Game Developing Company

 
 
 

Vocabulary

virtual	turn (2)	change (2)
giant	evident	employee
user	consider	feedback
tutorial	compete	iron out (2)
phase	mislead	match (3)
look (2)	release	predictable
all over	founder	guarantee
pass on	platform	straight away
allow	carpentry	competitor
trend	exciting	run around
provide	average	civil service
extra

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Video

 
 
 
 

Transcript

Humans battle it out against aliens — a new virtual game on the internet. Thomas Friedmann’s company developed it.

He managed to turn his love of fantasy into a career. His small development studio competes against giants in the industry. His passion for play is evident.

“I love games. And I love the fact that I can develop them and create world of fun for hundreds of thousands of people.

That’s cool.”

The company only makes online games. The staff of thirty employees have to get inside the heads of users to know what they want.

Their latest game is still in the test phase. But it’s already online.

The company invites feedback from users. For example, they don’t like the way the walls look. So game designer Christian Patura makes changes.

He’s also the man who irons out any errors.

“This tutorial has the wrong image, which is misleading to the user. The text and image don’t match, so that needs to change. But that is a quick job.”

How often do games need to be changed?

“We make changes nearly every day.”

A huge investment, considering that the games are initially offered for free. Friedman has invested millions. He’s been in the business for 25 years, and says you can’t get anywhere without taking risks.

“When you release a game, it doesn’t mean people all over the world are going to jump on it, and you are going to become a millionaire. It’s like in the music industry: if you put out a hit, you can get rich. But very few games become its. There no guarantees.”

He’s developed fifteen games in all, and only two of them posted losses.

Not a bad average.

He’s now passing on his experience to younger developers.

Today he’s visiting a new company in Nuelheim. The founders are developing their first game.

They too are working only with the internet. Online games are popular with users. They don’t have to install any software, can start straight away.

And at first, it’s all free.

“Free games are the general trend,” says Florian Ludwig, co-founder of Grey Rook Entertainment. “Most players would never pay for this game. But it allows you to have a far greater audience. You reach far greater people. And player are used to playing for free — at least to start with.”

The company provides extras that do cost money. These could be more time, for example, or better equipment. They make the game more exciting. They might cost just a matter of cents. But all you need is a few thousand users, and you’re in business.

“I can’t predict what’s going to happen in two to three years,” says Thomas Friedmann, Funatics CEO. “And that’s exciting. Is Google glasses going to put out a better platform and everyone is going to run around in Google digital glasses so I can start making games for that? I think that will come.”

Does that worry you?

“No it’s fun. If I was worried, I wouldn’t be in this job. I’d be doing something more predictable like carpentry or the civil service.”

The real kick: Thomas Friedmann and his company are playing against real competitors; other game developers. And that makes the creation of online games really fun.

 

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Questions

1. Thomas turned his hobby, his passion into a career. His hobby is his career. True or false? What is his passion? How long has Thomas has been in the business?

2. His company sells computer game programs that are downloaded from CDs. Is this right or wrong? Is his company big or small?

3. Do they change, alter, update, and revise their games? How often do they make changes? Why do they change the games?

4. Every game developer can create a successfully game quickly and become rich. Yes or no?

5. How many video games has Thomas created? Were they all successful?

6. All the games are always entirely free. Is this correct or incorrect? What is their pricing strategy?

7. Is game development predictable? Which jobs are predictable? What predictions does Thomas make?
 
 

A. Do you play computer video games? Do your friends like computer games?

B. What do you think about this computer video gaming craze in the world?

C. What will happen in the future?

D. I have friends or I know people whose hobby is their career. Yes or no?

E. Is there a difference between someone whose job is their hobby or passion and someone whose job isn’t their hobby or passion?

F. What is your hobby or passion? Can you turn your hobby into a career or business? Have any of your former classmates, frineds or coworkers done this?