UK Developers felt some relief from that sharp, stabbing pain in their side, when word recently came down the wire that, despite earlier fears, the government would be taking steps to support their industry. The UK's coalition government had previously axed the tax relief measure promised by its Labour predecessors, prompting outrage from the industry. The revised budget did include some relief for start-up developers, but nothing along the lines of what had been previously outlined. With the UK gaming industry facing tough times in the face of foreign competition -- Canada overtook the UK last year as the third-largest in terms of game development -- this comes as a breath of fresh air. The government hasn't released specifics on the extent of the tax relief, but Alastair Darling (back when he delivered the 2010 budget) had said it would be along the lines of that currently offered to the film industry.
Say that you will about giving tax breaks to corporations (friends have been subjected to my rants from time to time), but it's at least nice to see the practice being used in a way that fosters -- or at the very least, sustains -- creativity. So it is with a spring in our step and a song in our hearts that we extend a sincere "Congrats!" to our pals across the pond. We'll be expecting game dialogue replete with witty banter and biting sarcasm in the coming years. I know you won't disappoint.[/p]