Task 1

Developers

They make the games

"Games developers are involved in the creation and production of games for personal computers, games consoles, social/online games, arcade games, tablets, mobile phones and other hand held devices. Their work involves either design (including art and animation) or programming.

Games development is a fast-moving, multi-billion pound industry. The making of a game from concept to finished product can take up to three years and involve teams of up to 200 professionals.
There are many stages, including creating and designing a game's look and how it plays, animating characters and objects, creating audio, programming, localisation, testing and producing.

The games developer job title covers a broad area of work and there are many specialisms within the industry. These include:

• quality assurance tester;
• programmer, with various specialisms such as network, engine, tool chain and artificial intelligence;
• audio engineer;
• artist, including concept artist, animator and 3D modeller;
• producer;
• editor;
• designer;
• special effects technician."

The production process

Publishers

"The role of the Publisher/Group Publisher is to drive the commercial performance and development of the brands under their control in line with strategy for their publishing group and the business as a whole.Specifically, they are responsible for defining and driving the strategy for each brand through the management and direction of the key functions (circulation, marketing, editorial, advertising).The Publisher/Group Publisher has bottom-line responsibility for their brands and is expected to play a significant outward facing role in the support of the advertising and editorial functions, to show strong entrepreneurial flair which translates into commercial advantage for our brands across all channels, to control costs, drive growth & profitability."

Console Manufacturers/First Party Publishers

A First Party Publisher is where, Sony would make there own games like Uncharted. Which is an exclusive, and no other platform would have it. Another example is Nintendo with Mario Kart. Although they can make the games they also decide whether or not games can be published for their console. Not only do these console first party publishers choose if games are published but they also decide which game would get more marketing over certain games. 

Distribution and Retail

Distribution is where they would outsource people to sell there game to companies like retail stores. However recently there are more games popping up online because there is no limit to how many copies can be stored on digital stores. This makes it easier to distribute games because companies like steam don't have to worry about how much room they have for games, like retail stores do. They are able to take more risks due to the fact that they don't have to worry about  how many copies they have to buy.  

Outsourcing Companies 

Gaming companies would outsource companies so they would be able to meet tight deadlines.

Problems had by outsourcing companies are that there is not always enough communication and planning on what is happening. Another reason why this is fundamental is because outsourcing companies helps to pay for finances that the company may not be able to pay for. 

Press and Media

Sources:

Text:

http://www.prospects.ac.uk/games_developer_job_description.htm
http://www.yourfuturejob.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Job-Description-Publisher_Group-Publisher.pdf
Images/Videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VuwiZ5pPLA