Researchers at Goldsmiths, University of London, say they are on the way to making true on-demand video games a reality.

The research is part of an EU funded project, Games@Large, which aims to develop the delivery of video games anytime, anywhere, and on any device, finding ways to enable consumer electronics devices such as set-top boxes and mobile phones to serve as easy-to-use gaming platforms.

It is hoped that this will facilitate more convenient game play options, encouraging uptake by new users who would not usually sit in front of a computer or buy a console. So Grandma could be playing scrabble with Aunt Doris online via her set top box and remote control.

The research team are looking for participants to help in their research. They are currently conducting a survey into people’s leisure activities and use of media and technology. This information will help them to examine the benefits that new media products and services can deliver to users and how they can better be designed to deliver these benefits.

The survey can be found online from www.goldsmiths.ac.uk/i2 or in hard copy from the research team. Each participant will qualify for a prize draw to win £100 of gift vouchers. If you are interested in finding out more about the project, or would like to volunteer to take part in the research contact gal@gold.ac.uk or 020 7919 7338.

Industry consultation is also currently underway to gain reactions from games industry experts and potential stakeholders (games developers, publishers and online games companies, alongside hardware manufactures and service providers). Individuals in these industries willing to talk to the research team about the Games@Large project should contact them using the details above.