If I was to pick an area to improve, it would be my 2D art and programming.
2D Art
My 2D art simply is not up to the standard I would like it to be. It would help me texture my models as well as help design multiple different types of GUI in our games. Drawing and art are good skills to take into the industry, and they can be good on your CV.
Programming
Some people do not like programming, and I am one of them. I do not understand most of the C# language, but I can write basic functions, variables and programs.
Fallout 3 is the third major installment in the Fallout franchise. Bethesda Softworks (publisher) released the game in 2008 for Windows, PS3 and Xbox 360. It is an action role playing game, and open world. Meaning you are free to roam wherever you like within the game world. Bethesda have created three Fallout games (Fallout 3, Fallout 4 and Fallout Shelter) , but published four, by their own publisher Bethesda Softworks.
Below is the trailer for Fallout 3. It features a stereotypical 1950’s American household during a nuclear war. As you could probably tell, this was an American advertisement. As it reaches out into their history. Different audiences would require different types of trailer, as there is differences in culture. If you were going to create a trailer for a different country then you would need to totally rethink your approach, for example, if you were going to create a Japanese version of the trailer, it would need to be very different, as Japan is known for its “cute” culture. From the trailer, it shows that the target audience is fans of open world and action games.
Battlefield 3 by EA Digital Illusions CE
Battlefield 3 is a first person shooter developed by EA DICE (Digital Illusions CE), a Swedish game studio, and published by EA (Electronic Arts). It was released in 2011 in North America and Europe. For the platforms Windows, PS3 and Xbox 360.In the single player, the user must traverse levels, using vehicles like boats and tanks to traverse the environment. The publisher, EA, is a leading global entertainment company. They deliver games, content and many online services. As of 2014, EA was the fourth largest gaming company by revenue after Tencent, Sony and Microsoft.
I have found two trailers, one is the English launch trailer for the game, and one is a Japanese trailer. The English trailer is action packed, full of dialogue and immersive sounds. However, the Japanese version of the trailer is quite slow, and some of the audio is from previous Battlefield titles. Also, at the very beginning of the trailer there is Godzilla. A popular figure from Japanese culture. Clearly this is an indicator of EA trying to reach out to the target audience of Japanese gamers.
LittleBigPlanet by Media Molecule
LittleBigPlanet is a “puzzle platformer” series. It is created by Media Molecule and is a PlayStation exclusive title. It follows the adventure of Sackboy. A knitted character who can be dressed up, customized and tailored to the user’s preference. It has a large emphasis on gameplay rather than being story-driven. The tagline “Play, Create, Share” represents the three core elements of the series. You can either play alone, online with friends or on the same console. You can create new content using the game’s unique in-game creation tools and sharing creations within the community. The series is published by Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE). SCE is a multinational video game developer, manufacturer of many different appliances and products, and research and development company. It handles the R&D, production and sales of hardware and software for Sony’s PlayStation.
The trailer, which consists of alot of happy and bubbly music, includes gameplay from different levels and zones within the game. It is quite clear that the game is intended for younger audiences from the trailer. Sackboy is a lovable character that children and early teens could love. If the game’s creation kits are used correctly then there is room for alot of detail and complicated levels inside the game, which could also drag the interest of older audiences too.
A SWOT analysis is a study undertaken by a person or an organisation to identify certain strengths and weaknesses within themselves, or the company. It also identifies its external opportunities and threats.
My Strengths
I can model successfully
I can fix problems that may arise during this
I can navigate and use Maya, 3DS Max and other tools
I can efficiently use Photoshop to texture my models, and other tasks
My Weaknesses
I am not good with coding in C#
I am not good with public speaking, or pitching
Sometimes I cannot properly UV unwrap models I create
I cannot draw
Opportunities I Have Had
I have had the opportunity to use many industry standard software (Maya, Unity, Unreal).
To be a part of many different trips. (EGX, Teesside University).
Learn different software to prepare me for the industry
Global game jam & class game jams
Threats I May Face
My art skills. Digital and physical.
The power of my home computer could affect what software I use in the future.
Some software that we use in the industry and on the course may not be compatible with my home system.
Here are some ways that different companies are funded, and how they can make money.
Crowd-Funding
Kickstarter
Kickstarter is an enormous global community built around creativity, a funding platform for creative projects. Everything from films, to games. Music, to art. It is full of ambitious, innovative and imaginative projects that are brought to life through the direct support of the public.
Patreon
Patreon is a way to get paid for creating the things you are already creating. For example, webcomics, videos, songs and art. Fans of your content pledge a specific amount of money per month, or per item you release.
Business and Finance
Grants
A grant is an amount of money given to an individual or business for a specific project or purpose. You can apply for a grant from the government, the EU, local councils and charities. You dont need to pay back grants, unlike loans, but there is alot of competition and they are almost always awarded for a specific purpose or project.
Tax Relief
This is the cancellation of a proportion of income tax normally based on earned income. It means that you either pay less tax to take into account of money you have spent on specific things, or you get tax back or get it repaid in any other way. For example,a personal pension. You are eligible for some types of relief automatically, but you must specifically apple for some of them.
