As noted on the House of Commons website, Conservative MP Edward Vaizey (left) introduced an early day motion last week to recognize BAFTA nominees and winners, including Little Big Planet, Fable II and Race Driver: GRID.
A vocal backer of the UK video game industry, Vaizey also took the opportunity to criticize the Labour Government for not providing what he views as a sufficient level of support to the British game biz:
[Moved:] That this House notes the importance of the video games sector to the UK economy; congratulates the winners and nominees at this year's Bafta Video Games Awards; notes in particular the success of UK developed games, including Media Molecule's LittleBigPlanet, Codemasters' and Lionhead Studios' Fable II, all of which won awards...
applauds this recognition of the continued success and significance of video games despite the complete lack of support from Government; regrets the fact that this lack of support from Government has seen the UK fall from being the third largest producer of video games in the world to the fifth largest; and urges the Government to devise a clear and supportive strategy for the UK video games sector as part of the Digital Britain review.
GP: Vaizey's name is popping up on GamePolitics with enough regularity that we've added a tag for him in our category list.
Comments
Re: Fable II, LBP, GRID Receive Kudos in Parliament
Nice to hear this stuff especially from a shadow minister (and therefore someone likely to be in the next government). Will words transfer into action though? It's terribly easy to make the right sounds when you're in opposition...
Gift.
Re: Fable II, LBP, GRID Receive Kudos in Parliament
Kudos to Edward Vaizey in return for this, we appreciate it!
Re: Fable II, LBP, GRID Receive Kudos in Parliament
Kudos to double comments, we appreciate it!
=============================================================================== Wishing JT would shut up since 4Ever!
Re: Fable II, LBP, GRID Receive Kudos in Parliament
Kudos to Edward Vaizey in return for this, we appreciate it!
Re: Fable II, LBP, GRID Receive Kudos in Parliament
Aren't at least two of these console exclusives? Boo.
I will not buy securom games. http://www.wolvenmoon.com/sharedfiles/message1.jpg and http://www.wolvenmoon.com/sharedfiles/message2.jpg
Re: Fable II, LBP, GRID Receive Kudos in Parliament
Little Big Planet..you mean that game that wussed out because of readings from the Koran in its soundtrack?
Yep, bowing to the great goat rapist Mohammed again.
Re: Fable II, LBP, GRID Receive Kudos in Parliament
Your first comment is right on track...your second one is a bit too far. Not all muslims are absolute dicks, and making general sweeping comments like that just alienates ones that may want to support video games.
Calling Mohammed a goat rapist is hateful. I'm certain you've received some form of hate for your religion (Barring atheism, as it's what most governments are sponsoring now) at one point in time from people you thought you were a part of.
Man, I'm Christian and think the reaction to LBP and other portrayels of islam was ridiculous and should have been blatantly ignored, and I think your comment went too far.
I will not buy securom games. http://www.wolvenmoon.com/sharedfiles/message1.jpg and http://www.wolvenmoon.com/sharedfiles/message2.jpg
Re: Fable II, LBP, GRID Receive Kudos in Parliament
Hating on Islam? That sounds like Jack, TBH.
Plus, we had a Muslim on here (*cough*Saladin*cough*) who was a good person in general.
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"A Chrono Trigger is anything that unleashes its will or desire to change history!" -Gaspar
Re: Fable II, LBP, GRID Receive Kudos in Parliament
the thick skulls of the other cigar smoking fatcats in suits who parade pompously around the place
The strange thing is that I could say the same for a lot of the people (particularly those with power) who work in the games industry (just replace suits with sweat stained t-shirts).
I think due to the current climate, the government could give the companies the tax breaks with certain conditions, such as employing graduates (with no games industry experience) and actually doing more to get people into the industry instead of expecting everyone else to do the work for them (ie the education system).
Re: Fable II, LBP, GRID Receive Kudos in Parliament
Cant argue conditional tax breaks that as a bad thing tbh. Only caveat is that tax breaks like that technically still wouldnt be as compettive compared to other countries.
It is getting better though with regard to opening up to the idea of making efforts to interest students in the education system. I graduate this year, and there are lots of companies who now run graduate entry schemes and internships, and we have had several companies come to our uni and give presentations on why we should work for them (Nvidia, team 17, Rare etc).
However it would be good to see more involvement and DEFINITELY earlier. I would have paid FAR more attention in my maths classes had i know that it actually had real world applications in something i was interested in. Instead i just sat there thinking ''when will i EVER need to use this...".
Re: Fable II, LBP, GRID Receive Kudos in Parliament
This guy is ace.
As a uk developer i REALLY hope he manages to get something through the thick skulls of the other cigar smoking fatcats in suits who parade pompously around the place, without a clue as to what is actually happening in reality.
The UK game biz NEEDS investment + tax breaks.
The same thing happened with UK computer hardware boom in the late 80s. DOing great, didnt get any support DESPITE asking for it, now the UK isnt a world leader in the area. The same thing will happen again mark my words.
Im going to get out of the UK asap unless soemthing QUICKLY changes. No justification for me to stay here.
Re: Fable II, LBP, GRID Receive Kudos in Parliament
Always nice to see one of our MPs NOT being a dick about gaming.
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I LIKE the fence. I get 2 groups to laugh at then.