14 video games get UK tax relief
Fractured Space! Beyond Flesh and Blood! Soul Axiom!
Video game tax relief has kicked in and 14 games have benefited.
The British Film Institute, which awards certificates to projects, revealed 11 of the games - keeping three a secret.
Spacepants, from Northamptonshire-based Boxface Games, is the only game so far to receive final certification. It was made by a 12-year-old developer in just two months, and was named one of the "best new games" on Apple's App Store back in June.
Here are 10 others with interim certification:
- Beyond Flesh and Blood, from Manchester-based Pixelbomb Games
- Fractured Space, from Guildford-based Edge Case Games
- Gingersnap, from Hereford-based Elderberry Post Ltd
- MazeCraft, from HyperLiger
- Potion Pop, from Brighton-based Delinquent Interactive Ltd
- Shred It!, from Glasgow-based Extra Mile Studios Ltd
- SKARA - The Blade Remains, from London-based SKARA The Blade Remains Ltd
- SoccerManager.com, from Lancashire-based Soccer Manager Ltd
- Soul Axiom, from Bridgend-based Wales Interactive
- Wayward Tide, from London-based Chucklefish Games
The BFI has been in charge of certifying video games projects through a cultural test since August. It said it has received over 30 applications so far, and it's easy to see why: successful applicants can claim up to 25 per cent tax relief on their production costs since 1st April.
In the cultural test, points are awarded for the amount of development undertaken in the UK, the fact that certain job roles are carried out by UK staff and whether at least half the game's overall team are from the UK.
But some developers have expressed concern about the aspect of the test that deals with the content of the game itself. Points are awarded based on the percentage of the game set in the UK or an EEA state, the number of characters from the UK or a EEA state and whether the game features "a British story" or a tale that relates to an EEA state. More points are given for the game's use of the English language.
