Game Studio Research Articles

A Study on the Impact of Cross-Border M&A on Firm Performance -- A Case Study of Tencent's Acquisition of Sumo Group

With the advocacy of the strategy of "bringing in and going out" in recent years, cross-border mergers and acquisitions in the game industry have become a major way for the development of the game industry. Chinese Internet company-Tencent is one of the largest leaders in the whole China's game industry. In recent years, Tencent has made many attempts to acquire overseas game companies to help them with the market competition. Among them the most important one must be Tencent's acquisition of the UK's sumo group in 2017.This paper uses the case study method to study the performance development and overall revenue changes of Chinese Internet company Tencent after its acquisition of UK-based sumo group game studio in 2021. This paper analyzes the motivation of Tencent's acquisition of sumo group, performance impact analysis, development prospects and other aspects, and finally draws a conclusion. At the same time, it puts forward suggestions for Tencent's future development strategy.

A far cry from greatness: Christian fundamentalism, liberty porn and the ‘good people’ of Trump’s America in Far Cry 5

This article offers a close reading of Ubisoft’s Far Cry 5 (FC5) (2018) in the context of apocalyptic rhetorics and evangelical Christian nationalism during the Trump Era. Building upon my previous work with video game chronotopes (2021) and Sören Schoppmeier’s analysis of the retrotopic, ‘nostalgia time’ in the game (2022), I analyse the doubled temporality of nostalgia time and apocalyptic time as deployed spatially in the game in combination with the game’s wanton use of ‘liberty porn’: undisciplined appeals to liberty and freedom through narrative, iconography and cutscene to instil respect and favour for the largely imagined plights of the right-wing inhabitants of the game’s fictional Hope County. Drawing heavily on examples of right-wing violence, attacks on civil rights and Christian fundamentalism during the Trump Era, this article draws concerning parallels between FC5’s rhetorical achievement and Trump’s embrace of white supremacist narratives – like ‘replacement theory’ – and militia groups, fashioning them as ‘good people’, a rhetoric similarly deployed throughout the game. Ultimately, this article argues for more corporate responsibility among game studios when it comes to deploying right-wing narratives and a bolder refutation of such reactionary games by game studies scholars, especially when parodic value is limited or largely absent.

Virtual Reality: Challenges of VR Game Development for Emerging Game Studios

This article is meant to investigate the challenges potentially being faced by an emerging game studio that tends to make VR games in early 2023 where VR technologies hit a plateau which barely having new features coming up, plus the decreasing population of VR players has advocated VR game development to face severe challenges to succeed in the VR field, thus, not being an early bird in the VR game field but tend to join this industry now could be found challenging. This paper explores the challenges faced by emerging game studios in the development, marketing, and economic realms of VR game production. It provides a comprehensive analysis from both macro and micro perspectives, drawing on existing research and scholarly conclusions. By addressing key points highlighted in the article, it advocates for the potential entry of small game studios into the VR gaming domain. Specifically, it delves into challenges concerning hardware, exclusivity, storytelling, marketing, user acceptance, competition, platforms, uncertainties, funding acquisition, short-term sustainability, originality, publishing regions, and engine selection.

MANAGEMENT OF IT PROJECTS IN THE FIELD OF GAMEDEV

In the work, an analytical review of the most relevant state in the field of IT project management in the game studio, which releases its products on Microsoft Windows and Android OS platforms, is carried out. The data was collected between the last quarter of 2023 and the first quarter of 2024 by an employee of this company and is reliable at this time. The company that provided the data for writing the article has been on the Ukrainian market for more than six years and is well-known on digital distribution platforms such as Steam and Epic Store. Information from periodicals devoted to business analytics, finance, and project management was also used.

Evolutionary game analysis of online game studios and online game companies participating in the virtual economy of online games.

