Jo Twist

Jo Twist headlines

• UKIE still confident of EC decision despite no Budget announcement on tax reliefs

  George Osborne, MP and Chancellor of the Exchequer and Second Lord of the Treasury of the United Kingdom, didn’t include announcement of a games production tax credit in his latest budget, which UKIE said is “very frustrating” of UK developers.

• Office of Fair Trading posts in-app content guidelines, effective April 1

  The UK’s Office of Fair Trading has reviewed the way games featuring in-app purchasing are marketed to children, and the commercial practices employed by developers. Published today, game developers must comply with the new principles effective April 1.

• PEGI discusses, "sensationalist stories and pointing fingers" after GTA 5 age criticsm

  Grand Theft Auto 5 was snapped in the hands of an under-age kid last week, prompting the usual wave of tabloid witch-hunting and claims that age-rating body PEGI wasn’t doing enough to safeguard the nation’s youth. The group has now responded.

• New study calls for online game developers to help prevent addiction, claims gamers are playing 90 hours at a time

  A new study into the addictive nature of online gaming has called on developers of MMOs and other online-enabled titles to do more to prevent addiction.

• Edinburgh Interactive Festival to skip 2013

  For the first time in a decade, the Edinburgh Interactive Festival is taking a year off.

• Develop 2013: UKIE CEO Jo Twist discusses what the firm can do for fledgling game developers

  The Develop conference is going on in Brighton, as you know, and below you will find a video interview with UKIE CEO Jo Twist. In it, she discusses about what the trade body can achieve for Britain’s new and independent game developers. Develop runs through July 11.

• UKIE calls for dev support in face of EU investigation into UK games tax relief

  Last week, in was announced that the EU Commission is to investigate the case for UK tax breaks and stated that “It is not clear whether the taxpayer should be subsidising this activity.” Now, the association for UK Interactive Entertainment has asked that UK developers provide evidence to help bolster the case.

• BFI appointed to administer cultural test for games tax relief

  The British Film Institute will take responsibility for administering the cultural test required for game makers to secure tax relief.

• UKIE makes final recommendations for UK tax credits

  UKIE has made its final recommendations for UK tax credits to the government, with the trade body’s CEO stating that there are further areas on the scheme which still need addressed.

• UKIE ups its game for start-ups and established businesses

  UKIE has introduced a new strategy to better serve start-ups, independents and established businesses alike, the industry trade body’s CEO, Jo Twist, has told MCV.

• UKIE hedges July 23 PEGI introduction

  After literally years of delays, the UKIE hopes Britain’s dual games rating system will be supplanted by the pan-European PEGI by the end of next month.