11th October 2011
Attendees: Activision Blizzard, Eidos, Electronic Arts, Konami, Microsoft, Nintendo, SCEE (Sony Computer Entertainment Europe), SEGA, Take 2, THQ, UbiSoft, The Walt Disney Company, Warner Bros Games, Popcap, Havok, Big Fish Games.
The Taoiseach, Mr. Enda Kenny T.D. today addressed global leaders from the video game industry in Dublin to outline what Ireland can offer as an international games hub and development centre. The international executives were in Dublin as guests of the newly formed trade body Games Ireland, dedicated to putting the Irish industry at the forefront of the international games sector.
“The video game industry is the most dynamic player in today’s entertainment industry. Its unique mixture of creativity, technology, interactivity and fun gives it a head start on the competition. Ireland’s rich reservoir of talent, technique and tenacity mean that it is now perfectly placed to play a leading role in Europe’s video game industry. The Forfas is a clear signpost for the kind of Games Incentive Package that Ireland will develop and offer to the fast changing industry to become the best place to develop games by 2016” said David Sweeney, CEO of Games Ireland.
The Dublin meetings which were held in cooperation with the international game group ISFE looked at strategies for advancement of the game industry at local and international level, taking special account of the industry’s rapid development in online, mobile and social fields in Ireland.
“Almost a year ago, at last November’s Dublin Web Summit the industry outlined the need for specific supports to encourage development of the sector. We were delighted with the response from government, Forfas, the IDA and Enterprise Ireland industry to this call. We are also grateful for recognition of the key role of this industry in the Coalition’s Programme for Government and their ongoing support. Games Ireland welcomes our local executives and their counterparts from around the world to what we hope will be an annual get together of key decision makers in our sector.” added Barry O’Neill Chairman of Games Ireland.
About Games Ireland
Games Ireland (the Interactive Games Association of Ireland) represents companies involved in the creation, development, publishing and distribution of computer games on the island of Ireland. It is an advocacy group which seeks to drive sustainable growth in the industry at a crucial time for this country. Members include international stakeholders such as Activision, BigFish and Popcap to local pioneers Havok and Demonware.
About ISFE
ISFE is the trade body of the European video game industry. Its membership comprises all major international game publishers and local trade associations that represent national and international game publishers in every European country . All today’s game console manufacturers are also ISFE members. ISFE represents the fastest growing of Europe’s creative sectors and its membership are major employers in many countries across the EU, including Ireland.
ISFE Membership consists of the following companies – Activision Blizzard, Eidos, Electronic Arts, Konami, Microsoft, Nintendo, SCEE (Sony Computer Entertainment Europe), SEGA, Take 2, THQ, UbiSoft, The Walt Disney Company.
Association members- AESVI (Italy), ADESE (Spain), IGAI (Ireland), BIU (Germany), BEA (Belgium), UKIE (UK), FIGMA (Finland), MDTS (Sweden), MUF (Denmark), NVPI (The Netherlands), NSM (Norway), OVUS (Austria), SELL (France), SIEA (Switzerland), SPIDOR (Poland).
For further Information:
Paul Hayes
0876209823
