Video Games: Industry Development, Technology, and Cultural Influences

This report provides a comprehensive overview of the video game industry, exploring its historical development, technological innovations, and the influence of society, culture, technology, and economy on game development. It examines the relationship between audience expectations and product development, highlighting how these factors shape the industry. The report also analyzes the game 'Watch Dogs' as a case study, examining how culture, technology, and society influence its design, gameplay, and promotion. Additionally, it discusses how video games reflect cultural aspects and examines the aims and objectives of contemporary video game development theories, including cognitive and behavioral theories. The report concludes by emphasizing the dynamic nature of the video game industry and its adaptation to cultural and societal changes, audience demands, and technological advancements.

Games In Context

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1 Discuss the historic development of the video games industry.............................................1
P2. Examine technological innovations within the games industry............................................2
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................2
P3. Examine the way that society, culture, technology and economy influence video game
development................................................................................................................................2
P4. Examine the relationships between audience expectations and product development in the
video games industry...................................................................................................................3
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................4
P5 Examine the way that culture, technology and society influence the design of a 'Watch
Dogs' game.................................................................................................................................4
P6. Evaluate the relationship between Watch Dogs video game promotion and social and
cultural context............................................................................................................................4
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................5
P7. Discussing the findings that how video games have changed in order to reflect cultural
aspects.........................................................................................................................................5
P8.Examine the aim and objectives of theories of contemporary video games development....5
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................6
References:.......................................................................................................................................7

INTRODUCTION
Video games are the electronic games with visual graphics played on smartphones,
televisions, laptops or any other user interface using a input device such as joystick, keyboard,
mouse or with latest technology such as VR, hand gestures etc. Gamers are the persons who
plays the game (Johnson and Woodcock, 2019). Developers are the one who codes and design
the game with help of other people, hence the whole process is known as Video game
development. The report contains the historic development and technological innovations in the
gaming industry. The influence of society, culture, technology and economy on the development
of new game. Relationship between target audience and new video game development is also
discussed in report. Reference of a game 'Watchdogs' is taken to analyse the style, gameplay and
promotion of game in terms of society, technology and culture. Theories such as behavioural and
cognitive theory of contemporary game development are also discussed.
TASK 1
P1 Discuss the historic development of the video games industry
The video gaming industry came into the existence in 1970s. The comparison of today's
gaming industry with older gaming industry were as follows-
 At early time, games were played on a big devices like Atari's Pong game which was
located at a specific place like bars and offices and very heavy to move but at the recent
decade gaming devices are not big and it is easy to move them place to place (Julianto
and et. Al, 2018).
 Graphics of early decade gaming industry was not good, the images on screen was blur
but now, graphics are much advanced and provide good quality games to play.
 At early time handling of games (like – buttons to play) were located on the devices only
but now, gaming industry has joysticks, microphones in use, head sets and many other
devices which help gamers to interact with each other in the game.
Hence, at early time audience look video games as a means of entertainment only but now the
youth sees this industry as an opportunity to make career. Secondly, early gaming industry did
not have a vast affect on their generation but today's generation have an drastic affect on them as
they are lacking behind to know the difference between actual world and the virtual world.
1

P2. Examine technological innovations within the games industry
Gaming industry is evolved and refined with the advancement in technology. The are
various technological innovations within the games industry ruling the minds of gamers are
mentioned underneath: Cloud- based technology: This technological advancement is the game changer in
gaming industry as for creating a game its is no longer necessary to have high storage
space or hardware ,everything is lightly accessed on clouds with high server size through
internet (Keogh, 2019). AR and VR tools: Augmented reality and Virtual reality tools are highly incorporated by
the online video game industry, in which the gamers are wearing the VR headsets to
immensely involve in the gaming world and sharpest lens or camera for animated gaming
adventure. Artificial intelligence in gaming: Artificial intelligence is boosting the gaming industry
with the traits logical algorithm, high visual quality. With AI in games the gamer is
always experiencing the fresh and competent to its new opponent. 3-D graphics:Graphics are now become the power of the games. Earlier from 2-D text
based technology graphics the world of games has came to 3-D graphics, which is more
realistic, coloured, textured and more interactive (Klimas and Czakon, 2018).
 Voice recognition and gesture control:Gaming industry has come a long way with the
feature of voice recognition to interact during game with other team members, to give
voice commands in game. Intel Real Sense technology has also given power to just wave
hands or any other gestures to play the game.
TASK 2
P3. Examine the way that society, culture, technology and economy influence video game
development
Video game development is not only influenced by the society, economy, technology and
culture factor it also impact the above factor. The impact of factors and video game development
on each other is discussed below: Society:Video game development is creating a negative impact on the society as the
player is becoming anti social and aggressive towards the society. Educational
2

