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Lord Macdonald praises Scotland's computer games industry
09/10/1998
Scottish Business and Industry Minister Lord Macdonald today praised the success and fresh ideas of the Scottish computer games industry in competing in the international market.
Speaking after a visit to Dunfermline based computer games developer VIS Interactive plc, Lord Macdonald said:
"Games companies are an important example of the knowledge economy. They show that economic value is to be found in intangible things, such as new ideas. The Scottish games sector is overflowing with fresh ideas which are attracting worldwide interest.
"It is encouraging to visit an ambitious company like VIS at a time when the Scottish computer games industry is a real success story. The industry is growing all the time in Scotland and I am delighted to see that VIS is participating in this sector in such an innovative way.
"Our games companies have the talent, drive and determination to build on their fast-growing international reputation. Massive opportunities are available and VIS has shown that Scottish firms can compete successfully with the best in the world to create exciting and innovative products for a global market."
BACKGROUND
1. The Scottish computer games industry has grown from a couple of companies three years ago to over a dozen international players employing between 400 and 500 people. It is predicted that 1200 will be employed in the industry by 2002.
2. VIS Interactive plc was established in 1995 as a result of a management buy-out from Balgray Communications group.
News Release: 2045/98
9 October 1998