Dundee’s cutting-edge computer games sector is undergoing changes which might play to the strengths of local companies, an academic has said.
The industry is leaving behind the sale of boxed games in favour of online distribution, which has affected the city’s main games companies in different ways.
Denki was forced into restructuring that could lead to three-quarters of its 25 staff losing their jobs.
Realtime Worlds is hopeful that its forthcoming online game All Points Bulletin will give the company a massive boost that could see 300 more jobs created.
The company has staked its future on the swing towards online, subscription-based gaming.
Denki sought publishers to sell its boxed games in shops that model served the industry well until the explosion in online gaming.
On Wednesday Professor Nicholas Terry, vice-principal of Abertay University and a follower of the games industry, said a move towards the new business model could benefit Dundee.
He said, “Developers and designers are relatively young companies who are not prisoners to business models.
“Realtime Worlds are expanding because their games are internet games and APB, their new launch, is a subscription game.”
He added, “I’m still very optimistic that Dundee can benefit from this change. A bigger chunk of the pie will accrue in the place where the companies are based, which is Dundee.
“It certainly looks to me as if online gaming is the way forward.”
The Game In Scotland event returns to Fat Sam’s nightclub on Saturday, where enthusiasts contemplating a career in the industry can bring their CVs and any demonstration games they might have developed themselves.
The organisers say many firms have positions they want to fill now and after graduation this year.
Professor Terry said that Abertay graduates were still finding well-paid jobs locally.
He said, “As a university, we supply a significant number of graduates from Abertay every year and we can’t keep up with the companies’ demands.”