Legal Niches

Pushy Game Industry May See 2013 Tax Breaks in Virginia

By pete_gallagher

The Virginia Production Alliance (VPA) is a key factor behind two bills passing through the state's legislature that would see tax credits for movie productions filmed in the state.

While the measures started out as incentives solely for motion picture development, it appears the videogame industry made its way into the talks in a bid to get some backing in the state for game developers. A note on the VPA's Facebook page stated that the film incentive bills 'have been essentially co-opted by the videogaming industry.'

The VPA continued:

The video game industry has injected itself into the incentive conversation this year. This is the first time we have ever heard from them. They are attempting to be included without providing any data or studies as to the Return on Investment or how they may work given the current incentive plan discussions.

The VPA cautioned that they needed more time to learn about interactive entertainment developers and added that, since the bill was designed first for film makers, that group has 'earned the right to be the first recipient of incentive dollars.'

A measure was added to the bills that would see game developers able to receive tax breaks in 2013.

The VPA added, 'Our world changed today with the addition of digital interactive media to the family. We need to reach out to the gaming industry and make this new relationship mutually beneficial for all.'

Virginia tax credits for film makers would begin in 2011.

Full post as published by GamePolitics.com on March 09, 2010 (boomark / email).