TIGA, the tradeassociation representing the games industry, said today that developers were
increasingly focusing on creating games for tablet devices, a process driven by
the increasing prevalence of such devices.
TIGA made the
comments following the publication of new research showing that global
shipments of tablet devices rose 142 per cent year-on.year. TIGA also pointed to a swing towards tablets such as
the iPad and Nexus 7 at a time when PC shipments, according to the IDS research
company, fell by 14 per cent in the first quarter.
Although PC gaming remains popular, TIGA says the
continued rise of tablets is making for a large, mass-market audience for apps.
It also notes that games dominate App Store and Play Store charts. UK developers are taking tablet
gaming seriously with 37 per cent of all UK studios now primarily focused on
mobile – up from 19 per cent in 2010.
For studios founded between 2011 and
2012, this figure rises to 53 per cent. TIGA says it is important that
developers work on producing games for both the iPad and Android tablets given
that Apple's market share has dropped to 39.6 per cent which, while still more
than double that of Samsung (17.9%), is nevertheless down on the 58.1 per cent
in the first quarter of 2012.
Dr Richard Wilson, TIGA CEO, said:
“The tablet market
is growing and UK developers are responding to this change. Almost two fifths
of all UK studios are now making games for mobile and tablet. The challenge for
developers is to build sustainable, successful businesses that can take
advantage of the surge in tablet sales. This is not easy given the intensity of
competition and the comparatively limited availability of finance in the
sector. TIGA is focused on helping developers overcome these challenges.”
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.