LO4- Job Roles

Below are the job roles that each individual member of the group will work on however the group will also work together to complete all the below tasks.

Joseph:
A) Treatment or proposal
B) Competent production schedule
E) Relevant legal and/or ethical issues
F) Platform details and requirements

Stephen:
A) Treatment or proposal
H) Plot synopsis and characters
C) Game play and associated visuals

Brooke:
D) Target Audience
G) Examples of levels
I) Financial breakdown of development

LO4- Thing to be Completed for Our Game

Here’s the list of all the pitch stuff.

A) Treatment or proposal

B) Competent production schedule

C) Gameplay with associated visuals

D) Target audience

E) Relevant legal and/or ethical issues

F) Platform details and requirements

G) Examples of levels,

H) Plot synopsis and characters.

I) Financial breakdown of development costs

LO4- Initial Ideas for a Game I'm Going To Create

LO3 Lesson Review and LO4 Lesson Objectives

LO3 Lesson Review
In the previous lessons my objectives was to start brainstorming my initial ideas and to later narrow it down too create two developed ideas and then to narrow it down from two ideas to one idea to develop one idea further and write a review about that idea/game. I managed to complete these above tasks and upload them to my blogger.

LO4 Lesson Objectives
My LO4 lesson objectives are to again brainstorm some of my initial ideas, we would then require to narrow it down to two or three again depending on if you are in a group or not and who's game you are choosing to use/create.

LO3 Review of Unturned

LO3 Developed Ideas for my Review

Skyrim-

Genre-
The genre of this game is a fantasy and action role playing game playable in the first or third person.

Target Audience-
The intended target audience of this game is;

Age-
Aged between 13-24.

Gender-
Typically male.

Platform-
Microsoft Windows, OS X, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 users.

NRS Social Grade-
ABC1.

Platform Available-
The platforms in which this product is available on is Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and OS X.

Date of Release-
The date of release for Skyrim,world wide was November 11, 2011 and the legendary edition was released in North America on June the 4th, 2013 and June the 7th, 2013 in Europe. 

Critical Reception-
The critical reception in which this product received was generally good as the quality in which it produced exceeded all the expectations of the product.

Here is an example;

"Skyrim received universal acclaim from reviewers upon its release. The removal of the character class system from previous Elder Scrolls entries was well received. Billy Shibley of Machinima's Inside Gaming and Charles Onyett of IGN praised its removal because it allowed players to experiment with different skills without having to make decisions about a class early in the game. John Bedford of Eurogamer opined that by removing the character class system, the game tailored for players who wanted to build an all-around character while still also providing the opportunity for other players to specialize in a preferred play-style. Steve Butts of The Escapist considered the addition of perks to the character development system "a great method to make your character feel even more unique and personal". Kevin VanOrd of GameSpot praised the way perks allowed for the player's preferred skills to become more powerful over time, stating that the perk system "forms around the way you play, but allows for tweaking so that you retain a sense of control". The user interface (UI) that navigates the player's items and spells was also praised by reviewers for its accessibility; Bedford complimented its "elegant design" which succeeded Oblivion's cumbersome UI."

Earning-
This product brought in a total revenue of 

Developer-
The developer of this product is Bethesda Game Studios.

Unturned-

Genre-
The genre of this game is a survival horror, single-player and multi-player playable in the first person and it could be classified as a fist person shooter.

Target Audience-
The intended target audience of this game is;

Age-
Aged between 8-18.

Gender-
Typically male.

Platform-
Microsoft Windows and OS X users.

NRS Social Grade-
ABC1.

PlatformAvailable-
The platforms in which this product is available on is Microsoft Windows and OS X.

Dateof Release-
The date of release for Unturned was July the 7th 2014.

Critical Reception-
The critical reception in which this product received was generally good for the quality at which it was produced,

Here is an example;
"On July 17, 2014, PC Gamer published a review of the game saying that while "Unturned has few real ideas on its own" it is a simple, accessible survival simulator that one may enjoy provided they can "stomach the low production values"; however, the author adds that with Nelson constantly updating the game, it is expected that many more features may be added"

Earning-
This product brought in a total of well nothing as its 'free to download'.

