Understanding the Games Industry

Know the structure of the computer game industry.

Structure of the computer games industry;
Geographical scope (international, national, local)
Size (large, small-size and medium-size businesses, sole traders, external contractors) 
Structure (public, private, cross-sector)
Institutions (Developer, publisher, distributor, hardware, retail, consumer)

Types of companies within the computer games industry:
Sectors of the computer games industry;
(e.g. PC, console, mobile, research, design, production, distribution)

Employment links:Contracts, freelance, conditions, homeworking, hourly paid, salaried, pay on completion, technical, creative, managerial, sales, marketing, financial, testers, artists and modellers, programmers, engineers and writers, job roles.

Departments:
Design, production, programming marketing, distribution, financial HR, QA

Assessment Criteria

• 1.1

  Explain the different types of companies that make up the computer games industry.

• 1.2

  Explain the different job roles within the computer games industry.

Know about market trends within the computer games industry.

Market Trends
Subscription, marketing channels, competitors, international and national markets, size of audience, number of games companies, different sizes companies, types of games, rise/decline sales, player demographics

Business Models
Evolved, diversification, casual games, financial performance, portfolio of games, retail model, digital model, distribution model, subscription model, trading model, advertising model

Financial Models
Financial responsibilities, preparing a budget, franchises, outsourcing, crowdfunding, business angels

Assessment Criteria

• 2.1

  Describe different market trends within the computer games industry.

• 2.2

  Assess how two or more different factors have influenced recent market trends within the computer games industry.