Balancing Ethics, Art and Economics: A Qualitative Analysis of Game Designer Perspectives on Monetisation

2021 ◽  
pp. 155541202110495
Author(s):  
Faltin Karlsen
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Analysis ◽  
Game Design ◽  
Computer Game ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Ethical Considerations ◽  
Huge Number ◽  
Game Industry ◽  
Game Designer ◽  
Computer Game Industry ◽  
The Relationship

This article explores the relationship between monetisation models, game design and ethical considerations from the perspective of three different small-scale Norwegian game companies: an indie company, a freemium company and a premium company. The aim is to explore critically how small-scale game companies reason and act in the current economy. Interviews with game designers and CEOs form the empirical basis of the analysis. The motives and practices of the informants are categorised according to three ethical schools, namely, deontology, virtue ethics, and utilitarianism. The informants believe that freemium models and free games have made the computer game industry markedly more challenging to monetise. Their views on what is considered ethical monetisation varies between companies, most distinctly between the freemium company and the two others. Informants from the freemium company downplay ethical responsibilities, with reference to the huge number of existing free games and costumers unwilling to pay for games.

Reflective Game Designers

2017 ◽  
pp. 111-125
Author(s):  
Seth Andrew Hudson
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Reflective Practice ◽  
Prior Knowledge ◽  
Game Design ◽  
Computer Game ◽  
Student Culture ◽  
Computer Game Design ◽  
Game Industry ◽  
Computer Game Industry ◽  
Industry Experience

This chapter argues that the study of game design in higher education has the power to directly impact changes in the current culture of the computer game industry, doing so through the incorporation of reflective practice in coursework and teacher practice. Highlighting the unique challenges faced by computer game design faculty and programs, along with challenges students face when seeking employment post-graduation, the author frames questions of student culture and identity as they relate to discipline-specific traditions and the games industry. The discussion calls for the leveraging of the prior knowledge students have as players and many faculty have through industry experience, and concludes with recommendations for adopting reflective practice across computer game design in higher education.

scholarly journals INVESTIGATION OF THE PROFESSIONAL PERCEPTION OF THE CONCEPT DESIGNERS WORKING IN THE COMPUTER GAME INDUSTRY

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (78) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Digital Media ◽  
Computer Games ◽  
Game Design ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Computer Game ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Concept Design ◽  
Concept Art ◽  
Game Industry ◽  
Computer Game Industry

Computer games, which cover a large part of today's entertainment world, are increasingly important in digital media. With the developments in technology, computer game design has moved to different dimensions in the game industry. From a visual point of view, the line between games and real life has become very thin. The fact that the visual features of computer games are creative, unique and innovative beyond the relationship with the genre and main elements of the games brings the concept design of the game to the fore. Concept designers who can blend creative ideas with visual designs are needed in the production of computer games. The fact that concept design, the idea and visual expression at the beginning of the projects are seen as the most important stage in the computer game industry and many business areas, carefully reveals the place of this field in the sector. During the preparation of this study, the limitation of the studies and texts on concept design was seen as a problem. scientific studies on the profession's perception of the concept of design in Turkey could not be found. It is hoped that this study, which examines the current perception of this profession, will serve as a reference to other researches and researchers and contribute to the raising of awareness about this field in the society. Keywords: Concept design, graphic design, job perception, concept art, computer game graphics

The Computer Game Industry, Market, and Culture

2014 ◽  
pp. 28-50
Keyword(s):  
Information Technology ◽  
Computer Science ◽  
Computer Games ◽  
Computer Game ◽  
Digital Technologies ◽  
Leisure Activity ◽  
Game Industry ◽  
Computer Game Industry ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Insight Into

Games have become an important leisure activity for children and adults, and they are becoming an increasingly important part of our culture as a whole. This chapter gives readers an insight into the impact of computer games both culturally and economically. The chapter also considers the technical impact of computer games and how this might impact the gendered digital divide. For instance, it is often noted that playing computer games can be a gateway to computing careers due to increasing confidence and skills in computing as well as developing an interest in computers due to familiarity. Indeed, computer games and gaming might be an initial introduction for children to digital technologies generally. In turn, developing their confidence and skills in their usage of technology, leading to an increased utilisation and interest in a career in computer science and information technology. All issues are important when considering the gender divide in computer games.

Design and Development of a Simulation for Testing the Effects of Instructional Gaming Characteristics on Learning of Basic Statistical Skills

2018 ◽  
pp. 256-277
Author(s):  
Elena Novak ◽  
Tristan E. Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
Learning Environments ◽  
Game Design ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Instructional Interventions ◽  
Design And Development ◽  
Actual Learning ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Practical Implications

Considerable resources have been invested in examining the game design principles that best foster learning. One way to understand what constitutes a well-designed instructional game is to examine the relationship between gaming characteristics and actual learning. This report discusses the lessons learned from the design and development process of instructional simulations that are enhanced by competition and storyline gaming characteristics and developed as instructional interventions for a study on the effects of gaming characteristics on learning effectiveness and engagement. The goal of the instructional simulations was to engage college students in learning the statistics concepts of standard deviation and the empirical rule. A pilot study followed by a small-scale experimental study were conducted to improve the value and effectiveness of these designed simulations. Based on these findings, specific practical implications are offered for designing actual learning environments that are enhanced by competition and storyline gaming elements.

