This document provides guidance for students to research and report on similar games already in the market for their proposed game idea. It instructs students to list 5 current games in the same genre, rank them by revenue, and label each with developer, publisher, and platforms. It outlines the required sections for their similar products report, including developer/publisher, platforms, gameplay features, sales information, and a conclusion on each game's success. Finally, it provides 30 minutes for initial research and instructs students to continue researching in their next period.

1. LIST 5 GAMES CURRENTLY ON RELEASE THAT
ARE IN THE SAME GENRE AS YOUR PROPOSED
GAME IDEA.
- Rank these games in order of revenue, form
highest to lowest.
- Label each one with the developer and the publisher
(if different).
- Label each one with the platforms they are
available on.

2. MARKET RESEARCH
To be able to identify and collect information on similar games already in
the market.
P2 generate outline ideas for a game concept working within appropriate
conventions
M2 generate detailed ideas for a game concept showing some imagination
D2 generate thoroughly thought through ideas for a game concept showing
creativity and flair
Outcomes:
To develop research skills and ability to use secondary data.
To extend knowledge of similar products in the market.

3. YOUR SIMILAR PRODUCTS REPORT
 Developer and publisher information
 Platform
 Visual style and gameplay features relevant to genre (summarised).
 New IP or franchise/sequel
 USP
 Retail price
 Place in gaming charts
 Units sold so far/revenue earned (if possible)
P2 generate outline ideas for a game concept working within appropriate conventions
M2 generate detailed ideas for a game concept showing some imagination
D2 generate thoroughly thought through ideas for a game concept showing creativity
and flair
You should also conclude each game
with your opinion on why the product
has been successful.

4. SOURCES OF INFORMATION
Trade
Journals

5. P2 generate outline ideas for a game concept working within appropriate conventions
M2 generate detailed ideas for a game concept showing some imagination
D2 generate thoroughly thought through ideas for a game concept showing creativity
and flair
The game’s official
site

6. P2 generate outline ideas for a game concept working within appropriate conventions
M2 generate detailed ideas for a game concept showing some imagination
D2 generate thoroughly thought through ideas for a game concept showing creativity
and flair
Retailer’s websites

7. P2 generate outline ideas for a game concept working within appropriate conventions
M2 generate detailed ideas for a game concept showing some imagination
D2 generate thoroughly thought through ideas for a game concept showing creativity
and flair
Review sites

8. P2 generate outline ideas for a game concept working within appropriate conventions
M2 generate detailed ideas for a game concept showing some imagination
D2 generate thoroughly thought through ideas for a game concept showing creativity
and flair
Gaming sites
edge-online.com
gamasutra.com
ign.com
kotaku.co.uk
gamesradar.com/
uk
www.mcvuk.com

9. Developer – Ivory Tower & Ubisoft Reflections
Publisher – Ubisoft
Platforms – PS4, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows
Visual Style – photorealism, similar to other racing titles such as Forza and
Need For Speed.
Gameplay – Single player linear narrative based around criminal groups.
Multiplayer and side missions also available, which run alongside the single
player. Customisation of cars is possible. Huge open world to drive in, based
on the United States and is quite realistic. However, temporally you can cross
the country in an hour and a half1, meaning time is distorted.
Interface and mechanics are similar to most racing games, with generic
feedback interfaces (speedometer, map) and controls. The multiplayer aspect
is more of a FPS element and is relatively new in racing games. As you
progress through challenges more of the map is opened up. Another element
from FPS is the negative moral implications of the game. Atomic challenges
and win conditions for missions see the player committing crimes, (albeit
under the guise of uncover corruption). The game is predicated on the
excitement of driving fast and completing missions, similar to Need For Speed.112 September 2013 “The crew and how ubisoft is turning its version of the
American dream into reality.” edge-online.com.
http://thecrew-game.ubi.com/portal/en-gb/home/

10. IP - New IP
USP- massive open world replicating the United States. Described as RPG/MMO1
as you can form crews with other players as part of the main game and take on
other teams. There is an emphasis on social and co-op play.
Retail - £24.99 (Xbox One &PS4)2
- £44.99 (PC) 3
Gaming Charts – Debuted at number 6 in the UK top ten (the highest release for a
new game that week). 4 Went in at number 5 on the Steam charts. 5 Currently 12th
in top 40 UK retail chart, 8 places higher than the next racing game, Forza
Horizon 2. 6
Revenue – Ubisoft have predicted 2 million units to be sold in the first year. 7
1Campbell, Colin (10 June 2013). "The Crew is Ubisoft's social racing
gambit". Polygon. Vox Media.
2Game
3Steam
4Crossley, Rob (8 December 2014). “UK Charts: FIFA 15 Regains Lead as The Crew
Enters at Sixth”. GameSpot. CBS Interactive.
5Johnson, Erik (8 December 2014). “Steam top ten sellers chart: November 30 –
December 6”. MCV. NewBay Media.
6 “Data and Research.” MCV. Issue823, February 20th 2015: 14-15
7 Parfitt, Ben (31 October 2014) “Ubisoft expects Far Cry 4 to sell 6m and The

11. P2 generate outline ideas for a game concept working within appropriate conventions
M2 generate detailed ideas for a game concept showing some imagination
D2 generate thoroughly thought through ideas for a game concept showing creativity
and flair
YOUR TASK TODAY…
 You will have 30 minutes this lesson to begin researching your
games.
 You need to be making notes, using the checklist as guidance.
 Write your games on a post-it and tick them off as you go.
 At the end of the lesson you will get together in similar genre groups
and share what you have found – including good sources of
information.
 You will then have period 6 to continue researching your similar
games.