1. Media Ownership
Who owns what in videogames? Licenses, brands, technology, software, hardware, the
intellectual property (IP). What effect does this have on the industry?
Some Games Industry instances
Publishers have to pay for ‘licenses’ from other intellectual properties such as films (Bond, X-Men,
Spider-Man), sports stars and events (FIFA, Tiger Woods), car designs (Gran Turismo), TV shows
(X Factor), songs Guitar Hero. These all cost money – more you spend on licensing that may
attract sales, the less you have for development.
Developers allow consumers to access their technological IP - Valve who make Team Fortress
and Half Life give fans access to their development tools so they can create their own maps and
games.
Apple allow developer to get the Apps Software Development Kit (SDK) for free so they can make
Iphone apps (but then take 30% of the revenue).
There can be disputes between developers and publisher about who owns the IP. The developers
may have created the game, but the publisher legally owns the rights to the ideas. E.g. Infinity
Ward created COD: Modern Warfare, but the publishers Activision own the names and the game.
They recently had a falling out (see here
Rockstar would have had to pay the console manufactures a licensing free of between $3 to $10
dollars for each unit (copy of the game) to Sony and Microsoft.
Things to think about when looking at Red Dead Redemption prezi.
What aspects/features of Red Dead Redemption do Rockstar own?
What aspects/features/technologies of Red Dead Redemption have Rockstar had to use from
other companies? What are the consequences of this?
How could you argue the consumers ‘owns’ the Red Dead Redemption?
Is there a conflict of interest in terms of media ownership between Rockstar and consumer after
the point of exchange?