In the context of the new economic development in the post-pandemic era, "play" labor as an important component of digital work has become an inexhaustible driving force for the growth of the digital economy. Previous research has shown that "play" labor, as an emerging business model, can effectively promote the growth of the digital economy. However, there is a relative lack of research on the dynamic evolutionary game between "play" labor suppliers represented by game studios and online gaming companies. In this study, we applied the theoretical approach of dynamic evolutionary game theory to establish a game model depicting the evolution of both parties involved in the virtual economy of online gaming. The aim was to investigate the strategic selection mechanisms and influencing factors for game studios and online gaming companies participating in the virtual economy of online gaming. By analyzing the evolutionary game path, equilibrium points, and factors influencing the evolutionary game outcome, as well as conducting numerical simulation analysis using Matlab software, we found that the incremental gains and costs resulting from the strategic choices of online gaming companies and game studios in engaging in the virtual economy of online gaming affect the evolutionary outcomes. In addition, for the probability ratio of online game studios and online game companies choosing to participate in the virtual economy of online games, whether it is online game studios or online game companies, the larger the initialization ratio, the more likely the evolution result is to develop in a mutually beneficial direction. After an in-depth analysis and discussion of the evolutionary game results, relevant policy recommendations were proposed. We hope to provide a reference for promoting online game companies to strengthen the adequate supervision of online game studios' participation in the virtual economy of online games and optimize and improve the virtual economic environment.

How time flows making games: An ethnographic analysis of experiences of temporality in an indie videogame studio

In research on videogame production, much attention has been given, justifiably, to ‘crunch’, whereby employees in large studios work extremely long hours for months at a time prior to a game’s launch, at the request of management. There has to date been limited research about how duration and urgency are experienced at other periods, and also in the economically and culturally significant ‘independent’ (or indie) sectors and companies. This article draws on a Deleuzian framework initially developed to analyse experience of temporality in academic research, and applies it to data generated by an ethnography of a UK-based indie game studio, which examined how games are produced as part of a more routine working life. The framework enables a re-examination of how ‘passionate’ work in the cultural industries is lived day-to-day, and aims to contribute to debates about the politics of time in the games sector, offering analytic resources which expand the vocabulary for expressing desired experiences of time in game work.

Level Building Sidekick: An AI-Assisted Level Editor Package for Unity

Developing an original video game requires high investment levels, market research, cost-effective solutions, and a quick development process. Game developers usually reach for commercial off-the-shelf components often available in the engine's marketplace to reduce costs. Mixed-initiative authoring tools allow us to combine the thoughtful work of human designers with the productivity gains of automated techniques. However, most commercial AI-assisted Procedural Content Generation tools focus on generating small independent components, and standalone research tools available for generating full game levels with state-of-the-art algorithms usually lack integration with commercial game engines. This article aims to fill this gap between industry and academia. The Level Building Sidekick (LBS) is a mixed-initiative procedural content generation tool built by our research lab in association with four small independent game studios. It has a modular software architecture that enables developers to extend it for their particular projects. The current version has two working modules for building game maps, an early version of a module for populating the level with NPCs or items, and the first stages of a quest editor module. An automated testing module is planned. LBS is distributed as an AI-Assisted videogame-level editor Unity package. Usability testing performed using the ``Think-Aloud'' methodology indicates LBS has the potential to improve game development processes convincingly. However, at this stage, the user interface and the AI recommendations could improve their intuitiveness. As a general comment, the tool is perceived as a substantial contribution to facilitating and shortening development times, compared to only using the base game engine. There is an untapped market for mixed-initiative tools that assist the game designer in creating complete game levels. We expect to fill that market for our partner development studios and provide the community with an open research and development platform in a standard game engine.