Developer-
The developer of this product is Nelson Sexton.

LO3 Brainstorm Ideas for your Review (Initial Ideas for my Review)

Fifa 15
Call of Duty:Ghosts
Destiny
Skyrim
Unturned

LO2 Lesson Review and LO3 Lesson Objectives

LO2 Lesson Review

In my last lessons I completed all the objectives that I set myself. I completed all the research notes that are required for the task and I also completed the actual LO2 Task 1.

LO3 Lesson Objectives 
In the next lessons my objectives are to start brainstorming my initial ideas, I would later narrow it down too create two developed ideas and then I will need to narrow it down from two to one to develop one idea further and write a review about that idea/game.

LO2

LO2

LO1 Lesson Review and LO2 Lesson Objectives

LO1 Lesson Review
I completed all the objectives that I previously set myself, I completed the task for LO1 known as 'Business Report for SumoDigital'. I also made sure I gained the necessary feedback for the task and filled in the feedforward sheet that was required.

LO2 Lesson Objectives
My objectives for the next lesson is to start and complete the task LO2 Task 1(The task in which you have to compare the stylistic conventions of game reviews) and I will complete the research notes I need to have to complete this task.

Feedforward for LO1 Business Report on SumoDigital

Feedback for LO1 Business Report on SumoDigital

LO1 Business Report for SumoDigital.

LO1 Business Report

Introduction to Report-

In this report I am going to be analysing the company known as, SumoDigital to complete my Business Report for LO1, the sections of this company I will be analysing is the company structure in which I will analysis how the company is organised and structured to work (the hierarchy). The platform technology they use, in which I will analysis the gaming platform they work on/create games for and how they adapt to new technologies, the game types in which the company makes (using examples) and how it establishes them and itself in the industry, the games it makes for multi-platforming and how the company approaches this, the regulatory bodies in which the company has to develop in accordance for the games they produce and finial the software the company uses in the development of their product.

Section 1-Company Structure (Hierarchy)-

The company I am analysing is called ‘SumoDigital’, it’s based in the United Kingdom in Sheffield, and it was set up in 2003 after the closure of infogrames studios Sheffield/Gremlin Interactive. The company known as ‘SumoDigital’ started after the closure of infogrames studios Sheffield/Gremlin Interactive at which point many of the former employees of the closed companies joined SumoDigital, and have been developing SumoDigital into the form it’s in today by first of all acquiring their independence via a managerial buyout from Foundation 9 and working hard to get their name out there by producing high end games for various platforms.

The company structure in which SumoDigital operates is difficult to define as it’s neither tall nor flat however it uses bits of both the organisational structures, as shown below; 

It is not yet large enough to have a fully operational ‘tall organisational structure’ but it does however employ some of the tall organisation structure methods i.e. the allocation of certain jobs and job roles to certain (qualified) individuals which then in turn go on to disburse the jobs they need doing to their employee’s that they are in charge of as showed above. But as the company ‘SumoDigital’ is not a massive organisation with lots of employees (270 to be exact) the tall structure does not fully come into play which means that some of the flat structures methods do, as the higher-ups (managerial/ management) will have contact with some of the other employees other than just the managerial staff. This however can work in the managements/founders favour as there is less decision making involved in ideas/decisions and it is typically faster decisions.

Section 2-Platform Technology-

The company ‘SumoDigital’ ensures that the games they are creating are ready for release by keeping to a schedule (production plan) and ensuring everything is going according to the plan/schedule.

SumoDigital develops games for varied platforms both old generation consoles/platforms and new generation consoles/platforms, here are all of the platforms they have worked on;

Platforms;

·         Sony Computer Entertainment- PlayStation network, with the platforms varying from PS Vita, to the PlayStation portable (PSP), to the PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3 and the new generation PlayStation 4.

