Understanding the market

Before I finalize my 3 Game ideas, I need to research into the current market trends as well as potential future market trends from games being released in the near future. Researching the video game market will help me better my game ideas, as well as find any possible gaps in the market or trends and popular theme. I will also find out what games have not sold well and possible reasons why.


Types of Distribution:

Digital 

Digital distribution has become very popular, With digital download services like Steam and GOG offering very competitive priced games, that often retailers cannot compete with. The main disadvantage with these service is that games are often limited to the platform they were purchased on and can not be trade-in or sold on by customer once they have finished or completed their game. Also digital distribution some time requires a internet connection to play game limiting when and where people are play games. The advantage of Digital downloaded game is you do not need to keep a disc.

Hard-copy  

Hard copy distribution is popular, but slowly seeing a decline. Hard copy games an be purchased from both a retailer and online retailer. Hard copy game depending on their platform can also be traded-in when they have been completed. generally the price of hard copy game is more expensive than digital versions. With most games being connected to the internet they can but easy updated and patched.

Market trends 

It is very hard is find a market trend in games. There are general one like FPS games and their common story lines. As well As the common sequels that come from a successful game. The also doesn't seam to be a trend in graphic style or theme.


Gaps in the market

The video game market is floored with certain type of genres, like first and third person shooter. there are also very strong competition with some genres like sorts game and racing. The genres that have gaps in the market seam to be RTS, Stealth and Tycoon genre. these still have games in their genre but, there is only one or two in there own market. the Gap lie with make a game with in one of these genre that strips back the game to what make that genre fun and works around that core idea.

For Example the new stealth game Hitman absolution. the game is very good, but focuses on story, this take away flexibility in the game and weaken the stealth elements.    

    

Game Futures

For this project I was asked to create several things. The project will be split up into two parts. The first for I will create 3 game concepts, based on findings form my report on WW1 from DD3000. then after I have create my 3 game ideas I will develop the strongest idea, and create a GDD (Game Design Document) and a game proposal presentation. The second part of the XB3002 will be creating  2x C.V. and Cover letter to a professional standard, tailored to two different game companies. One company will be a AAA company and the other will be indie Game developer. I will also Tailor a my portfolio to these companies.