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For the first bit we see how games are made. The second bit is supposed to be humorous and what happens behind the scenes with making games.
Here is how I think most games are made. Some may disagree.
Step 1 - The Idea
All games start as an idea, here what type of game it's going to be is decided. Will it be sport, FPS, simulation, action adventure? Also whom the game is intended for has to be worked out too. Will it be young children, teenagers, adults or all age groups? If the idea is good it will then be turned into a game. Not all ideas that are made into games are original. Many are very similar to past ideas.
Step 2 - Idea into reality
Once the idea has been thought through thoroughly. Advice is then given by the programmers who will then create the game. If they can't get it to work then the game will be scrapped. Some people still decide to go through with the idea if the programmers say it won't work. These games usually turn out different to the original idea. For the ones the programmers like and can make the idea is then worked on to create a game worth selling.
Step 3 - Creating the game
By far the hardest and longest part of making a game. Here everything is done. From graphics, game play, sounds, cheats built in. Everything you see and do and more is put onto the disk from here. The programmers are like chefs, the take all the ingredients for the game and make something worth all the hassle, a decent game. Sometimes things are left out as they are to hard to program into the game or they spoil the original idea. People to provide voices, artists, music composers all have an input to making the game at this stage.
Step 4 - Testing
Before mass production starts the game has to be tested so that bugs can be found and fixed and all the little problems can be ironed out for the final version. Testers have to work hard as any missed bug or faults could cause the game to fail when it is released. Many people sign up to get the chance to be beta-testers. Give some a chance to see what the game is like and how it could be improved.
Step 5 - Mass Production
After all the bugs are fixed and everyone is happy with the final version the game is created and reproduced for selling. Here the master copy is copied and the game is created. This is what you get in your box. This is the final copy of the game.
Step 6 - Packaging
Packaging for the game is then decided. Some would say this isn't really important as it's the game that matters but developers do think about this quite a lot. Something that stands out and is a little different is usually best. Also the instruction manual and any extras are created and boxed with the game.
Step 7 - Shipping
After everything is finalised the game is shipped. Some of the extremely popular games are so highly demanded that sometimes there aren't enough to meet demand. Japan usually gets games first, then USA and then Europe. That just seems to be the way it has always been.
Step 8 - Advertising
This is like the final piece of the puzzle, if people know the game is good they will buy it. Most developers offer some information during production to the most popular magazines. This lets people know when it will be out and how good it will be. Advertising can be done on TV. The Internet, the radio and in magazines and newspapers. If the games good it will sell millions of copies.
Which will surely please all involved with its creation.
Most average games cost around $3 Million to make with some of the more popular well known ones costing a lot more. But with a market worth around $32 Million you can see why all this effort and money is worthwhile.
Right so that's the serious bit. Now lets go behind the scenes and see what it's really like. This isn't serious so don't believe a word of it.
Step 1 - The idea
Usually lots of people sitting round a table throwing ideas at each other. The drunk at the end usually has the best ones but gets ignored as he smells of rum. Thousands of ideas could be passed around with only the best few being picked. After they decide some fall asleep and others sit and play games. On some occasions paper aeroplanes are made and thrown at the fat individual who then chases the culprit round the table until they become tired. If no idea is found then sometimes they use another developers idea and change it a little, not fair at all but developers like to play dirty.
Step 2 - Idea into reality
The idea is then talked over with the nerds….err.. I mean programmers. If they like it and have the skills and abilities to make the idea a decent game then it gets the go-ahead. If it's rubbish or too hard then the nerds open a can of whoop-ass on the person who brought the idea to them. The truth is that most of the nerds are 6ft tall, 300lb, wrestling fans who are built like the side of a house and can give out quite a beating when faced with someone who fails to meet a certain standard of intellect. The programmers (nerds) then sit around computers trying to make the basics idea into a full game that is possible to be created.
Step 3 - Creating the game
Painstakingly long this stage. Programmers bug each other as they fail to meet deadline after deadline. The best bit is when had been actors come in to do the voices. Most of them come in drunk, if so the programmers beat them with large sticks until they learn their lesson. All elements of the game are put in and a few hidden extras get added too by the programmers. Unfortunately for tomb raider fans they never seem to answer all the letters by putting in coding to remove Lara's clothing. As with most jobs some people are better at it than others, the best programmers make the best games and usually the best games sell more. They don't actually take as long to make as we all think, well they wouldn't if those nerdy programmers didn't watch so much star trek and Buffy while they should be working.
