TIGA, the trade association representing the UKgames industry, predicts the raft of new Android-based consoles will lead to a
boost in smaller development teams.
As the industry prepares for the next console cycle
ahead of expected announcements by Sony and Microsoft, Activision Blizzard has
warned that the next-gen consoles could affect business in 2013, citing
uncertainly and rising development costs.
Yet TIGA believes the games industry needs the
excitement generated by new console releases and it says fresh machines such as
the Ouya will be most intriguing of all. The low-cost nature of Android
consoles and the development of games for them will lead to incredible innovation
and encourage the formation of smaller development teams keep to work on – and
profit from – their own games.
There is, however, a big place for larger consoles.
While the Nintendo Wii U has had a disappointing reception, a new PlayStation
and new Xbox, could help to reinvigorate the market, especially if they are
accompanied by solid big-name releases.
Dr Richard Wilson, TIGA CEO, said:
“The
excitement generated by a new generation of consoles always helps to
reinvigorate the market, leading to expectation of bigger and better games and
greater innovation. The market has, for years, been built on advancing
technology and we fully expect the new consoles to give a boost to the market.
”It is true
that development costs, for Triple-A titles especially, will rise. However, the
consoles have strong platforms for smaller developers and, with the rise in
digital distribution, independent developers will see an even greater
opportunity to build revenue from their games.
“What makes
2013 even more special is the range of smaller consoles that are coming to
market such as the Android-based Ouya. These are machines that will tap into
the potential of the growing number of smaller developers in the UK and help
talent to grow and creativity to flourish.”
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.