American Lawmakers Take Aim at ‘Violent’ Game Devs: American creators of “violent” video games beware: Washington D.C. might just take a swipe at you in its upcoming tax reform bill. According to The Washington Examiner, the U.S. House of Representatives’ Ways and Means Committee’s “long-awaited” bill reforming the American tax codes singles out the creators of violent video games, refusing them a proposed research and development tax break. On page 19 of the executive summary,” the newspaper reports, “the committee mentions an improved and permanent research and development tax credit, which has benefitted countless industries from manufacturers to software creators to food producers.” As such, the bill proposes a so-called “improved, permanent R&D tax credit” in order for American companies “to compete against their foreign competition who have long had permanent R&D incentives.” But as the newspaper states, page 24 of the bill “removes that tax credit from the violent video game industry, under a section about closing loopholes… One of the plan’s provisions: ‘Preventing makers of violent video games from qualifying for the R&D tax credit.’” The Washington Examiner notes the incredible irony of this statement, “given the fact that on the very next page the summary says the bill ‘stops the practice of using the tax code to pick winners and losers based on political power rather than economic merit.’” Interestingly, the Examiner concludes that the bill “would affect companies like Electronic Arts, which makes violent games like ‘Battlefield’ but also non-violent games like ‘FIFA Soccer’ and ‘The Sims.’” Therefore, companies associated with the development or publishing of violent games – even if some or most of their wares aren’t considered violent – would lose out on the tax credit completely. The Republican party – in the majority of the House of Representatives – controls the Ways and Means Committee, and is typically known as an anti-tax, small government party. How this particular provision stays in line with the party’s overall viewpoint remains to be seen. Sony Santa Monica continue talked about lay-offs with cancelled new IP game: Sony Santa Monica has cancelled an unannounced new title said to have been in development for three years, amidst the layoff of around 50 staff. Former lead level designer Jonathan Hawkin discussed the cancelled game in broad terms overnight, calling it “badass” and expressing his surprise at its cancellation. The game was reportedly a new sci-fi title headed up by God of War 3 director Stig Asmusson. It is said to have been in development since 2010. Yesterday, I was laid off, Hawkin wrote on Twitter. It was a good 10 year run & I got to make three 90+ games. I lived the dream & got to accomplish all of my goals. Except one… making something out of nothing & creating a new AAA IP. Titanfall is completed: EA enjoyed to telling all of us, Titanfall is now gone gold means Titanfall is complete developed and game release in 2 weeks ahead. Nintendo shutdown last generation Wii and DSs online multiplayer and online features this May before Mario Kart 8 released: Nintendo has announced that it will pull the plug on online multiplayer support for its DS and Wii platforms in May. After May they want forcing online multiplayer and online features for their current generation Wii U and 3DS. Also it is more easy for them to end last generation systems for online business and both Wii and DS got huge popular wide of online multiplayer in Wii and DS but they want made good moved to end it before Mario Kart 8 because they knew Mario Kart 8 will be popular and heavy online multiplayer. So Nintendo want to forcing on this generation for online multiplayer and features. New property Flockers announced by Worms studio Team17: Team17 has announced that it is working on a brand-new intellectual property. Flockers is in development at the Worms studio, which plans to officially reveal the project next week. This is the most important game weve worked on in over a decade, said Team17 managing director Debbie Bestwick during PlayStation Open Day (via Develop). The developer - which won The Great British Game Jam 2014 - recently confirmed that it will publish The Escapists.
Posted on: Thu, 27 Feb 2014 12:21:52 +0000
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