Prime Minister Blair's Love For UK Games

That UK’s ‘wank-sign-making’, warfaring, spin-obsessed Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, would appear to agree with Spore developer, Chris Hecker, that games are art.

In a fit of avoiding talk of cash-for-peerages, festering health systems and wars against invisible enemies (sounds like a good game concept) he has given his full support to the UK’s games industry in a speech at London’s Tate Modern gallery this week.

The Prime Minister delivered his address to representatives of arts and creative industries from the UK, including reps from the UK’s games industry.

Mr Tony Blair blessed us all with his vague message of thanks to the industries and individuals that have offered their creativity, saying: “Culture spans so many disciplines…I am very much aware of the contribution from every quarter. There is not a sector represented….which has not contributed to the renaissance of British culture.”

Mr Tony Blair noted that government has increased its funding to the ‘creative industries’ by 100% since 1997.

It should also be noted that the UK’s games business employs around 25,000 people and is a net contributor to the UK balance of payments to the tune of £2-billion. The industry has also achieved its success on a global basis without any government subsidy or direct financial support. Thanks for nothing, Mr Tony Blair!

Paul Jackson, Director General ELSPA, had the following to say about Blair, “It is good to hear the Prime Minister’s speech and the government’s recognition of the creative industries in Britain and their contribution to the culture and essence of the country. The games industry is a proud member of these industries. The talent and creativity that our industry houses and nurtures is what makes the games industry a part of Britain’s cultural heritage, and more specifically, an important asset in Britain’s creative and cultural future”

Jackson added, “We continue to produce ground breaking technological breakthroughs and are continually making quantum leaps with creative achievement that delivers fiscal value for UK PLC.”

Ian Livingstone, Creative Director of Eidos, the British games publisher and creator of Lara Croft, was slightly more acerbic in his response, “We make original and innovative games that sell around the world and whilst we have achieved most of this without significant contribution from government, we welcome the Prime Minister’s view that games are very much part of creative Britain both culturally and economically and look forward to his continued support.”

He added: “Games are now viewed more positively and as the industry matures, the appeal of games is broadening with more and more people, young and old, male and female, enjoying games on many different devises as part of their entertainment mix.”