The Game of Defense and Security

2006 ◽  
pp. 138-166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Barlow
Keyword(s):  
Decision Support ◽  
Computer Games ◽  
Computer Game ◽  
Training Transfer ◽  
The United States ◽  
Modern Computer ◽  
Current Usage ◽  
Game Industry ◽  
Commercial Off The Shelf ◽  
Computer Game Industry

This chapter covers the emerging area of the use of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) computer games for military, defense and security purposes. A brief background is provided of the historic link between games and military simulation, together with the size and scope of the modern computer game industry. Considerable effort is dedicated to providing a representative sample of the various defense and security usages of COTS games. Examples of current usage are drawn from a range of nations including the United States (U.S.), Australia, Denmark, Singapore and Canada. Coverage is broken into the three chief application areas of training, experimentation and decision-support, with mention of other areas such as recruitment and education. The chapter highlights the benefits and risks of the use of COTS games for defense and security purposes, including cost, acceptance, immersion, fidelity, multi-player, accessibility and rapid technological advance. The chapter concludes with a discussion of challenges and key enablers to be achieved if COTS games are to obtain their true potential as tools for defense and security training, experimentation and decision-support. Aspects highlighted include the dichotomy between games for entertainment and “serious” applications; verification, validation and accreditation; collaboration between the games industry and defense; modifiability, interoperability; quantifying training transfer; and a range of technological challenges for the games themselves.

scholarly journals The Political Economy of Canada's Video and Computer Game Industry

2005 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nick Dyer-Witheford ◽  
Zena Sharman
Keyword(s):  
Political Economy ◽  
New Media ◽  
Computer Games ◽  
Regional Distribution ◽  
Computer Game ◽  
The Political ◽  
Media Industry ◽  
Game Industry ◽  
Developmental Dynamics ◽  
Computer Game Industry

Abstract: Video and computer games are a burgeoning new media industry with global revenues rivaling those of film and music. This article, reporting on a three-year SSHRC-funded research project, analyzes the political economy of Canadian involvement in the interactive game business. After an overview of companies, ownership, markets and regional distribution, it discusses the developmental dynamics and contradictions of the Canadian industry in terms of capital, state, and labour. It concludes by reviewing different ways these interweaving forces may ‘play out’ and their implications for policy decisions affecting the Canadian video and computer game industry. Résumé : Les jeux électroniques sont une nouvelle industrie médiatique en plein essor dont les revenus mondiaux rivalisent avec ceux des industries du film et de la musique. Cet article, qui rend compte d’un projet de recherche de trois ans financé par le CRHS, analyse l’économie politique de la participation canadienne à l’industrie du jeu interactif. L’article – suivant une vue d’ensemble des compagnies, de leurs propriétaires, des marchés, et de la distribution régionale – traite des dynamiques du développement ainsi que des contradictions de l’industrie canadienne en fonction de capital, état et travail. En guise de conclusion, l’article passe en revue les diverses manières dont ces trois forces interreliées pourront évoluer et l’impact de celles-ci sur les décisions politiques portant sur l’industrie des jeux électroniques au Canada.

Design and Development of a Simulation for Testing the Effects of Instructional Gaming Characteristics on Learning of Basic Statistical Skills

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-57
Author(s):  
Elena Novak ◽  
Tristan E. Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Learning Environments ◽  
Game Design ◽  
Development Process ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Instructional Interventions ◽  
Design And Development ◽  
Actual Learning ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Practical Implications

Considerable resources have been invested in examining the game design principles that best foster learning. One way to understand what constitutes a well-designed instructional game is to examine the relationship between gaming characteristics and actual learning. This report discusses the lessons learned from the design and development process of instructional simulations that are enhanced by competition and storyline gaming characteristics and developed as instructional interventions for a study on the effects of gaming characteristics on learning effectiveness and engagement. The goal of the instructional simulations was to engage college students in learning the statistics concepts of standard deviation and the empirical rule. A pilot study followed by a small-scale experimental study were conducted to improve the value and effectiveness of these designed simulations. Based on these findings, specific practical implications are offered for designing actual learning environments that are enhanced by competition and storyline gaming elements.

The Game of Defense and Security

2008 ◽  
pp. 419-437
Author(s):  
Michael Barlow
Keyword(s):  
Decision Support ◽  
Computer Games ◽  
Computer Game ◽  
Training Transfer ◽  
The United States ◽  
Modern Computer ◽  
Current Usage ◽  
Game Industry ◽  
Commercial Off The Shelf ◽  
Computer Game Industry

This chapter covers the emerging area of the use of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) computer games for military, defense and security purposes. A brief background is provided of the historic link between games and military simulation, together with the size and scope of the modern computer game industry. Considerable effort is dedicated to providing a representative sample of the various defense and security usages of COTS games. Examples of current usage are drawn from a range of nations including the United States (U.S.), Australia, Denmark, Singapore and Canada. Coverage is broken into the three chief application areas of training, experimentation and decision-support, with mention of other areas such as recruitment and education. The chapter highlights the benefits and risks of the use of COTS games for defense and security purposes, including cost, acceptance, immersion, fidelity, multi-player, accessibility and rapid technological advance. The chapter concludes with a discussion of challenges and key enablers to be achieved if COTS games are to obtain their true potential as tools for defense and security training, experimentation and decision-support. Aspects highlighted include the dichotomy between games for entertainment and “serious” applications; verification, validation and accreditation; collaboration between the games industry and defense; modifiability, interoperability; quantifying training transfer; and a range of technological challenges for the games themselves.

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