The sounds are also important in making the atmosphere of the game better. Experts on all areas work alongside the programmers to make it as complete as they can. It is at this point that some developers think on other ideas they can sell at the same time as the game, merchandise that increases sales of the game and also gives them extra cash. Developers do get a lot of money, they do spend a lot when making games but there is always a substantial profit at the end which goes to buying star trek memorabilia for the programmers office and gold platter name plates for the important rich guys.
Step 4 - Testing
Here is where the so-called "ordinary" people get involved. Usually more nerds except these nerds are the small younger geeky looking ones with the thick black glasses. They get a small demo of the game to try out, they then give feedback to the developers. Usually along the lines of "Its real good, do you make star trek games?" or "it needs more work, make it more like (insert decent game)." If they make the second comment the programmers sometimes get a little violent and are put in jail for a while (the real reason why some games get delayed). Changes are made if required. Sometimes the programmers can't be bothered as they are busy watching star trek or playing chess so they just say its finished to save all the extra work that is required to improve it.
Step 5 - Mass Production
The master copy is taken and copied over and over again. Mass production is easy. An old man gets paid quite a lot to sit on his rear watching a game copy. It is as boring as it sounds but someone has to do it. Ok so the computer does it, the old man is there just to switch it off and on each day.
Step 6 - Packaging
It isn't as planned as most think. Certain information is always required like age ratings and developers details. Usually someone in the art department bit gets picked on and made to make a box design. It doesn't matter if its good or not it will get used, as nobody else really likes doing this job. The newer boxes are plastic like DVD cases to avoid them breaking and damaging the disks when dropped. Now they can throw them around and play games like Frisbee before they are boxed for shipping.
Step 7 - Shipping
Not much can be said here either. Games go into boxes and get shipped to the countries that sell them. Then put into lorries that take them to shops. Most important shops get them earlier than release dates so they can be sent out on the day set for their release. Rich companies may choose to send their product by plane.
Step 8 - Advertising
The developer makes adverts for TV, magazines. Something that catches the eye and makes people want to buy it. Reviews in magazines help. Sometimes a little "bung" to the magazine will ensure a decent review and a well-advertised article. Also give them a demo to test during the making and your sorted. I haven't seen many celebs trying to advertise them for developers, maybe in the future though. Something that brainwashes young children and kind of hypnotises them into purchasing their game usually works.
Here is how I think most games are made. Some may disagree.
Step 1 - The Idea
All games start as an idea, here what type of game it's going to be is decided. Will it be sport, FPS, simulation, action adventure? Also whom the game is intended for has to be worked out too. Will it be young children, teenagers, adults or all age groups? If the idea is good it will then be turned into a game. Not all ideas that are made into games are original. Many are very similar to past ideas.
Step 2 - Idea into reality
Once the idea has been thought through thoroughly. Advice is then given by the programmers who will then create the game. If they can't get it to work then the game will be scrapped. Some people still decide to go through with the idea if the programmers say it won't work. These games usually turn out different to the original idea. For the ones the programmers like and can make the idea is then worked on to create a game worth selling.
Step 3 - Creating the game
By far the hardest and longest part of making a game. Here everything is done. From graphics, game play, sounds, cheats built in. Everything you see and do and more is put onto the disk from here. The programmers are like chefs, the take all the ingredients for the game and make something worth all the hassle, a decent game. Sometimes things are left out as they are to hard to program into the game or they spoil the original idea. People to provide voices, artists, music composers all have an input to making the game at this stage.
Step 4 - Testing
Before mass production starts the game has to be tested so that bugs can be found and fixed and all the little problems can be ironed out for the final version. Testers have to work hard as any missed bug or faults could cause the game to fail when it is released. Many people sign up to get the chance to be beta-testers. Give some a chance to see what the game is like and how it could be improved.
Step 5 - Mass Production
After all the bugs are fixed and everyone is happy with the final version the game is created and reproduced for selling. Here the master copy is copied and the game is created. This is what you get in your box. This is the final copy of the game.
Step 6 - Packaging
Packaging for the game is then decided. Some would say this isn't really important as it's the game that matters but developers do think about this quite a lot. Something that stands out and is a little different is usually best. Also the instruction manual and any extras are created and boxed with the game.
