UK developer consortium Tiga cries foul over Canada tax breaks
by Jason Dobson 
{ Mar 8th 2008 at 1:50PM }
Tiga CEO Richard Wilson has issued a statement calling for the UK government to investigate whether or not Canada's tax breaks for game companies violate any World Trade rules -- something the organization feels is "likely" -- and if so, to "take action via the World Trade Organisation against Canada at the earliest opportunity."
Until such a ruling can be made, however, Wilson has asked the government to "introduce tax breaks for game production in the UK in order to level the playing field against unfair competition." Honestly, nobody likes a crybaby, and if the UK would would match the efforts of Canada, maybe developers like Eidos or Ubisoft wouldn't be so keen on bundling up and setting up shop in America's great white north.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Maverick Saturn @ Mar 8th 2008 1:56PM
Theres already a steep hill to climb in this country in terms of game creation as it is, doesn't seem as if its getting any more popular.
matahtak @ Mar 8th 2008 2:00PM
Wait. They want to investigate if such actions by Canada is breaking World Trade rules, yet they are asking their government to do the same thing as Canada?
Josh @ Mar 9th 2008 10:08AM
This.
Huey2k2 @ Mar 8th 2008 2:12PM
Boo Fucking Hoo.
If you want tax breaks that badly, move to Canada, otherwise shut up and get over it.
Corbo @ Mar 8th 2008 3:44PM
I can tell from your display pic that you are completely unbiased.
The guy does seem to be whining a bit though. Probably just trying to draw attention to the benefits in Canada in the hope that it'll let them push for something similar in the UK.
Huey2k2 @ Mar 8th 2008 3:47PM
Maybe I am biased but you know what, it's not like we're the only country in the world that has ever broken a trade rule. We spent years here dealing with the softwood lumber BS that was going on with the US.
Unless other countries stop dicking us around I have no sympathy for this.
why not the LS2/LS7? @ Mar 8th 2008 2:14PM
They're definitely "distorting subsidies", as defined by the WTO. But good luck getting the subsidies removed, it took Canada forever to fix our soft wood BS.
Also, Canada will likely justify this as art & cultural development, which is excluded. Even though if you ask me, games don't do anything to promote the Canadian culture.
Kevin @ Mar 8th 2008 2:15PM
It doesn't matter where you develop your game. You still won't sell if it's shit.
BigD145 @ Mar 8th 2008 2:18PM
Tax breaks "might" violate World Trade rules, so the UK is going to answer with tax breaks of their own? STFU UK, you're doing it wrong.
BananaPoo @ Mar 8th 2008 2:55PM
BULL Shit
This guys is just wanting to move his own agenda..
"Wilson has asked the government to "introduce tax breaks for game production in the UK"
What a fucking asshole... I would expect this kinda shit from a yanky not a tommy...
How be talk about the shitty ass subs you sold us you dillhole...
Geebs @ Mar 8th 2008 2:59PM
Wait, did the writer of this post just write something as ignorant as "America's great white north"?
Bluebrake @ Mar 8th 2008 3:03PM
Technically it is -- North America. I prefer to stick with that reading.
Paul @ Mar 8th 2008 3:09PM
what? canada is the america's great white north.
Geebs @ Mar 8th 2008 3:32PM
The point is that "america's" and "the america's" are completely different things. Mr. Dobson, either doesn't realize what he's saying or is making a joke in very bad taste.
stoik @ Mar 8th 2008 4:46PM
I guess you have to make that distinction when a country uses part of a continent's name in reference to itself. Does anyone refer to Europe as 'the Europes'? 'The America's' makes sense since there are two continents: North and South. So logically: America = North America + South America.
And since we're in the mood of pointing out errors, I noticed the maple leaf is crying foul when the UK developer is. I guess the maple leaf is more associated with the UK. Funny, I thought is was the opposite.
hotnutz @ Mar 8th 2008 4:46PM
Arrogance and ignorance all in one statement. We've come to expect it from the media South of our border. ;)
Nothing new really. As for the UK crying unfair trade practices, well, it's called competing on a world stage - offer something that will make people want to move there. Free Guinness, trip tours or whatever. I remember Ireland being quite competitive with their tax incentives for high tech firms near the end of the 90's. I don't remember to many people whining then. Suck it up and offer the same (your choice - snow for 4 months followed by hot summers or year round rain)
As for the WTO stuff, it's a sham. we've won several WTO ruling against the US for the lumber BS and they fail to comply because they think the WTO is wrong - what's use of having one if the rules are not enforced? Don't even get me started about the 'tainted' beef scandal where they closed their borders so they could raise their slouching beef economy.
