A couple of important events relevant to the games industry are happening soon in the East Midlands:
EM Media Talent Network
These events are for writers, directors and producers/production companies and provide the chance to meet other talent in the region. We’re hoping to demonstrate the successes and strengths of the region as well as encourage collaboration [...]

NaturalMotion are having their software taught at a German Technology School, as reported by GameDaily:
As part of this partnership, the German school will integrate endorphin into the course curriculum. Students at Games Academy will have support from NaturalMotion on certain projects and access to certain 3-D technology from the company.
“Thanks to NaturalMotion’s support, we have [...]

At first, this story sounds like Australian game developers are getting a much better response with regard to tax breaks than their UK counterparts. However, the key words are obviously “if reelected”.
The Australian Government’s Minister of the Arts and Sport has told the Game Developers’ Association of Australia that his party will review the possibility [...]

Recent figures from Invest Quebec show nearly 5000 people working in game development in the region. Ubisoft currently employ 1600 and are set to increase to 3000. From Develop:
The survey looked at 56 companies in the Quebec region and calculated that the area has seen 177 per cent growth from 2005 to 2007 – no [...]

MCV have interviewed Tanya Byron, and she comes across and a woman who is reasonable and working to understand the games industry. She steps very far away from anti-games rhetoric, even revealing that her entire family are gamers:
I’m a parent, I’ve got a nine-year-old and a 12-year old child and we all play video [...]

Last week EA stated that there would be job losses across the company, and played them down as routine practice without giving any numbers.
Today it emerged that they’re closing down their Chertsey office, with the loss of 350 jobs across the company worldwide. Most staff will be relocated to the Guildford facility. EA are describe [...]

Via the eternally ace Wonderland comes news of Consolarium:
The Consolarium is the Scottish Centre for Games and Learning, established by Learning and Teaching Scotland to explore the world of computer games and how they can impact on teaching and learning in Scottish schools.
They have an excellent list of resources in place too.

Margaret Hodge spoke at the ELSPA AGM during the London Games Festival last week, and ruled out any tax breaks for UK developers. There’s been quite a bit said about it of course, and the most comprehensive piece is this Develop one.
It’s not an out and out veto, and she makes some fair points:
“From my [...]