Video Games Industry Analysis
Professional Video Game Development Courses On The Rise
The University of Southern California has announced the introduction of a bachelor’s program in video game development. With the advent of sophisticated games such as MMOs and the merging of commercial interests with virtual reality, it is possible that USC did this as an academic exercise rather than a place to park its football players.
Other mainstream universities have similar programs, among them Carnegie Mellon, Georgia Tech and Southern Methodist University. The game industry has cracked the seven billion dollar mark in annual revenue. More important from an academic point of view perhaps, is the prospect of applying game theory, analysis and development skills to cultural or economic environments that are not strictly about games. Major game producer Electronic Arts has helped to underwrite the USC program simply because of its focus on non-commercial applications.
It’s a fair guess that the skills and analytical tools one might develop in a video game liberal arts degree program will be increasingly applicable in commercial online applications. The Internet has become a major commercial marketplace, one that functions more efficiently as the websites utilized for commercial exchange become more sophisticated and, to some degree, have high level graphics.
With that in mind, the nuts and bolts of a video game education still have to do with the development of a sophisticated piece of software. Critical skills include digital animation, game design and game programming.
Basic job descriptions within the business have included:
Programmer
A programmer can work on the game engine, the artificial intelligence features, the tools, hardware and network.
Designer
A designer – or artists – can be an animator, 3D artist/modeler or 2D artist/texturer.
Level Designer
Though it sounds similar and uses some of the same skills as a designer, level design is a job unto itself. Level designers need to have some art proficiency, but must also have good spatial awareness, organizational skills and lightning effects knowledge.
Writer
This is a growing position in the game community. There is more than just a manual to write; the story behind the game must be well-crafted and compelling. Every speaking character must have a script. Documentation is still an important element, though; as it is a necessary part of any software creation, and games are certainly no exception.
Behind these technical/creative roles are production managers, game modeling experts, and directors – much as with a film. Interactive design is an integral part of any video game and is also a key function of many websites. The transition of video game production methods to uses outside the game industry is well underway. The sophisticated graphics used in videogames are increasingly appearing in online commercials with high-gloss production values.
It will be the Internet and its importance as an economic engine that connects the video game major with the business world and provides job opportunities beyond the gaming industry. The trained, experienced level designer will find opportunities in high-end web site development companies that provide sophisticated sites for corporate sales and presentation purposes.
The flow of a high quality website (visit BMW USA for example) requires almost as much scripting as a game does, although much of the script appears as print instead of dialogue. And the use of artificial intelligence (AI) as a sales tool is probably not too far down the road – a method of taking a retail customer to the product that will suit them. Video games have forced the development of skill sets that are becoming meaningful to mainstream industries.
About the Author
Madison Lockwood is a customer relations associate, specializing in small business development, for Apollo Hosting. Apollo Hosting provides
website hosting
, ecommerce hosting, vps hosting, and web design services to a wide range of customers.
Game Theory with Scott Steinberg – Episode 1: Reinventing the Video Game Industry
|
|
Up (Single-Disc Edition) $15.00 From the revolutionary minds of Pixar Animation Studios and the acclaimed director of MONSTERS, INC. comes a hilariously uplifting adventure where the sky is no longer the limit. Carl Fredricksen, a retired balloon salesman, is part rascal, part dreamer who is ready for his last chance at high-flying excitement. Tying thousands of balloons to his house, Carl sets off to the lost world of his child… |
|
|
NBA 2K10 $9.48 NBA 2K10 is ready to tip off another championship season. NBA 2K9, the #1 selling NBA video game set the standard for all basketball video games, and NBA 2K10 aims to surpass that that by delivering an even better basketball experience this year with all-new gameplay components, out-of-this-world graphics, even more realistic Signature Style animations, all-new presentation elements and an unr… |
|
|
Chessmaster 10th Edition $14.74 Over 5 Million Copies Sold — Master the world’s most popular game!Product InformationWhether you are new to Chess or a tournament-level player Chessmaster 10th Edition allows you to master history’s greatest game. More than ever Chessmaster 10th Edition delivers on its promise to make you a better chess player. The program will improve your game regardless of your level of experience. Thi… |
|
|
Rapala Pro Bass Fishing 2010 $2.99 Rapala Pro Bass Fishing 2010… |
|
|
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Super Pack $10.26 Break down evidence and bring suspects to justice in five bizarre crimes. Use the new garage lab, recreate gunfights with ballistic lasers, uncover shocking secrets with video analysis, and much more. Solve five cases with deeper plot lines and shocking twists, new 3D graphics, character interaction and longer, more immersive cases. Investigate five gruesome cases with locations and music taken st… |
|
|
Adobe CS5.5 Production Premium Student and Teacher Edition $1,699.00 The Adobe Creative Suite 5.5 Production Premium for Windows is a collection of applications that includes Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects, Photoshop CS5 Extended, Adobe Audition, Flash Catalyst, Flash Professional, Illustrator, Adobe OnLocation, Encore, Device Central, Bridge and Media Encoder. It also integrates with CS Live online services.Delivering better efficiency and speeding up your vide… |
|
|
CSI Hard Evidence $1.94 CSI 4: Hard Evidence PC Join forces with the CSI team and tackle Las Vegas’ most disturbing murders — from a gruesome arson attack to a frenzied shootout. It’s all about the evidence, and more like the hit TV show than ever before. More Crime-Solving Action Break down the evidence and bring suspects to justice in five all-new, bizarre crimes. Unravel longer cases, search bigger crime scenes and u… |
|
|
The Blind Side (Movie Tie-in Edition) $2.41 The Blind Side tells the inspirational story of Michael Oher, a homeless black teen who, with the help of his new family, coaches, and tutors, becomes a star football player and first-round NFL draft pick. Tie-in edition for the motion picture starring Sandra Bullock and Tim McGraw, Author: Michael Lewis Format: 352 pages, paperback Publisher: W. W. Norton amp Co. (2009) ISBN: 9780393338386… |
|
|
Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge (Public Television Storytime Books) $6.47 Summary:Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge, a rather small boy, lives next door to a nursing home in which resides Miss Nancy Alison Delacourt Cooper, his favorite friend, because she has four names as well. When Miss Nancy “loses” her memory, the intrepid Wilfrid sets out to find it for her. Full color.About the Author:•Julie Vivas trained at the National Art School in Sydney, first undertaki… |
|
|
The Commanding Heights : The Battle for the World Economy $5.65 The Pulitzer Prize-wimming author of The Prize joins a leading expert on the global economy to present an incisive narrative of the risks and opportunities that are emerging as the balance of power shifts around the world between governments and markets — and the battle over globalization comes front and center. The Commanding Heights is essential for understanding the struggle over the “new rule… |