Animated Review 10-1: Globalization
The above video is visual only and contains no dialogue. After watching the video and reading the transcript, please click the link below to view the quiz that follows this activity.
Transcript:
Globalization
(0:00 - 0:00): Globalization, the involvement of multiple countries in production, distribution, and purchasing, is an important factor in video game production and sales.
(0:00 - 0:01): Production may involve global labor for a number of reasons. One reason is the labor-cost differential. It may be cheaper to outsource the work to a programmer from another country than it would be to pay a programmer locally. This allows a company to lower the cost of production.
(0:02 - 0:07): Global labor can also be used to design a game faster. If one design team is in the United States and another is in South Korea, work can be completed around-the-clock. This can cut production time nearly in half!
(0:08 - 0:09): A third reason for global labor is specialized skills or a skill differential. If a particular skill is needed in the development of a video game and a specialist team happens to reside in another country, they will be hired to do the job.
(0:11 - 0:12): Technology and currency allow the production of video games to easily cross national boundaries. Technology allows information to be quickly and securely sent all over the world. The function and ability of currency to be exchanged means designers and producers can look around the world for the best prices and skills.
(0:13 - 0:14): Fortunately, the demand for quality video games is still increasing. As a result, the need for software developers, engineers, artists, programmers, and testers is also increasing. Marketing positions are also in demand as all promotional materials must be duplicated in multiple languages for worldwide distribution and sales.