Posts tagged government 
EU Commission raises doubts over UK games tax relief, launching investigation
The European Commission announced an impending "in-depth investigation" into the UK tax relief for video games following doubts regarding its necessity. The breaks, announced last year by the UK government, are set to provide 25 percent tax relief on 80 percent of qualifying games' budget spent in ...
UK government investigating in-app purchase pressure on children
The Office of Fair Trading (OFT), which handles consumer protection in the UK, announced it's reviewing if freemium web and app games are encouraging children unduly to make purchases. The OFT says it's contacted certain companies behind free-to-play games, and asked parents and consumer groups to ...
Biden talks video game violence with industry representatives today
US vice-president Joe Biden is meeting with games industry representatives today to discuss the role of violent video games with regards to gun violence, as part of a response to last month's massacre at a Connecticut elementary school. As the Associated Press reports, today's meeting in Washington ...
Japan prohibits import of R4 cartridges
Nintendo's ongoing struggle against the now-infamous R4 cartridge continues, as another blow against the potentially devious device has been dealt in Japanese government. While the R4 has been illegal to sell in Japan since 2009, importing the thing was still technically legal. Now, however, that ...
Australia's R18+ guidelines published, industry 'concerned'
The Australian government today published its new guidelines for the classification of computer games, but those guidelines were met with concern by the country's games industry. The R18+ classification for video games comes into effect on January 1 2013, but Australia's Interactive Games & ...
UKIE wants 30% games industry tax break, UK begins tax plan scrutiny
UKIE, a trade group for the entertainment industry in the UK, joined UK gaming trade association TIGA in calling for a tax relief flat rate of 30 percent across the industry, in the hopes of stimulating the UK's game development business. In March, UK chancellor George Osborne pledged to "turn ...
TIGA outlines UK's Games Tax Relief, calls for 30% flat rate
TIGA, the UK games industry's trade association, outlined its recommendations for Games Tax Relief to the British government today. Following the government's backing earlier this year for tax relief support (as provided in Canada, France, and the US) TIGA called for a 30% flat rate to save the ...
Blizzard cites US trade restrictions for disconnecting Iranian players
Blizzard Entertainment has disconnected Iranian players from Battle.net, preventing access to online-required games World of Warcraft and Diablo 3. The company states it has tightened its procedures to comply with current US law. "Blizzard Entertainment cannot speak to any reports surrounding the ...
Microsoft files trademark for 'Galactic Reign'
Microsoft filed a trademark last week for something called "Galactic Reign," specifically in the categories of "video game software," as well as "entertainment services, namely, providing online video games." This could indicate an unannounced game, but Microsoft isn't sharing any other comments on ...
Game developers bullish about Australian tax break bill
Game Developers Association of Australia CEO Tony Reed is, as you might imagine, a big fan of the $1.9 billion tax break for video game research and development that's making its way through the nation's government. Speaking to Gamespot, Reed explained, "No matter how big or small a studio is, ...
