Interview: The Video Game Industry

The video game industry, more commonly known as interactive entertainment has revolutionized the media marketplace over the past few decades. The progression of interactive entertainment into mainstream media is mainly a result of the advancements in technology over recent years. Better computers, better consoles, better televisions quite simply allow for the production of better games. Companies such as Playstation, Microsoft and Nintendo, which have been manufacturing games for decades, have been able to acquire huge fan bases and thousands of game developers and employee’s. Movie producers are beginning to notice the success of video games as well and the production of many game based movies have begun. Each company (Microsoft, Playstation etc) bring their own unique aspects to the world of gaming such as facial recognition, motion sensors, 3D gaming and voice recognition to name a few. They are online shows, soundtracks, books, clothing, posters, movies, clubs, websites, and conventions all dedicated to the gaming industry. With every new game, comes new possibilities, new ideas, and new forms of interaction. There is speculation that as early as 2012 that video games will become an actual alternative reality and players will mentally enter a new world, with each new game they play. This is what makes the video game industry completely unique from other forms of media; it is constantly changing, constantly improving and constantly growing.

Machinima

Machinima, is the use 3D graphics and engines to generate computer animation. Machinima.com is a website full of such animations, which have grown in popularity with the dominance of video games in the entertainment industry. Companies such as Rooster Teeth have used various video games such as Halo, Fear, The Sims, GTA and Half Life to create multiple series of shows with a comedic adaptation. These shows, which are now downloadable and purchasable on DVD, provide an alternate take on the experiences of key characters in different video games. As technology has developed, the ability to create such machinimas has become easier than ever. Machinima's are now made by fans worldwide, and provide many alternative stories and events to popular games.

Machinima is mainly a video site, which hosts different series and shows; it does however also provide reviews, forums, contests and news on the latest in video games. Machinima is also widely known for its Inside Gaming show, which airs on the web Wednesdays and Saturdays. This show gives viewers the inside scoop on what's new in the gaming universe. Users are able to subscribe to all shows and series, so that they are automatically downloaded and sorted as soon as they are updated.

Game Informer

Game Informer is a monthly video game magazine featuring articles regarding news, previews, reviews, tips and more. The magazine is very successful, having nearly 3 million subscribers, making it the highest circulated video game magazine. It is listed as the 12th largest magazine (U.S.) and is among the top four magazines for males between the ages of 18 to 34. It is owned by GameStop (a video game store), allowing for in store promotions, which have played a large role in the establishment of its large subscription base. A subscription is also included with the purchase of a GameStop, Gamers Edge discount card.

In November of 2009, Game Informer underwent a complete redesign of its magazine and online website. The website, which closed in 2001 and later reopened in 2003, now has many additional features such as a review database, news updates and exclusive "unlimited" content for those who are subscribers. The magazine has also caused various spin offs and in 2008 a Game Infarcer issue was a mix of Assassins Creed and Dawson's Creek (Assassins Creek). Game Informer also has an annual Sacred Cow Barbecue, which is similar to a celebrity roast, except the targets are various gaming icons.

Gamefaqs

Gamefaqs is a video game based website with emphasis on video game faqs, walkthroughs, tutorials, cheats, screen shots, saved games and reviews. Gamefaq's is a website designed to assist gamers who are finding various games difficult. The website encourages user participation through the message board and is constantly asking users their opinions, through the use of a daily opinion poll. It is estimated that every day approximately 20,000 topics and 200, 000 messages are posted on one of Gamefaqs 60,000 message boards.

As technology has developed so has the complexity of video games. With this increased complexity comes the need for reliable sources of aid. This is one of the main foundations of Gamefaq's; it exists merely as an informational database, which provides useful hints, tips, tutorials and even full walkthroughs. As an independent affiliate of Imagine Games Network (IGN), Gamefaq's stands as one of the best sites for video game help. There is also no shortage of contests and user polls on the Gamefaq website, keeping users involved and motivated. The included video is a brand new trailer for Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 featuring Eminem.

