Games-on-demand services are platform-agnostic distribution systems. These services promise to play a key role in the future of marketing video games. Producers will be able to deliver media to any web-enabled device without the usual constraints, and disparate titles that have never been in direct competition will occupy the same virtual shelf space.

Greg asked, “Why would you play FarmVille when you can play World of Warcraft on the same machine?” Metaplace cofounder Raph Koster responded on his blog, “A huge part of the audience that likes social games doesn’t like World of Warcraft. I know this is shocking and bizarre to hear, so let me reiterate it. They don’t like the games you do.”

While there are separate markets for these different products, why are they separate? Monopoly is a board game. Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune is a PlayStation game. FarmVille is a Facebook game. The markets for games have traditionally been defined by the platforms on which games are first and primarily available.

By definition, platform exclusivity limits who is exposed to platform-dependent games. When barriers to consumption have long-defined the markets for games, the “different strokes for different folks” argument is easily made. After all, the best predictor of future behavior is past behavior, right? But what happens when the platform doesn’t matter anymore?

Gaikai has already demonstrated that World of Warcraft can be played on Facebook.

What happens when all of the barriers to consumption, which have informed our present-day understanding of the marketplace, are eliminated? We’re in for a fun ride. Conventional wisdom will be challenged. Consumers will have more options. And I think we’ll see more opportunities, more competition, and more product categories.

I don’t think games on demand will kill social games. Social games will stick around; however, when we can choose to play Red Dead Redemption or My Vineyard on the iPad, social games will probably not be seen the same way. Nor will anything else.

Over the next year, you’ll find here business insights, industry commentary, and special features. We’ll also share with you news regarding the Council, its initiatives, and milestones. Next month, we’ll begin publishing monthly interviews with successful entrepreneurs. You’ll get to read about their adventures, ventures, and how they faced the challenges of starting and leading interactive entertainment companies. Update (8/18): Our plans have changed. There will be an announcement in September.

I’m your host Morgan Ramsay, founder of Entertainment Media Council. As we move forward, I want to bring in members and future members as guest bloggers. I would also appreciate your feedback about how we can make this blog more useful to you.

Founded in 2008, Entertainment Media Council serves business decision-makers—such as entrepreneurs, C-level executives, and senior managers—who own or lead companies in every category throughout the interactive entertainment supply chain.

“Entertainment Media Council exists to transform the way the game is played and advance the industry to the next level,” according to founder Morgan Ramsay. “The path we have chosen is difficult, but the rewards will be great. We are seeking Charter Members, businesses whose leaders believe in our mission, to help us forward.”

For their commitment, Charter Members will receive lifetime recognition and honorary lifetime memberships for key personnel. Charter Members will be responsible for empowering the association and, by extension, the industry as a whole to:

• increase the success rate of new firms;
• stabilize the business landscape;
• explore and create new business models;
• reduce unnecessary and wasteful layoffs;
• and effect other significant changes.

Interested parties are encouraged to visit the official website, www.emcouncil.org, which has been expanded with more information about Entertainment Media Council, the board of directors and advisory group, and the value of individual and charter membership.

SAN DIEGO (April 13, 2009) — Entertainment Media Council was announced today as the new interactive entertainment association for entrepreneurs and corporate leaders. Entertainment Media Council is pursuing a broad agenda for advancing the interactive entertainment business in the United States.

“With interactive entertainment in the midst of a sea change, the need for a navigator is more pronounced than ever,” said Morgan Ramsay, president and chief executive officer at Entertainment Media Council. “We are embarking on a mission to solve the most challenging problems facing the industry today.”

Entertainment Media Council will harness the collective intelligence of an inclusive assembly of entrepreneurs and corporate leaders to support and focus on entrepreneurship, organizational innovation, social responsibility, environmental sustainability, professional diversity, and globalization.

Joining Ramsay on the founding board of directors are Cindy Armstrong, chief executive officer at WebWars, Inc., and Matthew J. Esber, general counsel at NCsoft. Forming the advisory group are: Adam McClard, Alexander Macris, Brandon Sheffield, David Cole, Geoffrey Zatkin, S. Gregory Boyd, Steve Crane, and Terri Perkins. Efforts are underway to fill the remaining seats on the board of directors.

For more information about Entertainment Media Council, visit www.emcouncil.org