Feature

TIGA: Mobile not a 'stepping stone' to console development, but the skills are transferable

Studios should consider console work if profitable

TIGA: Mobile not a 'stepping stone' to console development, but the skills are transferable
At the end of July, PocketGamer.biz ran an interview with CEO of trade association TIGA Richard Wilson where he detailed his views on tablets.

In it, he suggested the skills acquired by the most accomplished of tablet developers could be used to make a move on consoles – a view we later expanded on during the most recent PocketGamer.biz Mobile Gaming Mavens piece.

TIGA has since been in touch in order to clarify the body's view, with Wilson now taking to the site to talk tablets for a second time.


A short while ago, it was reported that iPad sales had risen 84 percent year-on-year in the third quarter ending 30 June.

Google has also halted new orders for the 16GB Nexus 7 after major demand and TIGA said the expected $12 billion value of the mobile games market in 2013 could be a major underestimate.

It is clear, then, that tablet computers represent a major opportunity for UK video game developers.

Tablet tales

Already Britain is at the forefront of mobile game development with 134 games businesses making games for mobile in the UK today, providing work for nearly 960 highly skilled development staff and contributing £98.5 million to UK GDP.

Tablet computers with their larger screens and growing userbase allow developers to open up new fronts and produce games for a greater number of platforms.

This represents a great opportunity for UK games developers.


Apple's record selling third-generation iPad

TIGA doesn't believe mobile phone development is a stepping stone to tablets or consoles. It believes mobile phone games development is a highly important sector in and of itself.

The expertise of mobile game developers means they are ideally placed to take advantage - from a business perspective - of other platforms such as tablets which are of a similar discipline.

Mobile move

And the technologies of the Wii U and SmartGlass mean that their unique skills in the mobile space can be drawn upon by those looking to maximise their business potential.

Mobile phone developers are highly skilled, innovative and creative and the games being made for iOS, Android and so on are amazing.


Google's Nexus 7 was a sell-out at launch

The skills the developers have can be used across platforms for the benefit of their businesses and that there are opportunities for further revenue, not replacement revenue.

Developers with the capacity to do so would benefit from factoring tablet development into their business plans. They would also be able to work well with console developers wanting specific expertise on the new technologies being promoted by Microsoft and Nintendo.

No taming TIGA

TIGA is the organisation for developers and digital publishers: it is run by developers, its members are developers and it has the expertise to support developers.

We are helping mobile developers by publishing relevant industry research, by organising networking events where developers can build commercial relationships, and by publishing best practice information and advice.

TIGA is proud of Britain's incredible contribution to mobile phone gaming and it points to a very bright future.

PocketGamer.biz regularly posts content from a variety of guest writers across the games industry. These encompass a wide range of topics and people from different backgrounds and diversities, sharing their opinion on the hottest trending topics, undiscovered gems and what the future of the business holds.