How do Computer Games Companies work?

October 13, 2008 4:11 AM

I'm looking for information on how computer/video games companies work.

Basically I'm looking for details on how computer/video games development companies are organised, how they operate, how games are produced and their relationship with distribution companies. Not so much gritty coding issues, as how things work on a higher, business, level. I'm biased towards more recent/current games and British companies but I'm not looking exclusive in that direction. Also web would be preferable but I'm not adverse for recommendations for any suitable books that might be out there.

As an example this is sort of the thing I'm after: Yahtzee Visits Valve

posted by fearfulsymmetry to work & money (7 comments total)

Gamasutra had its postmortem section which be of interest. Mostly on the developer/publisher relationships and internal team structures.
posted by Z303 at 5:32 AM on October 13, 2008 [1 favorite]

IGDA has a ton of info, including the excellent Why Crunch Mode Doesn't Work and Business Best Practice reports.

I found this poking around Game Career Guide too.
posted by Happy Dave at 5:42 AM on October 13, 2008 [1 favorite]

Playing to Win: Inside the Video Game Industry

US-centric, but maybe something helpful there. The DVD of the program is available for $20 USD.
posted by SuperSquirrel at 6:45 AM on October 13, 2008

Well, on the business-side is the policy of perma-crunch (to follow on one of Happy Dave's links) as seen here, written by blogger ea_spouse.
posted by flibbertigibbet at 6:48 AM on October 13, 2008

SuperSquirrel, your link is broken. Is this what you meant to link to?
posted by Happy Dave at 7:43 AM on October 13, 2008

Happy Dave tips it in for the score! That's exactly what I meant. Thanks!
posted by SuperSquirrel at 8:45 AM on October 13, 2008

It's a bit up itslef, but the company profiles in EDGE might be a good source of information.
posted by Artw at 8:53 AM on October 13, 2008