Gaming

The first games were launched in the 1960s. By the 1970s there was a recognised Games Industry with video arcades and home entertainment consoles. Home computing got big in the 1980s and brought a period of huge expansion and creative innovation. Games became an industry, and moved away from 2 or 3 talented, devoted creative “mavericks” being responsible for every aspect of a project. Developing top of the range Computer Game titles now involves large teams of people, and costs millions of pounds. 

It begins with market research and development in national and international operations. Teams of people then work to produce design documents from which all the elements that make up the final game are drawn and which sets down all possible paths the games can take players and any of the mechanics of actual gameplay that are relevant. If the game has story or narrative elements scripting and storyboarding also takes place.

Working from this design document the technical aspects of the game are decided and the game code, animation, graphics audio production and special effects follow. The application of the technical expertise then turns the creative products into paths for gamers to enjoy. Teams work on the projects in a system of production much like producing a movie. Like movies the risk is great – the game may not grab audiences, the investors may lose money.

But like movies, Games can be successful globally, and the profit margin per unit can be far more than that per viewer for movies. Like movies games often feature well known franchises and blockbuster sequels which greatly enhance the commercial success of the sector. Sales of entertainment software outstrip the video rental market and cinema box office spending, and the growth in the software and hardware market is set to go on rising. More games are being purchased worldwide and UK companies are contributing to that success.