In the late 70's and early 80's, video games were considered at best a curiosity in the marketplace, with a focused target audience, and a hobby culture among those who were interested. Limited technology meant that small developers could spend small amounts of time developing several titles a year, but this quantity over quality mentality couldn't sustain itself. Now, the video game industry is overtaking other entertainment media in the marketplace, adding $5 billion to the US economy in 2009 alone, with titles such as Grand Theft Auto 4 selling $500 million alone in its opening week. My informative brief will cover a new business model in the digital age which allows small developers to compete with the powerhouses in bringing great games to the marketplace.
Sources: http://www.businessinsider.com/video-game-industry-added-5-billion-to-us-economy-in-2009-2010-8
The new business model that you mentioned to allow small developers to compete reminds me of the iPhone app creation process. Apple allows developers to use their products and website as a platform for distribution while also letting the developers reap a profit. Do you think this model is in anyway related to the video-game sphere?
ReplyDeleteThe Apple name has become a launching pad for software developers at virtually no cost, which I think is an essential part of a competitive economy.
The Apple method you're talking about is essentially the same thing, which can be applied to most modern digital media creation. Radiohead distributed their 2007 "In Rainbows" release digitally, and many gaming platforms as well as the iPhone are beginning to start a similar process. However, there are some notable differences with Apple that I will highlight in my speech.
ReplyDeleteJust to be clear with what it is your talking about, are you talking about the move towards downloadable content over respective systems, indie games, or something entirely diffrent?
ReplyDeleteAlso I actually like the fact that the video game business is run by big name companies; it gives them the resources to make true quality games. Games like God of War or Grand Theft Auto wouldn't be possible in a gaming world made entirely of small developers.
Looks like you have a good topic on your hands!
ReplyDeleteI can see both sides of the coin, where lowering of barriers to entry is positive in terms of bringing in more competition -- without necessarily bringing the quality of games down, if you are a good developer, you will develop a good game. The negative being bad quality of the game, but technology being as advanced as it is doesn't leave too much room for that.
I'd love to hear you speak about the model and the simplicity and low cost of technology available to game developers. Maybe for your persuasive speech you can take on the issue of whether or not that means lower-quality games?
I like this topic. I am from the house of two very avid video game players (my twin and younger brother) and they are very active in researching the types of ways the game makers advertise gaming. I am very interested to hear more.
ReplyDeleteI found the presentation very interesting and informative. Very nicely done, Mike.
ReplyDelete