institutions are made by the society to develop new game and technology related to it.
Developers develop the video games by inspiring from societies daily trends. Video
games are now become a social events. Culture:Video game development is now totally dominated by the culture. Culture is
basically the age group which will be involved in the game culture. A youth culture easily
adapt new media, complex graphic, adventure etc. Likewise the kid culture is recognizing
themself as character of video game (Kurniawan and Sutanto, 2018). Technology: This factor rapidly influence the development of video games as changing
technology is making the video games realistic and exciting for the players. Basically the
technology has faded the gap of reality and fantasy in development of games.
 Economy:Video game development requires the heavy investment as the software and
hardware for installing the game and writing there codes are expensive. Video gaming
development has created a new market to grow economy as demand for smartphones,
Cloud penetration, VR headset and tools have increased.
P4. Examine the relationships between audience expectations and product development in the
video games industry
The evaluation of historic and contemporary precedents in video game development
clearly defines close relationship between the audience and developers. The expectations of
players or gamers towards the new product development in video game industry is increasing
day by day and which is increasing the advancement in gaming technology, tools, equipments,
creativity, design , methods to play and so more. Earlier the games were distributed through CD's
but now there are so easily accessible to audience on smart phones, mobile apps, and websites
like: steam, origin, battle.net and epic. Video game industry is finding the audience in two
segment one with information and other as co- developers. Developers and game companies
creating new game are required to keep in mind the gaming experience for gamer, there want,
channel of distribution (Muriel and Crawford, 2018). The gaming company's are highly
pressured by the gamers expectation toward the new product. Now the video game and gamer are
more interactive to each other to create a personalize experience for the gamers. The survival of
new product developed by the gaming industry totally depends on how it is meeting the
customers expectation. Hence the video game development is highly dependent on audience
expectation.
3

TASK 3
P5 Examine the way that culture, technology and society influence the design of a 'Watch Dogs'
game
To analyse the influence of culture, technology and society on the style and gameplay of
the game, 'Watch Dogs' the video game will be studied:
Style of Watch Dogs:The game is action-adventure game series developed and published by the
Ubisoft. The first series of Watch Dogs is developed in 2014 next Watch Dogs2 in 2016 and
third Watch Dogs: Legion in 2020. the genre of the game is Sandbox games which include
action, adventure and vehicular games. It is played by third person view.
Gameplay of Watch Dogs:The gameplay is based on the open world which a virtual world
where player complete the mission either on foot or using vehicles to travel to locations to
progress in game and also perform several side activities. The gameplay involves shooting,
hiding, hacker, illegal activities, criminal role play etc. to defeat or kill the enemies or opponents.
The design of the Watch Dogs: Legion is made with latest 3-D graphics, high sounds
technology is used for bombing effect. Multiplayer playable system is used by influencing from
social factor so that gamers are more socially active. On the basis of cultural factor players are
allowed to choose there own background ,skills, costume for there own selected character.
P6. Evaluate the relationship between Watch Dogs video game promotion and social and cultural
context
Watch Dogs was released on Microsoft Windows, PlayStation, Xbox 360, Xbox One and
other gaming platforms. Before launch developers made the research in various geographic
regions and on the basis of cultural aspects the game has different regional languages. Watch
Dogs: Legion free copy where distributed with the purchase of one game with a promotional
code. Watch Dogs used a Chicago as a location in game as it have largest surveillance camera in
city which exhibits the science and fiction of Chicago and attracted the society of Chicago
towards the game more. The morale implications are given by Watch Dogs in the game that if
the person is mother or cancer fighter than they are not allowed to take money from them this
bring the social concerns among the players. As per the culture of the players and there
preferences the free mobile apps were generated by the Watch Dogs to connect the players with
4

