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Growth/development of the gaming industry
Eupfhoria
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
First let me come clean here; I made this thread to try get some help researching a paper I'm writing for a Mass Media class in college. So, sorry if this topic should maybe go elsewhere.
I didn't want to go the 'how much of an effect, if any, do video games have culturally/socially/psychologically route, (the paper needs to have in 'issue' to discuss/take a stance on, you see) so I decided to look more at the industry as a whole. The problem is, while I play alot of games (I've been procrastinating on this paper play Left 4 Dead, actually. It's, uh, research, right?:P) I realized I don't know a whole lot about how the industry actually works.
So, here's the kind of information I've been trying to learn more about:
How has gaming developed over the past 30+ years, from a small offshoot and niche of the rapidly developing computer industry in the 60's-70's, to the multi-billion dollar global industry it is today?
Specifically, how much of a shift has occurred from small developers making games, to large corporations and media companies who, if not actually making the games, own the development studios who do. How has this affected the industry? Is it more difficult for small developers to make a new game and publish it successfully than it was 10-20 years ago?
How do these larger companies compare in their business model to say, movie companies? Are they similarly 'vertically integrated'? (i.e., the companies own all the assets/means to develop, produce, publish, and sell the game)
Also, where can I get statistics on how big-name games compare in sales to the top-selling movies, music, books, etc?
Discussion (maybe this is a topic for D&D?), advice, or a shove in the right direction will be much appreciated.
I didn't want to go the 'how much of an effect, if any, do video games have culturally/socially/psychologically route, (the paper needs to have in 'issue' to discuss/take a stance on, you see) so I decided to look more at the industry as a whole. The problem is, while I play alot of games (I've been procrastinating on this paper play Left 4 Dead, actually. It's, uh, research, right?:P) I realized I don't know a whole lot about how the industry actually works.
So, here's the kind of information I've been trying to learn more about:
How has gaming developed over the past 30+ years, from a small offshoot and niche of the rapidly developing computer industry in the 60's-70's, to the multi-billion dollar global industry it is today?
Specifically, how much of a shift has occurred from small developers making games, to large corporations and media companies who, if not actually making the games, own the development studios who do. How has this affected the industry? Is it more difficult for small developers to make a new game and publish it successfully than it was 10-20 years ago?
How do these larger companies compare in their business model to say, movie companies? Are they similarly 'vertically integrated'? (i.e., the companies own all the assets/means to develop, produce, publish, and sell the game)
Also, where can I get statistics on how big-name games compare in sales to the top-selling movies, music, books, etc?
Discussion (maybe this is a topic for D&D?), advice, or a shove in the right direction will be much appreciated.
Eupfhoria on
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