Step 7 - Shipping
After everything is finalised the game is shipped. Some of the extremely popular games are so highly demanded that sometimes there aren't enough to meet demand. Japan usually gets games first, then USA and then Europe. That just seems to be the way it has always been.
Step 8 - Advertising
This is like the final piece of the puzzle, if people know the game is good they will buy it. Most developers offer some information during production to the most popular magazines. This lets people know when it will be out and how good it will be. Advertising can be done on TV. The Internet, the radio and in magazines and newspapers. If the games good it will sell millions of copies.
Which will surely please all involved with its creation.
Most average games cost around $3 Million to make with some of the more popular well known ones costing a lot more. But with a market worth around $32 Million you can see why all this effort and money is worthwhile.
Right so that's the serious bit. Now lets go behind the scenes and see what it's really like. This isn't serious so don't believe a word of it.
Step 1 - The idea
Usually lots of people sitting round a table throwing ideas at each other. The drunk at the end usually has the best ones but gets ignored as he smells of rum. Thousands of ideas could be passed around with only the best few being picked. After they decide some fall asleep and others sit and play games. On some occasions paper aeroplanes are made and thrown at the fat individual who then chases the culprit round the table until they become tired. If no idea is found then sometimes they use another developers idea and change it a little, not fair at all but developers like to play dirty.
Step 2 - Idea into reality
The idea is then talked over with the nerds….err.. I mean programmers. If they like it and have the skills and abilities to make the idea a decent game then it gets the go-ahead. If it's rubbish or too hard then the nerds open a can of whoop-ass on the person who brought the idea to them. The truth is that most of the nerds are 6ft tall, 300lb, wrestling fans who are built like the side of a house and can give out quite a beating when faced with someone who fails to meet a certain standard of intellect. The programmers (nerds) then sit around computers trying to make the basics idea into a full game that is possible to be created.
Step 3 - Creating the game
Painstakingly long this stage. Programmers bug each other as they fail to meet deadline after deadline. The best bit is when had been actors come in to do the voices. Most of them come in drunk, if so the programmers beat them with large sticks until they learn their lesson. All elements of the game are put in and a few hidden extras get added too by the programmers. Unfortunately for tomb raider fans they never seem to answer all the letters by putting in coding to remove Lara's clothing. As with most jobs some people are better at it than others, the best programmers make the best games and usually the best games sell more. They don't actually take as long to make as we all think, well they wouldn't if those nerdy programmers didn't watch so much star trek and Buffy while they should be working.
The sounds are also important in making the atmosphere of the game better. Experts on all areas work alongside the programmers to make it as complete as they can. It is at this point that some developers think on other ideas they can sell at the same time as the game, merchandise that increases sales of the game and also gives them extra cash. Developers do get a lot of money, they do spend a lot when making games but there is always a substantial profit at the end which goes to buying star trek memorabilia for the programmers office and gold platter name plates for the important rich guys.
Step 4 - Testing
Here is where the so-called "ordinary" people get involved. Usually more nerds except these nerds are the small younger geeky looking ones with the thick black glasses. They get a small demo of the game to try out, they then give feedback to the developers. Usually along the lines of "Its real good, do you make star trek games?" or "it needs more work, make it more like (insert decent game)." If they make the second comment the programmers sometimes get a little violent and are put in jail for a while (the real reason why some games get delayed). Changes are made if required. Sometimes the programmers can't be bothered as they are busy watching star trek or playing chess so they just say its finished to save all the extra work that is required to improve it.
Step 5 - Mass Production
The master copy is taken and copied over and over again. Mass production is easy. An old man gets paid quite a lot to sit on his rear watching a game copy. It is as boring as it sounds but someone has to do it. Ok so the computer does it, the old man is there just to switch it off and on each day.
Step 6 - Packaging
It isn't as planned as most think. Certain information is always required like age ratings and developers details. Usually someone in the art department bit gets picked on and made to make a box design. It doesn't matter if its good or not it will get used, as nobody else really likes doing this job. The newer boxes are plastic like DVD cases to avoid them breaking and damaging the disks when dropped. Now they can throw them around and play games like Frisbee before they are boxed for shipping.
Step 7 - Shipping
Not much can be said here either. Games go into boxes and get shipped to the countries that sell them. Then put into lorries that take them to shops. Most important shops get them earlier than release dates so they can be sent out on the day set for their release. Rich companies may choose to send their product by plane.
