Presentation on Brief; Culturally British

Long time no write. For this model I chose to do the "Culturally British" brief by Dayna - to focus and debate with/against the UK Tax Relief introduced in October 2012.

The Tax Relief includes a test to prove if the game is "Culturally British" or not. It is divided into 4 sections, and has a possible total of 30 points. To qualify, the game must score 16/30. A minimum of 6 points (out of 16) must be from Section A: Cultural Content.

My biggest problem with Section A and my area of focus will be: A2) Lead characters are British citizens or residents Or Of a nationality/species that cannot be determined.

UKIE has also responded with a review of the Tax Relief test saying the wording is more in-line with the films industry, and that the "Or of a nationality/species that cannot be determined" is a significant addition to games that are especially obscure. I argue though; Does Demoman (pictured below) look like a British citizen? He is - in story and accent - Scottish. Does it represent visually though?

Using the Sector A2 as a starting point, I still need to do much research into culture intergration/standards in other medium (art, film, music, fashion?) and to better understand British Culture. 

My presentations final slide propose's my argument:

The EC DCMS Tax Relief document is not fit for the creative video games industry. It is not encouraging UK companies to create new diverse identifiably British games; it is only stifling creative progress, forcing a certain unchangeable image upon the industry, and creates a racial divide on what is or is not seen as "British".

I propose that using elements of popular or current portrayals of British culture in creating visually appealing characters in different styles for different genres of game, will better visually communicate a British culture as apposed to rules set by the EC DCMS Tax Relief guidebook.

Tax Relief Culturally British Test:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/73001/120927_VG_Condoc.pdf
UKIE Response: http://ukie.info/sites/default/files/Ukie%20response%20to%20DCMS%20Consultation%20on%20Cultural%20Test%20for%20British%20Video%20Games%20-%20October%202012.pdf

Interesting Reads:

Nationalism and Cultral Practise in the Post Colonial World: http://ebooks.cambridge.org/ebook.jsf?bid=CBO9780511585678
The Projection of Britain: http://ebooks.cambridge.org/ebook.jsf?bid=CBO9780511562242
Culture in Economics; History, Methodological Reflections and Contemporary Applications: http://ebooks.cambridge.org/pdf_viewer.jsf?cid=CBO9780511761539A011&ref=false&pubCode=CUP&urlPrefix=cambridge&productCode=cbo