Exciting times?

Over the last six months I have really noticed the inevitable introduction of Global Brands entering the casual and advergaming market. The company I work for are finding ourselves pitching more and more against foreign companies or the likes of Cartoon Network or Jetix, as opposed to English development companies of similar sizes, such as Kerb or Skive. Game based websites like Addicting Games are also all being bought by media owners or large conglomerates.

Reinout te Brake (From Spill Group – a company setting up a Global network of casual game based websites) points out on his blog that Paramount Pictures have just expanded their interactive department to suit.

My views on this are simple. Like in all markets, small independent companies have got to stay ahead of the tide by simply being better than their larger rivals. Whether having the edge on service, technology or price – it’s important that they stand out from the crowd. This is nothing new - The same happened with website development around eight years ago. The same happened with commercial computer game development in the eighties.

So I wish all of the small independent companies out there the best of luck in these changing times. Some people will win, some people will lose. Make sure that you win.