GameTrailers: Top 10 Video Game Theme Songs

GameTrailers is unique to other video game based websites in a variety of ways. For starters, it has its own television show that airs on Spike TV Thursday nights at 12:30am. The television program provides various information regarding newly released and upcoming games. The television program first began in 2005 and has gradually evolved over the years. Another aspect of GameTrailers, which makes it unique from other gaming websites is the ability to earn Game Trailers Points (GTP). These points earned through participation in forums and other interactions with the website allow users to purchase various merchandise and receive special virtual privileges. Users are also able to create groups known as "factions" that are private groups with access to private forums. Created based on favourite games or other interests, these factions allow users to find other individuals with similar opinions and interests. GameTrailers also makes many videos through the use of user polls. These polls allow users to vote on various topics, including: favourite games, characters, theme songs, genres, weapons etc. The video included is the top 10 video game theme songs, chosen by GameTrailer users.

Gamespot

Gamespot is one of the most popular gaming websites, providing the lastest news, previews, reviews, downloads and more. Gamespot encourages users to participate in group forums allowing them to make their own game reviews, blogs and articles. In 2004, Spike TV deemed Gamespot as the Best Gaming Website according to Spike TV viewers. It's main sources of competition include: IGN, 1UP and Gamespy but it remains one of the most visited websites, attracting 60 million visitors annually.

Gamespot covers nearly every platform including: Dreamcast, Nintendo 64, Gameboy, Sega Saturn, Gamecube, Xbox, Playstation and more. Gamespot is known for its annual Game of the Year, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots as the winner of 2008. Its large community allows users to make profiles and participate in forum discussion. The video included is a show known as "On the Spot", hosted by Shaun McInnis. The show discusses newly released games as well as upcoming ones. It also provides reviews, tips, updates, news and more as well as various gaming merchandise that can be won.

IGN: Video Games, Cheats, Movies and More

IGN Entertainment is a multimedia news and reviews website with emphasis placed on video games. It is a large corporation that also owns and controls various other sites including: Gamespy, AskMen and Rotten Tomatoes. Formerly known as Imagine Games Network, its website includes "channels" covering a vast array of information including: music, movies, games, television, comic books, gear and more. The game related channels cover systems such as: Playstation 3, Playstation 2, Wii, Nintendo DS, PSP, Xbox 360, Retro and the iPhone.

IGN Entertainment was founded in 1996, consisting of 5 individual websites within Imagine Publishing. In 2005 it was claimed by IGN that they had an average of 24 million visitors a month and is ranked among the top 200 most visited websites. Widely known for its extensive reviews of the newest games and movies, it has become a reliable source of information for gamers worldwide. Users and visitors are able to participate in blogs, forums, contests and can subscribe to various IGN videos and podcasts.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

Activison Blizzard Inc has done it again with the release of Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2. An estimated 4.7 million copies were sold on its first day of release worth an estimated $310 million (U.S), a new record for the video game industry. As one of the most highly anticipated games of the year, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 has lived up to and exceeded the expectations of its predecessor. As the sixth installment of the Call of Duty franchise it has helped contribute to the $50 billion global gaming industry. Known mostly for its incredible online multiplayer and intense live action sequences, this game is sure to keep gamers entertained for months to come. The game has already caused various debates regarding the inclusion of a very graphic and intense scene, where you are forced to execute unarmed Russian civilians in an Russian airport as part of a terrorist regime. Many instances of the game play much more like movie scenes than the cut scenes we are used to and the overall presentation of the game is phenomenal. The inclusion of a new Spec Ops mode allows players to play co cooperatively rather than competitively and provides many challenges that even the most experienced Call of Duty players will find difficult. Although the main campaign is brief and should take players no more than 6 hours to complete, the games re playability and reward system will keep players entertained for months to come.

