what you really need to know about game development & publishing
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What You Really Need to Know about Game Development & Publishing. Neal Robison ATI Research. What We’ll Talk About. Who Is ATI? Game Dev Process The Business Side of Games Latest Issues in Development & Publishing Questions. Who Is ATI?. ATI: World Leader In Visual Processing. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
What You Really Need to Know about Game
Development & Publishing
Neal RobisonATI Research
What We’ll Talk About
Who Is ATI?
Game Dev Process
The Business Side of Games
Latest Issues in Development & Publishing
Questions
Who Is ATI?
ATI: World Leader In Visual Processing
GPUs & Workstation Graphics#1 GPU Supplier#1 Notebook Supplier
Handheld#2 Media Co-Processor SupplierShipping in Over 35 Phones
Game ConsolesXbox 360Ninteno Revolution & Gamecube
Integrated Graphics#1 3rd Party Supplier
Digital TV#1 DTV Silicon Supplier
Game Development
Process
Sources for Game Ideas
Game Developers
Dedicated Game Designers
Employees of Game Publishers
Film/ TV/ Music
First...The Players
Game Developers
Game Publishers
Retailers
Gaming/Consumer Press
Platform Holders: Sony, MS & Nintendo
Software Licensing
What’s A 3rd Party
1st Party vs. 3rd Party
Why Can’t Just Anyone Make Games?
Console vs. PC
Console vs. PC vs. Films
Typical Production Timeline
Stages of Development
Stages of Development: Concept
Define Game Concept
Define Core Game Features
Find/Assign Developer
Estimate Budget & Due Date
Concept: Van Helsing
Concept: Van Helsing
Concept: Van Helsing
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Concept: Van Helsing
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Prototype or 1st Playable
GDD & TDD = “The Bibles”
Production Budget & Detailed Schedule
Submit Concept to Sony, etc.
Working Prototype, with Game Mechanics
Focus Test
Prototype: Red Ninja
Prototype: Red Ninja
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Red Ninja - Finished Version
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Stages of Development: Alpha
Feature Complete
“Localization” Begins
Focus Test
Play Testing
Marketing Continues
Alpha: Crash Bandicoot
Alpha: Crash Bandicoot
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Stages of Development: Beta
Polish, Polish, Polish
Game Balancing
Localization Continues
Demo Versions
Stages: Final/GMC/Gold
The Game is “Done”
Testing, Testing, Testing
Intense Pressure
Submit to Sony
Manufacturing Timing
Ghost Recon 3: Advanced Warfighter
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Ghost Recon 3: Advanced Warfighter
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Stages : Post-Mortem
Analysis of PR, Marketing
Analysis of Production, Source Code
Archive All Assets
Kick-off the Sequel!
The Business of Games
First...The Players
Game Developers
Game Publishers
Retailers
Platform Holders
Game BusinessGame Developers Game Publishers
Actual Game
US $4-10 Million
Game Business
Game Publishers Sony, NintendoMicrosoft
US $7/unit
Invent GameSystem +Marketing
Game BusinessGame Publishers Retailers
Finished Product
Wholesale PriceUS $32/unit
Game BusinessRetailers Consumers
Finished Product
Retail PriceUS $49.99
Who Makes the $$$?
DevelopersGet millions from Game Publisher
Huge fixed & variable costs
Most fun, most pressure
Dependent on Publishers
Exceptions?
Who Makes the $$$?
PublishersGet $32/unit from Retailers
Pours out millions to develop product
Sales & Marketing costs
Inventory management & “returns”
Who Makes the $$$?
RetailersGet approx. $17/unit
Remember cost of store
Marketing costs
Some help from Publishers on inventory
Hot vs. Not
Who Makes the $$$?
Platform HoldersGet $7/unit licensing fee
R&D Cost to create system, including anti-pirating costs
Marketing system to consumers
1st Party games
Issues in Game Development &
Publishing
Development & Publishing Issues
Advertising In-Game
Cost To Develop for Next-Gen
Systems
U.S. & Canadian Legislation
Restricting Games
Lack of Originality
Questions?