ease on iOS and Android in two racing modes. Watch Dogs promotion is influenced by the
cultural aspects of the gamer.
TASK 4
P7. Discussing the findings that how video games have changed in order to reflect cultural
aspects.
Culture is the characteristics of a people on the basis of learning and knowledge it
includes, music and arts, language, age, religion, social habits etc. The video game is industry is
dominated by the culture of the gamer, culture of the delivery and promotion and gaming culture.
As with the technology innovation the video games are popularized in the society. Video games
are now highly changed in terms to reflect the positive culture of the society. Video games
development are joining themselves with education culture, where the person with excellent
coding and designing skills develop the new games which are safe and ethical in real world
(Pascarella and et. al, 2018). Video games are also designed by which reflect the good sound,
latest visual graphics, music and other culture demand of gamer as per the age group. For youth
culture new games are designed with latest media, complexity, adventure and thrill to engage
them in the games for longer time. Co-developer culture in new game development is also
analysed in contemporary world where the gamer is also involved in developing the game. It is
find that many games wee banned due to their bad impact on the society culture and gamers
culture. Therefore, it is observed that video game development and their culture are changing
with the cultural aspects of audience and society.
P8.Examine the aim and objectives of theories of contemporary video games development
The are two basic theories that are incorporated during the development of the new game
are mentioned underneath: Cognitive theory: this theory is psychology approach to examine the human behaviour
and attributes on the basis of there thought process. In video game designing identifying
the character of the game is important. This theory aims to design the game with keeping
in mind that character should be either selected by player as per the choice or the
character should be designed with presence players behaviour (Statham, 2020).
 Behavioural theory: behaviour theory is about the consequences and impacts on the
behaviour of a person. In video game development this theory plays a vital role as
5

violence video game create a aggressive and harmful behaviour in player. Video game
should be developed with aspects of behaviour theory which should have positive impact
on players mind and health (Young, 2018.).
CONCLUSION
It is concluded from the above report that the modern technology has bring the growth in
the video game industry. Target audience for the video game are the youth and kids as per the
game culture. Video games are diversifying themselves in education sector to develop the skills
of video game developers. Video games are impacting the society badly as gamers are getting
arrogant, anti- social, and harmful to society. New video games are designed with latest
technologies, customers expectations, behaviour and cognitive theories are followed by the
developers of the game for the welfare of society and culture where the game is promoted and
delivered.
6

References:
Books and Journals
Johnson, M.R. and Woodcock, J., 2019. The impacts of live streaming and Twitch. tv on the
video game industry. Media, Culture & Society. 41(5). pp.670-688.
Julianto, A. and et. al, 2018. Perfecting A Video Game with Game Metrics. Telkomnika.16(3).
Keogh, B., 2019. From aggressively formalised to intensely in/formalised: Accounting for a
wider range of videogame development practices. Creative Industries Journal. 12(1).
pp.14-33.
Klimas, P. and Czakon, W., 2018. Organizational innovativeness and coopetition: a study of
video game developers. Review of Managerial Science. 12(2).pp.469-497.
Kurniawan, D. and Sutanto, R.P., 2018. Representation of Power In A Smartphone (Semiotic
Analysis of Smartphone Culture in Watch Dog Game). Bandung Creative Movement
(BCM) Journal. 4(1).
Muriel, D. and Crawford, G., 2018. Video games as culture: considering the role and
importance of video games in contemporary society. Routledge.
Muriel, D. and Crawford, G., 2020. Video games and agency in contemporary society.Games
and Culture. 15(2). pp.138-157.
Pascarella, L. and et. al, 2018, May. How is video game development different from software
development in open source?. In 2018 IEEE/ACM 15th International Conference on
Mining Software Repositories (MSR) (pp. 392-402). IEEE.
Statham, N., 2020. Use of photogrammetry in video games: a historical overview. Games and
Culture. 15(3). pp.289-307.
Young, C.J., 2018. Game changers: Everyday gamemakers and the development of the video
game industry (Doctoral dissertation, University of Toronto (Canada)).
7