An Abertay University project that gives graduates hands-on experience in the video games industry has been praised by the UK government.
In its official response to the House of Commons Scottish Affairs Committee report on the games industry, the UK Government said work is already being done to promote the scheme it funds.
However, despite making a commitment to maintain an internationally competitive games industry in Scotland, the response refuses to acknowledge that computer games have any cultural importance and continues to deny the industry tax relief as a result.
The government praised the ongoing focus at Abertay University on working with businesses to prepare graduates for work in the industry.
Their response says it is “very pleased with progress” on the £5 million Prototype Fund run by Abertay University for investing in new creative companies.
Paul Durrant, director of business development at Abertay University, said, “We are very pleased to see the UK government acknowledge the value of the games industry.
“However, it is disappointing not to see the cultural importance of the games industry being accepted as equal to that of the film industry, particularly as the UK film industry benefits from tax relief because of this status.”
The original Scottish Affairs Committee report, which was launched at Abertay University in February, described Abertay as “a beacon of how successfully to equip graduates for work in the industry” and recommended it be used as a model for education across the UK.
“We see huge new opportunities open up in social and mobile gaming, industry-ready graduates and initiatives such as our Prototype Fund.”
The Prototype Fund also supports Abertay University’s commitment to industry skills by offering graduates from across the UK the opportunity to work on funded projects.
Dundee West MP Jim McGovern has said the government’s response failed to recognise the specific needs of the games industry.
Developers and trade organisation TIGA have long campaigned for tax breaks which they say are necessary to allow them to compete with firms based in countries which already offer similar tax breaks.
Image used under Creative Commons licence courtesy of Flickr user Ciaran McGuiggan.