1. Working in the Video Game Industry

2. What does a game designer do? writes a treatment describing game action creates technical documentation specifying game controls formulates a gameplay outline based on required elements of the story builds game environments using 3D modelling software presents game ideas to upper management works with programmers to refine game controls and cameras works with artists to create simple visual means of communicating essential game information controls the ‘big picture’ while experts work on details

3. writes game manuals and hint materials keeps an eye on what other companies are doing, and evaluating competing games creates, updates and maintains a database containing descriptions of every element of the game designs puzzles and other game challenges on paper before implementing them tests the game and fixing the bugs models the sophisticated interaction of the game climate, creatures and environment conceives original solutions to problems.

4. Gender Game development workplaces are sometimes non-inclusive and difficult for women. Why do you think this may be? Can you find an example of this?

5. Outsourcing Like all technology fields, video game development uses low-cost offshore development. Most large studios are already outsourcing game development. Outsourcing is profitable for game studios. They don’t have to recruit, scale up development teams lay off employees after a project is finished. Australian game developers often complete outsourcing work for American companies. What impact would outsourcing have in local markets? Overall, do you believe is it beneficial to the gaming industry?

6. Ownership The video game industry is expanding rapidly but at the same time it is decreasing in size as companies merge for financial reasons. The proportion of games that actually make a profit is very low (as small as 5 per cent), while development costs are high. Why do you think this is? However, having fewer and larger companies can stifle the generation of original ideas and game concepts. Why would this be the result of fewer and larger companies? Does it remind you of any other media industry?

7. Australian game development Major challenges facing the Australian industry maintaining a balance between independent and multinational studios, addressing the skills shortage, attracting investment gaining government support a lack of senior and skilled staff ‘Local game developers employ thousands of people and tens of studios around the country, generating exports worth more than $100 million each year — far more than the Australian film industry,’ writes Jason Hill in The Sydney Morning Herald. ‘The Australian game industry is at a crucial point,’ states Marsha Thomson, ‘It is highly regarded internationally, but in the global context it is a niche player existing principally on fee-for-service contracts from overseas companies.’ How do you think Australian gaming companies could better compete internationally?