Launched in web form almost ten year ago, the Scottish Games Network has just announced its transformation into a limited company, with the organisation now serving as Scotland's first games industry trade body.

The group, which claims it will seek to work with existing UK-wide trade bodies, has set itself the task of working with "every company and organisation involved in the video games and interactive industries".

That means it's looking to branch out beyond developers to connect with technology companies, audio and animation specialists and retailers, amongst others.

It's also claimed it will look to move "beyond advocacy and representation", taking advantage of Scotland's unique infrastructure to raise prospects for the development scene across the country as a whole.

'Committed'

"The original Scottishgames.net was founded as a community to enable the growing games industry in Scotland to ask questions, discuss the industry and meet peers and colleagues," detailed the body's founder and director Brian Baglow.

"We are now in the position where there are multiple organisations interacting with the games sector, from government, parliament and the public sector, to the wider digital, screen and creative industries.

"We will be working with government, the public sector and other trade bodies to provide data, expertise and insight into the games industry, as well as helping the industry open itself up to the wider creative world, fostering new partnerships, collaboration, diversity, funding; and encouraging entirely new experiences."

The formation of the Scottish Games Network – or SGN – as a trade body comes at an interesting time, with many calling for the two existing UK-wide bodies – UKIE and TIGA – to merge.

Indeed, as reported by Develop, last month saw UKIE chairman Andy Payne 'extend a hand' to rival TIGA, suggesting both bodies had "half a voice" as separate entities. TIGA has turned down previous opportunities to bring the two organisations together.

[source: ScottishGames.net]