INFORMATION SOCIETY: REDING CALLS FOR AID FOR VIDEO GAMES INDUSTRY.

• Position: Brief Article

Viviane Reding pointed to two types of aid: use of "I2I" European venture capital, which has thus far been used to finance infrastructure projects (TGV, airports...). Mrs Reding is keen this fund should in time invest in video games. The Commissioner also hoped the next EU programme on aid to the media sector (currently MEDIA Plus) might embrace video games within its audiovisual section.

Jean-Claude Larue, Director of the French union of leisure software publishers (SELL), indicated that it takes about three years to develop a video game, the problem for the sector hinging on how players survive financially through this period". Commenting on her visit to Ubi Soft, Mrs Reding acknowledged that the sector is "much more complex" than she had thought. "There are many risks for companies since there is a long development period that must be managed and financed". Mr Larue described the European Commissioner's visit as "an extraordinary sign of recognition" for the sector...