Game Based Feature Films

With the popularity of video games on steady rise, it is no surprise to find movie companies scrambling to buy up the rights to produce various feature films based on successful video game franchises. Prince of Persia, which began growing in popularity in 2003 with the release of Sands of Time on Playstation 2 and Xbox is now a feature film due for release in May. Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, Prince of Persia is the story of a young prince who is able to control the sands of time with an ancient dagger. This dagger is wanted by various tyrants for their own personal gains and it is up to the prince to destroy the dagger before an inevitable Armageddon befalls the world. Prince of Persia is merely the first of many game based films that will be released this year and I believe will start a very successful trend. Various other rumored movie releases include: Bioshock, Kane and Lynch, Silent Hill 2 and the infamous World of Warcraft. The success of such movies is dependent upon the producers ability to properly recreate key characters and events that stay true to their video game counterpart.

Red vs Blue: Online Video Series (Based Off the Halo Franchise)

The fan made Red vs Blue online mini series created by Rooster Teeth has taken the online marketplace by storm. Now it it's sixth seasons, it stands as one of the most successful online machinima's to date. Rooster Teeth is known for several other popular machinima's and has a large fanbase which participate both in online forums and in various contests allowing users to win various Rooster Teeth merchandise. The success of such machinima's are a result of the growing interest and success of video games. Fans of popular games such as Halo find a new means to connect with these fantasy worlds in ways new to the media marketplace. People are able to create their own fan made episodes and shows and show them to the world with the use of sites such as YouTube. The media marketplace is larger and more accessible than ever and our job to be consumers is easier than ever. Red vs Blue pits two various teams in a location known as Blood Gultch during which there are many unfortunate and...interesting side stories. The Blue Team which consists of Church, Caboose and Tucker and the Red Team consisting of Sarge, Griff and Simmonds. Their triumphs and trials have become a source of entertainment and amusement for thousands of fans.

Playstation 9: The Future of Gaming?

Playstion 3: 3-D Gaming

Sony has announced that Playstation 3 will be exploring the world of 3D gaming sometime in 2010. All that will be required will be the purchase of 3D glasses and owning a television with 3D output capability. This new feature will work with all existing games on the system and will be released via a system update over the Playstation Network. With the huge success of 3D movies in recent years, it's no surprise that this technology has entered the world of interactive entertainment. Sony is hopeful that this new application will be a direct competitor for Microsoft's new "motion controllers", known as Project Natal. Sony believes that the average gamer won’t follow suit with this new controller- free gaming and Microsoft's new bright idea will fall flat. This new 3D interface will encourage users to peak around corners, look around cover and experience a new level of submersion into next generation consoles. This is not the first time however that video games have made use of 3D software; both the original Nintendo and Sega Master System utilized 3D glasses. Game developers are hopeful that next generation consoles will provide them with the software to explore new areas of game development and provide users with a fully immersive environment. If the success of 3D movies in recent years is any indication of the success that 3D games may have among the media marketplace, 2010 is going to be great year for game developers.

Project Natal: Meet Milo

Project Natal: Xbox 360

Controller-free gaming? Microsoft has developed a new add on peripheral for the Xbox 360 named Project Natal. There is no longer the need to touch a controller, with motion capture, facial recognition and voice recognition. With a release date of late 2010, Microsoft is using this new add on feature to create a "new xbox 360" rather than developing an entirely new system. The motion analysis is so complex that Natal was able to track up to 4 users simultaneously, identifying even individual fingers. This new form of truly interactive entertainment, Microsoft believes is the first real step in the progression of next generation games. Users have the ability, to scan their own equipment for use in game, and are able to control the system entirely via voice command. Microsoft is hopeful that this new form of truly interactive entertainment will revolutionize the gaming marketplace and Xbox 360 will be way ahead of its competitors. Debates have begun to circulate regarding whether or not serious gamers want the removal of controllers, which they have become so accustomed to. With an unofficial retail price of roughly $80, Microsoft is hopeful the low cost will encourage gamers to at least try this new controller free entertainment. Microsoft has also recruited several major game publishers such as Activation and EA, which will begin to develop games that fully utilize the Natal system.