Mind Candy

Two years ago George Osborne dismissed games industry tax relief but in a surprising announcement today, it seems there has been a U-turn in his decision.

Videogame trade body TIGA have long campaigned for tax relief in the industry and have expressed its importance on many occasions. Canada, the USA, France and Singapore are just a few of the countries that have benefited from tax credits for games production. They have therefore appealed more strongly to investors and jobs seekers leaving the UK industry following behind.

Our CTO, Toby Moore is just one of those pleased to hear about the news. “We’re thrilled to hear about the forthcoming tax breaks for the UK gaming industry” he says. “The move will help smaller companies get off the ground and enable bigger studios to compete for top talent. Tax incentives will help keep local talent here in the UK when competing against other countries who’ve had a much more enticing offering to date. The Government’s recognition of the UK’s tech and creative industries and their potential to produce world class games is a promising step forward in fostering technology, innovation and creativity in the UK economy.”

George Osborne has said that the UK games development industry would help to turn Britain into Europe’s technology centre.

Toby continues, “It’s a great start but much more will need to be done to boost the economy and to really hold the UK up against countries with far greater incentives.”

Toby Moore - CTO, Mind Candy

Moshi TV members Brad and Jason, joined the Innovation First team down in Hollywood this past weekend on the set of the Moshi Bobble Bots toys ‘commercial.’  On the set, were the all new amazing Moshi Monsters Bobble Bots, along with 4 talented child actors and full production crew.  In the commercial, the girls will be shrunk down to Bobble Bots size and placed within the world of Monstro City!  The commercial should air on all major kids broadcasters this Spring.

In the photos are Innovation First’s CEO Tony Norman, Chief Marketing Officer Joel Carter, Jason and Brad from Moshi TV.

Mind Candy recently made the giant leap from Battersea to Shoreditch, and the team have been loving every minute of not only their new space, but their new surroundings.

With plenty of cool bars, great lunch hang outs and other interesting companies in the area, East London really is the place to be for any up and coming media company.

Mind Candy has taken residence on the 4th floor of the old Lipton Tea Building, a lovely 30s industrial style space with many of the old features and much of its character carefully preserved.

When not hard at work at their desks, Mind Candies can be found gathered in our two large glass enclosed meeting areas, having one to ones on “Glump” beanbags on our artificial grass, having lunch at our 16ft dining table or playing games on the velvet sofas beneath the sparkly chandelier in the library.

There is still plenty more we are looking to do with the space but it is already proving very popular with our staff, and our neighbours!

Look out for future Mind Candy events to come and take a look for yourself.

So in honour of Rebecca’s arrival in the UK and a 2 week stint in the studio, I decided it would be nice to welcome her with a ‘Spiffingly English High Tea’.

At 4pm we all sat down (well some had to stand or squish themselves round the table a bit) to a sumptuous spread of scones with clotted cream & jam, Victoria sponge and the utterly wonderful Battenberg cake. I even cut the crusts off the tuna sandwiches!

We sampled a selection of teas. The responses varied: ‘Lapsang’ – smoky, Assam – fruity and Dahjeeling – spicy, and I made everyone eat as much cake as possible! This should hopefully help everyone steam through their workload this afternoon before falling into a sugar slump later.