The Culture Minister has emphasised the importance of Dundee’s digital industries to the Scottish economy during a visit to the city.
Fiona Hyslop reiterated the Scottish Government’s commitment to the sector during a visit to two games development companies, Tag Games and Dynamo Games. Both firms recently received investment amounting to almost £300,000 from the £3 million Digital Media IP Fund.
The Culture Minister has emphasised the importance of Dundee’s digital industries to the Scottish economy during a visit to the city.
Fiona Hyslop reiterated the Scottish Government’s commitment to the sector during a visit to two games development companies, Tag Games and Dynamo Games. Both firms recently received investment amounting to almost £300,000 from the £3 million Digital Media IP Fund.
The Minister also addressed the Digital Spark intellectual property conference at Abertay University. She set out how the public sector is creating an environment in which the creative industries can realise their full potential, and restated the case for tax breaks for the games development industry from the UK Government.
Ms Hyslop said:
“Our creative industries can be a cornerstone of Scotland’s economic future and digital media will be vital to that success. That is why, through initiatives like the Digital Media IP Fund, the Scottish Government is supporting the sector to help it flourish and deliver jobs and investment opportunities here in Dundee and elsewhere in Scotland.
“While the past month has been tough for Dundee’s digital industries, the Scottish Government is doing all it can to offer advice and assistance to those who have lost their jobs. Here in Dundee, the sector has the world-class talent and skills, the strength and support not only to endure but to prosper.
“We are disappointed by the UK’s Government’s decision to abandon plans for tax breaks for games companies. I have raised the issue again with UK Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt and will continue to press the case for a tax relief system that would help Scottish-based games development companies maintain a competitive edge in this global marketplace.
“The UK Government’s conduct on this key issue for Dundee and Scotland underlines the need for the Scottish Government to secure these key economic and financial powers.”
Working in partnership with Channel 4, Tag Games is producing new interactive games based on some of the channel’s most successful television brands. The company is also developing its own content for a range of interactive platforms.
As part of Channel 4’s 4ip initiative, Dynamo Games has been commissioned to create a new Facebook game, Beauty Town. The interactive game, which is aimed at female users, promotes a positive body image and casts the player as the beauty industry’s top entrepreneur.
Caroline Parkinson, Director of Creative Development at Creative Scotland, said:
“The Digital Media IP Fund has not only provided much needed investment for innovative products but has also secured match funding from core partners such as Channel 4. Working collaboratively across the sector, we are seeing results.”
Linda McPherson, Scottish Enterprise Director of Creative Industries, said:
“This fund is helping digital media companies from across Scotland access much needed new finance in the current economic climate.
“Both Tag Games and Dynamo Games have demonstrated the wealth of talent and innovation that exists in Dundee’s games sector. This offer of investment is helping them keep up with the fast growing games sector and capitalise on new market opportunities by developing highly creative content for mobile phones as well as online platforms such as Facebook.”
