Videogames industry inquiry to visit Dundee

MPs examining how decisions by the coalition government in Westminster have affected the computer games industry in Scotland will visit a university today as part of their inquiry.

Members of the House of Commons Scottish Affairs Committee are investigating the economic impact on Scotland of the UK government's decision, revealed in the Budget, not to offer tax breaks to the industry. The committee is also investigating other ways of financially supporting the games industry.

On their visit to Abertay University in Dundee, the committee will discuss the university's new 5 million project, which is expected to create up to 30 new companies and 400 jobs.

Successful applicants receive up to 25,000 to help build a prototype game or creative product to present to investors.

Ian Davidson, committee chairman and Labour MP for Glasgow South West, said: "The videogames industry is hugely important to Dundee. Not only is the industry a major source of revenue and employment, but Abertay University enjoys the prestige of being the first university in the world to offer a course in software engineering for videogames and has been pivotal in cementing the reputation of Dundee as the hub of Scotland's gaming industry.

"The reality of today's economic situation is that the lure of tax relief and financial incentives in other countries could result in a brain-drain from the gaming industry in Scotland to other parts of the world."

Professor Bernard King, principal and vice-chancellor of Abertay University, said: "The computer games industry, with its strong cluster in Dundee centred around Abertay University, is a crucially important sector for future Scottish and UK economic growth.

"We're developing this unique industry-focussed approach further with the 5 million prototyping fund, which is aimed specifically at creating new businesses and new jobs."