TIGA,the trade association representing the UK video games industry, said today's
deal between game streaming service Gaikai and Sony has the potential to
shake-up the relationship between publishers and developers.
TIGA believes it
will offer a great opportunity for UK developers because it will allow them the
chance to stream games direct to players.
Gaikai and Sony both confirmed long-standing rumours of a tie-up. Gaikai is
headed by stalwart UK developer David Perry and it was launched in 2011. The
service cuts out the need for consoles and allows gamers to play via their
televisions.
Patrick
O'Luanaigh, TIGA board member and CEO of nDreams, said:
“Online
streaming is still very much in its infancy but OnLive has shown the robust
nature of the technology. Sony's purchase of Gaikai is
further proof that streaming is a viable future for gaming and it will
interesting to see its next move. Cutting out the need for consoles, taking
games to mass audiences, providing a way for older games to be provided on a
subscription basis… there are so many possibilities.”
Dr Richard Wilson, CEO of TIGA, said:
“This
is a game-changer. Having the might of Sony behind a cloud-streaming service
given its large user base and credibility will make the future of game delivery
an interesting one.
“We can see UK developers being encouraged by the possibilities which
could include subscription models and a greater take-up of their games by the
mainstream, especially if Sony decides to stream direct to its
televisions.”
Research
by Digi Console shows that the console games industry faces clear challenges
with declining revenues, user cannibalisation by online/mobile games, the risks
of making Triple-A games and long hardware cycles. It said cloud gaming holds
promise as a platform in its own right and that, while console games might
remain a large long-term niche market, the next hardware cycle might not herald
a return to mass market growth.
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 11 business awards and has been nominated a
finalist for 9 other awards. 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. In 2012, Richard Wilson wonthe IoD’s East of England Director of the Year Award. 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.