The Production Process - Computer Games
Computer games are created, developed and published by different types of companies that are all responsible for a particular element of the games 'value chain'.
Each sector has an influence on the type of games that are produced.
- Developers
- Publishers
- Console Manufacturers/First Party Publishers
- Distribution and Retail
- Outsourcing Companies
- Press and Media
These are the production studios which create and develop the games titles. They vary in size from over 100 employees and freelance staff, to under 5. Most of the creative production roles are found within these companies and they offer a wide range of jobs in different disciplines.
Developers can be independent or owned by a publisher. There are also some development studios which form part of publisher groups. Studios exist across the nations and regions, although there are 'clusters' of activity in certain locations, e.g. Manchester, Liverpool, Surrey, Warwickshire, Sheffield and Dundee.
Projects are either commissioned by a publisher or initiated by a developer and then pitched to a publisher for funding and take–up
These are the companies that are responsible for promoting, marketing, distributing and, usually, financing games titles. They are mostly international companies with a UK base, with some notable home–grown exceptions. Publishers have a key influence on what games get made.
Job opportunities tend to be in commissioning, product/financial management, developer liaison, marketing, product strategy and market research.
Console Manufacturers/First Party Publishers
First Party Publishers are the companies that make the hardware, e.g. games consoles, that games are played on –specifically Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo and, now that mobile phone based platforms are emerging, companies such as Nokia.
These companies are the 'gatekeepers' of the industry, as they decide whether or not to approve each game targeted for development on their respective console platforms. They have an immense amount of power and influence over what gets released and which titles get priority marketing.
First Party Publishers provide support to developers and publishers working on their particular platforms.
Distributors 'sell in' to retailers, delivering games direct from their warehouse to the retailer. This is where the public buys its games. Retailers allocate 'shelf space' for titles, through publisher/distribution negotiation, and organise point of sale promotions. The distribution and retail companies have a significant influence on the types of games that get made.
These provide a variety of services to developers and publishers including: art, animation and design; rendering, graphics and physics engines and programming; audio and sound design; and localisation.
This is a large sector, providing journalistic output, reviews and analysis for both trade and consumer. It includes magazines, websites, and television.