Step 8 - Advertising
The developer makes adverts for TV, magazines. Something that catches the eye and makes people want to buy it. Reviews in magazines help. Sometimes a little "bung" to the magazine will ensure a decent review and a well-advertised article. Also give them a demo to test during the making and your sorted. I haven't seen many celebs trying to advertise them for developers, maybe in the future though. Something that brainwashes young children and kind of hypnotises them into purchasing their game usually works.
Everyone seems to think that a games company hire a few game designers to sit at desks and work all day setting up graphics. Also I do not think that a lot of the public realize how much stress and time it takes to make a decent game that will make profits in the vast market now a days. Some people think that the director sits in bed and write the plot for the game there (Well 3DO do) but there is more to it. It takes so nay different things to use it would take all day to explain... you are lucky I have that long. (:)
Firstly a gaming company see what is seeing (Genre) and usually if they want to out sell other companies games they will add an exciting new twist. This means, different story, characters, moves, graphics and other junk like that. If they want a gamer to buy their game then will have to take a good idea and build on what the average gamer likes playing so you will get sales from many other gamers not just fans of a certain genre. So the upgrading system will be one of the hardest things to make in a game… but not the hardest.
You then have to work out exactly what is going on in the game that can take up well over a year. This includes: Sorting out who does what and what goes where in the game. I believe things like this can be awfully stressful as the manager probably turns down every single idea you get for a decent character or game development. So this gruelling period is when the game becomes advanced and you see the old ideas in a bin which looking back from the creators point of view were really bad!
The hardest part of all when making an adventure game for instance is movement in the game and that is becoming highly developed now a day too. I remember seeing some of the making of Shenmue. They even wired some leaves up and dropped those to get exactly the right effect! That’s why if you play Shenmue then an old game you laugh at how stupid the movement is! Everything is recorded and that means most of the scenes where something on someone is wired up to a movement computer and has to act out most of the gaming actual movement of characters. Also the developers have to get loads of actions for the game and when they should be put in… so confusing!
Now the company has to get all the ideas together, cut a lot out and annoy their developers who spent the time making ideas that will be shoved in the bin… maybe next game, eh? So once they have everything together, you have the marketti… wait Aliboy already mentioned this for you guys…
Cheeers
T_W (:)
Firstly a gaming company see what is seeing (Genre) and usually if they want to out sell other companies games they will add an exciting new twist. This means, different story, characters, moves, graphics and other junk like that. If they want a gamer to buy their game then will have to take a good idea and build on what the average gamer likes playing so you will get sales from many other gamers not just fans of a certain genre. So the upgrading system will be one of the hardest things to make in a game… but not the hardest.
You then have to work out exactly what is going on in the game that can take up well over a year. This includes: Sorting out who does what and what goes where in the game. I believe things like this can be awfully stressful as the manager probably turns down every single idea you get for a decent character or game development. So this gruelling period is when the game becomes advanced and you see the old ideas in a bin which looking back from the creators point of view were really bad!
The hardest part of all when making an adventure game for instance is movement in the game and that is becoming highly developed now a day too. I remember seeing some of the making of Shenmue. They even wired some leaves up and dropped those to get exactly the right effect! That’s why if you play Shenmue then an old game you laugh at how stupid the movement is! Everything is recorded and that means most of the scenes where something on someone is wired up to a movement computer and has to act out most of the gaming actual movement of characters. Also the developers have to get loads of actions for the game and when they should be put in… so confusing!
Now the company has to get all the ideas together, cut a lot out and annoy their developers who spent the time making ideas that will be shoved in the bin… maybe next game, eh? So once they have everything together, you have the marketti… wait Aliboy already mentioned this for you guys…
Cheeers
T_W (:)
Yeah, whatever, great topic.
Can't believe I got one reply. ohh well one more than usual : )
Cheer RBS
Cheer RBS
Lol!
For the first bit we see how games are made. The second bit is supposed to be humorous and what happens behind the scenes with making games.
Here is how I think most games are made. Some may disagree.
Step 1 - The Idea
All games start as an idea, here what type of game it's going to be is decided. Will it be sport, FPS, simulation, action adventure? Also whom the game is intended for has to be worked out too. Will it be young children, teenagers, adults or all age groups? If the idea is good it will then be turned into a game. Not all ideas that are made into games are original. Many are very similar to past ideas.
