Discussion on Computer Discussion on Computer Game DevelopmentGame Development

Friday, February 6, 2004Friday, February 6, 2004

DePaul UniversityDePaul University

Jason ComptonJason Compton

A Brief, Incomplete Overview of the A Brief, Incomplete Overview of the Video Game IndustryVideo Game Industry

Real BusinessesReal Businesses

In-Demand TalentIn-Demand Talent

Real WorkReal Work

History: The 1960sHistory: The 1960s

Gaming history Gaming history beginsbegins in academia in academiaMainframesMainframesOpen sourceOpen sourceAcademic, sideline projectsAcademic, sideline projectsAction games, AI experiments (chess)Action games, AI experiments (chess)First head-to-head: SpacewarFirst head-to-head: SpacewarDistribution: tiny universe, donated paper Distribution: tiny universe, donated paper

tapestapes

History: 1970-1975History: 1970-1975

Pong!Pong!Crude hardwired consolesCrude hardwired consolesMainframe gaming: getting more Mainframe gaming: getting more

sophisticatedsophisticatedStill largely academicStill largely academicPlay via screen or printerPlay via screen or printer

History: 1975-1982History: 1975-1982

Dawn of personal computers and consolesDawn of personal computers and consolesOne-man teamsOne-man teamsProgramming = research = programmingProgramming = research = programmingLargely self-published, direct salesLargely self-published, direct salesBirth of publishers (Activision, Sierra, EA)Birth of publishers (Activision, Sierra, EA)Birth of franchises (Ultima, Zork)Birth of franchises (Ultima, Zork)Distribution: paper tapes, cassettes, Distribution: paper tapes, cassettes,

floppies, magazine type-infloppies, magazine type-in

History: 1982-1985History: 1982-1985

Personal computers go mass-marketPersonal computers go mass-marketFirst signs of design teams/studios (Free First signs of design teams/studios (Free

Fall, Ozark Softscape, etc.)Fall, Ozark Softscape, etc.)Console crash (E.T.), rebirth (NES)Console crash (E.T.), rebirth (NES)Studio->Publisher->Retail model starts to Studio->Publisher->Retail model starts to

take holdtake holdMore franchises (King’s Quest, Castle More franchises (King’s Quest, Castle

Wolfenstein, Donkey Kong/Mario)Wolfenstein, Donkey Kong/Mario)Distribution: Cassette, floppy, type-inDistribution: Cassette, floppy, type-in

History: 1986-1991History: 1986-1991

Gaming computers get better Gaming computers get better (Commodore Amiga, DOS EGA/VGA)(Commodore Amiga, DOS EGA/VGA)

Projects get bigger (larger, cheaper disks, Projects get bigger (larger, cheaper disks, consumer hard drives)consumer hard drives)

Teams get bigger, but still occasional Teams get bigger, but still occasional “bedroom millionaire”“bedroom millionaire”

All-text diesAll-text dies

History: 1986-1991History: 1986-1991

Start to see specialists (artists, musicians, Start to see specialists (artists, musicians, etc.)etc.)

Consoles: closed systems from here on Consoles: closed systems from here on outout

Still more franchises! (Police Quest, Final Still more franchises! (Police Quest, Final Fantasy, Wing Commander)Fantasy, Wing Commander)

Distribution: Floppies (and lots of them), Distribution: Floppies (and lots of them), type-intype-in

History: 1991-presentHistory: 1991-present

““Wintel” PC crowds out the desktop packWintel” PC crowds out the desktop packStudios spring up all overStudios spring up all over ““Cinematic” gaming comes, goes, comes, Cinematic” gaming comes, goes, comes,

goes...goes...Publishers merge, submerge, re-emerge, Publishers merge, submerge, re-emerge,

re-invent...re-invent...Mass retailers take chargeMass retailers take charge

History: 1991-presentHistory: 1991-present

Arcade gaming peaks, declines as Arcade gaming peaks, declines as PC/console catches upPC/console catches up

A few independents find refuge onlineA few independents find refuge onlineFade of gaming “rockstars”—for most, Fade of gaming “rockstars”—for most,

game creation is a salaried jobgame creation is a salaried jobDistribution: Floppies give way to CDs, Distribution: Floppies give way to CDs,

DVDs, and direct downloadDVDs, and direct download

The Business of GamesThe Business of Games

2003: $7 billion in sales2003: $7 billion in salesMore for the money ($40 in 1983 = $73 More for the money ($40 in 1983 = $73

today)today)Big-time companies (multiple publishers Big-time companies (multiple publishers

>$1 billion market value)>$1 billion market value)Big-time budgets (6 figures and up per Big-time budgets (6 figures and up per

game)game)

How Games Get MadeHow Games Get Made

Concept

Studio

Publisher

Distributor

Retail

Jobs In GamingJobs In Gaming

ProgrammersProgrammers

Code graphics Code graphics enginesengines

Code rules enginesCode rules engines Code AICode AI Code design toolsCode design tools Pays to be able to Pays to be able to

think smallthink small

Designers (Writers)Designers (Writers)

Create storyCreate story Create worldCreate world Create charactersCreate characters Create levels/questsCreate levels/quests Write dialogueWrite dialogue Use design toolsUse design tools

Jobs In GamingJobs In Gaming

ProducersProducers

Build teamsBuild teams Keep project on Keep project on

deadlinesdeadlines Manage budgetManage budget Coordinate teamsCoordinate teams Coordinate between Coordinate between

studio, publisher, studio, publisher, licensorlicensor

ArtistsArtists

3D: work in major 3D 3D: work in major 3D environmentsenvironments

2D: Portraiture, 2D: Portraiture, texturingtexturing

Sketches, Sketches, storyboardsstoryboards

Jobs In GamingJobs In Gaming

Audio DirectorsAudio Directors

Coordinate with Coordinate with designersdesigners

Hire voice talentHire voice talent

Direct recording Direct recording sessionssessions

FMV DirectorsFMV Directors

Oversee production of Oversee production of cinematicscinematics

Coordinate live-action Coordinate live-action production, post-production, post-production FX, 3D, production FX, 3D, etc.etc.

Jobs In GamingJobs In Gaming

QAQA

Test, test, testTest, test, test

Test some moreTest some more

Troubleshoot, report, Troubleshoot, report, repeatrepeat

Other RolesOther Roles

WebmasterWebmaster Community ManagersCommunity Managers MarketingMarketing SimulationsSimulations JournalismJournalism EducationEducation