member of film and TV body, Film London, and Chair of Ukie, Andy Payne said:

“Seeing the hard financial evidence that the production tax credits have worked for high end TV, and in such a short space of time, proves that the digital creative industries can drive exports, deliver growth and high value jobs as well as attract considerable inward investment.

“This will play a significant part in increasing the UK’s productivity which is so badly needed. The games industry looks forward to the games production tax credits coming into force very soon and having a very positive effect for the UK games industry and the creative industries for UKPLC.”

Ukie CEO, Dr Jo Twist said: “These figures show the massive benefits that tax credits could bring to the UK games industry, opening the door for big inward investment and helping small businesses to scale up. They would help the creative talent in this country to produce more and compete in a global marketplace with uniquely British or European flavoured games. We know that the UK government continues to be behind the games tax relief and remain positive that they will be introduced. We urge UK government and the European Commission to make sure that the new system is introduced as soon as possible so that UK games business can benefit in the same way that TV sector is.”

View the full BFI figures here http://www.bfi.org.uk/sites/bfi.org.uk/files/downloads/bfi-film-production-in-the-uk-full-year-2013-2014-01-30.pdf

Ukie will be focussing on working with the government and other creative industry agencies to ensure the games sector benefits from other inward investment activities, trade support programmes and industry promotion as part of the government’s wider ambition to sell the opportunity that the UK’s creative industries offer.

Train2Game News: Cyber psychologist talks about game addiction

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gamerA cyber psychologist has called on the developers of massively multiplayer online role-playing games to help prevent addiction by tweaking their design.

Dr Zaheer Hussain, a lecturer in psychology at the University of Derby, called on MMORPG designers to look into the structure of their games, and suggested shortening long quests. The recommendation was made in “Social responsibility in online videogaming: What should the videogame industry do?”, a new study authored by Dr Hussain, Dr Shumaila Yousafzai from the Cardiff Business School and Professor Mark Griffiths, of Nottingham Trent University and director of the International Gaming Research Unit.

The study said some gamers play up to 90 hours a session, developing a “pathological” addiction. A distinction was made between video games with an ending and MMORPGs, which do not. The researchers said around seven to 11 per cent of players were considered “pathological” gamers.

Dr Hussain said: “As a first step online game developers and publishers need to look into the structural features of the game design, for example the character development, rapid absorption rate, and multiplayer features which could make them addictive and or problematic for some gamers.

“One idea could be to shorten long quests to minimise the time spent in the game obtaining a certain prized item.”

In a BBC report, UKIE boss Dr Jo Twist responded to the study, saying: “There is no medical diagnosis of game addiction but like anything enjoyable in life, some people play games excessively.”

This is not the first time Video Game addicition has been in the news but it is the same as anything enjoyable. People will use it to escape their own lives.

I, personally, don’t believe any blame can be placed on the developers as the majority don’t spend 90+ hours playing these games non stop. It is down to the individual to control themselves and have a healthy balance in their life.

Train2Game News: UK Top 20 – 21.01.13

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Devil May CryTrain2Game again brings you the latest game charts and this week FIFA 13 has been toppled from the number one spot by Capcom’s reboot of Devil May Cry. NBA 2K13 has hit number 19 and with the release of the latest DLC Borderlands 2 has risen back up to number 20.
Week ending 19 January 2013
POS.  TITLE  PUBLISHER  LAST
WEEK 
1 DMC CAPCOM –
2 FIFA 13 EA SPORTS 1
3 – CALL OF DUTY: BLACK OPS II ACTIVISION 3
4 FAR CRY 3 UBISOFT 2
5 – NEED FOR SPEED MOST WANTED EA GAMES 5
6 – JUST DANCE 4 UBISOFT 6
7 FOOTBALL MANAGER 2013 SEGA 8
8 HITMAN ABSOLUTION SQUARE ENIX 4
9 – THE ELDER SCROLLS V: SKYRIM BETHESDA SOFTWORKS 9
10 ASSASSIN’S CREED III UBISOFT 11
11 LEGO THE LORD OF THE RINGS WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE 10
12 – WWE ’13 THQ 12
13 DISHONORED BETHESDA SOFTWORKS 15
14 SONIC & ALL STARS RACING TRANSFORMED SEGA 13
15 SKYLANDERS GIANTS SKYLANDERS 17
16 FORZA MOTORSPORT 4 MICROSOFT 19
17 LEGO BATMAN 2: DC SUPER HEROES WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE 20
18 – MEDAL OF HONOR: WARFIGHTER EA GAMES 18
19 NBA 2K13 2K SPORTS –
20 BORDERLANDS 2 2K GAMES –

Leisure software charts compiled by Chart Track, (C)2013 UKIE Ltd

Train2Game News: UK Top 20 – 14.01.13

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fifa13It has been a quiet week for the UK Top 20. The top 5 are all the same with FIFA 13 still in the number one slot. The only new addition this week is Anarchy Reigns from SEGA.
POS.  TITLE  PUBLISHER  LAST
WEEK 
1 – FIFA 13 EA SPORTS 1
2 – FAR CRY 3 UBISOFT 2
3 – CALL OF DUTY: BLACK OPS II ACTIVISION 3
4 – HITMAN ABSOLUTION SQUARE ENIX 4
5 – NEED FOR SPEED MOST WANTED EA GAMES 5
6 JUST DANCE 4 UBISOFT 7
7 HALO 4 MICROSOFT 6
8 FOOTBALL MANAGER 2013 SEGA 13
9 THE ELDER SCROLLS V: SKYRIM BETHESDA SOFTWORKS 10
10 LEGO THE LORD OF THE RINGS WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE 9
11 – ASSASSIN’S CREED III UBISOFT 11
12 WWE ’13 THQ 14
13 SONIC & ALL STARS RACING TRANSFORMED SEGA 12
14 FORZA HORIZON MICROSOFT 8
15 – DISHONORED BETHESDA SOFTWORKS 15
16 ANARCHY REIGNS SEGA –
17 – SKYLANDERS GIANTS SKYLANDERS 17
18 MEDAL OF HONOR: WARFIGHTER EA GAMES 16
19 FORZA MOTORSPORT 4 MICROSOFT 18
20 – LEGO BATMAN 2: DC SUPER HEROES WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE 20

Leisure software charts compiled by Chart Track, (C)2013 UKIE Ltd