EIF teams with Media Guardian TV Festival
Keynotes and masterclass in Edinburgh to address co-development across television and videogame industries
This year's Edinburgh Interactive Festival has announced a partnership with the Media Guardian International Television Festival to host an evening bringing together the UK games and TV industries.
Taking place August 26, the EIF will host a keynote address given by a leading television figure, while the MGITF will feature a session by a videogame executive. There will also be creative masterclass at the MGITF to discuss co-developer between the two industries.
"Games have had a significant effect on the use of the television in the home," said Chris Deering, chairman of Edinburgh Interactive. "Over the last 12 months this has moved on dramatically with recent research showing that 10 per cent of all BBC iPlayer requests are being driven by games consoles.
"The debate between the two industries has not yet begun; it will begin in August at Edinburgh Interactive and MGEITF."
The keynotes speakers for both events are yet to be announced. The EIF takes place August 25-26, and the MGITF August 27-29.
Deborah Turness, editor of ITV News and advisory chair of the MGEITF Advisory Committee, added: "This is an exciting opportunity to explore joint format development between television and games and is a natural evolution driven by major advances in technology.
"In bringing together executives from these two entertainment industries to discuss, network and share ideas, we place both Festivals at the centre of a new global debate in Edinburgh."