GAME INDUSTRY: GAMEDEV
In the modern world, the creation of video games is one of the largest segments of the entertainment industry. The scale of the game industry is comparable, for example, to the movie industry. And in terms of growth rate over the past five years, the video game industry has significantly outpaced it.
Structure of the game industryThe degree of influence on consumers and their involvement in the interactive environment offered by video games, this segment has long stood out among other types of entertainment.
Gamemade or game development cannot be considered in isolation from the computer game industry as a whole. Directly creating games is only a part of a complex “ecosystem” that provides a full life cycle of production, distribution and consumption of such complex products as computer games.
The following levels can be distinguished in the structure of the modern game industry: platforms, game engines, video game development, publishing and operation, popularization and consumption.
Very few educational institutions in the world train specialists directly for the game industry. In Russia the only educational training program for the game industry Management of Internet game projects trains specialists for two levels at once: Game Creation and Publishing (Operation).
GAME PLATFORMS
Hardware and software systems that allow to run interactive game applications. Among the main types are:
- Windows, Mac/OS X, or Linux-based personal computers
- Game consoles (specialized devices for gaming, now in use 8th generation – Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Wii U)
- Mobile devices (iOS, Android, Windows)
- Universal web platforms, social networks (FB, VK, MM)
- Arcade machines
- Innovative virtual reality platforms
GAME MOVEMENTS
A program layer between the platform and the actual game code. Using a ready-made game engine allows you to significantly simplify the development of new games, reduce the cost of their production and significantly reduce the time to launch. Also modern game engines provide cross-platform compatibility of created products. Among the most advanced engines we can highlight: Unity 3D, Unreal Development Kit, CryENGINE 3 Free SDK.
GAME DEVELOPMENT
A large number of companies and independent teams are engaged in the creation of computer games. The development involves specialists of different professions: programmers, game-designers, artists, QA specialists, and others.
Large professional teams of 100+ specialists are involved in the development of large commercial game products. And such projects in development can cost tens of millions of dollars.
However, quite successful game projects can be realized by small teams of enthusiasts. This is facilitated by the presence on the market of a large number of open and widespread platforms, high-quality and almost free engines, platforms for attracting “people’s” investments (crowdfunding) and available distribution channels.
PUBLISHING AND OPERATING GAMES
As a rule, game distribution or operation (in the case of MMOs) is carried out not by the developers themselves, but by publishers. In this case, publishers (or operators) localize games, interact with platform owners, conduct marketing campaigns, deploy infrastructure, provide technical and informational support for released games.
This level is practically unavailable for medium and small game products. As a rule, such products are brought to the market by developers themselves, directly interacting with platforms.
POPULARIZATION (MARKETING OF GAMES)
Specialized media have always been a powerful channel for delivering information to users.
Nowadays, the most effective and widely represented area of media are informational sites dedicated to game topics.
Game magazines, which for a long time acted as the main source of information about games, have now given way to Internet resources.
Specialized exhibitions are still important information platforms for the game industry (E3, GDC, Gamescom, IgroMir, CRI, DevGamm). Direct communication between press and players and developers, exchange of experience between market players, new contacts – this is what conferences and exhibitions offer in a concentrated form.
