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Ukie calls on Government to press start on growth by reforming the Video Games Expenditure Credit
The UK video games industry, a global leader in creativity and innovation, is urging the Government to reform the Video Games Expenditure Credit (VGEC) to ensure the sector remains internationally competitive and continues to drive growth.
Following an extensive piece of research with Nordicity, Ukie, the trade body representing the UK’s video games and interactive entertainment sector, is calling for two key changes to the VGEC:
- A ‘games growth’ rate of 53% for projects with budgets of £10 million or lower, aimed at supporting smaller studios and encouraging creativity across the industry.
- An increase in the current relief rate to 39% for larger projects with budgets exceeding £10 million (Enhanced Relief) and removing the 80% cap on qualifying expenditure that currently limits the support available.
These reforms will position the UK as having the most internationally competitive tax incentives for the video games industry, incentivising further investment in the UK while ensuring continued growth.
Nick Poole, Ukie CEO said:
“The UK’s video games industry has seen substantial growth, driven by the VGEC, but this competitive advantage has been eroded over the past decade. Our industry has the talent, the creativity, and the ambition to lead the world in game development. Now is the time to supercharge growth with a VGEC that fully supports studios of all sizes. By pressing start on this enhanced approach, it will not only support the industry’s long-term sustainability but also create new opportunities for job growth and economic impact.
The business case for reform:
- Additional GVA: After five years, the proposed changes would generate an additional £479m in Gross Value Added (GVA) annually.
- Job Creation: The changes are projected to support an additional 5,969 jobs in the UK.
- Return on Investment: The overall return on investment in this scenario would generate an additional £1.87 for every £1 in VGEC disbursements, on top of the current £3.20 for every £1 invested.
While the VGEC has supported significant growth in the UK’s video games sector, developers still face challenges in accessing finance, often relying on overseas equity investment or eventual sale. This reliance puts the UK at risk of becoming part of a wider ‘incubator economy,’ where talent and innovation are not retained.
Call for Expanded Financial Support:
- Ukie also calls for the UK Games Fund to be maintained and increased beyond its current £5.5 million annual budget to help meet growing demand for support in developing UK-based games and original intellectual property (IP).
- A broader mix of financial options, including grants, loans, guarantees, equity, and debt, must be available to developers, with the Government encouraging funding bodies like the British Business Bank to provide debt and equity finance options for medium-sized creative industry companies, similar to the support provided for digital and tech sectors.
The UK’s creative industries already contribute £126 billion annually to the UK economy, with video games being a standout success. Ukie urges the Government to engage more closely with the sector, update outdated classifications, and align financial support to the needs of today’s industry.
“The UK games industry is a global success story, but maintaining that position requires bold action. Reforming the Video Games Expenditure Credit to better support both small and large studios will ensure we continue to attract investment, create jobs, and produce world-leading games. We want to guarantee the future of an industry that delivers both cultural and economic value to the UK” – Maria Sayans, CEO ustwo games.
The post Ukie calls on Government to press start on growth by reforming the Video Games Expenditure Credit appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Week 8/2025 slot games releases
Here are this weeks latest slots releases compiled by European Gaming
Tom Horn Gaming is thrilled to announce the launch of its latest Hold & Win slot game, Majestic Coins. This high-volatility 3×3 slot takes players on a winning quest, where shimmering coins, respins, and grand jackpots lead to massive wins. Set against a sleek black 3×3 reel grid with 5 win lines, Majestic Coins offers classic slot excitement with a modern twist.
Candy Links Bonanza 2 is the newest slot game from Stakelogic, inviting you to wander through magical realms filled with delightfully sweet treats. Amidst this charming backdrop, two 5×5 grids are placed side by side. The grid on the right is where all the gameplay unfolds, while the other grid collects coins. Forming lines of coins wins their values and activates the powerful Wheels of Fortune!
Step into a world where opulence meets nature in Zillion’s latest release, Royal Crown Fruits – a dazzling slot experience filled with vibrant fruit symbols, golden crowns, and thrilling rewards. With 20 winning lines, the game blends classic charm with modern excitement, offering players a chance to strike royal-sized wins.
Big Time Gaming is back with its most exhilarating instalment yet. Max Megaways III invites players to gear up and embark on a high-stakes Arctic mission that’s shaken, stirred, and loaded with epic rewards. In this 6-reel Megaways™ slot, players get up to 117,649 ways to win, and that’s just the start of the action. Armed with MegaDozer™ mechanics, Free Spins, and a treasure trove of bonuses, Max Megaways III is set to deliver edge-of-your-seat excitement like never before.
Play’n GO delves into the mysteries of ancient Egypt with the release of Myth of Dead, a visually stunning slot that combines engaging gameplay with the allure of legendary treasures. This 5-reel, 3-row game with 10 paylines offers a captivating journey into a world ruled by powerful deities and golden riches.
Belatra Games, the specialist online slots developer, has released Blast the Bass, a brand new title that immerses players into an adventure on the open seas. Set out in the deep ocean, Blast the Bass brings together engaging mechanics, big bonus features and fun graphics that entertain players on every spin. A salty old skipper acts as the Wild symbol and will substitute for all regular symbols to combine for winning lines.
