ESM 3150 - DISTRIBUTION OF GAMES

credits: 3.0
The role of a publisher in the games industry is to ensure that a game can get in front of its audience successfully. To do that, a publisher must consider a variety of distribution strategies and channels. This course will teach you how publishers promote games and bring them to market. By the end of this class, you will be able to plan a game’s launch and promotion. This online class features optional live sessions.

Course Topics:
Introduction to Game Publishing: The role of a publisher in games - as in books - is to bring product to market. Students will learn about the history and current landscape of game publishing and understand the key functions that publishers serve.
Physical and Digital Distribution: Like Music, Film, and Books, Games can be distributed through digital or physical media. These different distribution channels come with strengths and weaknesses, some of which are particular to the games industry. Students will learn the major reasons for prioritizing digital distribution, and the particular importance of physical distribution.
Console Games and Exclusivity: Games developed for consoles have particular advantages and disadvantages compared to those developed for computers. Students will learn about the challenges and benefits of releasing games on console.
Steam and the PC Gaming Experience: Steam represents 50-70% of the PC gaming market, however, it is not the only platform for distribution on PC. Students will learn the process and challenges of a Steam launch and be introduced to potential alternatives.
Mobile Distribution: Mobile gaming represents the largest sector within the industry and mobile platforms are often the easiest on which to release content. However, standing out is very difficult in this space, as is monetization. Students will be provided with an overview of the challenges unique to mobile distribution and gain insight into how these challenges are best addressed.
Release Planning: Choosing between distribution platforms and launching a game requires careful consideration of many variables. Students will learn how to take these variables into account and build a release plan that maximizes units sold and profit. Objectives: This course focuses on the development of distribution strategies for new and existing games. These are key behaviors that a successful student will be able to put on their resumé to stand out from the crowd: A) Design a distribution plan for a new game by leveraging consumer-centered strategies to maximize purchase rates; B) Create plans to launch a new game from development through distribution using agile planning methods. Method of Evaluation: Onboarding Assignments 5%, Discussions 22.5%, Midterm Project 20%, and Final Project Assignments 52%.

Prerequisite(s): ESM 3000 and MGT 2240