·         Microsoft- With the platforms varying from the Xbox Arcade, Xbox, Xbox 360 and the new generation Xbox One.

·         Nintendo- With the platform varying from the Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DS and the next generation Nintendo Wii U.

·         The computer platforms that SumoDigital worked on vary from Microsoft Windows and Mac OS from Apple.

·         The operating platforms for the mobile phones that SumoDigital worked on again vary from Apples IOS, Android and BlackBerry.

SumoDigital make sure that they are ready to work on not only different technologies but new technologies (Next Generation) by making sure they are prepared and up to date on all new upcoming technologies and technologies that are still in the production stage. This also helps them as when there is a new platform released, for example the new next generation of consoles; Xbox One and PlayStation 4. When the next generation consoles Xbox One and PlayStation 4 was released SumoDigital had to adapt to be develop products capable and worthy of the new technology, they most likely did this by learning or using new or different software that was capable of what the next generation consoles and its consumers were demanding.

Section 3-Game Types-

Companies are defined by what products they make and to what standard the products are made to in this case SumoDigital are defined by the types of games and the genre of the games they produce. SumoDigital are defined by the genre(s) of arcade, racing and sports this is because they have the most experience working with these genres as this is the genre in which the majority of their projects are created as. They defined themselves with the well-known games they created such as;  Forza Horizon 2 from 2014, Xbox Fitness from 2013, Nike+ Kinect Training from 2012, F1 2011 from 2011, Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing from 2011, Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing from 2010, F1 2009 from 2009, Sega Superstars Tennis from 2008 and many more. And as these games are aimed at a younger audience (the games typically don’t go higher than the age of 9) and thus don’t typically use explicit content (violence, sex/nudity or swearing), they may be defined as a ‘classy’ and well established company to some people (parents/ religious people) as they don’t have to degrade themselves to create games with explicit content to make money like most well-known companies often do.

Other game types/genres that SumoDigital produce

SumoDigital has also developed games that are outside of their typical genres, here are some examples; 

• Broken Sword: The Angel of Death which falls into the genre of point and click adventure.
• Dead Space Ignition which falls into the genre of action and puzzle game.
• LittleBigPlanet 3 which falls into the genre of puzzle-platformer and sandbox.

These are just a few examples of the games that show that SumoDigital can diverse into different genres.

The company and the publisher will work together by ensuring the production is of the product/game is on schedule and everything is correct i.e. they work together is by making sure they hit all the intended target audience criteria, for example the age group would need to be hit and this would be done by ensuring the product falls within the age group they wanted by not going over the restrictions set for that category, another way they would work together is to again ensure the intended target audience is hit by ensuring the genre that was intended for the product/game is reached.

Section 4- Games on Multi-Platforms-

SumoDigital would have had to cross-platform for games such as Forza Horizon 2 from 2014 and LittleBigPlanet 3 from 2014.

SumoDigital could approach making a game for more multiple platforms in several ways, one way would be to use JUCE- an open source ‘cross-platform C++ application framework’ which uses a code known as C++ which is used to write native software on several platform (mainly mobile and operating systems for PC) and therefore allows cross-platforming through the operating systems of windows, Linux and Mac OS.

Section 5-Regulatory Bodies-

The regulatory bodies in which SumoDigital needs to develop their product in accordance with are; PEGI (Pan European Game Information), PEGI is an organisation that gives age rating based on the content within a game. This means that when the company ‘SumoDigital ’is developing a product or game they have to take into account the age rating and what the restrictions are for that age group and by doing this they are not only hitting the intended target audience they were going to aim at, but they are also following the guidelines set by the regulatory body ‘PEGI’.

Section 6-Developmental Software-

The software that would be used by SumoDigital would vary from job to job as they require different things to complete the job and they require different outcomes. For example the coders would most likely use C++ and the designers and artists could use a variety of software from SketchBook Pro, to FL Studio 11, to Mari, to ZBrush, or even Unity Pro with choices from many more.

