TIGA Changes Board Membership Standards, Gives Yearly Awards

The Independent Game Developers Association, the UK-based developer consortium more commonly known as TIGA, has announced the results of its end-of-the-year annual general meeting. The members voted on a change in the criteria for membership, as well as the recipients of the third annual TIGA awards. The change in membership status came as a result of several TIGA members being subsumed into larger publishers, such as Vivendi's acquisition of Infospace and Swordfish. As a result, TIGA voted to accept publisher-owned studios onto the board, which had previously been composed entirely of independent studios. Up to 4 publisher-owned studios will now be allowed onto the TIGA board, alongside 10 full independent members and 2 associate slots. TIGA also used the Christmas dinner to announce the five TIGA awards, voted by the association's members. Best PC/Console Game went to Rebellion's Sniper Elite, which beat out Buzz: The Music Game Quiz and Juiced for one of the more significant prizes of the evening. In other major awards, Best Handheld Console Game went to FIFA 06 by Exient, while Best Mobile Game went to Championship Manager 5 Solo by Dynamo Games. Long-time independent studio stalwart Blitz Games got the award for Biggest Contribution to the Development Sector, and the last award, Individual Who Has Made the Greatest Contribution to the Development Sector, went to Ian Baverstock of Kuju, current TIGA chairman. "This is the 3rd year of the TIGA awards," said TIGA CEO Fred Hasson. "The numbers of members nominating and voting grows every year so that this year we had a genuine hard fought contest. These awards we are sure one day will become the equivalent to the 'professional footballers awards.' The Tiga awards are about developers voting for their peer group (and competitors), which has to be the ultimate accolade – and a sign that the sector is maturing!"