TIGA, the trade association representing theUK games industry, believes tomorrow's launch of Xbox SmartGlass will open up a
fresh revenue stream for smartphone game developers in the UK.Microsoft is launching its new technology
which will be immediately compatible with Windows 8 and Windows RT tablets and
PCs.It will not become available for Windows
Phone, iOS and Android until next year.
TIGA believes its availability on these
platforms will lead to an increase in demand for the talents of smartphone
developers who understand how to make the most of smaller screen sizes.Microsoft's newly announced SmartGlass technology
brings smartphones, tablets and consoles together and it will enable the UK's
growing expertise in the mobile gaming sector to flourish, enabling them to
bring a fresh approach to console gaming
The media conference held by Microsoft showcased two games: Madden 13 and Halo.
Madden gamers could choose plays on their tablet and play the main game on
television. With Halo, players could examine weaponry and use Xbox Live on a
tablet. It is similar in concept to the Wii U, which has a tablet of its own,
yet will work with the millions of existing devices.
Both products, says TIGA, will be revolutionary but the UK's expertise with
Android, iOS and Windows Phone technology will enable it to make great strides
in this new tie-up space.
Dr Richard Wilson, TIGA's CEO, said:
“Many developers in the UK are producing amazing games for tablets and
smartphones and they have become extremely experienced in making the most of
smaller screen sizes and understanding touch screen interfaces. These skills
will prove to be invaluable in the new market created by SmartGlass games.
“We welcome the opportunity for UK developers to flex their creativity
across as many platforms as possible. We are also sure that this country's
talent will spot the opportunities which lie ahead.”
Last year, TIGA's State of the Development Sector Report., showed that an
increasing number of videogame developers in the UK were turning to
self-publishing, with the smartphone market emerging as the most popular gaming
platform. It found that 47 per cent of UK game developers self-publish games
and of those, 67 per cent develop for the Apple iPhone. Android has emerged as
a major force for gaming too.
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 was awarded
‘Trade Association of the Year’ and the ‘Member Recruitment Award’ at the Trade
Association Forum Best Practice Awards 2010. TIGA has also been named as a
finalist in the 2010 Chartered Management Institute (CMI) National Management
and Leadership Awards in the category of ‘The Outstanding Organisation of the
Year Award (SME)’.
TIGA is an ‘Investors in People’ accredited 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.