StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

The Impact of Digitisation and Convergence of Games - Case Study Example

Cite this document
Summary
The paper 'The Impact of Digitisation and Convergence of Games is a great example of a Business Case Study. There is little doubt in the academic circles that digitization and convergence has, and will continue having a major impact on the information and communication industry. The extent of such effects is still a subject of discussion since no one has developed a measurement instrument. …
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER91% of users find it useful

Extract of sample "The Impact of Digitisation and Convergence of Games"

The impact of digitisation and convergence of games Student’s name: Course: Tutor’s name: Date: The impact of digitisation and convergence of games There is little doubt in the academic circles that digitisation and convergence has, and will continue having a major impact on the information and communication industry. The extent of such effects is still a subject of discussion since no one has developed a measurement instrument that can predict with certainty, just how much the impact will be. In the gaming sub-sector, digitisation has enabled the delivery of games to a greater number of people on an online environment. Additionally, game developers are now able to innovate, customise and merge games in the electronic communication platform - thus giving gamers more variety, different levels of difficulties, and a new platform to interact (Sammut-Bonnici, 2008). Convergence has on the other hand enabled the speedy delivery of digitised games, and has also enabled game developers to access cheaper digitisation and system customisation costs (Sammut-Bonnici, 2008). Consequently, the developers pass on the benefits of lower costs to the gamers, who can now play online games without having to pay for the services, as was the case when online gaming was just starting. With digitisation and convergence, gaming is no longer an inflexible undertaking as was the case when players had to be in the same physical location in order to participate in the game together. As games that are more traditional become digitised, and as people work on converging games that were previously independent entities, the world of gaming will possibly become a more thrilling place for the gamers (Barr, 2000). There is also the possibility that game developers will produce more localised content, which when published online, will increase the level of difficulty in gaming, and the variety of games available in different platforms. Since game developers will have ‘older’ games to refer to, there is also a possibility of them creating hybridised games that combine some of the features contained in the old game, thus creating even more complex, engaging or entertaining games (Barr, 2000). Harwood (2011) also observes that some original game developers have since given leeway to players to modify their games by allowing the modification of source codes. Such action means that the players can create new games through adapting existing resources on specific games, fix problems on existing games or add interesting new features. Subsequently, such actions lead to spin-off games, which have the ability to develop through modifications as time goes by. Citing Machinina, which is an artistic and cultural movement developed by an online gaming community, Howard (2011) notes that digitisation and convergence can also be credited with enhanced social interaction and development. According to Finn (2002), new income-generating avenues are being created through the digitisation and convergence of games. For example, it is estimated that the video game market will grow from US$52.5 billion to US$86.8 billion in just five years between 2009 and 2014. This represents an annual growth rate of 10.6 percent. Accordingly, the game market is rated second in terms of fast growth. With majority of the world’s population being young people, online games have a ready market, which is going to last as long as more people are being born, or until a more interesting innovation that would capture the interest of the young people is discovered. Notably, the digitisation and convergence of games has benefits to the gamers who can now access a greater variety of games to choose from (Dizard, 1997). In the past, gamers would be content with sticking to one type of a gaming device (e.g. a gaming console, and maybe changing the video games from time to time). In the digital and converged gaming environment, one can change the game or his/her gaming opponents as many times as he/she wishes. Additionally, gamers can now enjoy greater graphical sophistication compared to two decades ago when game consoles were the order of the day. Economically, digitisation and convergence has had a great impact on developers of game consoles. According to Finn (2002), Microsoft was the first console developer to adopt the convergence strategy in its Xbox gaming device. Other consoles released by the likes of Sony, Nintendo, and Sega were largely seen as anti-convergence. Among the impressive characteristics of the Xbox include its online potential through broadband access, the high-capacity hard drive and the fact that it has a DVD player. It is also worth noting that the digitisation and convergence of games has prompted partnership and team efforts among the technological, software and content developers. As Finn (2002) notes, developing a technologically-advanced gaming device is not sufficient enough; rather, the developer of such a device must partner with content and software providers in order to give consumers “sufficient quantities of quality software” if success is to be guaranteed. Through digitisation and convergence, game developers are now at an increased potential of gaining economic benefits from electronic commerce. As Harwood (2011) observes, game developers can now exploit the e-commerce potential presented by the virtual communities who express interest in their games. Harwood (2011) argues that the economic potential is available