TIGA, the trade association representing the UKgames industry, today called on Nintendo to explain why it does not allow
developers to publish the sales numbers of their self-published titles. TIGA
made the comments following the news that Nintendo had refused to allow Icon
Games Ltd to publish figures on the sales and free units downloaded for their
WiiWare games.
Dr Richard Wilson, TIGA CEO, said:
“TIGA’s vision is to make the UK the best place in the world to do games
business. To achieve this we must enable indie developers
and digital publishers to set up and grow strong, sustainable, and independent
businesses. If indie developers are to build effective businesses then they
need to be able to share sales and downloaded games data with a variety of
third parties. This is necessary to facilitate
business and financial planning, ease access to finance and aid recruitment.
“Many UK developers would like to understand why Nintendo will not allow
independent developers to disclose information about their self-published games
on WiiWare. Nintendo should issue a public response to the points raised by
Icono Games in order to clarify their position.”
Richard Hill-Whittall, Director of Icon Games Entertainment Ltd, said:
“Icon Games simply want to report on the games that they have
self-published on WiiWare. Nintendo’s policy makes life as difficult as
possible for small studios. Global publishers need to understand that
developers want to run their businesses in a professional manner. I welcome
TIGA’s championing of the interests of indie developers.”
Notes to editors:
About
TIGA:
TIGA is the trade association representing the UK’s games industry. The
majority of our members are either independent games developers or in-house
publisher owned developers. We also have games publishers, outsourcing
companies, technology businesses and
universities amongst our membership. TIGA won 10
business awards and was nominated a finalist for 9 other awards during 2010 and
2011. In 2010
TIGA won two business awards including ‘Trade Association of the Year’ from the
Trade Association Forum. In 2011, TIGA won eight business awards including
‘Trade Association of the Year’ from the Trade Association Forum, ‘Outstanding
Organisation’ from the Chartered Management Institute and two Global Business
Excellence Awards, including ‘Outstanding Marketing Campaign’. Richard Wilson won the ‘Leadership Award’
from the Trade Association Forum and the ‘Outstanding Leader’ award from the
Chartered Management Institute. TIGA is an Investors in People organisation.
TIGA's vision is to make
the UK the best place in the world to do games business. We focus on
three sets of activities: political representation, generating media coverage
and developing services that enhance the competitiveness of our members.
This means that TIGA members are effectively represented in the corridors of
power, their voice is heard in the media and they receive benefits that make a
material difference to their businesses, including a reduction in costs and
improved commercial opportunities.
For
further information, please contact Dr Richard Wilson, TIGA CEO on: 07875 939
643, or email richard.wilson@tiga.org.