Step 2 - Idea into reality
Once the idea has been thought through thoroughly. Advice is then given by the programmers who will then create the game. If they can't get it to work then the game will be scrapped. Some people still decide to go through with the idea if the programmers say it won't work. These games usually turn out different to the original idea. For the ones the programmers like and can make the idea is then worked on to create a game worth selling.
Step 3 - Creating the game
By far the hardest and longest part of making a game. Here everything is done. From graphics, game play, sounds, cheats built in. Everything you see and do and more is put onto the disk from here. The programmers are like chefs, the take all the ingredients for the game and make something worth all the hassle, a decent game. Sometimes things are left out as they are to hard to program into the game or they spoil the original idea. People to provide voices, artists, music composers all have an input to making the game at this stage.
Step 4 - Testing
Before mass production starts the game has to be tested so that bugs can be found and fixed and all the little problems can be ironed out for the final version. Testers have to work hard as any missed bug or faults could cause the game to fail when it is released. Many people sign up to get the chance to be beta-testers. Give some a chance to see what the game is like and how it could be improved.
Step 5 - Mass Production
After all the bugs are fixed and everyone is happy with the final version the game is created and reproduced for selling. Here the master copy is copied and the game is created. This is what you get in your box. This is the final copy of the game.
Step 6 - Packaging
Packaging for the game is then decided. Some would say this isn't really important as it's the game that matters but developers do think about this quite a lot. Something that stands out and is a little different is usually best. Also the instruction manual and any extras are created and boxed with the game.
Step 7 - Shipping
After everything is finalised the game is shipped. Some of the extremely popular games are so highly demanded that sometimes there aren't enough to meet demand. Japan usually gets games first, then USA and then Europe. That just seems to be the way it has always been.
Step 8 - Advertising
This is like the final piece of the puzzle, if people know the game is good they will buy it. Most developers offer some information during production to the most popular magazines. This lets people know when it will be out and how good it will be. Advertising can be done on TV. The Internet, the radio and in magazines and newspapers. If the games good it will sell millions of copies.
Which will surely please all involved with its creation.
Most average games cost around $3 Million to make with some of the more popular well known ones costing a lot more. But with a market worth around $32 Million you can see why all this effort and money is worthwhile.
Right so that's the serious bit. Now lets go behind the scenes and see what it's really like. This isn't serious so don't believe a word of it.
Step 1 - The idea
Usually lots of people sitting round a table throwing ideas at each other. The drunk at the end usually has the best ones but gets ignored as he smells of rum. Thousands of ideas could be passed around with only the best few being picked. After they decide some fall asleep and others sit and play games. On some occasions paper aeroplanes are made and thrown at the fat individual who then chases the culprit round the table until they become tired. If no idea is found then sometimes they use another developers idea and change it a little, not fair at all but developers like to play dirty.
Step 2 - Idea into reality
The idea is then talked over with the nerds….err.. I mean programmers. If they like it and have the skills and abilities to make the idea a decent game then it gets the go-ahead. If it's rubbish or too hard then the nerds open a can of whoop-ass on the person who brought the idea to them. The truth is that most of the nerds are 6ft tall, 300lb, wrestling fans who are built like the side of a house and can give out quite a beating when faced with someone who fails to meet a certain standard of intellect. The programmers (nerds) then sit around computers trying to make the basics idea into a full game that is possible to be created.
Step 3 - Creating the game
Painstakingly long this stage. Programmers bug each other as they fail to meet deadline after deadline. The best bit is when had been actors come in to do the voices. Most of them come in drunk, if so the programmers beat them with large sticks until they learn their lesson. All elements of the game are put in and a few hidden extras get added too by the programmers. Unfortunately for tomb raider fans they never seem to answer all the letters by putting in coding to remove Lara's clothing. As with most jobs some people are better at it than others, the best programmers make the best games and usually the best games sell more. They don't actually take as long to make as we all think, well they wouldn't if those nerdy programmers didn't watch so much star trek and Buffy while they should be working.
The sounds are also important in making the atmosphere of the game better. Experts on all areas work alongside the programmers to make it as complete as they can. It is at this point that some developers think on other ideas they can sell at the same time as the game, merchandise that increases sales of the game and also gives them extra cash. Developers do get a lot of money, they do spend a lot when making games but there is always a substantial profit at the end which goes to buying star trek memorabilia for the programmers office and gold platter name plates for the important rich guys.
