It’s tragic that in such tough times, countries and states aren’t doing more to court business, and thus jobs for their people. Over six hundred jobs at the headquarters (located in already battered Michigan) and thousands across the country are on the chopping block with the possible closure of Borders book stores.
Now Activision Blizzard, one of the most successful games companies is threatening to walk out of the UK and take its 600 jobs with it.
From GamesPress.com:
The US company employs around 600 highly-skilled developers and other staff at its British satellite office in Slough, Berkshire. Referring to the Government’s decision to scrap Games Tax Relief, Bobby Kotick, Activision’s chief executive said: “I think it was a terrible mistake. There are so many other places that are encouraging the video games industry.”
Mr Kotick said that the UK is full of talented developers, and that the relief is much needed. Countries such as China and Singapore, as well as individual US states, are offering tax incentives to lure video game developers and publishers such as Activision, the majority of whose staff are employed in the US.
The warning came as Activision’s Call of Duty: Black Ops last week raced past the $1bn mark in sales to become the biggest-selling video game of 2010.
he full article can be viewed here:
http://www.tiga.org/News/Call-of-Duty-maker-Activision-Blizzard-could-quit-Britain-over-terrible-mistake-on-video-game-tax.aspx