Booxatron @ Mar 8th 2008 8:38PM
Uhh...it was a joke. Never ever take anything on the internet at face value. Especially on this site, there's usually sarcasm behind it. I think he's just playing on the fact that Canada is often stereotyped as being insignificant and not an independent nation. I remember an episode of the Simpsons where they go to Canada for some reason and Homer says something like "Why leave America to go to America Jr.?" Now do you really think Matt Groening is a bigot and truly feels that way about Canada?
It might be a bad joke, but trust me, there's no real enmity or arrogance behind it. Lighten up.
Catprog @ Mar 9th 2008 9:06PM
@stoik
There is another country which uses a continent's name.
Of cause that countriy takes the entire continent by itself.
Snipermonky @ Mar 8th 2008 3:02PM
I didnt know Developers received tax breaks on a federal level, I always thought it was provincial.
hotnutz @ Mar 8th 2008 4:47PM
this is joystiq and the profess it is a blog (and not news) so take this info with a grain of salt. ;)
Kspraydad @ Mar 8th 2008 4:54PM
Good article: http://www.gamespot.com/news/6183562.html?print=1
Bluebrake @ Mar 8th 2008 3:02PM
Now which country should we set up shop in? The one that fosters game development, or one of the dozen that have declared video games an abomination against our children's souls?
Canada recognized that games make a valuable contribution to culture and to the economy. Don't bitch about it -- try moving someplace that isn't run by Jack Thompsons.
Kspraydad @ Mar 8th 2008 3:14PM
Do Americans know that Canada's southern most point is more south than North California?
Great White North was funny in the 80's...wait a minute, it was never funny.
How about posting an upside down flag again?
BananaPoo @ Mar 8th 2008 3:27PM
I agree with you and I am sick of shit like this...
It is not funny at all...
Diskoboy @ Mar 8th 2008 4:27PM
The REAL question is: Do American's give a shit?
The answer is: Fuck no.
Pedobear @ Mar 8th 2008 7:14PM
I refer to Canada as the great white north and I'm in Canada. I don't see the big deal.
why not the LS2/LS7? @ Mar 8th 2008 11:45PM
No it's not.
http://barelybad.com/north_of_canada_map.htm
http://atlas.nrcan.gc.ca/site/english/learningresources/facts/faq.html
Middle Island, Ontario is at 41 degrees north. Not even close to south of North Carolina.
Kspraydad @ Mar 8th 2008 3:14PM
Do Americans know that Canada's southern most point is more south than North California?
Great White North was funny in the 80's...wait a minute, it was never funny.
How about posting an upside down flag again?
MStar @ Mar 8th 2008 3:39PM
If we give a tax break, then we give a tax break. The U.S. gives tax breaks to many of 'its' majour multinational corporations and the UK didn't cry balls then? Who knew video games would be the tipping point...
...additionally, just because the U.S. has no definition of 'culture', stop stripping ours away by calling us 'your' great white North. Much obliged.
Rocketboy @ Mar 8th 2008 4:05PM
"...additionally, just because Canada has no definition of 'culture', stop stripping pointing out that we have to have laws that govern how much Canadian Content is on TV and radio by calling us 'your' great white North. "
Fixed it for you.
Thierry @ Mar 8th 2008 3:45PM
Just come to Canada, stop complaining, we are currently being submerged by snow.
Cabcru @ Mar 8th 2008 3:57PM
Frostbite, it's what all nerds hunger for...
Diskoboy @ Mar 8th 2008 4:32PM
To quote Peter Griffin, "Canada sucks!". Most Americans refer to Canada as our retarded half-brother, up north.
And the UK has no right to bitch. They're the most overtaxed nation on the planet. They tax you for over the air TV. They even charge you extra for a packet of ketchup at a McDonalds.
And yes - I've been to Canada, and I visit the UK for 3 weeks every summer.
Kspraydad @ Mar 8th 2008 4:45PM
“I am not anti-American. But I am strongly pro-Canadian.”
Cthulhu8u @ Mar 8th 2008 5:13PM
Diskoboy,
We're the retarded half-brothers, eh? Quick question, which retarded country invented NASCAR and American Gladiators?
'Nuff said :P
Cabcru @ Mar 8th 2008 5:37PM
@Diskoboy: Wait, some UK bod complains that Canada's tax breaks for game developers is creating an unfair advantage and you say the UK bod has no right to complain since he's getting it in the neck regarding taxes. Isn't that the point he's trying to make?
When you referred to Canada as retarded, which side of the border do you hail from, again?
Diskoboy @ Mar 8th 2008 6:37PM
I'm from America. We don't let a bunch of French surrender-monkeys push our country around.
