Apple is biggest influence on gaming industry, says study

Apple has had the biggest influence on the video games industry, according to a study.

MCV conducted a survey of 1,000 people working within the sector, a majority of whom named the iPhone as the most important gaming product.

The mobile device claimed 17 percent of the overall vote, warding off competition from the second-placed Nintendo Wii with seven percent. Xbox Live and the original PlayStation were tied at three percent, and Valve's Steam platform rounded off the top five on two percent.

Apple's late co-founder Steve Jobs was also voted as the most influential figure in the gaming industry, claiming 26 percent of the votes. Valve's Gabe Newell was the runner-up on 16 percent, followed by Nintendo mastermind Shigeru Miyamoto with seven.

Tim Berners-Lee, the inventor of the worldwide web, claimed fourth place with four percent of the votes, while Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg was fifth on three percent.

"In just over three years, the iPhone and the App Store have transformed what consumers expect of games, and how the industry makes and sells them - today, download games have come to the fore," said MCV editor-in-chief Michael French.

"Steve Jobs, the iPhone's driving force, was the ultimate independent developer - uncompromising in his vision, with unquestionable influence, and hugely artistic and commercial results."

The research was conducted to coincide with the London Games Conference, which takes place on November 10 at One Wimpole Street in Central London.

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