10 events during the 2000s that have shaped/are shaping the Video Game industry
Created by amy09 on Mar 23, 2011
Last updated: 03/23/11 at 02:00 PM
Question 1: What were the details of the event?
The United States Supreme court meets to decide the constitutionality of California's Violent game ban, and whether or not Video Games are protected by 1st amendment rights.
Question 2: Why was the event important to the industry? How would the event affect you as a Game Designer or Developer?
Because of its implications, the Supreme Court's ruling on this is extremely important to the future of the industry. I, however, can't find anywhere when, or if, this was ever actually settled. A lot of things hang in the balance, and this decision could ultimately change the future of the gaming industry.
As a game developer I would be sitting on the edge of my seat. There's no way of knowing for sure how things will play out, and it's all a little unnerving. This could make or break the future of video games.
References:
Litpak, A. (2010, November 2). Justices Debate on Video Game Ban. The New York Times . Retrieved March 23, 2011, from http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/03/us/03scotus.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/03/us/03scotus.html
Question 1: What were the details of the event?
Microsoft announces their peripheral free motion sensor the "Kinect." To be released for the Xbox 360 in time for the holiday season.
Question 2: Why was the event important to the industry? How would the event affect you as a Game Designer or Developer?
The Kinect is unlike any other motion gaming software to date. It detects movement without the need of any other peripherals, and translates them to the screen. The interface is intuitive, and straight forward and uses a blend of voice commands and movements.
As a designer I see the Kinect as a playground with endless possibilities. A motion sensor that doesn't need any sort of controller frees us from static and traditional game play. Not only does is it ripe for fitness and rhythm based games, but it also has the potential for so much more.
References:
Microsoft Announces the Kinect for Xbox 360 Video. (2010, July 15).Retrieved March 23, 2011, from http://www.5min.com/Video/Microsoft-Announces-the-Kinect-for-Xbox-360-IDGNews-06152010-307366841
http://www.5min.com/Video/Microsoft-Announces-the-Kinect-for-Xbox-360-IDGNews-06152010-307366841
Question 1: What were the details of the event?
Nintendo announces their new handheld console. The 3DS will supposedly allow players to enjoy games and movies in 3D without the use of glasses.
Question 2: Why was the event important to the industry? How would the event affect you as a Game Designer or Developer?
Until now all 3D had to be viewed through the use of those funky glasses. Even the new 3D HDTVs need glasses in order to get the 3D effects. The 3DS eliminates that and potentially opens up new design aspects to explore.
While it's true that the game industry is built on software, its also true that people are awed by new technology. If there are enough games to justify buying it, then they will do so...usually without much hesitation. As a designer I would capitalize on this as much as possible. People are excited by new things, and whenever a game takes a new thing and implements it well then people get even more excited.
References:
Nintendo announces 3DS; will reveal product at E3, News from GamePro. (2010, March 23). GamePro. Retrieved March 23, 2011, from http://www.gamepro.com/article/news/214512/nintendo-announces-3ds-will-reveal-product-at-e3/
http://www.gamepro.com/article/news/214512/nintendo-announces-3ds-will-reveal-product-at-e3/
Question 1: What were the details of the event?
The iPhone app store was opened to facilitate the easy purchase, download, and installation of applications for the iphone.
Question 2: Why was the event important to the industry? How would the event affect you as a Game Designer or Developer?
The app store allowed people easy one click access to hundreds of applications, including games. This meant that anyone who developed a game for the iPhone, and got it approved by apple, could post it to the app store and it would instantly be viewable and buyable by anyone with an iPhone.
This gives me hope that I can begin working on games now, while in school, and after purchasing a developers license from Apple I can get my games out there and to the masses. It gives me a chance to learn what people want to play, and learn how to go about giving it to them, while potentially earning a little income.
References:
Keizer, G. (2008, July 10). Apple's iPhone App Store opens for business - Computerworld. Computerworld . Retrieved March 23, 2011, from http://www.computerworld.com
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9108818/Apple_s_iPhone_App_Store_opens_for_business
Question 1: What were the details of the event?
Apple announces the iPhone, which will be released in June 2007. The iPhone promises to be one of the most powerful mobile platforms at the time.
Question 2: Why was the event important to the industry? How would the event affect you as a Game Designer or Developer?
The iPhone, like Facebook, presented a new platform and audience. Unlike Facebook, you weren't limited to only the things they had to offer you. The iPhone has a facebook app that allows you access it on the go, as well as the internet, iTunes, and hundreds of other apps.
As a designer it's easy to recognize that the iPhone is completely unlike previous cell phones. Their capacity for games was extremely limited, and they were less than user friendly. The iOS presents a much more stable platform and many more options when it comes to designing games.
References:
MacWorld Announcements Real Time – iPhone Announced . (2007, January 9). TechCrunch . Retrieved March 23, 2011, from http://techcrunch.com/2007/01/09/macworld-announcements-real-time/
http://techcrunch.com/2007/01/09/macworld-announcements-real-time/
Question 1: What were the details of the event?
5 years ago Rockstar announces LA Noir, and then goes quiet about it for several years before emerging with a game that with realistic graphics created through a new facial capture technology.
Question 2: Why was the event important to the industry? How would the event affect you as a Game Designer or Developer?
With the addition of this technology graphics have reached their realistic epitome. Through the combination of motion capture, and this new facial capture we can easily create the realistic movement and interaction of 3D characters.
