This document discusses how changes in the video game industry could benefit women. Specifically: 1) Traditional game publisher business models are changing as digital distribution and new revenue models like subscriptions become more common. This reduces publisher control and opens opportunities for smaller, more flexible development teams. 2) The transition away from large publisher-controlled development toward more entrepreneurial and independent models could lower barriers to entry for women in the industry by allowing for smaller teams and reduced development risks. 3) More flexible development approaches may help address the traditional lack of gender diversity in game development by providing alternatives to the large-scale studio environment that has historically presented barriers for women.

1. Girl Geek Dinners THE FUTURE OF GAMES Why current changes affecting the games industry have great future potential for women Kaye Elling

3. 12-year games industry veteran

4. Artist > Art Manager

5. Infogrames, Sony, Acclaim, Blitz Games Studios

6. Course Tutor for

7. BA Design for Computer Games

10. How games are currently developed

11. Current sales models

12. Changes the industry is facing today

13. Changes in sales models

14. Changes in how games are developed

16. Publishers: Spanning Market & Development The Publisher giveth, and the Publisher taketh away

18. Budget controlled by publishersQ: Who controls the publishers? A: Sales & Marketing! Publishers £££ $$$ €€€ Games

20. Sales data on similar genres

21. Or prequels

22. In depth market analysis

23. Complex & arcane algorithms

24. Sum forms bottom line budgetMarket Analysis Budget

26. Prior to title release

27. Include royalty deal as well

28. After title release

29. This is smaller than you’d think!Budget

30. “Old” / Current Revenue models Original Title on the 360/PS3: 2.5 yrs Pitch Pre-Production Production Alpha Beta Master Manufacturer = Greenlight = Milestone Payment = Signing Adv = Royalty Eternity Release Year 1 Year 2

31. “Old” structure Studio Manager/CEO/Owner Head of Development/ Head of Production PR Manager HR Manager Technical Director Art Director Design Director Project Director/ Producer Technical Lead Lead Designer Lead Artist QA Manager Audio Manager Senior Audio Designer Senior Designers Senior Artists/Animators Senior Programmers Senior QA Outsourcing Regular Designers Regular Artists/Animators Regular Programmers Audio Technicians Junior Designers Junior Artists/Animators Junior Programmers QA Technicians Work Placements Senior Management Shared Resources Team Specific Legend: External

33. ~8500-9000 total developers in the UK

34. Average ratio of ♀ to ♂ developers = 9%**

35. That’s <800 ♀ developers

36. Average ♀ salary = £33,260pa (♂ - £2000pa)** *http://www.edge-online.com/news/study-73-per-cent-of-uk-citizens-regularly-play-games ** http://www.interactiveblog.net/?tag=women-game-developers ***http://www.mcvuk.com/news/32964/Women-earn-more-than-men-in-the-UK-games-industry

37. Markets In Transition Boxed Product Digital Distribution Cloud Computing Streamed Service? Developed Economies Developing Economies Micro Economies? Product Based Business Model Service Based Business Model?

38. New Potential Revenue models (Subs & Micro) More transparent monthly data = more payments Pitch Pre-Production Iteration 1 Patch 1 Patch 2 Expansion = Greenlight = Milestone Payment = Signing Adv = Royalties Eternity Release Year 1 Year 2 Subscriptions = more transparent due to continued developer input

39. Great news for Developers: An open market Paul Johnson on Gameswatch http://bit.ly/84V2G

40. Transitions in Markets Affect Development Entrepreneurial Structure Corporate Structure Smaller Teams Reduced Risk New Revenue Models

42. Sales down 29% at Disney interactive Q4 ‘09*

43. Even games magazine sales slump/stagnate**

44. On the positive: Zynga buys “Serious Business” Facebook developer ***, Steam users up 25%, Gameloft says mobile games market >400% ****** http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/game-revenues-down-at-disney ***http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/future-suffers-circulation-slumpy ***http://www.edge-online.com/news/zynga-acquires-social-game-developer ****http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/gameloft-mobile-gaming-market-will-increase-3-4-times-in-next-few-years

46. The entire Business model for games is in transition

47. Traditional games publishers no longer have a monopoly on mainstream game distribution & development

50. Simplicity of Arcade Titles

51. Hand Held & Accessible In Browser Gaming

52. Entering the mainstream

53. = Reduced Dev times =Reduced teams = Reduced risk

54. Open to entrepreneurship again

57. More potential for smaller development

58. Opening of micro-studio models with freelancers

59. Rise & rise of the indie developer

60. This means fewer barriers to entry for women

63. Conference: Meeting of Industry & Academia re Games

64. To network & discuss issues surrounding women

65. As developers & potential future developers

66. As subjects of games

68. Keynote speakers are Lorna Evans, of TIGA & Sheri Grayner Ray, author of Gender Inclusive Game Design

69. Other Speakers: SCEE, Team 17, Jagex, Monumental

70. Tickets are £200 for 2-day pass

71. £125 for 1day/concessions