Samui寒い

[Sa-moo-ee]

Japanese Word of the Week (8)

Samui, desu ne?

Aims:Students will understand the differences between market and production research. They will use both to focus upon one product

Objectives:All students will identify with 1 form of market and one form of production researchMost students will be able to begin to use market and/or production researchSome students will be able differentiate between market and production research

Aims & Objectives

Research and Pre-Production

18 January 2010

Unit 1 Research Techniques for Media IndustriesUnit 2 Pre-Production for Media Industries

Research Techniques

1 Understand the purposes of research in the media industries2 Be able to apply a range of research methods and techniques3 Be able to present results of research.

Pre-Production Techniques

1 Understand requirements for production2 Be able to obtain resources for production3 Be able to apply production logistics.

How Was Last Week’s Task?

4Ws and H!

Using a game of your choice, go home, play it and blog the pros and cons of playing your chosen game.

My Research

What is it? Little Big PlanetWhere is it set? Some trippy version of Planet EarthWhy is it good/bad? Because the repetitive nature can be annoying (I logged it)When is it set? No time frame, it’s a continuous cycle of no particular eraHow is the game made to look or be accessible? The award-winning design is delivered to allow everyone to play. The genre is platformer so it is very accessible!

Bafta 2008 – LBP/mm wins award

Task 2 is Due Next Week

Go to the Gamelogs site and read about gamelogs (there are literally thousands). Then see how your task 1 results compare?

Production Research

• Who can make the game?• What is the motivation?• What should the game feel/sound/look/play like?• What is the game about and is it relevant?

Production researchers have a general knowledge of stuff. They are well aware of other things in their environment. Don’t attempt production research if you have a limited knowledge of the world around you!

Market Research

• Talk to people• Proactive presenters of facts• Statisticians!• Accurate• Truth!

Do you like people of all ages? Can you talk to them? Can you keep a conversation going? Can you accurate produce facts and figures?

Activity

Read the handout about The Sims – assess the accuracy of the information using some of the traits that production researchers have.

Will Wright’s Research

• Psychological accuracy – Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs• Levelling of existing or similar games on the market• Understanding of audience from previous titles in the franchise• What worked? What didn’t work?

What Questions Do Production Researchers Ask?

• Is it realistic?• Does the audience need?• Will it get an acceptable rating?• Is the production viable?

A Thankless Job

Production researchers work very closely with designers, but ultimately end up as the bridesmaid not the bride. You can make a great designer, eventually!

You will work very closely with the design team and your job will last throughout the life of the game.

Activity

Read the handout about Game facts – assess the accuracy of the information using some of the traits that market researchers have.

What Questions Do Market Researchers Ask?

• Who is being targeted here? • Is there parity between audiences?• How are answers compared?• Who decides the accuracy of the answers?

What’s Design Got To Do With It?

… Not much really. Market research is usually employed by the publisher rather than the developer. But without that deadly knowledge, it’s impossible to design within a genre if you have no idea what you audience wants.

Don’t Forget Last Week's Task

Go to the Gamelogs site and read about gamelogs (there are literally thousands). Then see how your task 1 results compare?

Timescale: 1 week please

GamecastingThis week we focus on genre, so for your this next task (next slide), I’d like you to look at genre through webcasts. Go to a site such as justin.tv or gameportal.com and assess games within a genre. Think about:• How they are being played• Who is watching• What the players motivation is for the gamecast

Timeframe: 1 week please

Next Week!

You will start market researching the game for your case study. Moreover you will be getting to heart of who made the game, and offering answers through research as to why…

Overview – What Have We Learned?

• The beginning of research techniques• The key differences between market and production research• Looking beyond facts and figures

Have we met our outcomes?