Posted: Thursday 15 October 2009
Morrison's Mario
Morrison’s S4 Standard Grade Computing Studies class were given a fascinating insight into the video games industry by Mr Tim Gatland. Mr Gatland has more than 20 years' experience in the video games industry and is currently CEO of Fund4Games and Managing Director of Rail Simulator Developments Limited.
In his wide-ranging talk, Mr Gatland considered the various gaming platforms and their characteristics; the economic models for game development; the process of developing a game and the typical budgets required; the many different members in a game development team representing different skills, and the range of tools used in game development.
Pupils were given the challenge to be game developers and carried out a group exercise where they were asked to consider three different games and decide which platform would be best, which economic model would be best, what licences might be needed and who might buy the games.
In summing up, Mr Gatland reminded the class that
- games are complex, multifaceted pieces of software;
- creating games is a high risk commercial activity ;
- creating a game requires coordination of a huge range of talents.
The class thanked Mr Gatland for coming to talk to them and for taking the time to prepare such an interesting and fact-filled presentation.
Rail Simulator (www.railsimulator.com)
Fund4Games (www.fund4games.com)
Develop magazine (www.develop-online.net/)
MCV (www.mcvuk.com/)
Trade bodies (www.tiga.org, www.elspa.com, www.igda.org)
Training and support (www.nesta.org.uk, www.skillset.org)
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