<em>Roblox</em> and Meta Verch

<em>Roblox</em> and Meta Verch

Leadership Types in Support of Creativity and Innovation Within Video Game Studios in Indonesia

Leadership Types in Support of Creativity and Innovation Within Video Game Studios in Indonesia

Review of Educational Benefits of Game Jams: Participant and Industry Perspective

There are some studies on the educational potential of game jams, but their number seems insufficient given the hundreds of thousands of game jam participants every year. What emerges as the largest research gap is the game industry perspective: its involvement in game jamming and motivations for doing so. This study is a reaction to this research gap. Current research defined some educational benefits of game jams, but how these benefits are relevant for the game industry is radically underresearched. Clarifying this missing link might be essential to the widespread use of game jams as platforms for collaboration between the academia and the game industry. This explorative study answers the following questions: What do we know about the learning outcomes of game jams for participants? How are (or are not) those outcomes relevant for the game industry? How and why do (or do not) video game studios engage with game jams? If so, are the studios also motivated by educational benefits? Our paper is based on a systematic review of resources from 10 academic databases using search operators and pre-defined criteria, and also on direct data collection from the video game industry. The study suggests that game jams can improve soft and hard skills that the video game industry appreciates. Also, the findings suggest that the video game industry is aware of game jams’ educational benefits and that these benefits are one of the main motivators for game companies to get involved in game jams.

Co-op mode: the emancipatory potential of freelancer co-operatives in the UK videogames industry following the COVID-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT With government-imposed lockdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic, one would expect the videogames industry to experience a windfall as locked-down individuals turn to games to fill the time. Despite successful profit margins for game studios, a multitude of issues have affected videogames freelancers, with this paper displaying how the pandemic has not been plain sailing for the industry. Informed by 31 interviews with freelancers and videogames practitioners, this paper adds to knowledge on the viability of worker co-operatives and how they offer hope to those workers looking for more emotional and financial security post-pandemic. The paper concludes by suggesting that although co-operatives provide alleviation for workers against a multitude of concerns, there needs to be more education, promotion and funding for co-ops to make them an accessible corporate structure.

Harassment of game makers: Prevalence and impact

Background: Online harassment is a relatively commonplace occurrence in the video gaming industry and player communities. A lack of diversity has unquestionably contributed to the high levels of such incidences. Methods: In this paper, we take an exploratory approach, via a cross-sectional observational study, to evaluate the harassment of game industry professionals on social media. In this new sphere of growing concern, there is evidence of significant harm for game makers and their radius of impact. We will discuss the prevalence rates, nature of harassment, and the ways in which a lack of diversity has contributed to this phenomenon. Results: In total, 282 video game industry professionals completed the survey in its entirety. More than half of all participants reported experiencing harassment on social media (59.6%) and nearly all reported witnessing harassment happening to other members of the videogames industry via social media (92.2%). This harassment can have a significant impact on well-being, including increased anxiety (62.1%), feelings of isolation (37.6%) and increased depression (36.2%). Almost one quarter (23.8%) reported symptoms related to post-traumatic stress disorder. One out of 10 participants reported suicidal thoughts because of online harassment. A significant number of respondents (37.3%) reported that had to take steps to reduce their physical safety due to online harassment. Over half of all respondents saying they were targets of hate because of some aspect of their identity. Conclusions: The results indicate high rates of online harassment, both direct and indirect, among members of the gaming industry at all levels. Responses also pointed to substantial mental health and behavioral impacts of both experiencing and witnessing online harassment. Without large-scale action, this problem will continue to reinforce the lack of diversity inside game studios, pushing out marginalized employees due to a hostile work environment.

A strategy for reducing skills gap for the game development sector of the Indonesian creative industries

The Indonesian creative economy has been on the rise since 2015 when it has started being measured and prioritized by the government. Its contribution towards the Indonesian GDP has risen significantly as well. A small part of that creative sector is the video game industry and market. The video game global market will be worth USD 200 Billion in 2023. Indonesia currently is ranked 16th in terms of market size. Although having an enormous market opportunity, local video game producers only contribute 1%. Growth opportunities exist, however local game studios are facing the difficulty of recruiting quality game developers. Higher education institutions need to produce graduates having the knowledge, competences, and skills relevant for their work. This study is done to identify and prioritize attributes for the design of a university level program in game development that ensures employability in the sector. A qualitative thematic analysis is done in identifying the important factors for an academic program, followed by an analytical hierarchical process in determining the factors. Result of the study shows that a curriculum with internships in game studios, ensuring students are knowledgeable on the business models & video game market, having practitioners teach in the program, and creating a community of practice in the university is essential in producing quality graduates.

