Chances are, you’re a fan of video games; it’s a fast-growing hobby in the United States and getting a lot of attention. There are now over 200 million gamers in the country. These gamers enjoy their time playing video games and anticipate the release of new games. These supporters are one of the main reasons why the industry thrives today.
Whether you grew up playing classics like Super Mario Bros or you’re more into modern releases like Fortnite, there’s no denying that video games have come a long way since their inception. Here are five ways that video game production has changed throughout the years.
The rise of indie developers
It was a big-budget affair in the early days of video game development. Large studios developed games with hundreds (if not thousands) of employees. However, in recent years, there has been a rise in independent developers self-publishing their games. This has led to a wider variety of fun on the market and lower gaming prices. However, there are various problems that these developers encounter. Here are some of them:
Low Sales
It’s estimated that only 3% of indie developers ever reach the million-dollar sales mark. Most developers end up with low sales due to the vast amount of competition in the market. Many earn around $500 per month, which is not enough to sustain a living.
Piracy
Another big problem that developers face is piracy. When a game is pirated, it’s downloaded and played without the developer receiving compensation. This means that they’ve lost a potential sale. Unfortunately, there’s not much that developers can do to stop piracy, as it’s often difficult to track down the people who are illegally downloading their games.
Lack of funds
Indie developers often lack funding, leading to problems like long development times or even having to cancel projects entirely. This is one of the main reasons many developers work on several small projects rather than one large game.
Increased focus on storytelling
In the early days of video gaming, the gameplay was often the primary focus, with the story taking a backseat. However, as games have become more and more cinematic, storytelling has become an increasingly important aspect of video game production. As a result, many modern games are now known for their complex narratives and characters, which would have been unthinkable in the early days of gaming. Here’s what you need to know about modern storytelling in video games.
Cinematic Standards
Video games have now taken a more cinematic perspective in production. Many developers now hire experienced cinematographers to capture footage of their games. This helps to create a more immersive experience for the player. They are often in charge of the game’s script, motion capture, and voice acting. They are now a fundamental part of video game production and one that many developers enjoy.
In-game cinematics
As well as having cinematic cutscenes, many games now feature in-game cinematics. These scenes are part of the game itself rather than separate videos. This allows developers to tell a more interactive story and create a more immersive experience for the player.
Improved graphics and sound
One area where video game production has seen tremendous improvement is in graphics and sound. Poor graphics and lackluster sound design often plagued early games. However, thanks to technological advances, modern games can provide players with genuinely immersive experiences that look and sound realistic.
The rise of mobile gaming
Another significant change in recent years has been the rise of mobile gaming. With the advent of smartphones and tablets, gaming is now accessible to everyone, regardless of whether they own a dedicated gaming console. This has resulted in a boom in mobile gaming, with many popular franchises now releasing mobile versions of their games. Here are some things you need to know about mobile gaming:
Prevalence
Mobile gaming is set up to be one of the most popular forms of entertainment. In 2019, it was estimated that there were 2.2 billion mobile gamers worldwide. This figure is only set to rise in the coming years as more and more people own smartphones and tablets.
Revenue
Mobile gaming is also a very lucrative industry. In 2018, it was estimated that the mobile gaming market was worth $77.2 billion. This figure is expected to rise to $106.4 billion in the coming years.
The prevalence of streaming
Finally, it’s worth mentioning that streaming services like Twitch and YouTube Gaming have also had a significant impact on video game production. These platforms allow gamers to live stream their gameplay for others to watch, often providing commentary and tips and tricks for viewers at home. For many developers, streaming is now an essential part of their marketing strategy, allowing them to reach a broad audience quickly and easily.
As you can see, video game production has had some significant changes over the years! Video game production has changed so much, and who knows what changes we’ll see in the future.