Business Angel (Angel Investor)
An angel investor, or business angel, is an individual who provides large capital for a business start-up. This is usually in exchange for convertible debt or a specific percentage of ownership or profit. A small but rising number of these “angel investors” use online crowdfunding sites or organize groups to share research and pool for their investment money.
Loans
An arrangement in which a lender, usually a bank or company specializing in this field, gives money or property to a borrower. This borrower repays along with a specific amount of interest.
Sales and Advertising
Sales
Sales are the exchange of a commodity (your product) for an amount of money. This is usually how your company would learn the majority of your capital. However, in accounting, sales refers to the revenue earned when a company sells its goods.
Advertising
Advertising is the activity or profession of producing adverts (advertisements) for commercial products or services. Companies earn money from using advertising as it usually draws attention to their product from many more people than if they didn’t advertise. If the advertising goes well you can break even, and make some profit.
Sponsorship
This is advertising that seeks to establish a deeper association and integration between an advertiser and a publisher. This often involves hidden benefits for the sponsor.
Ever since the beginning of video games, there has had to be restrictions on who can play what. These are now known as age restrictions. In the majority, these are well used and fair. However, there are problems. There are different policies all around the world depending on which country you live in, and difference policies for all states in the USA (The ESA).
“The ESA are an association dedicated to serving the business and public affairs needs of companies that puiblish computer and video games for video game consoles, handheld devices, personal computer and the Internet.” – The ESA Website
Legal
However in the UK, we dont have this. Our computer games ar erated by the BBFC (British Board of Film Classification).
Developers of games are definitely affected by legal issues. Lawsuits could set-back, or even bankrupt studios for as small as saying one wrong word.
Ethical
The main areas that ethical debates revolve around are:
Education(do games educate? Should they be relied upon?)
Stereotyping(Age,race,gender,disability,class)
Addiction(how do gamers become addicted? What does the industry do to help this?)
It becomes the responsibility of both the industry and the consumer to be aware of the issues in gaming and act accordingly.
Legal & Ethical Issues in Animation
Legal
Copyright and Ownership
Globally, copyright laws deal with a very basic yet important issue – who owns the idea, characters, shapes,objects,graphics.
Trademarks and Branding
Trademarks and branding are synonymous terms, as both refer to giving your business a unique name and ethos that stands you apart from your competitors in hte industry that your business belongs to.
Defamation and Causing Disrepute
When the reputation of an individual or an organisation is damaged – so much so that livelihoods are lost – then defamation has occurred.
Ethical
Intellectual property
Nondisclosure
Image content
Business ethics
Trust
Privacy
Truth
Data Protection
Privacy is a big thing in animation. For the members of staff involved in the film, and the high ranking businesses. Somebody has the role of keeping their personal lives safe and not to broadcast any of this information.
A business-standard animation
Regulatory Issues in Visual Effects
Regulatory
Unpaid overtime
Miscalssification of employees
Illegal usage of billing purposes
Non-existent transferable healthcare benefits and savings plans
Unionized employees operate under a contract that provides benefits and sets rules and regulations to address these issues.
Other Issues in the Industry
Cyber Security
This is the protection of information systems from theft or damage to the hardware, software, and the information contained on the device. As well as from disruption or misdirection of the services they provide.
A sole trader describes any business that is owned by one person, and one person only. Although this one person may still employ workers. For example a newsagent’s, or a corner shop. Sole traders are personally liable for the firm’s debts, and may have to use their own personal wage to pay them. This is called unlimited liability. A sole trader in the games industry could be a small company or an “indie developer”.
Private Limited Company Limited by Shares (LTD)
This is a class of PLC (private limited company). It has shareholders with limited liability and its shares may not be offered to the public. Unlike public limited companies do. The liability of the shareholders to creditors of the company is limited to the money originally invested.
Private Limited Company Limited by Guarantee (LBG)
This is an alternative type of corporation used primarily for non-profit organisations that require a legal personality (to be capable of holding legal rights and obligations within a certain legal system). A company limited by guarantee does not usually have shareholders. Instead, it has different members that act as guarantors.
Public Limited Company (PLC)
A PLC is a type of public company. It is a limited liability company whose shares may be freely sold and traded to the public. PLC’s have a minimum share capital of £50,000, similar companies in the United States are called publicly traded companies. An example of a company like this, is Sony.
“Ordinary” Business Partnership
This is a partnership where an arrangement of parties (known as partners) agree to cooperate to advance their mutual interests. These partners, may be individuals, businesses, interest-based organisations, schools, governments or combinations of them all.
Limited Partnership
A limited partnership is a form of partnership similar to a general partnership, except that where a general partnership should have at least two partners, a limited partnership only requires one and at least one other limited partner.
Limited Liability Partnership
A partnership in which some or all partners have limited liabilities. This depends on the jurisdiction too. It therefore exhibits elements of partnerships and corporations. One partner is not responsible or liable for another partner’s misconduct or negligence.
Unincorporated Association
A group of individuals who enter into an agreement as volunteers to form a body. Common examples include trade associations, trade unions and learned societies. Membership is not necessarily voluntary, as it may be effectively required in order to work.
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