Push Gaming has launched Mad Blast, a volatile, multiplier-focused, pay-anywhere game that builds crazy robots along with wild winnings. Set in the workshop of the Mad Tinkerer, quirky, colourful bomb symbols populate the reels, with eight or more required to award a win. Winning symbols are removed from play, and the cascade of replacement icons allows subsequent wins to be formed.
Relax Gaming has revealed Glyph of Gods, an Egyptian-themed slot where hieroglyphs hold the key to wins. Bringing a fresh take on the much-loved Egyptian theme, this game features Glyph Positions which allow for Wild, Bonus, and Glyph symbols to land in dedicated spots, opening up multiple opportunities for big winning moments.
Blueprint Gaming returns in style with Big Catch Even Bigger Bass, offering a plethora of modifiers to maximise players’ winning potential. After years of success with its iconic Fishin’ Frenzy™ series, Blueprint has moved from the ocean to a picturesque lake where a bait box of aquatic symbols take their place on the 6×4, 4,096 win matrix, nestled in a mountainous landscape.
Amusnet announces the exclusive launch of 20 Wild Goals at Betano in Romania from February 20th to March 24th, 2025. 20 Wild Goals is a 5-reel video slot set in a stadium environment, offering 20 paylines. The Wild symbol, represented by a ball, expands to cover the entire reel, boosting the potential for higher wins. The tumbling reel feature adds a layer of excitement by removing winning combinations and increasing multipliers with each subsequent spin.
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Official Game Titles for 2025 IESF WEC25
International Esports Federation (IESF) has confirmed the official game titles for the 2025 IESF Season. The WEC25 will feature five of the most popular Esports titles:
- Counter-Strike 2,
- Dota 2,
- eFootball™ series,
- Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, and
- PUBG MOBILE.
2025 marks the third consecutive year that IESF has maintained the same lineup, reflecting the consistency and popularity of these titles in the World of Esports.
With 136 member federations organizing National Qualifiers, the road to the 2025 IESF Season is set to be bigger and more competitive than ever. Around the world, national tournaments are already underway, as each federation seeks to crown their nation’s champions who will go on to compete at the highest level.
Igor Nedeski, Esports Manager at IESF, said: “We are proud to continue our collaboration with leading game publishers to ensure the highest quality of competition for the 2025 season. The excitement among athletes is already incredible as they prepare to represent their nations on the grand stage. This year, we anticipate an even higher level of competition as teams and players push the boundaries of Esports.”
The 17th edition of the IESF Season will not only highlight the competitive excellence of esports athletes but also reinforce IESF’s commitment to inclusivity, diversity, and fair play within the Esports ecosystem.
Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) has participated in every IESF World Championship since the inception of the World Championships in 2009.
Players registered with MSSA may qualify for National Team Trials (NTT) in MSSA events that have been held for one Calendar Year before the National Team Trials are held.
Events still to be held are:
- 22 February 2025 – 6th WESTERN CAPE Online Championships
- 8 March 2025 – 6th GAUTENG Online Championships
- 15 March 2025 – National Team Trials for 17th IESF World Championships
The post Official Game Titles for 2025 IESF WEC25 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Amusnet Deepens Collaboration with Betano for Exclusive Launch of 20 Wild Goals
Amusnet announces the exclusive launch of 20 Wild Goals at Betano in Romania from February 20th to March 24th, 2025. This collaboration further strengthens the company’s long-term partnership with the operator and reflects Amusnet’s focus on providing localized gaming solutions to meet the needs of the Romanian market.
“With a clear focus on delivering localized, high-quality content, we continue to foster our mutually beneficial collaboration with Betano. By providing tailored gaming experiences, we ensure both Amusnet and our partners drive growth, meet player expectations, and strengthen our collective presence in the region,” said Andreea Popa, Commercial Manager at Amusnet Romania.
20 Wild Goals is a 5-reel video slot set in a stadium environment, offering 20 paylines. The Wild symbol, represented by a ball, expands to cover the entire reel, boosting the potential for higher wins. The tumbling reel feature adds a layer of excitement by removing winning combinations and increasing multipliers with each subsequent spin. The game presents a dynamic and engaging experience designed to appeal to players seeking thrilling gameplay.
Features
Expanding Wild
During the base game, the Wild symbol expands on the whole reel and substitutes for other symbols, increasing the winning potential.
Tumbling Reels with Increasing Multiplier
Winning symbols disappear, making way for the symbols above them while increasing the multiplier with each consecutive win. If new winning combinations appear on the screen after filling the empty positions, they are multiplied by Multiplier, which starts from x2 and increases by 1 with every consequent Tumbling Reels Feature.
Jackpot Cards
The four-level mystery jackpot bonus game Jackpot Cards is also available, just like in the rest of Amusnet’s Online Casino portfolio.
The post Amusnet Deepens Collaboration with Betano for Exclusive Launch of 20 Wild Goals appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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