Pokemon helps prop up games industry

Nintendo’s dominance of the games market has continued on the back of record profits, with new models of distribution looking to open more avenues for industry players.

Though the games market is proving robust compared to other sectors, traditional models of distribution and continuing economic pressures are set to change the industry.

With eight of the ten top games in Australia this week (according to analyst firm GfK), Nintendo is backing up its recent record profits.

Gfk’s top 10 for the week ending May 17 are:

• 1. Pokemon Platinum (Nintendo DS)
• 2. Wii Fit (Nintendo Wii)
• 3. Wii Play W/Remote (Nintendo Wii)
• 4. Mario Kart W/Wheel (Nintendo Wii)
• 5. Brain Training (Nintendo DS)
• 6. More Brain Training (Nintendo DS)
• 7. Singstar Queen (Playstation 2)
• 8. Kageyama’s Maths Training (Nintendo DS)
• 9. GH World Tour Super (Nintendo Wii)
• 10. X Men Origins: Wolverine (Playstation 3)

But it’s not just Nintendo enjoying a good period in the local market. Both Ubisoft and Atari have claimed there are abundant opportunities.

“At the moment the market is proving to be quite resilient,” Ubisoft Australia’s general manager, Edward Fong, said. “Over the last calendar the market grew in comparison to the previous year.

“Of course it’s important for us to not become complacent in order for the trend to continue.”

Fong outlined new methods of distribution as providing revenue streams to tap into.

“The latest range of consoles have allowed for new methods of content delivery, which some consumers have embraced,” he said. “Ubisoft has created a host of downloadable content over the last few years, and will continue doing this moving forward.”

Online gaming and distribution will also find a place in the market, said Atari PR executive, Ross Purdy. However, he noted traditional distribution methods have proven equally effective, with the vendor’s Australian distribution arm maintaining a strong stable.

“Atari Australia is holding a strong position in the market right now due to the constant growth within the company’s partnerships including Atari, Bethesda, Eidos, Konami, Namco Bandai and Codemasters,” he said.

Fong added that while it will be a challenging 12 months for the industry, there is still opportunity out there.

Gaming retail, for example, has found an additional way to help weather the recession through the resale of second-hand games, while a number of new opportunities opened up for distribution following the collapse of Red Ant. Capcom was subsequently picked up by THQ, with Bethesda changing over to Atari.

And if the success of last year’s Tokyo Game Show is any indication, the upcoming US games show E3 will be a critical, and beneficial exhibition for all vendors.

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