Harassment of game makers: Prevalence and impact

Background: Online harassment is a relatively commonplace occurrence in the video gaming industry and player communities. A lack of diversity has unquestionably contributed to the high levels of such incidences. Methods: In this paper, we take an exploratory approach, via a cross-sectional observational study, to evaluate the harassment of game industry professionals on social media. In this new sphere of growing concern, there is evidence of significant harm for game makers and their radius of impact. We will discuss the prevalence rates, nature of harassment, and the ways in which a lack of diversity has contributed to this phenomenon. Results: In total, 282 video game industry professionals completed the survey in its entirety. More than half of all participants reported experiencing harassment on social media (59.6%) and nearly all reported witnessing harassment happening to other members of the videogames industry via social media (92.2%). This harassment can have a significant impact on well-being, including increased anxiety (62.1%), feelings of isolation (37.6%) and increased depression (36.2%). Almost one quarter (23.8%) reported symptoms related to post-traumatic stress disorder. One out of 10 participants reported suicidal thoughts because of online harassment. A significant number of respondents (37.3%) reported that had to take steps to reduce their physical safety due to online harassment. Over half of all respondents saying they were targets of hate because of some aspect of their identity. Conclusions: The results indicate high rates of online harassment, both direct and indirect, among members of the gaming industry at all levels. Responses also pointed to substantial mental health and behavioral impacts of both experiencing and witnessing online harassment. Without large-scale action, this problem will continue to reinforce the lack of diversity inside game studios, pushing out marginalized employees due to a hostile work environment.

The Concept of Automatic Creation Tool for Computer Game Scenario Prototype

The experience of game studios shows that classical methodologies of software development are poorly implemented in video game development because of the interactive component of this area, related to the correct creation of feedback between the game and the user. In addition, video game development involves a large number of developers from different areas, whose activities must be coordinated in the project.
 Despite these differences, video games, like any other developed software, need a development team organization process. In this article we reviewed traditional software development methodologies, as well as modifications specializing specifically in video game development. The most popular methodologies were compared and the quality of their implementation in video game development studios was determined.

Level Design Processes and Challenges: A Cross Section of Game Development

This article examines level design processes and challenges at professional game studios. Thematic analysis of data, recorded through field studies and semi-structured interviews, identify four key themes: level design as an interdisciplinary effort; who is the level designer; the role of narrative in level design; and challenges of managing creativity in the level design process. Results indicate that while the role called level designer is often assigned to specific disciplines, the process of level design is usually highly interdisciplinary. Furthermore, this interdisciplinary collaboration requires management to maintain both creativity and efficient pipelines, by distributing ownership and facilitating communication and planning. The level design process seems particularly vulnerable to suboptimal interdisciplinary communication and planning, due to significant reliance on narrative design, game design, art, sound design, and tool development. While this article addresses level design specifically, most observations are comparable to previous findings on game development in general.

Precarity and State Liberal Approach toward Indonesian Local Game Industry

This paper aims to portrait the contemporary situation of Indonesian local game industry regarding the working-class issues and state approach to the development and sustainability. As Indonesian local game industry began a new era after state recognition in 2014, the industrial durability in the national creative sector is often questioned. A case study method is applied to response and diagnose one of the newest creative economic sectors in Indonesia. Interviewing various parties such as two related state ministries, twelve founders of local game studios, ten local game workers, and representative of labor union. The result exposes a liberal approach from the state in nurturing local game industry such as free-market competition, nescience, and quasi-patronage. This particular style of state’s cultural policy to local gaming industry has resulted in precarious situation among local game labors as the state’s instruments in contemporary creative industry.

