Leading figures in the gaming industry are calling for tax breaks afforded to film and TV production to be extended to their sector. Investors in movies and TV shows made in Ireland receive tax concessions which have helped build a thriving industry, but games development and design must progress without these at present.

Leading the charge for fiscal benefits to investors in order to help expand the sector are the organisers of Games Fleadh, Ireland's version of the Oscars for undergraduate game designers and developers, taking place the Limerick Institute of Technology campus in Thurles.

Some of the biggest names in the sector are participating in the games design and development competition for third-level students. Supported by Microsoft Ireland, EA Games, Ubisoft and the Irish Computer Society, the 13th annual Games Fleadh will feature the Game Studio Tower Defence competition and Robocode.

Dangerous Dave

The organisers say the tax relief for Irish games designers and developers would "encourage more entrepreneurship and consolidate the strong growth" in the sector, as evidenced by job announcements from EA, Black Shamrock and ZeniMax, as well as relocation from Silicon Valley to Galway of Romero Games.

In Association with

LIT lecturer and event organiser Liam Noonan pointed to the fact that high-profile gamers John and Brenda Romero have moved to Ireland as an endorsement of the sector’s potential. The couple’s credits include 'Doom', 'Dangerous Dave', 'Quake', 'Wizardry' and 'The Mechanic is the Message'.

“We do need to level the playing field and encourage investment in this creative innovative space," said Noonan. "This industry is no different to the movie or TV sector as it is creative, dynamic and risk taking is involved. Investment tax relief schemes in the game design and development sector are needed to encourage more entrepreneurship and the creation of Irish jobs.”

Games Fleadh will feature a keynote talk by John Romero as well as talks by professionals from EA, Microsoft and Fungus Games. An innovation sees the inclusion of a session for startups, which will provide insight from recent Irish startups in the sector.Games Fleadh is open to the public and entry is free.

Photo: Game Design students Tommaso Marenzi and Sean O'Connor. (Pic: Alan Place/Fusionshooters)