The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
New games fund could be managed from Dundee
Trade body’s suggestion follows Bazalgette review of creative industries
The trade body for the video games sector has backed a call for the Government to pump millions of pounds of new cash into the Dundee-based UK Games Fund (UGF).
In his UK Government-commissioned review of the creative industries published last week, Sir Peter Bazalgette recommended that £23.7m be made available from public funds to extend and expand the work of the City Quay-based fund over the next five years.
Trade body TIGA has now backed the idea and suggested its proposed new games investment fund could be run by UK Games Talent and Finance CIC, the group that administers UGF.
“TIGA strongly supports the Bazalgette review’s conclusion that the Government should intervene to improve access to finance in the games industry,” said TIGA chief executive Dr Richard Wilson.
“Access to capital is one of the key factors holding back the sector.
“Maintaining and expanding the role and resources of the UK Games Fund is a great idea.
“This will help many small developers to access capital to grow their studios.
“TIGA also believes the Government should establish TIGA’s proposed Games Investment Fund. This would provide grants and pound for pound matched funding for developers.
“TIGA’s Games Investment Fund could be managed by the UK Games Talent and Finance Community Interest Company or by the proposed British Games Institute.”
Abertay University principal Nigel Seaton said he was pleased Sir Peter had acknowledged the strength of the Dundee/Abertay games cluster.
“As the report points out, Dundee’s success in this area has been due to a combination of our excellent games companies, targeted public funding and our expertise at Abertay in producing industry-ready computer games graduates,” Professor Seaton said.
“It is also pleasing to note the recommendation of an additional £23.7m for the highly successful UK Games Fund and Tranzfuser graduate development programme.”