research methods on distribution, consumption and production

consumption:
It is how the consumer interacts with the product, for example how the consumer plays and takes in the game. There are many platforms for gaming throughout the industry and such as Xbox, Playstation, Wii, Ninetendo DS, PSP and the PC/Mac. The consumer plays the video game on one of these platforms, in effect consuming the game. Due to the different types of games, each person will consume and understand the game differently to each other. Also games are played differently to each other, for example the WII is actively consumed and perhaps consumed within their family while playing the game. The Xbox will be consumed usually alone and the deeper storylines will be understood differently depending on the individual.

Distribution:
Distribution is how the product is sold and how the consumer buys the product. It is where exchange of money for the game happens. The distributors sell the game to the retailers, who then sell it to the individual who buys it. This is part of the old distribution model, the new model has had an impact from the internet. Gamers can now more easily buy games straight from the publishers over the internet, for example on Xbox Live you can download games straight onto the console, without hassle of buying the game from a retailer. IPhone Apps can also be downloaded off the Itunes App store and onto the Iphone immediately. This will save time and money for the consumer, as well as time and money for the distributor and producer.

Production:
Production is how the game is made, created and producer, effectively the birth of the game. The idea is created first with initial levels and designs created and characters produced. This will of course be done in rough, perhaps with sketches and story boards at first before being transferred onto a computer and desgined and produced further. The software engineers, artists and programmers work together to make the game playable. This can be a time consuming process as the end product has to be "faultless" and perfect so the consumers will be happy with the quality of the game. In sense the developers and producers are seen as the "talent" of the industry as they come up with the ideas and put them into a game.