to co-creators and co-producers of games. To the game consumers, Harwood (2011) notes that the digitisation and convergence of games has had an impact on how people perceive the boundaries between the fictional worlds as represented in the games and the real physical world where they reside. The perception regarding such boundaries is specifically important if one is to consider the effect it has on gamers’ ability to manage their online social identities, relationships and currencies on an online environment. The digitisation and convergence of games has also succeeded in merging cultural divides that exist in different societies. In an online gaming environment, players in the same platform can be from different cultural backgrounds and still participate in the game without any inhibitions. Notably however, Finn (2002) notes that irrespective of how technically or institutionally advanced a game is, its acceptability in a specific culture may determine its success therein. In the past, the debate on the effects that some games have on young people’s inclination to violence has been inconclusive but some writers such as Seay (2006) have indicated that games have both social and psychological impacts on gamers. The need for convergence has placed new demands on innovators, game developers, content developers and the software developers. As Costikyan (2002) observes, modern games and modern gaming platforms have to be interactive, goal-oriented, and must have some element of struggle in order to be challenging or enticing enough for gamers. Additionally, Costikyan (2002) observes that games need to have a good structure, and an endogenous meaning. The latter, according to Costikyan, means that any game must “create its own meaning” (p. 14). In order for each game to have its own distinct meaning, it needs to have a proper and maybe distinct structure. Finally according to Costikyan (2002), a game must fit into the ‘interactive entertainment’ criterion. This is especially so because many gamers do not just want a game for the sake of it; rather, they want to engage in an interactive game that not only provides them with a socialisation platform, but also a mode of entertainment. When such demands are placed on the innovators, content and software developers, and game developers, the gaming public are rewarded with more flexible and interactive games. Additionally, the need to provide the public with superior gaming solutions has increased the level of investment that companies dedicate to game-related research and development. As Costikyan (2002) citing LeBlanc notes, if game developers are to fully satisfy the needs of gamers who are placing more demands on the industry as digitisation and convergence continues gaining currency, they must learn to create games that appeal to the gamers’ sensations, fantasies, narrative and the quest for challenges. Additionally, the games must offer gamers a sense of fellowship since gamers usually perceive themselves as a community brought together by their collective interest in gaming. Additionally, Costikyan (2002) argues that games need to be objects of discovery if they are to appeal to gamers. If there was nothing in games to discover, chances are that the games would be too boring for gamers to take interest in them anymore. This means that game developers face an ever-present challenge to keep the games as unpredictable as possible. It is worth noting that gaming communities usually engage in more than just gaming experiences and the satisfaction that it offers. According to McGonigal (2010), in addition to interacting in abstract and digital forms, gamers also take time to discuss their immediate surrounding. As such, McGonigal argues that video games give players a platform where they can find solutions to some of the pressing social problems like global warming. Although this may seem like a far-fetched thought to many, it is worth noting that the gaming platforms give people from diverse cultures and society a chance to dialogue. It is thus probable that such dialogue would come up with the much needed solutions for some of the identified problems. Besides, the abstract games can invoke some thoughts and ideas, which when nurtured can provide solutions to pressing societal issues. References Barr, T. (2000). New media .com .au: the changing face of Australia’s media and communications. Sydney: Allen & Unwin. Costikyan, G. (2002). “I Have No Words & I Must Design: Toward a Critical Vocabulary for Games.” (F. Mayra, Ed.) Proceedings of Computer Games and Digital Cultures Conference. Retrieved 13 July 2011, from http://www.costik.com/nowords2002.pdf Dizard, W. (1997). Old media, new media: mass communication in the digital age. NY: Longman. Finn, M. (2002). “Console games in the age of convergence.” Proceedings of Computer Games and Digital Cultures Conference, ed. Frans Mäyrä.Tampere: Tampere University Press. Pp. 45-58 Harwood, T. (2011). Virtual worlds and e-commerce: technologies and applications for building customer relationships. NY: IGI Global. DOI: 10.4018/978-1-61692-808-7.ch004 Sammut-Bonnici, T. (2008). “Effects of convergence and digitisation on the ICT industry.” Retrieved 13 July 2011, from: http://staff.um.edu.mt/tsam1/index.html Seay, A. (2006). “Project massive: the social and psychological impact of online gaming.” Dissertation Chapter. pp. 1-156. Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(The Impact of Digitisation and Convergence of Games Case Study, n.d.)
The Impact of Digitisation and Convergence of Games Case Study. https://studentshare.org/business/2078233-impact-of-digitisation-and-convergence-of-games
(The Impact of Digitisation and Convergence of Games Case Study)
The Impact of Digitisation and Convergence of Games Case Study. https://studentshare.org/business/2078233-impact-of-digitisation-and-convergence-of-games.
“The Impact of Digitisation and Convergence of Games Case Study”. https://studentshare.org/business/2078233-impact-of-digitisation-and-convergence-of-games.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF The Impact of Digitisation and Convergence of Games

