WII 1. Understand job roles, career structures and business models across the game, animation and VFX industries.
There are many company types that can span across the GAVFX industry, some might even work together and intersect industries and some may be reserved purely for a specialist field. Below is an example of some types of companies:
AAA Game Studio’s
AAA Game Studio’s make video games with a large team and a large budget. The quality of the game isn’t always what you might expect from a AAA company as mistakes do happen but AAA companies tend to have enough manpower to work around the clock.
- Ubisoft
- Infinity Ward
- Insomniac
- Treyarch
- EA Games / EA Sports
Indie Game Studios
Indie Game Studio’s tend not to have a massive budget like AAA Game Studios or as large of a workforce. They can still make high quality games which may take longer but again, not immune to making bad quality games.
- Devolver Digital
- Mediatonic
- Playtonic
Publishers
Publishers exist in video games and animation. Publishers will offer support to studios in terms of funding, marketing and PR. Publishers will sometimes want controlling power over the final say of whats in the game and whats not, but they will also have control over the public image of your game aswell.
- Activision Blizzard
- VALVE
- EA
Hardware Manufacturers
Video game consoles are a staple in the gaming industry and we have hardware manufacturers to thank for that. Hardware can be in the form of consoles, peripherals such as controllers and headsets, PC components, VR headsets and standard technology components such as camera lenses. In terms of the games industry, it is not unusual for the hardware manufacturers to also dabble into the software side of things. As an example, Sony make the PlayStation but they also have PlayStation Studio’s who will make games specifically for the PlayStation.
- Sony (PlayStation)
- Microsoft (XBOX)
- Nintendo (Nintendo Switch, 3DS)
- Valve (Steam Machines, SteamDeck)
- Apple (iPhone, Apple TV, iPad)
Mobile Developers
Mobile Developers can be both independent and can also be a large studio. They can also range from making video games to applications on Mobile Devices.
- Rovio (Angry Birds)
- Imangi (Temple Run)
Film / Animation Studios
Film / Animation studios are companies that will make films that normally have to be commissioned, the same way a game might need to be commissioned. Film / Animation Studios may work with tools from other industries, such as Disney+ with The Mandalorian. The Mandalorian utilizes Unreal Engine to create a virtual set.
- Pixar
- Disney
- Dreamworks
- Marvel
- Warner Bros.
- Paramount Pictures
Regulatory Bodies
In order to get a game published and onto market, a regulatory body will need to make sure that your game is suitable for its intended age range. In some instances, they may mark a product down for a lower age rating which is perfectly acceptable, however if it is the other way around and is not what was intended, it may force the studio to change the direction of their development. There is a similar system in place for Films and TV.
- BBFC
- PEGI
- ESRB
Software / Tools
Studios will use a variety of tools specific for their industry and sometimes the tools may be free to use depending on certain situations. As an example, with Unity, you don’t need to pay to use Unity unless you earn over £100,000 for your game. Some toolmakers have free versions of their software and premium versions of their software. Some may require an enterprise license and some may require a subscription.
- Adobe (Photoshop, Substance, Illustatrator, After Effects, Premiere Pro)
- DaVinci (Resolve)
- Unity
- Epic Games (Unreal Engine)
- Havok Engine
Starting your own business
When it comes to starting your own business, there are many resources that someone might require when doing so, not only for it to be successful, but just to be operational. These resources include:
- Money – Pay for overhead, staff, registration of business and equipment. Money can be obtained a number of ways such as publishers, government grants, business loans and investors. It may even be possible to use your own savings or work in another job to help fund the business.
- People – Depending on the project, you might need a workforce and it is doubtful that people will work for free.
- Patience – Success isn’t certain but it also isn’t immediate.
Financial Implications
- Paying staff
- paying overhead (Utilities such as electric, Wi-Fi, rent / office space)
- software licenses
- development kits
- Living costs (food, water)
Challenges / Risks
- Making a name for your business (not generally creating one but being known to the public)
- Return on investment (Publishers and Investors will want to make their money back and then some)
- Time vs Money – It can be easy to run out of time or money when working on a project and if the project isn’t managed properly, the product may not make it out of the door meaning no way of income from time lost.
Types of Companies
LLC (Limited Liable Company) –
Partnership –
Sole Proprietorship –
Corporation –
Co-operative –
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