ECTS 97 finds games industry in buoyant mood

As the European Computer Trade Show (ECTS) kicks off in its usual noisy fashion the UK games industry has good reason to be buoyant this autumn. With the world market for interactive entertainment now estimated at a worth of around $10 billion, the UK piece of this market is significant and growing.

Several of the big international game hits are either developed in the UK, or published by UK games firms. Market analysts estimate that between 15 and 20 per cent of games development for the world market takes place in the UK.

Show organiser Miller Freeman says this autumn's ECTS will see a "record-breaking number of exhibitors, press and delegates". The show is taking place at London's Olympia, and is open from 10.00 to 6.00 today, and 10.00 till 4.00 tomorrow.

This afternoon the show will be visited by Barbara Roche MP, the parliamentary under-secretary of state for small firms, trade and industry. The secretary of state will tour the show floor and have a meeting with key industry figures to discuss "current activities, opportunities and concerns of the industry", say the show organisers.