Edinburgh Interactive Festival 2010

Today there are 13 million new generation static games consoles in UK homes (Nintendo, Wii, Microsoft Xbox and Sony Playstation 3) giving access to games, the internet, dedicated content channels and either the BBC iPlayer or Sky Player.  With TV formats such as I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here, Countdown, Family Fortunes and Ready Steady Cook already available as Nintendo Wii and DS games, it is only a matter of time before the TV industry will develop new games formats for next generation 3D HD TVs with integrated console and internet access. Games are already becoming a major driver for digital entertainment usage, particularly on the internet and mobile phone platforms.

Chris Deering, Chairman of Edinburgh Interactive, said: “Games have had a significant effect on the use of the television in the home. Over the last 12 months this has moved on dramatically with recent research showing that 10 per cent of all BBC iPlayer requests are being driven by games consoles. The debate between the two industries has not yet begun; it will begin in August at Edinburgh Interactive and MGEITF.”

Deborah Turness, Editor of ITV News and Advisory Chair of the MGEITF Advisory Committee, said: “This is an exciting opportunity to explore joint format development between television and games and is a natural evolution driven by major advances in technology. In bringing together executives from these two entertainment industries to discuss, network and share ideas, we place both Festivals at the centre of a new global debate in Edinburgh.”

For more info visit www.edinburghinteractivefestival.co.uk