The Games Game May 2011

 

Hi Tom,

 

In the course of reading through the generous material at Sloperama, one gets a very clear idea of what to expect of the game industry based on it's history to date. The distinction between Publisher and Developer was made quite clear, especially with regards to those desiring to break into the video game design industry.

My curiosity was piqued while reading an article in the May 2011 issue of Electronic Gaming Monthly ("Going Rogue at GDC", by Bitmob's Demian Linn). Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter discussed a growing shift in the center of power, trending from the Publisher to the Developer. "Overall developer compensation has gone up a lot... and that means more for the creators and less for the publishers." At the end of the article, Pachter is quoted as saying "Publishers are a slowly dying model; the power is slowly shifting to developers."

I would very much like to know your thoughts on the subject, as it affects video game hopefuls. Although there exists more opportunity for career advancement within Developers' organizations, QA testing positions are more plentiful with Publishers due to the fact that they are usually much larger organizations.

So: IS this a forecast for the Publisher/Developer relationship in the video game industry, and IF SO, is it accurate to say that those pursuing careers in the video game industry may need to adjust their view of targeting Publishers to start their careers, since the Developer (historically) has held wider opportunity for career advancement anyway?

Thank you very much!

Matthew Kindig

 

Hi Matthew,

Since I'm not a Wall Street analyst, I don't have access to the data they do.  From where I sit, I haven't seen clear signs that developers are gaining power over publishers, but I have seen shifts due to the impact of online sales and social games.  Like music publishers, and book publishers, and video publishers, game publishers do have to think carefully and act intelligently in light of the changing nature of the marketing and sale of entertainment media.  Some game publishers own development studios, and I suppose it's true that there's quite a bit of power wielded by those studio heads.  And there are unquestionably some powerful game developers who've earned their clout by means of some highly successful titles.  Does that mean publishers are on the way out?  If it does, then I'd agree with Pachter that it's gonna be slow.

As for which type of company someone should target in a job search, I'd say it depends.  To those who aspire to be producers and eventually executive decision-makers, I'd say apply to publishers.  Those who aspire to be designers or lead programmers or art directors, on the other hand, would be best advised to look for opportunities with developers. 

Working at a publisher, you'll get exposed to everything on the business/commerce side. If you want to later start a development company, you'll know what you're dealing with.  You will probably want development experience too, before you go the startup route.

Working at a developer, you get to see all the creative challenges as well as the roadblocks thrown at you by publishers and platform holders. If you want to start your own development company, it might also be a good idea to work a while at a publisher so you understand why they do what they do.