I have been working in the games industry for over a year now covering different aspects of business and marketing for Introversion Software. As an old school gamer, I have noticed a great amount of change, which I feel is for the best. I think that the video games industry is now on par with the movie industry; the only difference is that the games industry is less pretentious. This has to be a good thing, right? I feel like the games industry is only now receiving the respect and limelight it has always deserved. I just hope the success doesn’t go to the developer’s heads and that they stay true to what the games industry is about.

Working for Introversion Software has really opened my eyes to how an independent games company operates. Introversion is proof that a small independent company can make a big difference against large power development houses. I’m sure Introversion Software has inspired many budding developers to make some very interesting games. Introversion Software has tried it hardest to show the world that creativity still remains in the games industry.

One thing that separates the games industry from any other industry is that most of the people I have met have a huge amount of passion for everything that is ‘the video game’. They want to build the best they can and they want as many people as possible to enjoy their creation. Video games like any other art form, allows you to really push creative boundaries, more so than traditional art. The crazy thing is that video games are still relatively new in this world. Just imagine what video games will be like in 50 years to come?

I was up in Manchester recently at an exhibition for the history of games called ‘Video Games Nation’ at Urbis. One of the coolest things I saw there was an indoor bus stop with a playable game of Nokia’s trademark Snake. It made me think about all the mad crazes video games have created. The games industry has a young mind and remains youthful throughout the years of service. Just the other day I was speaking to a Director for a major digital distributor. He is 50 years old and a great conversationalist and has the energy of a teenager. This may be some type of proof that the effects of gaming and being around games makes you jolly and remain youthful.

Technology and an improved quality of life has been a big driving force behind the success of the games industry. Developers are now working even harder and longer hours to make the finished product as polished as it can be. If you look at the history of video games you will be shocked to see how far we have come in such a short space of time. The only real question is how far  can video games can go; one thing is for sure is that there is endless creativity still remaining for the digital world.
There really is something for everyone to play and enjoy no matter who you are. You want simplicity you got it, you want complexity it’s available. The games market has separated into commercial games that play more on taking you to a realistic world to the more underground games that take you on a ride with your imagination.

The internet has helped greatly in promoting the games industry as it has with every other industry. With so many web stores to choose from, all that matters now is what game you want and you can download it in minutes from several digital download stores. The Internet has especially helped Introversion with promoting our games to our fans. Without the Internet people would not be able to find out more about us and also what the hell our games are about. Even with the internet, it is hard to tell what a game is really like, unless you play it. This is where the demo comes in, again promoted across the internet and without it, would make promoting Introversion games near impossible due to the underground style of game play.

I do feel games that involve violence have lead the way in making gaming more main stream and commercial. Flashy graphics and strong lead characters have gone on to create long lasting franchises. These franchises have gone even further to include movies themed on games and vice versa. The profit generated by these development houses has allowed larger advertising and marketing budgets for them to play with and more creative freedom to promote game titles to a larger audience across all media platforms.
Casual gamers are an emerging new market, and they are here to stay. They represent a large portion of the current market and this is due to smart game mechanics and clever marketing to promote them as easy and fun. The games industry has now been acceptable as a large force to reckon with. People are more interested in getting involved in big projects and financial backing it getting easier for developers.

 I am excited to see what the future holds for the games industry and glad to be a part of it. I only hope that the games industry never sells out and stays true to making games to entertain people, rather than for huge financial gain. Games are not just for children anymore, they have been accepted by all ages both male and female and whether travelling by train or relaxing at home, games will continue to be a great and fun pass time.

Written by:  Martin Mir