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Ukie calls on Government to press start on growth by reforming the Video Games Expenditure Credit

Published

4 months ago

February 20, 2025

Reading Time: 2 minutes

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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Game On! Win Acer’s New RTX 50 Series Laptop + PC Game Pass

Published

2 days ago

June 20, 2025

George Miller

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Acer UK Levels Up the Game: Win a Brand-New NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Series Gaming Laptop and Unleash Hundreds of Titles with Included PC Game Pass!

Acer UK is thrilled to announce an electrifying competition giving gamers the chance to win a state-of-the-art Predator or Nitro laptop, powered by the brand-new NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs! This grand giveaway celebrates the highly anticipated arrival of Acer’s latest gaming powerhouses and highlights the incredible value of PC Game Pass, now included with all new Nitro and Predator devices.

Enter the Competition Here: gleam.io/PQDpw/50-series-laptop-and-pc-game-pass-competition

The gaming landscape is constantly evolving, and Acer is at the forefront, delivering cutting-edge technology designed to immerse players in unparalleled virtual worlds. The new Predator Helios Neo 16 AI laptop, featuring the formidable NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs, is now available at leading retailers including Amazon, Box, and Currys. For those seeking even more power, Acer’s official store is now stocking models with the groundbreaking RTX 5070 Ti and RTX 5080, offering next-generation performance and AI capabilities for the most demanding games and creative tasks.

But the excitement doesn’t stop there. Every new Nitro and Predator device now comes with PC Game Pass included, ensuring that gamers have immediate access to a vast library of hundreds of high-quality titles from the moment they unbox their new machine. No more waiting, no more separate purchases – just plug in and play!

To amplify the buzz, this competition will be supported by renowned gaming influencers Two Angry Gamers and Frankie Ward. Their extensive reach and passionate communities will help spread the word, giving more gamers the chance to win and experience Acer’s cutting-edge hardware paired with an incredible game library.

“We are incredibly excited to bring the power of the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Series to our Predator and Nitro laptop lines,” says Mike Newson, Gaming Notebook Business Manager at Acer UK. “These new machines, especially the Predator Helios 18 AI and the Predator Triton 14 AI, represent a significant leap in gaming performance and AI integration. By bundling PC Game Pass and collaborating with beloved gaming personalities like Two Angry Gamers and Frankie Ward, we’re not just offering powerful hardware; we’re providing an instant gateway to an endless world of gaming entertainment and ensuring our message reaches the heart of the gaming community. It’s about delivering the complete, immersive experience our users deserve.”

PC Game Pass: Your Ultimate Gaming Library Just Got Bigger!

Microsoft’s PC Game Pass continues to grow, offering an incredible selection of games for every taste. Recent exciting additions that gamers can dive into include:

FBC: Firebreak – A cooperative first-person shooter available day one on Game Pass!
Rematch – A thrilling third-person, team-based football game.
Warcraft I: Remastered, Warcraft II: Remastered, and Warcraft III: Reforged – Relive the epic beginnings of the legendary Warcraft universe.
Call of Duty: WWII – Experience intense historical combat.
Looking ahead, July brings even more to the service with Little Nightmares II and Rise of the Tomb Raider returning to the library.

With new titles added regularly, PC Game Pass ensures there’s always something fresh and exciting to explore on your new Acer gaming laptop.

Don’t miss your chance to win the ultimate gaming upgrade! Enter the competition today and prepare to experience gaming like never before with Acer’s new NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Series laptops and PC Game Pass.

Availability: The new Predator Helios Neo 16 AI laptop with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Series is available now at Amazon, Box, and Currys. Models featuring the RTX 5070 Ti and RTX 5080 are available directly from the Acer Store.

