The NESTA report in numbers

NESTA will soon publish its ground-breaking report on the impact of an anticipated cultural tax break for the games industry.

To obtain its results, the UK supervisory body surveyed the likes of Activision, Sony, Microsoft, Bethesda, Eidos, Ubisoft, Realtime Worlds, Bizarre Creations, Codemasters, THQ, Frontier, Rebellion and Sports Interactive.Develop has obtained a copy of that very report, and below you can read the key figures and statistics that emerged from the document. Altogether, NESTA surveyed 30 businesses from within the games industry. As such, this is not representative of the entire UK sector, but instead the general feeling from within the industry’s major players.

Those wanting a bit more context behind the numers should go here, where you can read the report in full.

70%

The percentage of surveyed publishers and external finance companies who feel that a tax credit could make the difference between investing in and passing on a games development opportunity in the UK.

A third

The portion of all surveyed claim that this brain drain will, over time, have a detrimental impact on the quality of UK video games development.

80%

The portion of surveyed senior publisher executives who claim that tax credits would boost their funding of development by both internal and independent studios in the UK.

89%

The percentage of all surveyed that believe a tax credit for cultural games would lead to increases in their staff numbers.

Two-thirds

The amount of surveyed studios that think a tax credit for cultural games would have a definite, positive impact on original IP development.

75%

The percentage of independent developers that feel a tax credit for cultural games would help them to keep hold of the original IP that they produce.

100%

All 3rd party development managers claim that a tax credit would increase their companies’ funding of externally contracted development, and could make the difference between investing in and passing on a UK games development opportunity.

80%

The portion of surveyed senior publisher executives who claim that tax credits would boost their funding of development by both internal and independent studios in the UK.

A third

The portion of all surveyed claim that the UK’s ‘brain drain’ will, over time, have a detrimental impact on the quality of UK video games development

80%

The proportion of senior publisher managers that foresee increased investment if the tax credit is introduced

Three-quarters (nearly)

The proportion of all respondents that believe that original Intellectual Property generation in the UK has been in decline or stopped altogether in recent years.

60%

The proportion of 3rd party development managers who state they’ve not published any new original IP from UK studios in recent years.

A quarter

The portion of all respondents that are optimistic about the potential of less expensive networked gaming platforms (such as mobile and online) as new outlets for original IP.

80%

The proportion of surveyed 3rd party development managers at publishers that consider the availability of government assistance when deciding which studio to work with.