The UK’s games developers’ trade association Tiga has launched a new membership structure allowing small developers to join for the first time.

The new structure contains five levels of membership: Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze and Copper. The level of membership a business obtains depends on its size, games developers with a maximum of two people (including the owner/manager) can now apply for copper membership.

“From today, Tiga membership will be open to start-up and early stage games businesses” said Richard Wilson, CEO of Tiga, “This will enable micro games firms to also benefit from Tiga membership. I am delighted therefore to welcome JohnnyTwoShoes, London based flash games developer to the Tiga family as our first copper member.”

“JohnnyTwoShoes needs good advice and information to help us drive forward in the fast paced games industry” said Maxwell Scott-Slade of JohnnyTwoShoes, “ Tiga will enable us to move from business as usual to a new level of performance and growth.”

CEO Jason Kingsley of Rebellion, the company currently working on the new Alien Vs. Predator game, now a Platinum member of Tiga, commented “Tiga is leading the debate in the games industry and standing up for the industry at the highest levels. Our voice is heard in the media. We are developing increasingly valuable services for our members. Rebellion is pleased to be playing a key role in the games industry through our support of Tiga.”

Wilson concluded “Expanding the opportunities to join Tiga demonstrates our commitment to the entire UK games development community, from one man bands to large businesses.”

Tiga recently made headlines when they complained to the Advertising Standards Authority over the Change4life print ad that depicted video games as life-threatening, reported here.