The video games industry in the UK is in serious trouble, trying to stay afloat amidst intense international competition, representatives of respected game companies like Eidos and Codemasters have said.

Ian Livingstone of Eidos, David Braben, the co-writer of blockbuster game Elite, Chris Deering of Codemasters participated in the Westminster eForum, held in Whitehall, London, where the demands of the games industry were discussed. The participants wanted the government to include measures to boost the failing fortunes of the gaming industry in its pre-budget report.

Considering that a significant proportion of the latest, commercially viable games requires online features and are heavily internet dependent, broadband has a major role to play in the fortunes of the game industry. The Northern Europe Vice-President of Electronic Arts, Keith Ramsdale, expressed concern over the government’s plan for 2Mb by 2012, saying that this was not enough. He underscored the need for faster broadband if the British games industry was to make a strong comeback.

Many speakers at the eForum reiterated the fact that the games industry paid much more to the British exchequer than the film industry. In spite of this, the gaming industry does not get the tax credit amounting to about £100m per year which is given to the film industry by the government.

Unless the government intervenes with some positive measures for the industry, Britain will soon lose its position in the international gaming markets, while countries like Canada and France where tax credits are given, solidify their top rankings here.

For information on your ISP and corresponding broadband speed, try using the broadband test at www.broadbandgenie.co.uk to get a snapshot of your current download and upload speeds, it also has an independent guide to the broadband packages suitable for gamers.