Jack Coogan DGH1 2013/14 Business Model Report for Careers Development Game Idea : Space Pirates, PC Company

Logo:

Index: - Definition of Game Idea - Market Research - Computer Games Design - Team Roles - Cost - SWOT Analysis - Gantt Chart - Questionnaire Definition of Game Idea:

It is a PC game. The game is as it sounds, pirates in space. It's a somewhat humorous space-based action rpg where the player assumes control of a space-pirate ship and uses it to navigate around the various levels that take place in deep space and the orbits of planets around the galaxy. The player can trade, fight, plunder, do side quests and follow an intricate story line through main missions. The player is free to travel as they please and do whatever they want right off the bat.

However since you, your crew and ship are marked 'pirates', there will always be risk of being spotted and pursued by authorities that the player must either out-run or destroy.

Market Research: I pitched this idea to a few friends of mine with a basic prototype and asked them a few questions; check below for questionnaire With our market research done we are still decided to go with PC as the only platform. We dont have the resources to get the licenses required for consoles. We also learned that people might enjoy the game which has motivated the team to make it. Motivation is key in any development team. We realise we were being a little experimental with the player being a bad guy in an RPG. Computer Games Design Team Roles Time: 1/2/2014 - 1/5/2014 (a) Business Project Leader Accounts/Finance These people manage all the finances associated with the team, project and the whole company in general. Without this person, the team would be able to properly distribute resources. This person does not work on the same team and wouldnt have much influence on what happens with the game. Admin Marketing/Public Relations

These people work in advertising the game. It is their job to sell the game to the public and make them want to purchase their product. This team works close with media organizations and hold conventions/public events. (b) Art/Design Storyboard Artist: This person/s are responsible for creating and writing a story with a storyboard showing the progressing of the game and what happens in its main story. It is important they provide enough information for the rest of the team to work on.

Character Design: This team is responsible for creating all the characters, NPCs and other creatures seen in the game. It is very important they all follow the same style, although this goes for anyone on the team, regardless of role. Level/Environment: The level designers build the environments and places that appear in the game. They uses assets created by the rest of the team; programmers, modellers, artists, etc, and give them their purpose in game. For example making a character would require at least a model (3D modeller), some script (programmer) and textures (photoshop). 3D: The modellers make all the 3D assets seen in the game. They also texture all the models using textures created either themselves or by a photoshop specialist. They may also make all the animations, or at least set up the models for an animator to use easily. They may also texture the models using assets made by the photoshop specialist. Photoshop Specialist: These people do any work regarding photoshop and 2D material. This would largely be composed of textures but also GUI elements and special effects. UI Design: This team designs and creates the User Interface that the player uses to navigate the games GUI, and sometimes the game itself. Technical: Programmers These people write all the code that game requires to function. This code could be for anything. From an animation and modelling, to functionality. They need to know what exactly everything in the game has to do, otherwise they cannot code

it. So they work close with everyone, particularly project leaders and level designers. Mobile Specialist If the game is going to be available on mobile, or have an associated app, these people would build that, or at least code it. Testers The QA department tests the game and its functionality for any bugs or undesired errors. This process can be extensive and repetitive. Outsource: This is any of the expenses that were necessarily part of the development project. Food, transport, etc. Taxi services etc. Accounts/Auditors There would still be need for financial management once the game has reached the market. Project Manager Conference room hire PR Consultancy This person would not working with the game directly but manages public relations. Cost: Salaries: Programmer = 4,250 - 3 months Project Manager = 7,100 - 3 months Level Design = 4,150 - 3 months 3D = 4,000 - 3 months Character Design = 2,500 - 2 months Accountant = 2,200 - 1 month Storyboard = 1,650 - 1 month Photoshop = 3,600 - 3 months Testers = 1,000 - 1 month Hardware: 10 computers with keyboards, mouse, speakers and microphones @ 1,200 each: = 12,000 Software: - Unity 3D Pro 4.3 @ $1,500 + $500 for team package = $2,000 into euros: 1475.91 - 3DS Max 2014 @ 3,900 - Photoshop CS6 = $699.99

into euros: 516.56 Work Space: - Office: 1,200 a month for 10 people with a computer for 3 months. - Internet and telephone connection = 99 a month with UPC's Fibre Power Business package. Other: Food and drinks = 150-200 a week.

Total Cost: 56,345.68

Future Ambitions: After the game has been finished and if testing comes back with good feedback we have plans to release the game on Steam. We have already been in contact with Steam who said theyd be happy to have it once it passes their own tests. We plan to sell the game at 14.99 but this is subject to change.

SWOT Analysis:
Space Pirates Development Project Helpful Strengths -Good tech skills -Good teamwork skills -Team is motivated to work -Good technology to work with Harmful Weaknesses -Tight budget -Time constraint -Some team roles are being undercut as result of budget, could do with another programmer for example -Weak marketing Threats -Weak coverage or internet presence -Might fail completely -Other similar games already on the market -Change in global policies, laws and economics -Small customer base

Internal

External

Opportunities -Cross platform -Steam Early Access -Other 3rd party hosts -Could be popular if well made -Further improvements to game if investment is returned in sales?

Gantt Chart:

Questionnaire: 1: What age group do you fall under? Anyone I asked was in the 16-21 range, which was the target audience anyway. 2: Do you think you would enjoy the game? Most everyone said they would, this kind of game has been done before but not with a humerus pirate theme. 3: What do you think of being the bad guy in this kind of game? Answers were mixed but most said it was a good twist on this kind of game as youre usually fighting the pirates. 4: What would you like to see in the game? Some people wanted to be able to see pirates, and that they should look just as themed. Others said a choice of ships, varying in size should be possible to use. 5: Are you a PC gamer? Most people buy consoles to play their games, but we got enough positive answers to stick with PC as our chosen platform.

6: Are you going to get/already have a PS4 or an Xbox One? Why? Mixed answers here. There are dozens of arguments for both sides. Common features that choices were defined by hardware and the fact some people dont want the camera on the Xbox (although other people are delighted by this feature).