NEWS and start-ups to reflect the ongoing industry transition
Manifesto, created with Ian Livingstone, who runs the body’s developer special interest group. The Transition programme may prove to be the biggest stride by UKIE, however, as it rehabilitates the trade body’s older members into more progressive games firms. “They are looking at changes in the industry and are ever-watchful,” said Twist. “Everyone in the business is very aware of the evolution of the market. For them the benefits of UKIE are still about the research and insight, and helping to understand the mechanics and economics of the new marketplace. “There is an industry transition, which most of them get and see coming. They want to get exposure to new businesses and new companies that are redefining entertainment.”
But what about Tiga? The trade body specifically for developers hasn’t always shared the same outlook as its rival, whether in its UKIE or ELSPA guises. And talks to merge the two were scotched last year. Yet Twist was more magnanimous than her predecessors when MCV asked about the UK games industry having two trade bodies now representing similar audiences. “I don’t think people
have to choose between us,” she said.
“But I hear all the time that people want one voice. The industry wants one voice. The government wants one voice. “So I am open to collaborating with Tiga wherever possible and with its members and Board.
“Because ultimately we are not here for ourselves, we are here for the industry.”
ARE BEING EMBARRASSINGLY SLOW GAMES HISTORY is punctuated with the carcasses of stupidly- named consoles that promised lots but delivered little: Phantom. Gizmondo. N-Gage. Jaguar. Virtual Boy.
Does Ouya belong in that rogues gallery of dumb or too-good-to- be-true platforms? Cynics certainly think this device, which has raised $5m in a week via crowdfunding and promises to deliver a cheap Android-based console early next year, is a candidate. I don’t personally know either way how this will go. No way is it possible for a new platform to appear for ‘just’ a few million pounds. But no one should rule out something that has captured imaginations.
“Ouya is making new parts of the business its core proposition and has moved faster than the long-in- gestation next-gen consoles we think we know about.”
(Even when, in many respects, it’s massively unimaginative: the actual console isn’t much of a disruptive device. It’s totally of the moment and bang on trend; a mobile OS, lots of free content, and indie developers’ support. It’s a symptom of the market right now, not a cure.) But Ouya’s potential at least has shown up the traditional end of the games market’s embarrassingly lethargic pace.
Seamus Blackley’s view that content sells consoles is right. Rich, complete games such as LEGO Batman 2are not going to vanish overnight. Free games isn’t washing away the expensive ones. Even the price of download games have risen over time – new XBLA games are typically over £10, for instance. But smartphones, downloads and social games have made it easier to purchase low-impact games, or play without having to pay a penny up front. As this market emerges alongside the ‘traditional one’, it conditions consumers to expect something different.
It’s this part of the Ouya model that the rest of the industry should worry about – this device is making those new parts of the business its core proposition, and has moved faster than these long-in-gestation next- gen consoles we all think we know about but ultimately know very little. Ouya has debuted fast and quick, and has the headlines to prove it. Its console rivals should move quicker to innovate in response – because the longer they leave it, the less opportunity there is around their own platforms. Michael.French@intentmedia.co.uk