developers, producers and distributors

[tmc]

would the following be a correct quick description of the following roles?

developers: make and design the game

producers: physically burn the game to disc, packaging etc.

distributors: get the finished item off the producers and ship it out to shops etc.

i get kinda confused by the different roles. Is there many occasions where company's will try to get bigger profits by doing 2 or maybe 3 of the above roles themselves?

thanks. tmc.

[Darren870]

Developers is right.

Producers and distributors usually fall under the same category. They are the ones who front the cash and then put out the game in there name. (I think)

Example: The new unreal is developed by Epic however Midway is putting it out.

[jajaja]

Just wanted to add that the discs are being pressed, not burned.


DVD Replication vs DVD Duplication
There is a huge difference between replication and duplication when it comes to your company's image. Duplication means burning the DVD normally with using a DVD burner. Replication means creating a glass master and then using the glass master to create stampers that are used to stamp out your pressed DVDs at high speed in high volume. The big difference is that replicated DVDs will work on all players whereas burnt DVDs will work in a maximum of 95% of players. This may not seem like a problem until you get a call from a customer complaining about the low quality of your DVD because he cannot play it... or worse still no phone call.

:)

[hydr0x]

you are completely missing the publishers ;) I have no idea what you mean by producer? The items get pressed by special companies just doing that, likewise the packaging. Packaging design should be done by publishers iirc. They also do the whole marketing (ads..).

[jjessop]

I think "Producer" was substituted for "Publisher"

Developer: Actually codes the game. The amount of game input can be 100% or very little depending on the Publishers role and demands. A developer can code a game or proof of concept and then shop it out to a publisher, or a publisher can contract a game or concept to a developer directly.

Publisher: Is the entity that takes the game and has it made. They take most of the financial burden and manage the production and marketing. Typically a "producer" is assigned to the title and program manages the game development. Depending on the financial arrangement or agreements, the publisher can have almost 100% say in how the game turns out.

Distributor: In reality plays a very small role. Distributors purchase direct from the major accounts and then resale and market to smaller retailers. The big players Wal-Mart, Best Buy, EB...you know them, all buy direct and they actually drive what makes it to shelves.

Of course there are always exceptions to the rules but this is generally how it works.

Jerry