Social Media: #Acer #Predator #Nitro #RTX50Series #PCGamePass #GamingLaptop #Competition #Giveaway #TwoAngryGamers #FrankieWard

The post Game On! Win Acer’s New RTX 50 Series Laptop + PC Game Pass appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Latest News

iGB L!VE confirm London iGaming Week program

Published

2 days ago

June 20, 2025

George Miller

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Clarion Gaming has announced details of London iGaming Week, a program of immersive curated events, seminars and parties centred around iGB L!VE and taking place at iconic London venues.

Confirming the programme, Naomi Barton, Global Portfolio Director responsible for iGB L!VE said: “London iGaming Week is an amazing opportunity for the global iGaming industry to come together for a week of connection, innovation, and celebration.

“Running 1 July – 4 July it features social events such as the iGB Affiliate Awards, the EGR B2B Awards, Welcome Drinks in Canary Wharf, and the Legends by Fire and ICE celebration.

“It also includes unique opportunities to network and learn at the iGB Start-Up Accelerator, the Affiliate and Operator Mixer and Technology in Gaming, the inaugural conference for senior technology professionals sponsored by Pretty Technical on Tuesday 1 July.

She added: “An initiative that we are extremely excited about is our deeper partnership with LatAm Media Group which will see us stage the first ever London LMG Futbol Experience. Taking place on Friday 4th July, the live-streamed 6-a-side football tournament will be played on a state-of-the-art 5G pitch with games officiated by fully qualified referees.

“Delivering a mixture of competition and camaraderie it’s a fantastic milestone which will build on iGB L!VE’s reputation for running the most popular business, networking and social iGaming events of the year.”

London iGaming Week represents a high profile addition to what will be the biggest edition of iGB L!VE on record. The first show to take place in London following its relocation from Amsterdam it will provide attendees with access to over 22,000sqm of product innovation and inspiration.

Connecting igaming operators, affiliates, tech vendors and game providers, iGB L!VE will welcome a projected 15,000 iGaming and affiliate pioneers helping businesses throughout the ecosystem to navigate the iGaming landscape, provide networking opportunities, showcase cutting-edge innovations and share crucial market knowledge.

For more information and to register for iGB L!VE, 2 – 3 JULY 2025, ExCeL London: igblive.com

The post iGB L!VE confirm London iGaming Week program appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Latest News

Female Protea Team for the Counter Strike 2 esports title to do battle against Namibia – AEC25

Published

3 days ago

June 20, 2025

George Miller

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Mind Sports South Africa’s Protea Female CS2 team, led by captain Jess Greeff and featuring Avonique van Rooyen, dominated IESF’s AEC24, and emerged undefeated, and punched their ticket to the world stage. The female Protea Team for the Counter Strike 2 Esports Title are trailblazers in female esports and are already making their mark internationally.

To qualify for IESF’s World Esports Championships 2025 (WEC25), South Africa’s Female Protea Team for the Counter Strike 2 Esports Title will be taking on Namibia at15H00 on 21 June 2025.

South Africa’s Female Protea Team for the Counter Strike 2 Esports Title has never lost to Namibia, and both MSSA and the team are confident that the result will be the same as all previous encounters.

The team has shown a few changes from 2024. Jessica Greeff remains the captain, and Avonique van Rooyen and Megan van der Westhuizen too stay on the team with their vast international experience. The two new additions are Kiera McCullum and Kalee Ludick who further add to the team.

MSSA is of the belief that the 2025 Female Protea Team for the Counter Strike 2 Esports Title is the strongest female Counter Strike 2 team to ever represent South Africa.

The full team to represent South Africa at15H00 on 21 June 2025 is:

Name	Club	Nick	Province
Jessica Eleez Greeff (Capt.)	ZAG Academy	heartjess	KwaZulu Natal
Avonique van Rooyen	ZAG Academy	avo	Gauteng
Kiera McCallum	ZAG Academy	queen	KwaZulu Natal
Megan van der Westhuizen	ZAG Academy	m3gz	Gauteng
Kalee Ludick	ZAG Academy	creative	Gauteng