TIGA comments on GAME difficulties
TIGA, the trade association representing the UK video games industry, has commented on the business difficulties of GAME, following the announcement yesterday that shares dropped by 64%, and reports that the shop was just two weeks away from administration.
The association confirmed the dramatic shift in the games industry from retail to digital gaming and reinforced the case for independent developers and digital publishers to embrace network gaming.
Dr Richard Wilson, TIGA CEO, said: “This is clearly a deeply worrying time for GAME’s 6,000 employees and we wish them the best of luck during this crisis. GAME’s difficulties are due to a combination of factors: the economic downturn which has hit the high street generally; intense competition from other physical and online retailers; the decision by big global publishers not to stock GAME with new releases; and the shift by consumers from purchasing boxed products to digital games. Retail sales of video games have declined for four consecutive years, as consumers change their spending habits.
“The situation at GAME will reinforce the trend which has seen UK game developers and digital publishers move towards network gaming – mobile, massively multiplayer, social and online gaming. TIGA’s research shows that 80 per cent of new development studios are working either exclusively or in part on network gaming. This move towards digital self-publishing enables developers to create original games, retain control of their IP and achieve greater financial stability.”
Patrick O'Luanaigh, CEO of nDreams Ltd and TIGA board member, added: “I wish GAME and their employees the best of luck in a very difficult time. Unfortunately, the rapid transition to digital means life is likely to be tough for all high-street game retailers with more and more money being spent on platforms such as Steam, Origin, the App Store, PSN, XBLA and Android market. Fortunately, the UK has an increasing number of exciting new small to medium sized digital publishers who are growing stronger all the time. TIGA are working hard to support this growth in a variety of ways, as well as talking to the Government about policies that can help these companies expand and become the large publishers of the future.”