Step 4 - Testing
Here is where the so-called "ordinary" people get involved. Usually more nerds except these nerds are the small younger geeky looking ones with the thick black glasses. They get a small demo of the game to try out, they then give feedback to the developers. Usually along the lines of "Its real good, do you make star trek games?" or "it needs more work, make it more like (insert decent game)." If they make the second comment the programmers sometimes get a little violent and are put in jail for a while (the real reason why some games get delayed). Changes are made if required. Sometimes the programmers can't be bothered as they are busy watching star trek or playing chess so they just say its finished to save all the extra work that is required to improve it.
Step 5 - Mass Production
The master copy is taken and copied over and over again. Mass production is easy. An old man gets paid quite a lot to sit on his rear watching a game copy. It is as boring as it sounds but someone has to do it. Ok so the computer does it, the old man is there just to switch it off and on each day.
Step 6 - Packaging
It isn't as planned as most think. Certain information is always required like age ratings and developers details. Usually someone in the art department bit gets picked on and made to make a box design. It doesn't matter if its good or not it will get used, as nobody else really likes doing this job. The newer boxes are plastic like DVD cases to avoid them breaking and damaging the disks when dropped. Now they can throw them around and play games like Frisbee before they are boxed for shipping.
Step 7 - Shipping
Not much can be said here either. Games go into boxes and get shipped to the countries that sell them. Then put into lorries that take them to shops. Most important shops get them earlier than release dates so they can be sent out on the day set for their release. Rich companies may choose to send their product by plane.
Step 8 - Advertising
The developer makes adverts for TV, magazines. Something that catches the eye and makes people want to buy it. Reviews in magazines help. Sometimes a little "bung" to the magazine will ensure a decent review and a well-advertised article. Also give them a demo to test during the making and your sorted. I haven't seen many celebs trying to advertise them for developers, maybe in the future though. Something that brainwashes young children and kind of hypnotises them into purchasing their game usually works.
Here is how I think most games are made. Some may disagree.
Step 1 - The Idea
All games start as an idea, here what type of game it's going to be is decided. Will it be sport, FPS, simulation, action adventure? Also whom the game is intended for has to be worked out too. Will it be young children, teenagers, adults or all age groups? If the idea is good it will then be turned into a game. Not all ideas that are made into games are original. Many are very similar to past ideas.
Step 2 - Idea into reality
Once the idea has been thought through thoroughly. Advice is then given by the programmers who will then create the game. If they can't get it to work then the game will be scrapped. Some people still decide to go through with the idea if the programmers say it won't work. These games usually turn out different to the original idea. For the ones the programmers like and can make the idea is then worked on to create a game worth selling.
Step 3 - Creating the game
By far the hardest and longest part of making a game. Here everything is done. From graphics, game play, sounds, cheats built in. Everything you see and do and more is put onto the disk from here. The programmers are like chefs, the take all the ingredients for the game and make something worth all the hassle, a decent game. Sometimes things are left out as they are to hard to program into the game or they spoil the original idea. People to provide voices, artists, music composers all have an input to making the game at this stage.
Step 4 - Testing
Before mass production starts the game has to be tested so that bugs can be found and fixed and all the little problems can be ironed out for the final version. Testers have to work hard as any missed bug or faults could cause the game to fail when it is released. Many people sign up to get the chance to be beta-testers. Give some a chance to see what the game is like and how it could be improved.
Step 5 - Mass Production
After all the bugs are fixed and everyone is happy with the final version the game is created and reproduced for selling. Here the master copy is copied and the game is created. This is what you get in your box. This is the final copy of the game.
Step 6 - Packaging
Packaging for the game is then decided. Some would say this isn't really important as it's the game that matters but developers do think about this quite a lot. Something that stands out and is a little different is usually best. Also the instruction manual and any extras are created and boxed with the game.
Step 7 - Shipping
After everything is finalised the game is shipped. Some of the extremely popular games are so highly demanded that sometimes there aren't enough to meet demand. Japan usually gets games first, then USA and then Europe. That just seems to be the way it has always been.
Step 8 - Advertising
This is like the final piece of the puzzle, if people know the game is good they will buy it. Most developers offer some information during production to the most popular magazines. This lets people know when it will be out and how good it will be. Advertising can be done on TV. The Internet, the radio and in magazines and newspapers. If the games good it will sell millions of copies.
