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ELSPA launches two new research papers at ECTS

Trade body ELSPA has used the ECTS trade show in London as a platform for the launch of two new white papers, exploring the cultural impact of videogames and the importance of the UK industry to the world market.

Trade body ELSPA has used the ECTS trade show in London as a platform for the launch of two new white papers, exploring the cultural impact of videogames and the importance of the UK industry to the world market.

The papers were launched at a press conference in Earls Court, and are based on research by Screen Digest, Chart-Track and NPD. Both papers focus on the importance of gaming to Britain and the growing acceptance of the medium, both culturally and economically.

The first paper, titled "The cultural life of computer and video games: a cross industry study", examines the cultural influence of videogames and argues that the medium could become the dominant form of media in the coming years.

"Put simply, gaming is changing the way we see the world," the introduction to the report boldly states, going on to discuss a variety of ways in which gaming is influencing TV, film and music production.

Perhaps more important from a business perspective is "Computer and video games: a British phenomenon around the world", which explores both the market for videogames in the UK, and the success of UK-developed videogames worldwide.

"Every year 'Britsoft' earns millions for the UK and delights gamers all over the world," explains the introduction to the paper, before lamenting that "British games companies rarely enjoy the publicity and prestige afforded to their counterparts in film, TV and music."

The paper provides a number of key statistics about the growth of the UK games market and the popularity of UK software globally, concluding that the games industry now occupies a "central position in the leisure time of the British public", and calling for further recognition that gaming is "respectable, culturally important and economically essential."

Full copies of the white papers are available directly from ELSPA.

Author
Rob Fahey avatar

Rob Fahey

Contributing Editor

Rob Fahey is a former editor of GamesIndustry.biz who spent several years living in Japan and probably still has a mint condition Dreamcast Samba de Amigo set.