By 2015, consumers won't be able to buy a television that isn't packed with smart TV features, whether they want them or not.
That's the view of Richard Kastelein - creative technologist at transmedia specialist Agora Media who used his talk at Develop 2012 in Brighton to claim that the rise of smart TVs is now "inevitable."
The big debate, however, is how developers take advantage of this change.
The developer's day
In Kastelein's view, those currently working in the TV business have little idea how to keep users engaged with either games or interactive experiences.
Instead, this is the area where developers can make their mark especially when it comes to people using their smartphones or tablets as 'second screens' to tap into extra content.
"Second screen engagement will drive curated, interactive experiences and new monetisation models," opened Kastelein.
"This is great news for developers, because TV people don't know how to keep people engaged like we do."
Opening the gates
But this isn't a simple revolution.
The television industry is one in transition, according to Kastelein, with the gatekeepers that have ruled the roost since the 1950s the broadcasters losing their grip.
"Netflix now has more subscribers than any cable company," added Kastelein.
"They're taking over prime time over there. The gatekeepers used to be the broadcasters. Now they're the TV manufacturers, the game consoles, Google TV there are a lot of new players coming."
In the game?The rush towards this new level of interactivity with television audiences may expand the boundaries of what we currently think of as 'games on TV', however.
The lines are blurred, said Kastelein, with the live gamification of TV shows - or "play along TV" as Kastelein prefers to describe it - representing a huge opportunity for developers.
"Social TV as it's called is just part of a bigger ecosystem it's, as the BBC likes to describe it, 'orchestrated media'," he concluded.
"Second screen engagement gives the audience more of what they want. Users will be able to sync their smartphones with shows and take part in them."
News
With a fine eye for detail, Keith Andrew is fuelled by strong coffee, Kylie Minogue and the shapely curve of a san serif font.
Related Articles
News
Jul 12th, 2012
Develop 2012: Gbanga's Robin Di Capua on the opportunities of location-based games
News
Jul 12th, 2012
Develop 2012: Infinity Blade designed to prove iOS could pack a punch, says Epic's Mark Rein
Top Stories
Feature
May 17th, 2024
New release roundup: The best new mobile games from a battle royale to a console classic remake
Feature
May 16th, 2024
Behind the scenes: How adding sandwich offers to an idle merge game boosted three metrics at once
Events
Digital Dragons | Europe | May 19th |
GamesBeat Summit 2024 | North America | May 20th |
Mobidictum Meetup Tallinn May 2024 | Europe | May 21st |
Nordic Game Spring 2024 | Nordic | May 21st |
Impact 2024 - Indie Games | May 23rd | |
Morocco Gaming Expo | Africa | May 24th |
MomoCon 2024 | North America | May 24th |
Unreal Fest Gold Coast 2024 | Australasia | May 29th |
Popular Stories
Feature
May 14th, 2024
53 top mobile games in soft launch: Squad Busters, Battle Guys: Royale, Plants vs. Zombies 3, LEGO Hill Climb Adventures, and more
Feature
May 13th, 2024
Hot Five: Dubai's new Gaming Visa, April's mobile game charts, and Xbox studio closures
Interview
May 13th, 2024