Digital Distribution - Do Games Developers Still Need Publishers? April 28, 2009

20:00 | Networking drinks
20:30 | Debate starts
Key games industry figures discuss how they're making money from web-based advergames, PC and console download services, and the iTunes application store - revolutionising the old model where publishers paid developers to make games, and customers paid publishers to buy them in the shops. But can these new revenue streams generate the large incomes needed to create the rich experiences that gamers expect - and are many of them swapping dependence on one kind of publisher for another?

SPEAKERS:
Simon Oliver is the creator and programmer of Rolando, widely hailed as one of the best iPhone games so far, and previously produced the Roadies and Shooting Stars Krazy Golf web games for the BBC.

James Brooksby is studio head at Doublesix Games, who focus entirely on digital downloads and are currently working on South Park for Xbox Live Arcade and Burn Zombie Burn! for the PlayStation Network and PC.

Fredrik Wester is CEO of Paradox Interactive, an independent developer, publisher and - via its GamersGate service - digital distributor, best known for the Europa Universalis and Hearts of Iron franchises and the upcoming Stalin vs Martians.

David Lau-Kee is non-executive chairman of Kerb Games, a casual, browser-based MMO games company recently spun-out from award-winning digital media agency Kerb. Previously, David was co-founder, President and CEO of the Criterion Software Group and a Vice President in EA's World Wide Studios.

CHAIR:
Phil Elliott is managing editor of GamesIndustry.biz, responsible for the site's overall strategy, as well as managing external relationships, business development, events and the GamesIndustry.biz Network.

Official Website: http://www.bafta.org/calendar-event.html?btype=day&Gday=20090428000000