And I'm laughing at the American Gladiators and NASCAR comment.... Hmm.... Let's talk about Curling, shall we? WHAT THE FUCK KIND OF SPORT IS CURLING??? Curling would be alot more interesting if someone fell THROUGH the ice.
Mabui @ Mar 8th 2008 7:39PM
You have a problem with curling? What the hell is any sport? Seriously? We also invented basketball and hockey, got a beef with those sports? Curling is -hard- and it looks stupid on television.
American football would be a lot more fun if people had swords and shields. Least then they would have a reason to wear all that padding (rugby says hello)
mike @ Mar 8th 2008 7:46PM
Well Im from Canada, and we dont let a nunch of french surrendering monkeys push our country around either. WE have them all confined to a giant prison province known has quebec, which is excluded from all our contests and benefits :P
Curling? I agree its a retarded sport, but I hate to break it to you, but America has a curling team as well, Canada is just BETTER at it then you.
The "great white north" comments angry lots of canadians because it comes from the past when most people were ignorant and thought we all lived in igloos. Although im not sure todays generations are any smarter. I play with lots of Americans and 80% of them have not even heard on Ontario when they ask "where are you from" despite it being the most populated province in Canada. Whats worse is I have had a few people right from new york, not even know where ontario is. 1 guy even said, oh "LA, cool", when I told him I was from Ontario. He thought I lived near ontario Airport in LA. I mean how dumb can you be? The other day I was playing with a guy and he asked me if we had cars in Canada. He said when he thinks of Canada he jsut thinks of nothing being there.
Its not American citezens fault tho, its their poor education system with regard to world geography. They are taught virtually nothing about the world outside the US, let alone more about their own neigbours. And movies and tv shows are no help as the few that are actually about Canada, well they all suck, and nobody watches them. And US films never feature Canadian cities (Aside from the occasional Montreal mearly mentioned in a film). Whens the last time you watched a big budget action movie with a plot which revovles around Toronto or Vancouver? NEVER. They always take place in various US cities, then london, and occasionaly Rome, Tokyo, Moscow and a few exotic places.
Luke @ Mar 9th 2008 4:48AM
We American's lay no claim to Diskoboy, he speaks for himself only.
Omar @ Mar 8th 2008 5:36PM
Canada sucks, what a stupid country.
Kspraydad @ Mar 8th 2008 5:16PM
You made an account just to say that?
Dear Joystiq...do you have an ip ban device? This fellow would be a perfect reason to use it.
ThornedVenom (Harley Quinn Defense Force) @ Mar 8th 2008 5:36PM
So by your logic, you must be Canadian, right?
Don't make me troutslap you like little bitch.
Synner @ Mar 8th 2008 5:16PM
I love the limey's ways of thinking" "we can't freely tax companies to death because we have some competition now, let's say they are breaking trade laws that shouldn't exist in the first place."
Jesus Christ, Why the fuck should a group of countries decide what another country can or can't sell or offer in incentives?
Fuck you for picking the barren rock to live on when someone else chose a fertile field douche bags.
ThornedVenom (Harley Quinn Defense Force) @ Mar 8th 2008 5:39PM
The UK should be fearing France's government subsidies instead of Canada's tax breaks concerning videogame development.
Danger is closer to home.
(My stance? Waaaambulance, make your country become more competitive instead of pointing out the accusatory finger at Canada who's making brilliant games thanks to the great opportunities developers have been given.)
T-Bag @ Mar 8th 2008 5:43PM
Dear Anti-Canadian Folk,
Do you enjoy playing Mass Effect, Assassins Creed, Rainbow Six Vegas, Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter and soon to release Too Human? Well if so, please shut the fuck up, because if it wasn't for Canada the PS3 would have already won this console war.
Derek @ Mar 8th 2008 5:54PM
@ stoik: I think the person being crushed by the maple leaf is the one saying "no fair". The leaf represents Canada, not the UK.
stoik @ Mar 8th 2008 10:05PM
Thanks for pointing that out. Please disregard my maple leaf statement.
Omar @ Mar 8th 2008 5:59PM
Canada does suck, more American developers have made better games- Epic Games, Irrational Games, Bungie, the list goes on.
Canada sucks ass, I hate that pathetic country.
T-Bag @ Mar 8th 2008 6:06PM
Epic: Mediocre 3rd person shooter, over hyped to no ends. Irrational Games: Australian team created Bioshock. The only game worth mentioning, and it wasn't Americans behind it. Bungie: Multicultural team, aside from the fact that it was a huge disappointment. Let the list go on.