TIGA, also known as The Independent Game Developers’ Association is noted to represent the commercial and business interests of game developers situated in the UK and Europe. Founded back in 2001, TIGA reveals that Activision Blizzard is now the newest addition to the association.
Richard Wilson, TIGA CEO commented, “The support of Activision Blizzard is a huge boost for TIGA and for our campaign to secure Games Tax Relief. Brian Ward, Activision Publishing’s Senior Vice President, Worldwide Studios, and I have already met with MPs in the UK to press home the case for Games Tax Relief. Our message is simple: back Games Tax Relief and benefit from more investment and more jobs in a high technology, export oriented industry, or risk investment drifting away to other, more forward thinking countries.”
George Rose, Executive Vice President and Chief Public Policy Officer of Activision Blizzard said, “At Activision Blizzard we are extremely supportive of TIGA’s campaign to secure Games Tax Relief for the UK development community. The UK has one of the most talented and creative workforces anywhere in the industry. The introduction of Games Tax Relief in the UK will be a game changer. It will make the UK a significantly more attractive place to invest in games development. Games Tax Relief will lead to increased investment, more job creation and power economic growth. However, if Games Tax Relief is not introduced then the UK will remain at a real disadvantage in comparison to other territories as a location for inward investment. Without Games Tax Relief the UK games industry will not fulfill its potential.”
Activision Publishing, a division of Activision Blizzard has two games development studios strewn across the UK with the first being Bizarre Creations at Liverpool. This studio is renowned for the new title Blur as well as the Project Gotham Racing franchise. The second studio is located at Leamington Spa and called FreeStyleGames. This studio is responsible for unveiling the acclaimed Guitar Hero and DJ Hero franchises. Besides holding operations in the UK and US, Activision Blizzard also has their studios in Germany, France, Australia, India and South Korea among others.