Monday, June 13, 2011

Game Dev Story



Game Dev Story

GENRE: Simulation, Management
Android, iPhone/iPad/iPod, Windows
1996, 2010 Kairosoft Co.,Ltd


Product Description:
A game company simulation.

Manage your own game company, develop your own console, and hire your own staff. You're in charge--you decide! Aim for that million-selling hit in this unique simulation!

From the Apple iTunes Website:
Hire talented people and train them to develop their skills.

As your staff gets more experience, you will unlock a wider array of game genres and content to develop. Try to find the most popular combinations and develop for the latest platform!

From the Android Market:
Features the ability to develop your company's own game console, plus a system for changing your staff members' professions.

Your staff members can have a variety of game-related professions, from programmer to sound engineer.

Work hard and you may reach the top of the video game industry!

日本語版は「カイロ」で検索してね

SHOP:
Game Dev Story for Android
Game Dev Story for Apple

It's so addictive I had to charge my Android phone TWICE a day. >>> by skysenshi
One of the things I learned how to do when I was first hired as a Producer for a game development company was how to play casual games. (Yes, I was a Gameplay Specialist for an MMORPG company before, but that was a distribution firm. Development is a whole different ball game.) While talking to the QA staff, I was told that I should try Game Dev Story. I thought it was going to be one of those time management games, which I think I am quite allergic to, but it's not. It's actually a sim that allows you to pretend that you're running a game development firm. You get to hire and train personnel, watch over sales, oversee advertising, monitor the trends and immerse in video game conventions and awards. The best part about it is that you get to see your games develop from Alpha to Beta then finally, to Release Candidate.

I got addicted pretty quickly. In fact, friends were already scolding me for spending more time with my Android, playing Game Dev Story, rather than socialize with them. That already says a lot, since my friends are all gamers, many of whom are active in World of Warcraft.

Now, here's the thing: I don't know if I am addicted to Game Dev Story because it hits home (which is bad because it would seem that I never really left the work place during the weekend, considering the nature of the game) or because it's just so much fun to watch your projects evolve. The thing is, the game makes the development process look so simple when it actually requires a lot more work and more milestones in real life. Plus, you can actually train your employees to become King of All Trades a.k.a. Hardware Engineers (although Producers seem to be the closest thing to this game's Hardware Engineer) even with a limited budget. Ahhh, fantasy seems so much sweeter than real life, doncha think?

As for the visuals? Adorable! Simply adorable! I haven't seen iso graphics and interfaces done this way in a long long while and I really kind of miss them.

This is probably the best game I spent ¥230 on. Now that is a steal!

EDIT (2013.07.1):
I am now on my way to becoming an indie developer (In Game Dev Story terms: Hardware Engineer, hahaha!) and I had an epiphany when I woke up this morning. Game Dev Story taught me that everything that happens in the video game industry is affected by the following factors:

  • Competency testing (you know that prince of an exotic country you did not hire because he was eccentric and hella expensive? damn, he was the key pala to one of my goals!)
  • Market aging (those women who used to be Triple A gamers? well, they're working mothers now and they're demanding the same kind of quality in casual games, which they have more time to play)
  • Conferences (yes, booth babes seem like a good idea because they're expensive, but it turns out that I'm safer hiring mascots)
  • Bad reviews don't immediately translate to bad sales.
  • FOLLOW THE LONG TAIL!! This game is OLD. And yet it still is the most popular title they have. It continues to sell.

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