Digital data is essential, says UKIE

UK games industry trade body UKIE has joined the call for more sharing of digital and download sales figures.

The firm has long tried to push forward the debate around digital data, and even attempted its own digital chart in partnership with members. UKIE tried to circumvent reluctance from Xbox, Sony and Steam by going directly to the publishers instead. But it was a complicated and awkward process, and producing a regular chart proved too difficult.

UKIE hasn’t given up on creating a digital chart and continues to urge others to be more open with their figures

MCV launched its Digital Counts campaign yesterday, with an open letter to the games industry urging it to share its download figures. MCV is sending out these letters, and the accompanying issue of MCV magazine, directly to industry bosses today.

UKIE CEO Dr Jo Twist told MCV: It is essential to have digital data in order to have a full picture of the UK games market – as the 2014 industry valuation work with MCV proved, the combined value of digital console and PC were estimated at over 1bn, whereas the boxed software was estimated at 935m.

As a trade body for the industry, UKIE has tried to ensure that the best, most accurate data is available free or at affordable prices, yet there is still no industry agreed standard for collecting digital data accurately, securely and consistently. Digital data would complement physical boxed software figures from GfK Chart-Track, which is consistently accurate, to give us the best view of the industry. Having robust digital data will help us to attract investment to the UK, better lobby government for the needs of our sector, and track the successes of the growing UK games industry.”