TIGA – Bigger, Better, Faster, More (Awards)

It's been something of a hectic week for everyone's favourite industry body.  TIGA has been even busier than its normal hectic pace and is spitting out good news like a happiness sprinkler filled with rainbows. The organisation started the week with news that it has been nominated for no less than SEVEN awards in the …

Outplay – New Games Publisher Launches

Outplay Entertainment, a new videogames publisher focusing on social networks and smartphones launched today.  The company will be headquartered in Dundee, with details of premises expected within the next several weeks.  Outplay is already actively recruiting and is working with Glasgow gaming recruitment experts Specialmove to find talented, passionate and enthusiastic people to join them. …

Architecture & Design In Scotland Seeks Game Designers/Developers

Scottish Architecture & Design is looking for game designers/developers who can help them to create online games for the organisation's website.  The designer can be an individual or part of a larger organisation.  The only information about the game/s notes: "Content of the games will be developed by A+DS with technical advice from the appointed …

Scottish Government Seeks Game Developer For Commonwealth Games Design Competition

The Scottish Government has launched a game design competition which will tie a student designer and a development studio together, to create a game for the 2014 Commonwealth Games website. While details of the student design side remain uncertain, it looks like students from universities around Scotland will be asked to submit concepts for a …

NESTA To Establish Developer-Led Games Publisher

NESTA - the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts has called on UK game developers to contribute to the creation of a developer-driven (and owned) publisher, to help ensure the protect the future of the games sector in Britain. NESTA is looking for game developers t get involved in establishing a developer-owned and …

How Politics Works (Episode #4 in an ongoing series)

1.  Pick violent tragedy which occurred somewhere in the world. 2.  Pick random game which features weapon(s) 3.  Blame game for tragedy 4.  Repeat

Culture Minister Criticises MPs Attitudes Towards Games Business

Ed Vaizey, the UK's Minister for culture, media and sport has attacked MPs general lack of understanding regarding videogames and the industry behind them, reports GamesIndustry.biz. Appearing before the Scottish Affairs Committee, examining the subject of tax breaks for the games industry, Labour MP Ian Davidson remarked that Mr Vaizey "...ought to be concerned about …

Politicians Disagree Over Tax Breaks For Games – Live On TV…

...complete with basic errors and added Darth Vader.  The issue of tax breaks for the games industry refuses to disappear, despite being turned down by Chancellor George Osborne in his first budget, earlier this year. On today's BBC Politics show, shadow minister for international development Gareth Thomas clashed with Liberal MP Tom Brake on whether …

Government Unveils ‘A Digital Ambition For Scotland’ – TIGA Approves

The Scottish government has unveiled a new paper, outlining its plans for digital infrastructure in Scotland.  While the digital media and interactive sectors are not mentioned specifically, the paper provides high level details of plans for the digital economy, including the highest levels of broadband penetration and pick-up in the UK.  More detailed strategy is …

Canadian Developers Receive Multi-Million Dollar Boost

Following significant activity within the Scottish government at Holyrood and the UK government in Westminster, regarding the issue of tax breaks for game developers, new has emerged that the Canadian government has made a multi-million dollar investment to the country's development community. According to Develop: The Canada Media Fund this month granted CA$12.9 million (£8m) …