Pet Society is made by EA Playfish.
Pet Society is made by EA Playfish.

Trying to stay ahead of the game



With a title such as Tron Evolution, and forthcoming reboots on classics like Star Trek and Tomb Raider, it is no wonder this industry is projected to grow to more than US$81 billion in five years.

But these are not films destined for blockbuster success. They are actually video game titles, and they are helping to fuel a business that now generates more revenue than Hollywood.

Last year, the worldwide video game industry was worth $51.7bn (Dh189.89bn), and it is expected to rise considerably over the next five years, according to the market research firm Strategy Analytics.

It is also projected to grow in the Middle East, experts say, alongside a rising demand for gaming consoles that can connect to other players online, and smartphones and tablets that are increasingly being used to play app-based games.

Some retailers in the region have also enjoyed a boost in business thanks to the video game industry.

Consoles such as Sony's PlayStation were among the leading product categories sold in the second half of last year at Jumbo Electronics, which now has 31 stores across the Emirates.

In fact, the PlayStation happens to be a personal favourite of Deepak Khetrapal, Jumbo's chief executive.

"Let's not forget, the PlayStation is a multipurpose gadget," Mr Khetrapal says, noting that he has taken advantage of the latest model to also play DVDs and Blu-ray films. "The PlayStation I'm talking about is not just from a gaming perspective."

Sony has been busy dealing with a cyber security and public relations nightmare, after more than 100 million of its customer accounts may have been compromised, including the online PlayStation Network.

Yet there are plenty of other challenges Sony and its peers in the gaming industry face, including relative newcomers to the market who are bubbling up with lower-priced offerings.

In some countries, including the US, sales of video game hardware, software and accessories have recently been on the slide.

At the same time, sales of more affordable social networking games that can be played on a computer through popular sites such as Facebook have been rising.

This corner of the industry may sound small, but it brought in $1.4bn last year. That was more than double its haul from 2009, according to a recent report from IHS's iSuppli market research division.

Yet many of the latest social games were noticeably missing last week at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles, where traditional players such as Nintendo and Sony hogged the spotlight by showcasing their next generations of consoles.

One CNBC headline even noted: "Social Games MIA at E3 Expo."

Some expect social gaming companies to step up their presence, once traditional players become more inclusive at expos such as E3, and if the demand for smartphones and tablets continues to feed the sector's appetite.

Zynga, a company that owns 39 per cent of the world's social gaming market online, has already benefited from popular titles such as CityVille and FarmVille to rake in $544 million last year.

Close to 80 million people a month play FarmVille, which lets players tend a virtual farm. The majority of these players, surprisingly, are women, with an average age of 48, according to a study commissioned by PopCap, a gaming developer.

This has no doubt left some gaming executives scratching their heads as to how to replicate this kind of success in a largely untapped market.

Still, some chief executives say they have been over-dependent on Facebook's platform, so expect even newer developments in this area.

They say they need to diversify their offerings through new channels.

Another issue that video game makers are encountering is similar to one that has plagued the music and movie industries for years: illegal downloading. At least 73 per cent of actual global revenue from video gaming is lost every year because of piracy, according to the Arabian Anti-Piracy Alliance (AAA).

"In the UAE, in particular, law enforcement actions are being conducted against subjects across the country," says Scott Butler, the chief executive of AAA.

Last year, 165 gaming-related raids were conducted in the region, resulting in 135,531 product seizures.

The silver lining for the gaming industry is that there is clearly still heavy demand for their products. But the key will be how they tap into all markets, from a teen in his bedroom to the 48-year-old mum who likes to log into her Facebook account each day to tend to her virtual farm.

Kanguva
Director: Siva
Stars: Suriya, Bobby Deol, Disha Patani, Yogi Babu, Redin Kingsley
Rating: 2/5
 
Mia Man’s tips for fermentation

- Start with a simple recipe such as yogurt or sauerkraut

- Keep your hands and kitchen tools clean. Sanitize knives, cutting boards, tongs and storage jars with boiling water before you start.

- Mold is bad: the colour pink is a sign of mold. If yogurt turns pink as it ferments, you need to discard it and start again. For kraut, if you remove the top leaves and see any sign of mold, you should discard the batch.

- Always use clean, closed, airtight lids and containers such as mason jars when fermenting yogurt and kraut. Keep the lid closed to prevent insects and contaminants from getting in.

 

Europe’s rearming plan
  • Suspend strict budget rules to allow member countries to step up defence spending
  • Create new "instrument" providing €150 billion of loans to member countries for defence investment
  • Use the existing EU budget to direct more funds towards defence-related investment
  • Engage the bloc's European Investment Bank to drop limits on lending to defence firms
  • Create a savings and investments union to help companies access capital
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction

Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.

Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.

Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.

Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.

Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.

What are the guidelines?

Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.

Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.

Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.

Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.

Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.

Source: American Paediatric Association
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
 
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
THE SPECS

Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine 

Power: 420kW

Torque: 780Nm

Transmission: 8-speed automatic

Price: From Dh1,350,000

On sale: Available for preorder now

Pieces of Her

Stars: Toni Collette, Bella Heathcote, David Wenham, Omari Hardwick   

Director: Minkie Spiro

Rating:2/5