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The Creative Industries. Outcome 3. Identify the issues and support mechanisms that influence an elected vocational area within the Creative Industries sector. Impact of technology and technical developments.
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Outcome 3 Identify the issues and support mechanisms that influence an elected vocational area within the Creative Industries sector
Impact of technology and technical developments Technology is a big part of the games design industry, with new more advanced hardware and software on the scene games design can be taken to new levels. With all the computer games consoles and PCs capable of high performance gaming the games design company have very little limits they can’t reach, with 2D and 3D software from Autodesk and Adobe, amongst many more, games designers have the potential to take their designs to higher places with more advanced technology. A lot of the software and hardware is available for freelance games designers as well as the big companies this allows for anyone to be able to make games, games can be made on Adobe Flash and can be then uploaded online for others to use, gaming on facebook for example, not always for money, but this is a way for freelance games designers to be noticed. There is some software, such as blender, which are free gaming software that can be downloaded online.
Legal and statutory controls Games design companies have different ways of distributing their products, they can sell the software or they can sell software with a licence. If a game is sold for a console then it is a copy of the software that the buyer is receiving, if they are buying it for a computer than they will receive the software and a serial code which will activate the licence for that copy of software. When they buy the software it has to be installed onto the hardware rather than run from a disk so when they install it and activate their serial code then the buyer is the only one with the licence that way they cannot install the software and then sell it on again because they have activated their licence. Intellectual property (IP) refers to creations of the mind: inventions, literary and artistic works, and symbols, names, images, and designs used in commerce. For the games design industry this could mean that that an idea that a designer may have could be unachievable if there is already something similar on the market. In games design if the designer wants to use a certain music track in their game or to even advertise it they will need to get permission from the owner of the track this way they can gain the rights to use the track. Working as a self employed games designer could have its ups and downs, one problem a games designer could come across is gaining access to the required software. If they are working alone then they will need to supply themselves with the appropriate software and software such as Autodesk 3DS Max doesn’t come cheap costing a good few thousand pounds a piece, they will also have to ensure that the software they are using is a legal copy and not an illegal version or an educational version of the software that doesn’t allow for commercial use. Any person in a job needs to pay tax which is deducted from their wages by their employer, the more money the worker is paid the more tax they must pay. Self employed people will pay their tax on a monthly basis as they are responsible for their own wages.
Health and Safety issues A game’s designer will be working on a computer for a prolonged amount of time so they will need to ensure that their workplace is safe to work in. They must ensure that all cables for their computers are not exposed in a way that they can become a danger from tripping over them, they must also ensure that if they are going to consume food or drink whilst working that they do not do so in a way that could result in spillage around electicals. They should also ensure that the area that they are working in is well lit to avoid eye strain from prolonged exposure to the screen. Workers should be able to work in a place they feel safe and comfortable in, they must have suitable working areas with access to food and drink whether this be in the workplace or someplace close by they can access. The work place should be tidy and clean and well ventelated. Things such as the condition of the equipment used by the workers should also be monitored and made sure they are in good working order. When working on a computer for a prolonged amount of time employees must ensure that they use the equipment in a safe way, ensuring the area they are working in is well lit to avoid eye strain, they must also sit appropriately to avoid back and neck pain, other equipment such as printers and scanner should also be treated with care, if the hardware is faulty then they should consult their boss and not take it into their own hands to sort it.
Business and financial support organisations If someone wants to start a business then there are a range of things they can do to get advice, they can find information on the internet about starting up a business, looking at other businesses and how they run can also be a good benefit. They can also go to their local job centre to gain information on different businesses and how they are run. Looking on other company websites can also be a good place to gain intellect in the business type they want to get into. E-commerce Is also something that could benefit a worker in the games design industry, any of the work they create they could then sell online to the public or other game designer companies, they can use the internet to their advantage by looking for employers to sell their services to. If someone in the games design industry is looking into starting up their own business then there is a number of ways they can gain access to the funds that are needed, one way they can do this is by getting a loan from their bank or any other trustworthy lender. They can also apply for a grant which is a sum of money given for a specific project or purpose that a business doesn't need to pay back (unless it breaks the conditions of receiving it). (http://www.smarta.com/advice/business-finance/small-business-grants/how-a-grant-could-help-your-business) Award bodies Awarding bodies are organisations that are empowered to ‘make awards’, or ‘award qualifications’. This function should not be confused with similar functions such as award recognition or licence to practice, which reside with certain professional organisations. Most major awards are made by awarding bodies with statutory powers, but there are also many professional organisations that make their own awards. While most programmes and courses in Ireland lead to Irish qualifications, it is also the case that many programmes lead to non-Irish awards, for example awards from international bodies, or national awards from other jurisdictions (mainly UK). http://www.qualifax.ie/menu_material/Qualifications/Awarding%20Bodies.html
