The Tent Pole buiness is where a publisher releases one hit game using a lot of marketing and investing in a lot of money, which is going to make a huge profit, and then using that money to support the development of other smaller, niche games. For example, Grand Theft Auto brings in a lot of money for the publisher Rockstar, for them to then support other games such as Manhunt. There are negatives to this model of production, and that would be if the game that the publisher has spent a lot of time and money on does not become a hit, which would then not replace the money spent.
The Hollywood model contracts out parts of the games designs to other companies to reduce the development costs. They hire less developers temporarily to save money.
Another way of making a video game would be developing without a publisher. This means that the developer has to publish, market and distrubute the game himself.
To create a video game using a developer, publisher etc is very expensive, so now there is new ways to create and distribute games. There is now a growing 'indie game' industry made by Apple App Store and Xbox live market place where groups of individuals can create, distribute and make money from their games. Most consoles nowaday have an online store where you can buy 'indie games', whereas to release a Sony, PC or Nintendo game, certain criteria has to be met before distributing. Console game developers have to also pay fee's to the console manufactuer in order to let the game play on that console.
The iPhone SDK developed by Apple is targeted at third party developers to create apps for iPhone OS. The SDK is a free download, but to release software there is a annual charge of $99 and Apple has to approve of this software.
Task 2Research task: List all the different ways we consume video games today!
As the world are coming up with new ideas everyday, the video game industry is expanding and coming up with new ideas, and playing games on different devices. Such as Ipod, PC, Playstation etc.
With the game angry birds it was made for the Iphone, but as it got so popular it grew and became a game on the computer, where you play on Facebook. Also as it became bigger, the game grew by gaining more levels and unlocking extra things on the game such as the golden egg.
Also another game that started small was Call of Duty (COD), this game started out on PC and then as it became bigger it grew to consoles and handhelds such as Playstation, x-box and PSP. Even though this game is mostly aimed at young adult boys, it is so good that it has became popular for the younger audience and some of the games have been lowered in the age restriction so that the younger audience can buy it. Not only has it become big with boys, it is also very popular with girls. Which is great about this game now as they have the money to carry on expanding it, is that on x box live you can play it against your friends, when they are not in the same house as you.
As for Mario bros this started as an arcade game in 1983, but once it got developed and added extra characters and all of Mario friends it then became a lot bigger, and became a game on Wii’s and virtual consoles such as the Ds. Once it came out on these consoles he became huge and they then added more games such as Mario karts and Mario Olympics. Then you could play with your friends against each other and race and open new levels. What is also great about this game it is advertised for all age groups and that is great for a game. As they end up earning more money and expanding it further.
Task 3: interview five people on how they get hold of the game they play. How do they pay for the game? What methods are used?
Collect your findings and answer the following: how many different ways do people pay for games what methods are they? Which games have been discussed in your interview do they each have a different method of exchange is so why?
The first person I interviewed was:
Grace, Grace downloads her games on to the computer most of the time, but she also goes in the shop and buys a game normally for the Wii, her favourite game is Zumba and she always pay with card.
Then I interviewed Lauren, Lauren is similar to Grace as she also downloads her games on the computer, but her favourite game is Sims, so she buys that from the shop and plays it on her computer. Lauren pays for her games using credit card.
After Lauren I interviewed Emily, Emily normally only plays on her Ds so she also buys her games from shops but normally pays with cash. Her favourite game is Mario Bros.
As for Olivia she only plays games that are already downloaded on to the computer on the Facebook apps. So she doesn’t need to pay for her games.
Lastly I interviewed Amelie, Amelie is more in to X-box live, she buys her games from the shops, as she normally buys more than one game when she is in the shop she normally pays by credit card. Her favourite game is GTA especially when she is playing with others.
Overall the most popular method is going in to the shop and paying with card. Everyone who I have interviewed all play different games, so it is a wide variety of different gamers. This interview was biased as I interviewed people from my school, which is a girls school so I only interviewed girls, therefore as the boys are normally the people who play more they would have been the best to ask.
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