Politician defends Dundee’s video games industry

A DUNDEE MSP has defended the city’s video games industry after the Scottish Parliament was urged to recognise violent games are easily obtainable for children.

A motion which has gone before parliament asks the Scottish Government to tackle the “negative effects” of violent video games on children.

The motion, put forward by Labour MSP Elaine Smith, asks the Scottish Government to make parents “aware of the possible risk to children’s emotional and psychological development as a result of prolonged use” of violent games.

Last night Joe Fitzpatrick, the MSP for Dundee West who has previously appealed for tax breaks for the UK’s video games sector, said the motion could affect the development of Dundee’s games industry.

The SNP MSP said the motion was “unnecessarily hostile” to the sector, which has a combined turnover of around £20million and employs more than 700 people across the UK, mostly in Dundee.

He said: “I am very keen to promote Dundee’s world-leading video game development sector and am concerned at this unwarranted attack on an important industry and the effect it might have on its development.

“The UK Government is due to introduce legislation protecting children by making age ratings compulsory for all boxed games designed for those aged 12 or above, using the Pan-European Games Information (Pegi) classification system.”

Richard Wilson, chief executive of the Independent Game Developers’ Association, said: “The video games industry makes an important economic contribution both to the Scotland and to the wider UK economy.

“Video games also have great potential in respect of education and training,” added Mr Wilson.

“Rather than knocking the UK video games sector, we should be celebrating its success and implement-ing measures to help the industry to realise its full potential.”