The objective of the measure is to provide an incentive to video games developers to produce games meeting certain cultural criteria. However, the Commission considers that there is no obvious market failure in this dynamic and growing sector and that such games are produced even without state aid. Consequently, at this stage, the Commission doubts that the aid is necessary. The opening of an in-depth investigation does not prejudge its outcome. It gives the UK and other interested parties the opportunity to comment.
The UK intends to introduce a 25% tax relief on a maximum of 80% of the production budget of a qualifying video game for expenditure on goods and services used or consumed in the UK.
European Commission, 16 April 2013, nr. IP/13/333