I have to totally disagree with the ?industry consensus? on this one.
I am overjoyed that the chancellor has decided to cut the small companies corporation rate tax, instead of this video game industry subsidy. And I say that as someone running a video game company in the UK.
The propsoed tax benefit was for companeis that passed a ?cultural test?. Do you think that Rockstar North making their games set in New York would qualify? Nope. Explain to me how Fable III is culturally british. Explain to me how ANY game is culturally british.
Plus, it would have been an admin and bureaucratic nightmare. I recently applied to do a game for schools based on a government grant, and got immediately disregraded by the bureaucrats based on a single form (filled out by a family member who makes such proposals for a living, so done properly..), despite having masses of experience doign exactly what they were after. The bureaucrats do not want to supprot small indie companies, they care only for huge companies that will invite them to plush offices and take them to lunch on expenses.
I don?t have a whole department of accountants and lawyers to fill out forms to claim government subsidies and the chances of me or any other indie getting any is zero.
But?
The reduction in corporation tax rates benefits me easily, simply, without lifting a finger. And it applies to ALL UK games companies, not just ones good with paperwork and schmoozing. Plus not an additional tax penny will be wasted on administration.
By far the better choice imho.
