GameHorizon feedback #gh09

My impressions

I thought I should write up my thoughts re my recent attendence at GameHorizon:

• It seems pretty clear that the Computer Games industry is a major success story
  • Apparently making more money than film & music [although all I can find on Google are rather dodgy get-rich-quick schemes which refer to this…!]
  • What I *did* find was a report from back-end of 2008, quoted here and here, saying “Verdict research predicts gaming will become the UK’s premier leisure activity before 2009”
• But it seems to be in ‘stealth mode’ in terms of profile
  • There have been various controversies about computer games – which are set out in this section from Wikipedia
  • Reminds me of my MBA paper on Microsoft & Public Affairs paper [which I should publish]
    • The nub of this was that Bill didn’t take politics seriously until he found his competitors were using their political connections as a business strategy
• Also is on the cusp of convergence of various positive technological trends
  • 3D & virtual worlds
  • Serious Games
• Favourite sessions
  • ‘Sneaking in the Back Door to become an AAA Multiplatform Studio‘ Sponsored by Game Republic – Paul Wedgwood, CEO and Game Director, Splash Damage Ltd.
  • ‘Separating Fact from Fiction: the Future of Digital Distribution’ – Roger Walkden, CEO, AWOMO
  • ‘Development Opportunities in PlayStation Home’ Peter Edward, Director, PlayStation Home Platform Group
  • Panel Discussion: ‘Game Exposure – The naked truth about marketing your self published IP’ Sponsored in partnership by BAFTA and Northern Film + Media.
  • [that’s enough – Ed.]
• Pretty reasonable games industry in the UK, also in Europe
• Cutting edge stuff going, which I have highlighted in my list of favourite sessions
  • What struck me was the the Social Media / online component that many companies are only now discovering seems to be standard operating procedure for the games industry – as Paul Farley (Managing Director, Tag Games) explained.

I met some good people & am following up various business opportunities. This was an eye-opener for me, and I expect to see the Games industry as part of a major convergence of computing trends in the home.

Live bloggging info

If you would like to read my live blogging notes from the conference, please see this summary page.

UPDATE: Interesting interview with Ian Livingstone of Eidos re GH

Related posts:

1. GameHorizon live-blog #7: ‘Marking your self-published IP’; ‘Games driving other Interactive Content’;‘Heavy Rain’ Panel Discussion: ‘Game Exposure – The naked truth about marketing your self published IP’ Sponsored in partnership by BAFTA and...
2. GameHorizon live-blog #6: ‘Future of Digital Distribution’; ‘Future Technologies’; ‘PlayStation Home’ ‘Separating Fact from Fiction: the Future of Digital Distribution’ Roger Walkden, CEO, AWOMO ‘Future Technologies’ Steve Clayton, Microsoft ‘Development Opportunities...
3. GameHorizon live-blog #8: ‘Round Up’ & Closing Comments ‘Round Up’ – Ian Livingstone Closing Comments – Carri Cunliffe GameHorizon #8: ‘Round Up’ & Closing Comments Technorati Tags: virtual...
4. GameHorizon live-blog #5: Sneaking in the Back Door to become an AAA Multiplatform Studio Sneaking in the Back Door to become an AAA Multiplatform Studio’ Sponsored by Game Republic Paul Wedgwood, CEO and Game...
5. GameHorizon live-blog #4: ‘Survival of the fittest’; & ‘next Evolution in casual MMOPGs’ Panel discussion: ‘Survival of the fittest’ Chaired by Jamil Moledina (Outreach Director, EA Partners, Electronic Arts) with Darren Jobling (Business...