Minecraft Production

Minecraft Production

Game Development 
Game development is dominated by high budget productions from mainstream producers in order to reduce the risk of financial losses. 

Game developers are successful because...
- They stick to safe genres and game play
- They focus on developing their popular franchises. 
- They aim to appeal to young men (the primary demographic for gamers).

Games are developed by huge teams alongside expensive marketing campaigns.

The Influence of Technology 
Game development relies on advances in technology such as faster CPU's, 3D graphics and sound cards, however often these advances are a response to developer and gamer needs. VR is a good example of this.

Console development was crucial in developing the industry, however the internet has been the driver behind maintaining such a successful industry because...
- It allows for downloadable games which saves on distribution costs.
- Online gaming has enabled user to create and contribute to the development of games using open source software.
- It has enables global multi player game play.
- It has created other ways of creating revenue (micro transactions etc).
- It has supported the growth of gaming culture (through forums, YouTube etc).

Open Source Software - Software whose underlying code is published so it is available to be used and modified by others, promoting free exchange and participation.

The development of game design technology has allowed the indie sector of the games industry to grow, producing low budget games with smaller teams which allows them to take more risk.

Convergence, particularly the move to mobile and tablet gaming has been crucial helping the indie game market to develop.

Convergence - The merging together of previously separate entities (i.e. smartphones can do a wide range of tasks that would have previously needed different products).

Production Facts 

- Developed by Mojang in 2009.

- Mojang is a Swedish Indie company set up by Markus ‘Notch’ Persson.

- Sandbox game created using Java technology (also known as open world or a free roaming game).

- Notch was inspired by similar construction and management games like Dwarf Fortress.

- Small team of people put together to in the first year of Minecraft to help Persson develop the game.

- User feedback was crucial in the development of the game.

- Wasn't seen as commercially viable as it was considered a niche product for gamers who understood programming.

- Original game modes included single player creative and survival modes but since Microsoft have taken over there are now other modes: Story Mode, Spectator and Multi-player which has enabled the game to become more of a mass than a niche product.

- VR headsets and narrative led versions are also examples of how Minecraft has become a mass product that follows the conventions of the mainstream video game industry.

- The game still retains its blocky low budget feel which is appealing to audiences.

Used new convergent technologies to:

   - Enable testing of the game by players in the beta phase.

   - Encourage mods using Open Source Software and selling available mods on Minecraft Marketplace.

   - Set up servers called Minecraft Realms so that players could play in a convenient by safe environment controlled by Mojang (which was their response to piracy threats).