Minecraft Production-Lesson 4

Game Development

Game development is dominated by high budget productions from mainstream producers in order to reduce the risk of financial losses. Game developers are successful because:

·        They stick to safe genres and gameplay.

·        They focus on developing their popular franchises.

·        They aim to appeal to young men (the primary demographic for gamers)

Games are developed by huge teams alongside expensive marketing campaigns.

The Influence of Technology

Game development relies on advances in technology such as faster CPUs, 3D graphics and sound cards, however, often these advances are a response to developer and gamer needs. VR is a good example of this.

Console development was crucial in developing the industry, however the internet has been the driver behind maintaining such a successful industry because:

·        It allows for downloadable games which saves on distribution costs.

·        Online gaming has enabled users to create and contribute to the development of games using open source software.

·        It has enabled global multiplayer gameplay.

·        It has created other ways of creating revenue (micro-transactions etc.).

·        It has supported the growth of gaming culture (through forums, YouTube, etc.).

Open Source Software-software which has its underlying code published so it is available to be used and modified by others, promoting free exchange and participation.

The Influence of Technology

·        The development of game design technology has allowed the indie sector of the games industry to grow, producing low budget games with smaller teams which allows them to take more risks.

·        Convergence, particularly the move to mobile and tablet gaming has been crucial helping the indie game market to develop.

Convergence-The merging together of previously separate entities (i.e. smartphones can do a wide range of tasks that would previously have needed different products to complete).

Minecraft Production Facts

·        Developed by Mojang in 2009.

·        Mojang is a Swedish Indie company set up by Markus ‘Notch’ Persson.

·        It was a sandbox game created using Java Technology (also known as open world or a free roaming game).

·        Notch was inspired by similar construction and management games like Dwarf Fortress.

·        A small team of people helped to put Minecraft together and help Persson develop the game in the first year.

·        User feedback was crucial in the development of the game.

·        It wasn’t seen as commercially viable as it was considered a niche product for gamers who understood programming.

·        The original game modes included single player creative and survival modes but since Microsoft have taken over there are now other modes like Story Mode, Spectator and Multiplayer which has enabled the game to become more of a mass than a niche product.

·        VR headsets and narrative led versions are also examples of how Minecraft has become a mass product that follows the conventions of the mainstream video game industry.

·        The game still retains its blocky low budget feel which is appealing to audiences.

·        The game used new convergent technologies to:

o   Enable testing of the game by players in the beta phase.

o   Encourage modifications using Open Source Software and selling available mods on Minecraft Marketplace.

o   Set up servers called Minecraft Realms so that players could play in a convenient, safe environment controlled by Mojang (which was their response to piracy threats).