Task - 1 Structure – The Value Chain

Developers:
Game developers are the people who come up with the game such as the elements and the structure  of the game how it will play and what it will look like once brain storming all the ideas they then give the ideas to the team who will then begin to start to put the pieces together like adding music and making the characters


Publishers:
Game publishers are a massive part of the industry as they help out in the marketing side of the business as they handle the marketing side of the game they put out all of the advertisements and get the game on the shelf's for it to be sold without a publisher no games would ever get sold as there is no one to sell them.

Console Manufacturers/First Party Publishers:

There are a bunch of different console manufacturers such as microsoft and sony and they have both had there time at the top such as when sony released the playstation 2 or when microsoft released the xbox 360. When releasing the 360 microsoft decided to put it out a lot quicker than sony had put out the playstation 3 which caused microsoft to get a lot more sales especially as the ps3 was very high in price. When Nintendo released the gameboy a small portable games console which sky rocketed in sales noticing this Sony brought out the psp which sold well but not better than the gameboy which was then replaced with the ds an upgraded gameboy which had to screens.      

Distribution and Retail
There are different ways to sell a game but it will always start with the developer and end with the gamer. The traditional way of selling games starts with the developer who makes the game which is then sent to the publishers who will sort out things such as marketing QA and sends it to the place to be sold. The publishers then give the game to the retailer who will put the game in the place in shops and app stores depending on what the game is then eventually the gamer will be able to buy the game.


Direct to retailer means you cut out the Publishers which means the developer handles the marketing and QA and such things then send the game straight to the retailer who will sell the game to the gamers.

Direct to Gamer is when the developer will make the whole game then put it on the internet to be downloaded or played online. This is a high risk high reward way of distribution as it does not have a lot of advertising usually and has to be fully made by the developer but if it is a success will make a high profit which will go straight to the developer      

Outsourcing Companies
Outsourcing Companies is when a company is either missing a part of the team so they send it off to a different company who will be paid to do that work which gives the main company more time to work on the rest of the game or they can polish up parts of the game they have already done to make for a better gaming experience. Ubisoft are a company that outsource to other Ubisoft establishments as they are still the same company which makes it easier and they can still credit them for the game.    

Press and Media
When a game is made it is reviewed by different companies such as IGN who will look at the game and the aspects of it and give their verdict this can either make a game sell or it will make the game look bad and not sell as a lot of people will look at the reviews to see if they should get it but the downside is a good game could be made and if it gets a bad review it won't sell as much as it should because people will look at it and see it as a bad game.

Task - 2 Job Roles

Creative Development Game Designer A game Designer will work on the base of the game and all the core elements so things such as how it plays and what it will have in it.  If you want to work as a games designer you will have to be able to work with different people and make sure your works fits well together. You will also have to be able to tell the other parts of the team what you have done to compensate to the artists and marketers. A lot of people will talk to you about your work and why you did it so you will have to be able to accept feedback from people.        Level Editor  Level Editors are the people who make the landscape for a game which will include buildings and interactive items. People who are interested in this job role have to have skills in such things like 3D modeling and games design teaching QA testers to play the game and also be able to plan the layout before doing it.  Lead Artist As a lead artist you are the person who is responsible for the overall look of the game and managing the art and animation team. As a lead artist you will have to be able to do the following things make sure all the team is motivated and wants to work be original in there design and make a good connection with other departments of the team.  Technical Artist To become a technical artist you have to work as a connection between the artist and the programmers to work together find new better techniques and implement them to the team. To work in this part of the team you will have to be able to have good knowledge in modelling and textures have good organisational skills and have good skills in 3D graphics software.   Artist An Artist is the person who works on things such as the visuals of a game including characters buildings weapons and so on. As an Artist you are expected to have a portfolio showing off work you have done in the past you need to have skills in different styles of art depending on what sort of game it is and pay good attention to detail.   Animator Animators are the people who are responsible for character behavior and they way things work. To be an animator you have to know a lot about full motion video be creative and come up with new ideas and understand the production process    Audio Engineer An Audio Engineer will create the sound track for a game and things like sound effects and character voices. To be an Audio Engineer you will have to be able to make different styles of music and compose it be able to work independently and be able to communicate with the programming and art developments teams.  Technical Development Game Programmer The basics of a game programmer is deigning and writing code that is used to make the controls of a game.  to work as a game programmer you will have to be to: systematic and be well organised have good communication skills and have a good experience of game play   Lead Game Programmer The lead game programmer is someone who is in control of all the programmers and managing all technical and code for a game. A lead game programmer has to be able to: work with the team and also lead it be able to multitask and be composed under pressure

Project Implementation Project Manager/Producer A project/producer will have to ensure the delivery of a game on time and within budget. To work as a project manger/producer you will have to be able to: multitask and handle clients well create a good working relationship with everyone involved and have a good knowledge of games and the games industry      Assistant Producer An Assistant Producer is someone who works with the games production staff to insure the delivery is on time and of good quality. To be an Assistant Producer you will have to be able to: to work well in a team adapt to new skills quickly and have a good passion for games. External Producer An External Producer is someone who make sure the publisher has all the relevant information he needs to make the game as successful as possible. To work as an External Producer you will have to: Have good communication skills a passion for games and be able manage time people and resources.   Creative Director A Creative Director is some who is responsible for the overall look and feel of a game. To be a creative director you have to: have a passion for games understand why games can direct to different audiences and have excellent communication and presentation skills.   Quality Assurance QA Tester A QA tester is someone who assures the quality of a game and makes sure it is good enough before being put on the market. To be a QA Tester you have to: Pay close attention to detail be persistent and patient and be able to play games for a long time  Business Development Public Relations Manager As a Public Relations Manager you are responsible for managing the image and reputation of the company. A public Relations Manager would have to put up with a lot of variety and challenges. you will need excellent communication and presentation skills.   Product Manager A product manger is someone who helps marketing to maximize sales of a game. To be a product manager you have to be able to: manage a marketing budget have strong presentation and communication skills and have good knowledge of games and the games industry. Marketing Executive A Marketing Executive is someone who promotes the employers product or ideas. A Marketing Executive has to: do marketing research create marketing campaigns and arrange sponsorship      Marketing Manager As a Marketing Manager you will plan the best ways to promote your employers ideas and products. To be a Marketing Manager you will have to: come up with good marketing strategies design social media strategies and research and analyse marketing trends.

Task - 3 Financial, Industry and Market trends.

Task - 4 Contracts, Legal and Ethical Obligations.

Legal

Copyright Trademark Patent Registered Designs

Ethical

Violence Rating Education Stereotyping Addiction

Contractual

Employment Development License NDA Collaboration

Task - 5 Professional Bodies Supporting the Industry