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.

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.

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 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.

The Game of Defense and Security

2011 ◽  
pp. 4168-4186
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.

The Experience of Women Game Developers

2014 ◽  
pp. 147-169
Keyword(s):  
Computer Games ◽  
Computer Game ◽  
Career Barriers ◽  
Career Motivation ◽  
Person Environment Fit ◽  
Personal Experiences ◽  
Game Industry ◽  
Game Developers ◽  
Computer Game Industry ◽  
Career Factors

This chapter considers the position of women working in computer games through the voices of over 500 women from the international research. The chapter highlights the problems and opportunities of game work, especially pertinent in attracting and retaining women within the industry. It discusses women’s personal experiences of working in the game industry and career factors related to women’s experiences working in the computer games industry, including career motivation, person-environment fit, and job satisfaction. The chapter also identifies career factors in the computer game industry, such as career barriers and the drivers that help enhance the careers of women in this and other male-dominated industries.

Game Workers and the Gender Divide in the Production of Computer Games

2014 ◽  
pp. 123-146
Keyword(s):  
Computer Games ◽  
Computer Game ◽  
International Study ◽  
Content Creation ◽  
Core Content ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Game Industry ◽  
Working Practices ◽  
Game Developers ◽  
Computer Game Industry

This chapter discusses working practices prominent in the computer game industry. The chapter provides readers with an understanding of how working practices are gendered, which can deter women from entering into and remaining in the industry. The chapter also provides the reader with a review of the issue of gendered occupational segregation in order to understand the effect this has on individuals, society, male-dominated industries, and the computer game industry, specifically. It considers what impact more female game developers in core content creation roles could potentially have within the industry. The chapter also discusses some qualitative research findings from an international study with women working in the computer game development industry and reviews what attracts women to the industry and the issues they have experienced.

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.

Projecting the Impact of Information Technology on Work and Skills in the 2030s

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stuart W. Elliott
Keyword(s):  
Information Technology ◽  
Computer Science ◽  
Preliminary Analysis ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
It Capabilities ◽  
Recent Computer ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Near Future ◽  
Further Development ◽  
Future Effect

The research literature in computer science provides a way of understanding the growing capabilities of information technology (IT) and anticipating their future effect on work and skills. This chapter reviews a set of recent computer science articles to identify the IT capabilities that have been demonstrated in research settings. These capabilities are compared to information on occupational ability requirements to identify occupations that are potentially vulnerable to displacement as demonstrated IT capabilities are refined and applied over the next couple decades. The chapter’s preliminary analysis suggests that occupations representing 82 percent of current employment will be potentially vulnerable to displacement by IT in the near future. More rigorous versions of the chapter’s preliminary analysis should be carried out once or twice each decade to track the further development of IT capabilities and regularly update our understanding of their likely consequences for work and skills.

It and the Video Game Industry: Tensions and Mutual Shaping

2005 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 234-244 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan P Allen ◽  
Jeffrey Kim
Keyword(s):  
Information Technology ◽  
Video Game ◽  
Translation Process ◽  
Video Game Industry ◽  
Storage Media ◽  
Game Industry ◽  
Networking Technologies ◽  
Frame Technology ◽  
Technological Frame ◽  
The Impact

This paper examines the influence of information technology (IT) on a distinct but closely related industry, the video game industry. We conceptualize the effects of IT as a process of translating three related dimensions of a technological frame - technology performance, industry practices, and use vision - from one industry to another. Through historical examples, we argue that the impact of IT on the video game industry is shaped and limited by this translation process, particularly when tensions between the two industries lead to the development of new complementary or replacement technologies, practices, or visions. Although heavily dependent on IT, the video game industry has had to ignore, postpone, or substantially modify important IT software tools, processors, storage media, graphics, and networking technologies because of these industry contradictions.

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