LO1 Starter Tasks

LO1 Starter Task from the 11/3/15:

Rank the following in the order that you think is most suitable 

• Online review
• Television 
• Star rating 
• Word of mouth 
• Magazines 

1) Word of Mouth

2) Online Review

3) Magazines

4) Star ratings

5) Television

LO1 Starter Task from the 15/04/15:

The target audience for the following game titles;

Super Mario Bros U-
Age-
Aged between 3-14.

Gender-
Typically male.

Platform-
Wii U users.

NRS Social Grade-
ABC1.


Half Life 2- 
Age-
Aged between 16-30.

Gender-
Stereotypically male.

Platform-
PC gamers/Steam users.

NRS Social Grade-
ABC1.


Candy Crush Saga- 
Age-
Aged between 10-45.

Gender-
Typically female.

Platform-
Mobile,PC i.e Casual gamers.

NRS Social Grade-
ABC1.


Minecraft-
Age-
Aged between 3-20.

Gender-
Typically male.

Platform-
All platform typically PC.

NRS Social Grade-
ABC1.

LO1 Lesson Review/Objectives

Lesson Review
In the previous lessons I managed to complete all the objectives I set myself i.e I completed preparing for the start of the upcoming unit (Unit 60) by starting to analyse and review games and the platforms they are on and by jotting down several games and platforms I have played on to give me ideas of what and how I'm going to attempt certain tasks in this unit (preparation).

Lesson Objectives
My objectives for the next lessons are to have completed the task known as 'Business Report for SumoDigital' for LO1 to the highest possible standard and to have gained the feedback I need for the task as well as to have completed filling in the form/paperwork on my feedback received.

LO1 Platforms and Games

This post consists of some of the games and platforms that I have played on;

 

LO1 Valve Corporation

Valve Corporation-

MD/Directors;
The directors of the valve corporation are Gabe Newell and Mike Harrington

Recorded Profit;
The most recent recorded profit is unknown as they don't advertise it.

The technologies they use;
The technologies they worked on are again unknown as they don't advertise it.

LO1 Top 10 favourite/recently played games.

1.Pokemon Yellow
Publisher- Nintendo
Developer-Games Freak
Engine- Modified Pokemon Red/Green/Blue engine
Platforms-Game boy (With SGB support, Expanded to GBC support outside of japan)

2.Skyrim
Publisher- Betheseda
Developer- Betheseda
Engine- Creation Engine
Platforms- PC, Xbox 360 and PS3

3.Rouge Legacy
Publisher- Cellar Door Games
Developer-Cellar Door Games
Engine-XNA
Platforms- PC,Playstation 3 and 4, PS Vita, Mac/Linux

4.Gary's Mod
Publisher- Valve Corporation
Developer- Facepunch Studios,Team Garry
Engine- Source Engine
Platforms- PC, Macintosh, GNU/Linux, Microsoft Windows and Max OS

5.CSCO-Counter Strike:Global Offence
Publisher- Valve Corporation
Developer- Valve Corporation
Engine- Source Engine
Platforms- PS3, Xbox and PC

6.Team Fortress 2
Publisher- Valve Corporation
Developer- Valve Corporation
Engine- Source Engine
Platforms- PC, Xbox 360 And PS3

7.Left 4 Dead 2
Publisher- Valve Corporation
Developer- Valve Corporation
Engine- Source Engine
Platforms- PC, Xbox

8.Portal 2
Publisher- Valve Corporation
Developer- Valve Corporation
Engine- Source Engine
Platforms- PC, Xbox 360, PS3

9.Super Mario 3D World
Publisher- Nintendo
Developer- Nintendo
Engine- Mario Engine
Platforms- Wii U

10.New Super Mario Bros U
Publisher- Nintendo
Developer- Nintendo
Engine- Mario Engine
Platforms- Wii U

LO1 Lesson Objectives

Lesson Objectives
In the next few days I will be preparing for my upcoming unit (Unit 60) by starting to analyse and review games and the platforms they are on, I will also be jotting down several games and platforms I have played on to give me ideas of what and how I'm going to attempt certain tasks in this unit (preparation).