|
 |
|
Source:
www.ida.gov.sg |
|
Singapore's Games Exchange Alliance (GXA)
localises and delivers games to Asian gamers in a market expected
to hit $23 billion by 2009* |
|
|
|
|
The Infocomm Development Authority of
Singapore (IDA) and Games Exchange Alliance (GXA) led Singapore's games
industry for the first time at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3). |
|
With 13 exhibiting companies, the 1,600
square metre Singapore pavilion featured the IDA-initiated Games
Exchange Alliance (GXA). |
|
Having grown from strength to strength, the
25-member Alliance is now able to provide a more comprehensive spectrum
of resources to take games from the development stage to full
deployment, including 'last-mile' commercialisation to 13 countries in
Asia. |
|
The Asia market is projected to grow to $23
billion by 2009.* |
|
In one of the GXA's milestones, Activate
Interactive, a GXA member, developed for Nokia a world's first
cross-platform MMORPG (massively multi-player online role-playing game)
that is playable on both the computer and mobile phones in real time. |
|
Now, gamers can fight monsters, find
treasures and meet new friends no matter where they are - at home or on
the go. The multi-platform game development and distribution services in
Singapore allow video game producers to effectively tap into Asia's
wireless and online gaming markets. |
|
The wireless market is expected to exceed
230 million mobile gamers spending over $5 billion a year by 2009 while
the subscription market is expected to exceed $7 billion.* |
|
Mr Aroon TAN, Chairman of the GXA
said: "With complete access to technology, talent and markets, the
GXA's bundling of complementary games services among its members
will allow for an integrated value-chain approach. There will also
be greater economies of scale through the wider spectrum of
services, offering one-stop convenience for our international
partners. This platform is already being adopted by Singapore and
International development studios." |
|
The launch of the first multi-platform
MMORPG is the latest success to come from a GXA member, aligned with
IDA's efforts to transform Singapore into a development, testing and
deployment center for the regional video game industry. |
|
Mr Thomas LIM, Director, Education,
Learning, Digital Media and Entertainment, IDA said: "In order for
Singapore to be recognised as a hub for game development and
distribution, we need to use cutting-edge technology creatively. We
believe that cross-platform gaming is one of the future growth areas
for gaming in Asia. As a Games Exchange marketplace, Singapore is
ready to develop and launch cross-platform games across the region." |
|
IDA has launched programmes such as the
Games Bazaar1, Games Market Access Programme2
and GXA3 to attract more game publishers and developers
to use Singapore as their base. |
|
The 25 members of the GXA provide
services in development, localisation, hosting, distribution and
marketing throughout Asia. Over 20 games have shortened their time
to market by making use of Singapore's Games Bazaar. |
|
North American and European companies
like 10tacle Studios, Boonty, Electronic Arts and Real Arcade have
established development studios and online game hubs in Singapore. |
|
"Delivering games Asian gamers want to
play is one challenge. 10TACLE STUDIOS recognises that keeping the
player interested, refreshing the experience, attracting new players
throughout the product's life span is also critical. The user
experience must be something that keeps players coming back. I
firmly believe that it is because of Singapore's digital hub
position that makes it an ideal destination to host a competency
centre such as 10TACLE STUDIOS ASIA, which aims to provide a
valuable resource for our Western studios," said Mr Michele PES, CEO
(Group) 10TACLE STUDIOS AG. |
ISSUED BY CORPORATE & MARKETING
COMMUNICATION DIVISION
INFOCOMM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE |
|
More..... (Games Exchange Alliance members) |
|
1
Singapore's Games Bazaar is a
scalable hosting platform that allows games companies, publishers
and distributors to test and deploy their games titles regionally
faster, at greater ease and without facing high initial capital
costs. It partners with major telecommunications and hosting
provider, SingTel EXPAN, and leading technology provider, Hewlett
Packard Singapore, to defray up to 80 per cent of the hosting costs
during the first six months of trial with the Games Bazaar.
2
In a joint government-industry effort, IDA together with
Singapore-based regional internet communications service provider,
Pacific Internet, launched a Games Market Access Program or Games
MAP. Games MAP will offer a full suite of services ranging from
monthly fixed-priced regional deployment, hosting and distribution,
community building and marketing support. Powered by Sun
Microsystems via deployment of the Sun Games Server Technology,
Games MAP aims to provide game companies faster access to market and
scalability with cross platform capabilities.
3
A games industry association initiated by IDA, called the Games
Exchange Alliance or GXA, is equipped to provide a full value-chain
of services and market access for game companies. Under this
alliance, we have more than a dozen members comprising of games
service providers to publishers and developers, content localisation
and e-payment solutions providers.
Drawing on members' strength, the GXA
can help game companies all over the world to cross last-mile
commercialisation hurdles to place titles into the hands of Asian
gamers. GXA provide market access through our members to over 13 key
Asian countries. Some of the countries includes: China, Thailand,
Indonesia, Vietnam, Brunei, India, Philippines, Hong Kong, Taiwan,
Japan, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia
*PricewaterhouseCooper
Global Entertainment and Media Outlook 2005-2009 |
|
Source:
www.ida.gov.sg Media Release 9
May 2006 |
|
 |
|
Important
Notice |
|
Our FrontPage
Editions are a historical record of our Web site and reflect
the changing of the times, and also of our Web site through
time. We do not and will not update the links and stories on
these FrontPages even if they have become obsolete. |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
If you have an event or some news to
share with our readers, send the details, including picture(s), to us at
editor@getforme.com |
|
We are now 10643
pages thick and growing. | |
Public Holidays
VESAK DAY
is the next public holiday. It falls on 12 May 2006. |
|
FrontPage Edition: Wed 10 May 2006
All rights reserved