The dark side of crypto gaming guilds

Crypto gaming guilds are an evolution of traditional gaming guilds, communities of players concentrated on mutual support. In the contrast to the scope of traditional guilds, crypto gaming guilds have been established as organizations focused on earning money. Crypto gaming guilds concentrate on players from developing countries, offering them a chance to earn income without the necessity to invest funds for playing play-to-earn games. The communication of these guilds is full of positive stories of people alleviated from poverty or raising through hierarchies of their guild. Yet this bright image has its dark side and crypto gaming guilds provide ample opportunities for criticism. While in the traditional gaming guilds players have a central role, in crypto gaming guilds they have become inferior compared to other stakeholders. The reason is that new stakeholder groups, investors and game studios, have risen to prominence as they bring in money to the guild. Given the fact that players often come from developing countries with low wages, this situation creates a potential for their exploitation. Yet even without exploitation, the content of their new jobs has characteristics very similar to infamous “bullshit jobs”, pointless and unnecessary employment. It remains open whether crypto gaming guilds will fulfill their publicly communicated promises or turn evil in the future. However, in both cases, they will face their dark side. And they will either overcome it or embrace it.

Digging the Digital: Beat Modalities and the Representation of the Beats in Video Games

Ever since setting their foot on the social and cultural landscapes of the post-World War II realities, the Beats have been both the subject of and subject to pop-cultural representations and appropriations. While figurations of Beat sensibility in film, television, press and popular music have been well recognized and analyzed, an area which remains uninvestigated for Beat influences, perhaps due to its relatively short pop-cultural presence, is the one of video games. Recent years, which have marked the release of titles such as Fallout 4 (Bethesda Game Studios, 2015) and Life Is Strange (Square Enix, 2015), attest to a certain amount of interest invested in Beat mythos by both indie game developers and the biggest game studios in the world, thereby opening a new chapter in representing the Beats in visual media. By, on the one hand, mapping out the categories of Beat references in video game narratives and, on the other, setting them against the backdrop of existing models of (mis)appropriating the Beats in visual culture, I will seek to explore the ways in which video game designers venture into the Beat ethos and I wish to address the implications this bears for the lineage of Beat pop-cultural presence. The final part of the essay takes a closer look at Fallout 4, making references to such theoretical concepts as Derridean hauntology, Zygmunt Bauman’s retrotopia and Simon Reynolds’ retromania, to further demonstrate how complex and ambiguous Beat video-game figurations can be.

Immersive machine learning for social attitude detection in virtual reality narrative games

People can understand how human interaction unfolds and can pinpoint social attitudes such as showing interest or social engagement with a conversational partner. However, summarising this with a set of rules is difficult, as our judgement is sometimes subtle and subconscious. Hence, it is challenging to program Non-Player Characters (NPCs) to react towards social signals appropriately, which is important for immersive narrative games in Virtual Reality (VR). We collaborated with two game studios to develop an immersive machine learning (ML) pipeline for detecting social engagement. We collected data from participants-NPC interaction in VR, which was then annotated in the same immersive environment. Game design is a creative process and it is vital to respect designer’s creative vision and judgement. We therefore view annotation as a key part of the creative process. We trained a reinforcement learning algorithm (PPO) with imitation learning rewards using raw data (e.g. head position) and socially meaningful derived data (e.g. proxemics); we compared different ML configurations including pre-training and a temporal memory (LSTM). The pre-training and LSTM configuration using derived data performed the best (84% F1-score, 83% accuracy). The models using raw data did not generalise. Overall, this work introduces an immersive ML pipeline for detecting social engagement and demonstrates how creatives could use ML and VR to expand their ability to design more engaging experiences. Given the pipeline’s results for social engagement detection, we generalise it for detecting human-defined social attitudes.