Industry and professional associations • About IGDA • The International Game Developers Association is the largest non-profit membership organization serving individuals that create video games. The following elements constitute the identity of the IGDA: • Mission • To advance the careers and enhance the lives of game developers by connecting members with their peers, promoting professional development, and advocating on issues that affect the developer community. • Core Values • These core values are the IGDA's essential and enduring tenets. They are timeless guiding principles that require no external justification; they have intrinsic value and importance to the IGDA and its members. • Community • Professionalism • Expression • Innovation • Impact • Leadership • Fun
What does that all really mean? • Here are six examples to illustrate the IGDA and its members in action: • Extensive opportunities to network with other professionals and connect with peers: Chapters, Events/Parties, SIGs, Forums, LinkedIn group • Exploring and addressing significant issues within the industry affecting game development: Quality of Life, Recognition of Talent, Diversity • Offerings for professional development and educational programs: SIGs, Leadership Forum • Influencing regulations and public perceptions that affect the medium of games: Anti-Censorship Advocacy, Speakers Bureau • Access to the most up to date and in-depth information : White Papers, Wiki Knowledge Base, Columns/Articles • Providing standards and guidelines that help evolve the industry: Credit Standards, ECQC, Casual Games Reporting Standards • (The IGDA relies on the volunteer work provided by countless members. The IGDA empowers everyone with the means to positively affect their career and the industry. • IGDA Code of Ethics • Preamble As creators of interactive media, we, the members of the International Game Developers Association (IGDA), recognize the importance of the effect of ideas conveyed through art, and especially the effect of ideas presented in an • interactive choice-driven format. As professionals we here establish a Code of Ethics with the following objectives:
To promote the growth of our industry and the growth of creative endeavors; • To ensure a professional standard of workplace environment for all development; • To publicly establish and communicate our standards as media professionals. • This Code is divided into four sections: Principles, being basic standards that all members of the IGDA commit to uphold; Workplace, being standards that all members of the IGDA acknowledge as rights for the facilitation of professional delivery and creativity; Leadership, being standards for management and leadership of development studios at all levels of the IGDA; and Compliance, being a policy for the enforcement of this Code. • A Code of Ethics is only as strong as the willingness of its members to uphold it. In establishing this Code we commit to a professional standard and as members of the IGDA agree to uphold and enforce it for ourselves and our peers. • Section 1: Principles As individual developers, we commit that we will: • continually strive to increase the recognition and respect of the profession;uphold the integrity of our work and credit contributions where they are due, never representing another's work as our own, or vice versa; • present ourselves and our skills accurately; • respect intellectual property rights; • seek fair rights to ownership of content that we create; • honor signed legal agreements in spirit and in letter; • promote proper, responsible, and legal use of computing technology at our disposal; • strive to create content appropriate for our stated audience, and never misrepresent or hide content from committees assigned to review content for communication to the public, and specifically we will work strenuously to cooperate with and support the Entertainment Software Review Board;
strive to share knowledge even while protecting intellectual property, for the growth of our peers as professional craftspeople and our industry; • strive to promote public knowledge of technology and art, and the strengths of our industry in expanding the boundaries of art and science. • promote this code of ethics within one's company, with third-party contractors and within the entire profession. • Section 2: Workplace As professionals committed to excellence in our field, we hold that: • Workplace safety, including physical and mental safety and comfort, is a basic right for every developer; • Discrimination or the tolerance of discrimination of any kind, whether on the basis of race, gender, creed, age, sexuality, family status, disability, or national origin, harms us as professionals, limits our craft, and violates this Code; • For the integrity of ourselves as professionals and as a professional organization, we will be aware of and adhere to all local laws in the region in which we operate, unless there is an overwhelming ethical conflict in so doing; • Fair treatment for developers at all levels, whether full time, part time, temporary, or student employees, is required for our operation at a professional standard. • Section 3: Leadership As leaders in our professional field, we commit that we will: • Understand that an informed and physically healthy workforce benefits game development on ethical, creative, and business levels comprehensively; • be forthright in communicating information pertinent to the talent that we lead, and will never knowingly deceive those whom we lead;
adhere to fair schedules and contracts, never committing to delivering more than we can reasonably achieve while maintaining standards of workplace quality of life; • ensure that all employment agreements are fair and legal; • provide for the health of our employees to the best of our abilities; • uphold trust between ourselves and those we lead by ensuring confidentiality of legal documentation and private information; • promote the growth of our industry by supporting the exchange of knowledge and ideas between developers, for our mutual benefit; • provide for the future of our developers and our industry by providing support for families and future developers, and acknowledge and respect the value of our veteran talent; • ensure to the best of our ability the mental and physical well-being of those whom we lead, maintaining highest standards of workplace quality of life. • Governing/Formal Documents • The IGDA is governed by two principle documents: the Articles of Incorporation and the Bylaws. Together, these documents outline the general rules of the Association, rights of members, powers of the board, etc. • Bylaws (pdf - 40kb) • Articles of Incorporation (pdf - 16kb) • Board of Directors Code of Ethics (pdf - 17kb) • Board meeting minutes • 2006 Financial Review (pdf - 65kb) • Annual Reports
