77%of UK games businesses already focused on network gaming
TIGA, the trade association representing the UK games industry, revealed today
that UK games developers are well prepared for the sector’s digital future,
with 77% of UK games companies already working either exclusively or
predominantly on network gaming[1]. With 35% of
UK video game sales being digital in 2012, up from 27% in 2011[2],
and similar increases expected this year and next, Britain’s game developers
are already well ahead of the curve.
The extensive survey of the UK’s games businesses shows developers have rapidly
adapted to the ‘death of the high street’, with only 23% of UK game companies
now working exclusively on retail games.
Key findings from TIGA’s research include:
- 94% of independent studios that
started up in 2011 – 2012 are focused exclusively on network gaming - Across the UK games industry as
a whole, 77 per cent of British games companies now work either
exclusively or in part on network gaming – a rise of 10% over the last
year. - Continuing a five year trend,
the UK games retail market fell again in 2012, generating £1.6 billion, a
17.4 per cent fall from 2011.
Dr. Richard Wilson,
CEO, TIGA said:
“The research shows the UK games development industry is already well ahead of
the curve when it comes to digital distribution. Over nine-tenths of new UK
game companies are working exclusively or in part on network gaming, such as
mobile, massively multiplayer and social gaming. When you consider that digital
video game sales grew 7.7% in 2012, making video games the most valuable
digital entertainment sector in the UK, it’s clear how hard British developers
are working to future-proof an industry that will become increasingly important
to the UK economy.”
Patrick O'Luanaigh,
Chairman of TIGA’s Self-Publishing Committee and MD of nDreams,
said:
“The figures clearly illustrate the rapid movement that has happened in
the UK over the last few years towards digital gaming and away from physical
retail game development. The UK has a rich history developing some of the
biggest retail games of all time, but sadly too many of the famous UK studios
no longer exist. It's great to see so many exciting new start-up studios
focusing on digital platforms. Our key goal at TIGA is to deliver services that
improve developers’ access to finance and enhance their commercial skills, to
help these new studios grow, learn to publish successfully, and hopefully,
become the famous UK studios of the future.”
boxed product sold at retail e.g. mobile, massively multiplayer, social and
online gaming
[2] Entertainment Retailers Association (ERA)
official 2012
year-end figures
Digital sales of music, video and games grew in total by 11.4% in 2012 to reach
a new record of £1.033bn. The biggest digital sector by far remains videogames
– mainly comprising Massive Multiplayer Online Games, Social gaming and online
console transactions – which at £552.2m was worth more than digital sales of
music and video combined (see http://www.eraltd.org/news/era-news/digital-entertainment-exceeds-£1bn-in-sales-for-the-first-time.aspx)
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. Since
2010, TIGA has won 14 business awards and has been nominated a finalist for 16
other awards.
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.