What is an example of a vertically intergrated company?

A vertically intergrated company is a company which produces and manages the whole of a product from start to finish. One company who is famous to this approach of production is apple, however in the gaming industry Electronic Arts (EA Games) and Activision have famously been Vertically Intergrated.
In my case study of Guitar Hero, i have researched heavily into Nintendo. Nintendo are perhaps the most famous Vertically Intergrated company ever, completing the whole proccess from withtin the comapany.

What has the impact of increased internet connectivity been on the media production, distribution and marketing process?

The internet has had a huge effect on the way in which games are consumed, their are hundereds of games free to all online and many add on packages to established titles, such as Call Of Duty and FIFA 10. These packages can be downloaded from online market places designed by console makers. For example if you are signed into XBOX Live, you are automatically taken to the XBOX LIVE MARKETPLACE when you turn your console on. This desktop has titles of games, films and television programmes, all avaliable for download. Many full feature games can be downloaded from the marketplace directly to a hard-drive, this completely iradicates the need to go out and buy a hard copy of the console. Games almost on demand!
Games which are not complete can be advertised on these market places, stating a date of release or a countdown clock, and nearer the release of the game, a free downloadable demo may come out.
Many people shop online at websites such as Amazon and Play.com, this is a way in recent years which games have been ditributed through. Also, games can be pre-ordered from the official websites, however they often are distributed by online giants such as Amazon & HMV.
Many web-sites have advertisement bars, these bars switch ads every 10 seconds, these advertisments bars can be found on most web-sites, not just one's which are directly linked to the game and the gaming industry.
The internet has become a great place for company's to begin a whole new type of viral marketing, e.g Guitar hero's video which had no advertisments in it which showed a boy riding his bike and simulating a guitar hero experience, but on a bike. It was released under a fake name and account.

Marketing Terms and descriptions.

Marketing - Marketing a product includes concept, development, product launch and distribution. Often includes advertisement.

Viral Marketing - This is when moves along encouraging people to carry on a certain message, e.g word of mouth marketing.

Specialist Press - Is a publication which specializes is a certain area e.g games, music or television.

Mainstream Press - Is a must wider publication, including all types of stories and articles.

GUITAR HERO - MARKETING.

Viral Marketing - Guitar Hero released a video of a boy riding his bike along a track made to look like a guitar hero game. It was released on youtube under a fake name with no advertisement featured.

Mainstream Marketing - Using adverts on TV to promote the game, uses young people to generalise teenagers but also because of the rock genre its for a much broadened audience.

Technology & Money of GTA 4

Technology

The technology used to create GTA 4 was Euthoria, it allows animators to direct scenes in real-time in a way they have never been able to do before. You can change parameters or change behaviours and see the results instantly on the screen in front of you.
Euphoria made its debut in Rockstar Games’ Grand Theft Auto IV, followed by LucasArts’ Star Wars: The Force Unleashed and is currently being integrated into multiple AAA titles including Rockstar Games’ Red Dead Redemption and NaturalMotion’s debut title Backbreaker.

http://naturalmotion.com/euphoria.htm

Money

GTA 4 cost 100 Million to make, sold 24.5 million copies, earning a total of $1, 250, 000, 000 and making a profit of $1, 150, 000, 000


Bullet software

Game Overview.

what is the first game you ever played?

Fifa 1998

What games did you used to enjoy playing and what did you like about them?

Football games, i liked the fact you could customise, buy, sell and create players. Also there were a wide range of stadiums

What games do you play now and what do you like about them?

I enjoy playing GTA, the graphics are state of the art and the freedom you have within the game is amazing.

What consoles have you bought and why?

I currently own a XBOX 360, i bought it because it is a multi use system, not only are most games avaliable on it, but you can also browse the internet and access SKY TV.

Do you play games online? If yes, what games and where do you play them?

Other than XBOX LIVE i do not play games online.




The above image is taken from FIFA 10.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FM4UPrAjnc