Ok folks, we're back again with the second part of our Game Development Series. This one titled, what else, Game Developers. Here we will cover what a Game Developer is, what they do, and offer additional resources about the field and how to get yourself involved. If you take a look at the sidebar, you will notice a list of schools related to game design and development. So, sit back and let's get started.
Game Developers. What exactly is a Game Developer?
In a nutshell, a game developer is a person, (individual or business) who, well...makes games. Also called software developers.
Ok smarty, so what does a Game Developer DO?
Now that's a better question to ask. Let's get into it and explore what this position entails. Game developers may specialize in one particular environment, console, e.g.; Sony Playstation, Microsoft Xbox, Nintendo Wii, DS, PSP, PSP GO, and so on.
There are also developers that specialize in a particular type of game as well, e.g.; pc games, shooter, action and you get where I'm going. Some focus on porting games (from one system to another), some focus on translating games (from one language to another), and a small few do other developmental duties, unrelated to what we're covering at the moment.
Are there different types of Developers?
Yes. There are Third-Party Developers and there are Independent Developers. There are also In-house Developers.
What do Third-Party Developers do?
Third-Party Developers are game developers that are hired by publishing companies to design a game for one or multiple systems. The publisher and developer have major roles and say as to the design and development of the game, but at the end of the day the publisher is boss as they are paying the developers (sucks in a way I know).
Arrangements between the two are covered via contract. In the contract it specifies certain milestones that the developer is being held to. In a sense, a preliminary check list throughout the making and completion of the projected title (game). Milestone can be 4 or even 8 weeks, which the publisher would then check on the progress made by the developers at that time. Depending on the progress, the publishers can see how near to completion they are, and if for some reason, the development team has veered off the publishers path. This is also the time when the publishers ante up the money for it's development team through royalties.
One major draw back to running a third-party development team/company, is the fact that you will rely solely on the funds of the publisher to keep your operation afloat. This kind of venture is the reason why some small development teams don't last too long. Most common strategy for successful third-party development teams, is to sell the company to the publisher, retaining payment, and becoming an in-house development team. Pretty slick huh?
In-house developers have more freedom than third-party developers in the sense that now their ideas are more in tuned with the publisher, relieving the publisher from having to check that the 'third-party' is adhering to the set plan saving the publisher money in the long run.
An example of publisher playing big brother to development companies: Activision retained the following development companies: Raven, Neversoft, Z-Axis, Treyarch, Luxoflux, Shaba, Infinity Ward and Vicarious Visions. Now, these companies may be owned by their publishers, but they each maintain and act a a single entity, much like they were before the aquisition. Also it's a fun note t oknow that most publishers are more forgiving when/if their own development team goes over budget as opposed to the third-party counterparts.
Some relevant notations:
- In-house development teams that work for a console hardware manufacturer are known as 'first-party developers'.
- A company that is closely tied to a console manufacturer is known as a 'second-party developer'.
- Confusingly enough though, the publishers themselves are sometimes referred to as 'third-party developers' in the light of their relationships with the console manufacturers. This distinction of first, second and third party developers does not generally apply to PC games development.
So now, what do Independent Developers do?
Now the difference between Independent Developers and Third-Party Developers is a fairly simple distinction. Independent Developers rely on themselves to promote and push their projects. They rely on the Internet and word of mouth. The only downside to ID, is that without the huge budget that their counterparts have, many of their games do not get as much recognition as the more mainstream developers.
The plus side to this, yes there is always a silver lining, is that Independent Developers are free to try many ideas that mainstream publishers would find too risky to put their money into.
With the change in times, it is now plausible for Independent Developers to make direct deals with console manufacturers to sell their finished projects and get wide distribution. For instance, look at the many downloadable games you can find through
XBOX Live Marketplace, many of the games found there were created by Independent Developers.
Do Game Developers work in a typical office setting?
No, not at all. In an earlier post, I ran down the latest pay figures for positions in the gaming industry. Typically game developers average around $70k. They work in a generally laid back, T-shirt/Jeans kind of environment, which makes for a pretty comfortable and inviting work place. However, working in the gaming industry, not just being a game developer, requires very long hours and tons of commitment. Employee burnout is not an uncommon hazard.
With the laid back persona enveloping this industry, there are perks allowed, and they are pretty good ones too. Free snacks and beverages, video games, ping-pong and other "stress" relievers are readily available for the game developer reaching that burnout level. They also offer moments to "unwind", which makes this like your home away from home. Now why wouldn't you want to work here?
Here's a list of Independent Game Developers:
2D Boy
| World of Goo
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4D Rulers Software
| Gore: Ultimate Soldier
Secret Service 2
Patriots: A Nation Under Fire
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5th Cell
| Drawn to Life
Lock's Quest
Scribblenauts
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ACE Team
| Zeno Clash
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Amanita Design
| Samorost
Machinarium
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Amaranth Games
| Aveyond
Grimm's Hatchery
Yummy Drink Factory
Aveyond 2
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Ambrosia Software
| Escape Velocity series
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Basilisk Games
| Eschalon series
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The Behemoth
| Alien Hominid
Castle Crashers
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Big Finish Games
| Three Cards to Midnight
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Big Fish Studios
| Mystery Case Files: Ravenhearst
Atlantis Sky Patrol
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You can read more of the list
here...
