P1 - F - Developmental Software

P1f - Games development software

There are many different types of game development such as first second and third party including indie games which is freelance developers. For these developers to create their games they will need funding from the public who are interested in their idea by donating to their development campaign. Websites such as Kickstarter will be used to gather the sufficient funds to develop their game and fund their staff. This public funding keeps the game in complete control of the creator rather than being funded by another company which would result in them taking a share in the company or having a say in their game development.

PS4

If a freelancing developer or small independent development company wanted to create an indie game for the PlayStation 4 they would have to buy the PlayStation 4 development kit which is priced at £2000-£2500. This fee however is to actually own the kit whereas most developers are granted unprecedented access to these kits for an entire year before paying a fee if they want to have it for any longer.  These SDK’s or software development kits are what these developers use to create and port their games to these consoles as the coding to each game console of Xbox One and PS4 are different.

Xbox One

The SDK for Xbox One is a dual SDK and allows developers to create games for not only the Xbox One but for also the PC version of Xbox games or even just “Windows Live Games” as Microsoft created both of these companies. The fee to use the SDK kits is disclosed to the public and is only mentioned to when a company wants to use the kit. Its been reported that they range between $2000-$10000 which is substantially more than the PS3 and Nintendo SDK kits. The SDK kit however is more useful for developers as it allows them to convert their Xbox game and port it to PC format much easier rather than changing the entire coding of the game as the Xbox 360 and the Windows Live Games service have the same coding which allows easier porting of games over platforms for developers. However in newer updates they have made it more accessible and is reportedly now $399 for the starter kit for producing kinect games.

Iphone

If a company wants to develop for the IPhone they will have to purchase an SDK which in essence is free to create a game but to actually publish it is $99 per year. This allows many different developers to create games at a low cost to then where they submit their games to apple to then be reviewed to as whether to be released on the app store or not. If the game or app is released onto the app store the developers take 70% of the profits and Apple take 30% these profits are generated through advertisements and paid content such as add ons.


sources:
http://uk.ign.com/articles/2013/06/26/xbox-one-kinect-for-windows-developers-priced-at-399

http://www.macworld.com/article/1132404/sdkthoughts.html

https://www.polygon.com/2013/7/24/4553842/so-how-much-does-it-cost-to-develop-for-playstation-4

P1 - E - Regulatory Bodies

P1 – E – Regulations

PEGI which in full is called The Pan-European Game Information. It was designed to be the European regulator to help European parents be informed of what games are suitable to be bought for certain ages. It was released in 2003 and replaced the individual regulating boards of each European country so that they all abide by the same rules. According to the Pegi website it is currently active in 30 countries. Some examples are: UK, France, Spain, Italy, Sweden and Austria. PEGI is widely popular with the content creators and platform holders as this allows games to be marketed at the same ratings throughout different European nations.

The age rating system is the same within all these different countries so it is easily recognisable even in different countries.

PEGI 3

The lowest type of age rating within PEGI is PEGI 3. This age rating is given to video games which are suitable to all age groups. Many sporting games are in this category due to no violence or and sort of bad language or graphic content. Many children’s games fall into this category which means most Pegi 3 games are for children. Most PEGI 3 games are very fantasied and usually have cartoon type graphics and not have any sort of inappropriate content you would not show children.

PEGI 7
This type of game usually is similar to a PEGI 3 game but can have slightly more violence in and can have slightly more realistic scenes or characters which can be related to unlike PEGI 3 games. Not too many games are rated 7 they are mostly 3 but this rating is a safety net preventing them from going straight up to age rating of 12.

PEGI 12

Video Games, which lean more towards antics that are more violent, would be rated a 12. Usually the characters are more realistic and the actual graphics are realistic as well as the storylines. The language can be particularly bad but not extremely vulgar so this would mean sexual references and bad language exists but is not extensive. The violence is also more realistic but is not graphic.

PEGI 16

The PEGI 16 Rating is applied to video games once the sexual or violent activity is to a certain extent where is realistic and includes derogatory terms and racist language which people may find personally offensive. The storylines are more realistic and the actual gameplay feels real also. Things such as drug use and alcohol is used more frequently such as people being drunk which would be too exposing for a younger audience.

PEGI 18

The 18 or adult rated game is the most explicit language and violent game rating usually. For example, GTA V is an 18 due to the torture and bad language used. Very in depth violence and real life type storylines which are sensitive to younger audiences are classed as an 18 rating. Many violent games today are rated 18 due to the extensive use of blood etc.

Each PEGI rated game there is a more in-depth description to what is actually featured in the game. It informs parents and the consumer to what they will experience. There are eight categories, which a game can fall into, and it can be in more than one. , bad language, fear, drugs, sexual, discrimination, gambling and online gameplay with other people. The logos are displayed below to show what they mean visually and then has what it means within the box.

Bad Language
Game contains bad language

Discrimination
Game contains depictions of, or material which may encourage, discrimination

Drugs
Game refers to or depicts the use of drugs

Fear
Game may be frightening or scary for young children

Gambling
Games that encourage or teach gambling

Sex
Game depicts nudity and/or sexual behaviour or sexual references

Violence
Game contains depictions of violence

Online gameplay
Game can be played online



All this information was obtained via www.pegi.com they have a page dedicated to their ratings and reasons to justify why also.