TIGA,
the trade association representing the UK games industry, has welcomed news
that Research In Motion has begun manufacturing test units of its next
generation BlackBerry 10 devices. The plan to release a full touchscreen-based
device and a hybrid device with both a touch screen and a mini-Qwerty keyboard
should help to bolster BlackBerry's position within the gaming app market. The
new handsets will allow users to run multiple apps together which is perfect
for gaming, allowing people to break off and return to a title whenever they
want.
The news comes as Flurry Analytics claimed the handheld videogames market is
being killed off by the smartphone sector. It said the iOS and Android games
software market accounted for 58 per cent share of the $3.3bn market last year.
Smartphone and social media gaming is proving especially popular. Apple's App
Store surpassed the 25 billion download mark and games regularly take up 70 per
cent of the top 10.
It is clear that smartphone gaming is important and TIGA believes the new BlackBerry
phones will help achieve higher numbers of technologically advanced handsets
which will open up new markets for developers.
Dr Richard Wilson, TIGA CEO, said:
“New launches are always eagerly anticipated,
especially so within the gaming space where fresh platforms and advanced
technology is of great importance. BlackBerry handsets were among the first
smartphones and we are pleased to see the manufacturer remaining strong and
handing game developers the potential to advance their business.”
Oli
Christie, TIGA board member and CEO of Neon Play said:
“The games industry eagerly awaits the new generation
of BlackBerry smartphones and I hope that they can provide a genuine
alternative to iOS and Android devices, as this will make for a more
competitive and compelling marketplace for consumers.”
NOTES FOR 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.