PESTEL Framework - Computer Games

… The paper "PESTEL Framework - Computer games " is a perfect example of a business case study.... The paper "PESTEL Framework - Computer games " is a perfect example of a business case study.... The paper is based on the idea to open a computer games shop on the fact that more and more people are becoming computer literate, own computers at home, and computer games are becoming a hobby for most people, which mean there is a ready market for the services....
8 Pages (2000 words) Case Study

Rivalry in Video Games

… The paper "Rivalry in Video games" is an outstanding example of a management assignment.... nbsp;What are the key success factors in the video games hardware industry?... The paper "Rivalry in Video games" is an outstanding example of a management assignment.... nbsp;What are the key success factors in the video games hardware industry?... High definition or HD display capability Hardware with superior processing power (speed) for hardcore games Attractive graphics with cinematic quality and realism games with strong characters and storyline Speed of learning the game as in the case of Nintendo's Wii                     Q2: In what sense and for what reasons is this a “winner takes all” industry?...
6 Pages (1500 words) Assignment

Advancement in Technology Has Altered Life as We Know It

… The paper “Developing a Website for an Online Game as a Distribution Channel for Purchasing games, Shopping Mall and an Interactive Platform for Gamers” is a spectacular example of term paper on information technology.... The paper “Developing a Website for an Online Game as a Distribution Channel for Purchasing games, Shopping Mall and an Interactive Platform for Gamers” is a spectacular example of term paper on information technology....
12 Pages (3000 words) Term Paper

Video Game Console Issues

However, such factors can in no sense be overlooked as the impact of the same can be so serious that it may eventually lead to the shut-down of larger giants operating in any industry.... The video game console industry is a broad market which comprises of all video games which are used in conjunction with consoles along with its all associated hardware comprising of consoles, peripherals, and accessories like different cables, memory cards, and gamepads.... The report initially begins with a complete discussion on the environmental analysis of the video game console industry in the UK which for better understanding has been explained by the help of a PESTEL analysis to figure out the different macro-level factors which impact the video game console industry....
17 Pages (4250 words) Case Study

The Rio 2016 Olympic Games - Economic, Environmental and Social Impacts

Another economic impact of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games on Rio was the commitment of public funds to the event, resulting in high public leverage.... … The paper 'The Rio 2016 Olympic games - Economic, Environmental and Social Impacts" is a good example of a business case study.... nbsp;Mejor sporting events such as the World Cup and Olympic games commonly attract desires for hosting from several countries across the globe.... The paper 'The Rio 2016 Olympic games - Economic, Environmental and Social Impacts" is a good example of a business case study....
6 Pages (1500 words) Case Study

Segmentation Analysis of Buyer Behavior

… The paper “Segmentation Analysis of Buyer Behavior” is an inspiring example of a literature review on marketing.... The pride in every man in Australia has been the ownership of a vehicle, especially the Volkswagen brand.... The choice has been necessitated by the Volkswagen Financial Services Australia (VWFS)....
12 Pages (3000 words) Literature review

Forces of Organizational Change at Westpac

… The paper "Forces of Organizational Change at Westpac" is an outstanding example of a management case study.... nbsp;Westpac is the second leading bank in Australia which was also the first bank to be established in the country in 1817.... The company has put in place strategies that encourage its growth and development based on past challenges....
20 Pages (5000 words) Case Study

Value Creation and Marketing of Video Games

What should be the reaction of producers of games and consoles?... … The paper "Value Creation and Marketing of Video games" is a great example of a marketing case study.... The paper "Value Creation and Marketing of Video games" is a great example of a marketing case study.... While video games have spurred innovation in other sections of the entertainment industry, some products such as Lord of the Rings act as movie, game or other products to provide hybrid experiences....
7 Pages (1750 words) Case Study
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us