Which will surely please all involved with its creation.
Most average games cost around $3 Million to make with some of the more popular well known ones costing a lot more. But with a market worth around $32 Million you can see why all this effort and money is worthwhile.
Right so that's the serious bit. Now lets go behind the scenes and see what it's really like. This isn't serious so don't believe a word of it.
Step 1 - The idea
Usually lots of people sitting round a table throwing ideas at each other. The drunk at the end usually has the best ones but gets ignored as he smells of rum. Thousands of ideas could be passed around with only the best few being picked. After they decide some fall asleep and others sit and play games. On some occasions paper aeroplanes are made and thrown at the fat individual who then chases the culprit round the table until they become tired. If no idea is found then sometimes they use another developers idea and change it a little, not fair at all but developers like to play dirty.
Step 2 - Idea into reality
The idea is then talked over with the nerds….err.. I mean programmers. If they like it and have the skills and abilities to make the idea a decent game then it gets the go-ahead. If it's rubbish or too hard then the nerds open a can of whoop-ass on the person who brought the idea to them. The truth is that most of the nerds are 6ft tall, 300lb, wrestling fans who are built like the side of a house and can give out quite a beating when faced with someone who fails to meet a certain standard of intellect. The programmers (nerds) then sit around computers trying to make the basics idea into a full game that is possible to be created.
Step 3 - Creating the game
Painstakingly long this stage. Programmers bug each other as they fail to meet deadline after deadline. The best bit is when had been actors come in to do the voices. Most of them come in drunk, if so the programmers beat them with large sticks until they learn their lesson. All elements of the game are put in and a few hidden extras get added too by the programmers. Unfortunately for tomb raider fans they never seem to answer all the letters by putting in coding to remove Lara's clothing. As with most jobs some people are better at it than others, the best programmers make the best games and usually the best games sell more. They don't actually take as long to make as we all think, well they wouldn't if those nerdy programmers didn't watch so much star trek and Buffy while they should be working.
The sounds are also important in making the atmosphere of the game better. Experts on all areas work alongside the programmers to make it as complete as they can. It is at this point that some developers think on other ideas they can sell at the same time as the game, merchandise that increases sales of the game and also gives them extra cash. Developers do get a lot of money, they do spend a lot when making games but there is always a substantial profit at the end which goes to buying star trek memorabilia for the programmers office and gold platter name plates for the important rich guys.
Step 4 - Testing
Here is where the so-called "ordinary" people get involved. Usually more nerds except these nerds are the small younger geeky looking ones with the thick black glasses. They get a small demo of the game to try out, they then give feedback to the developers. Usually along the lines of "Its real good, do you make star trek games?" or "it needs more work, make it more like (insert decent game)." If they make the second comment the programmers sometimes get a little violent and are put in jail for a while (the real reason why some games get delayed). Changes are made if required. Sometimes the programmers can't be bothered as they are busy watching star trek or playing chess so they just say its finished to save all the extra work that is required to improve it.
Step 5 - Mass Production
The master copy is taken and copied over and over again. Mass production is easy. An old man gets paid quite a lot to sit on his rear watching a game copy. It is as boring as it sounds but someone has to do it. Ok so the computer does it, the old man is there just to switch it off and on each day.
Step 6 - Packaging
It isn't as planned as most think. Certain information is always required like age ratings and developers details. Usually someone in the art department bit gets picked on and made to make a box design. It doesn't matter if its good or not it will get used, as nobody else really likes doing this job. The newer boxes are plastic like DVD cases to avoid them breaking and damaging the disks when dropped. Now they can throw them around and play games like Frisbee before they are boxed for shipping.
Step 7 - Shipping
Not much can be said here either. Games go into boxes and get shipped to the countries that sell them. Then put into lorries that take them to shops. Most important shops get them earlier than release dates so they can be sent out on the day set for their release. Rich companies may choose to send their product by plane.
Step 8 - Advertising
The developer makes adverts for TV, magazines. Something that catches the eye and makes people want to buy it. Reviews in magazines help. Sometimes a little "bung" to the magazine will ensure a decent review and a well-advertised article. Also give them a demo to test during the making and your sorted. I haven't seen many celebs trying to advertise them for developers, maybe in the future though. Something that brainwashes young children and kind of hypnotises them into purchasing their game usually works.