I don't quite understand why a computergame developer should be subsidised by a government. But I find it hard to think of some examples. What kind of company gets subsidised right now that is similar to a gamedeveloper? Creators of art are in a way (in Holland anyway, they don't pay taxes over their sales), but somehow I can't see a game as a piece of art. It is not intended as art anyway. It is intended to entertain. Does Hasbro gets subsidised for her games (Risk for example)?
Or is it only because 'other (the French) governments subsidise, and thus the Belgium government should subsidise to'.
Also, I can understand that less talent is wasted if you (as a government) invest (or subsidise) in programming companies. For the same reasons farmaceutical companies or universities or sport associations (what's the word...) are subsidised. But they either benefit a lot more people or benefit the general population of a country. There are only a few hundred 'gameprogrammers' in a (European) country and games do not benefit the general population immediately
the film industry is getting subsidies too so thats one similar example to a gamedeveloper.
Then most countrys have something like a public broadcasting service (BBC in the UK, VRT in belgium, ...)
What art is is somewhat open for debate, but imo games (not all of them) are art too. I mean some games have their own races with own cultures (unique building styles and artworks and stuff). Films are considered art too. And one could look at games as if they were some sort of interactive film.
And apparently flemish (or belgian) developers need that extra cash to stay competitive, so there are economic reasons for it too. The interview states that the gaming industry is a booming-business so if we (the flemish) want a piece of the pie, we have to invest in it too.
(they entertain, but the line 'I love my government, because at least they keep me entertained' does not strike me as intelligent <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" /> )
Someone didn't pay alot of attention in his history class <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" />
I'm not trying to offend you but it looks as if you didn't give that much thought. What made the people of ancient rome like their emperors ?
Entertainment! In the form of Panem et circenses (Bread and games)
And why do you think that almost the entire world (with the exception of the United States) has public broadcast ? Entertaining the masses!
Entertainment was (and most likely still is) needed to keep the people from revolting. So imo it makes alot of sense that the government helps providing entertainment. (in the form of financially supporting those that can entertain us)
But I like RPG's, I liked DD and I like to see DD2, so extra money to help Larian is always welcome.
One thing I do agree with <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" />