As a game designer there is a whole realm of possibilities that open up with this technology, including more immersive experiences. Personally I find few things more jarring than when a 3D character reaches for an object, such as a glass, and it "floats" in his hand. The ability for game characters to "express" themselves is usually limited very limited, with no room for subtlety. This makes it so that subtle reactions (such as a nervous twitch when lying) are easier to include, leaving it up to the observatory powers of the player to actually catch on.
References:
Smith, L. (2006, September 26). Rockstar Announces L.A. Noire: News from 1UP.com. 1UP.com: Video Game Reviews, Cheats, and More. Retrieved March 23, 2011, from http://www.1up.com/news/rockstar-announces-noire
L.A. Noire Tech Demo Trailer (Xbox 360) - GameSpot Video. (2010, December 16). GameSpot . Retrieved March 23, 2011, from http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/adventure/lanoire/video/6285470/la-noire-tech-demo-trailer
http://www.1up.com/news/rockstar-announces-noire
Question 1: What were the details of the event?
Nintendo reveals the controllers for their new "Revolution" (codename for the Wii) console, that was unveiled at E3 2004.
Question 2: Why was the event important to the industry? How would the event affect you as a Game Designer or Developer?
These new controllers were unlike any previously seen. They were held like a remote, pointed at the screen, and a sensor bar translated their position to the position of the onscreen pointer. Everyone wanted to design games for it after that. Many games were announced with promises that they would be compatible with the Revolution controllers.
As a designer I would have approached this with excitement. New technology and oh so many game possibilities. Interactivity had never been so interactive before these motion controllers made their debut.
References:
Nintendo Revolution Controller Revealed!, News from GamePro. (2005, September 16). GamePro. Retrieved March 23, 2011, from http://www.gamepro.com/article/news/54132/nintendo-revolution-controller-revealed/
http://www.gamepro.com/article/news/54132/nintendo-revolution-controller-revealed/
Question 1: What were the details of the event?
The frustrated wife of an EA employee writes on Live Journal about the abhorrent working conditions of her husband and other employees. This sparks a massive movement within the gaming industry to improve working conditions across the board.
Question 2: Why was the event important to the industry? How would the event affect you as a Game Designer or Developer?
Too many of the EA employees stayed because "that's how it is in the industry" or because they were constantly being promised new things. These are not the early days when one designer programmed, designed, and pitched the entire game all by themselves. Times have changed and these archaic work practices had to be brought to light and destroyed. While I'm sure EA's poor working conditions were the exception and not the rule, I think this made everyone (even the public) realize that we've moved beyond those times.
As a game designer I can't imagine how I would've handled working in those conditions. Ninety hour work weeks? That's insane. At least now I know that once I enter the workforce, I probably won't have to deal with something as ridiculous as that.
References:
EA: The Human Story. (2004, September 10). Live Journal. Retrieved March 23, 2011, from ttp://ea-spouse.livejournal.com/274.html
http://ea-spouse.livejournal.com/274.html
Question 1: What were the details of the event?
An annual gaming festival held in Washington. Unlike E3, PAX is open to the public and encourages consumers to attend. Because of this it's popularity has grown exponentially.
Question 2: Why was the event important to the industry? How would the event affect you as a Game Designer or Developer?
Once E3 closed its doors to the general public, people wanted an gaming expo that they could attend at minimal cost and still get a similar experience. PAX delivered this, and because of that it has attracted big name game studios.
As a designer I see PAX as an opportunity. The masses want to see these games, and while E3 keeps them at arm's length, PAX opens the doors and lets them in all for the low low price of $55 for a three day pass. With that said I see this as the perfect opportunity to get to know the fans and gamers better. To see which booths they naturally gravitate towards, and find out why. What is it that attracts them and how can I learn from that?
References:
Prime PAX PRIME 2011 Information and FAQ (READ THE FIRST 10 POSTS,THEN ASK QUESTIONS) - PAX | The Penny Arcade Expo! - Penny Arcade Forums. (2011, March 23). Penny Arcade Forums. Retrieved March 23, 2011, from http://forums.penny-arcade.com/showthread.php?s=a1d658966f5049953759efcbb5
http://forums.penny-arcade.com/showthread.php?s=a1d658966f5049953759efcbb5844e24&t=139422
Question 1: What were the details of the event?
A Harvard student creates Facebook as a way for students to connect with one another. It eventually opens to the public, and morphs into the Facebook we know today.
Question 2: Why was the event important to the industry? How would the event affect you as a Game Designer or Developer?
Facebook opened the door to Social networking. Not only that, but it represented a new platform for games, and a started to draw in a new audience. Most notably, the casual gamer. The games are designed to be played over time, and since most of them require some form of waiting, it allows people to pull up the page for a few minutes, and do a few things, then leave before it requires their attention once more.
As a game designer I see this as an opportunity to reach people who may not normally be interested in video games. Facebook caters to all age groups, and all walks of life. Because of this broad platform, there are a vastly larger number of game possibilities.
References:
Montefusco, A. (2010, March 24). History of Facebook: The Beginning of Social Networking Revolution. Suite101.com: Online Magazine and Writers' Network. Retrieved March 23, 2011, from http://www.suite101.com/content/history-of-facebook-a217306
http://www.suite101.com/content/history-of-facebook-a217306
Update Sources