BTEC games + media production unit 13 task 1 + 2

1. Stuart Doherty HA1 - Task 1
and 2 Structure of the
Games Industry

3. Developers
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

4. Publishers
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.

5. 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.

6. Distribution and Retail
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.

7. Outsourcing Companies
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.

8. Press and Media
This is a large sector, providing journalistic
output, reviews and analysis for both trade
and consumer. It includes magazines,
websites, and television.

9. Bibliography
http://www.creativeskillset.org/games/career
s/article_3739_1.asp