BBVG--Lesson-8

Welcome to The Business Behind Video Games!

What's in a Name?

If you have not already done so, please give your video game a cool and catchy NAME.

Turning a Game into a Franchise  

Some games become so popular, that they turn into more games, and more, and more, until they become a franchise or brand.  Let's look at some of the most successful video game franchises of all time:

• 1. Mario -  Arguably the most popular and easily identifiable character in video game history, Mario first appeared in the original Donkey Kong arcade game in 1981. Mario games are by far the best-selling video games. The Nintendo mascot has appeared in more than 200 games in a franchise that has sold more than half a billion copies, with Super Mario alone selling just shy of 300 million copies since 1985, according to Tech Times.

  2. Pokemon -  What started as a pair of Gameboy games in 1996, the Pokémon brand went on to become one of the best-selling franchises of all time, with more than 270 million units sold, according to Tech Times. 

  3. Call of Duty -  Verified by Guinness as the best-selling first-person shooter in history, the Call of Duty franchise's newest installment, Infinite Warfare, is one of the most highly anticipated games. Activison first released Call of Duty in 2003 and has announced they've since sold 250 million copies. In 2009, Modern Warfare 2 sold nearly 5 million copies and grossed $320 million in just 24 hours, making it the most successful entertainment launch in history, according to Giant Bomb.

  4. Grand Theft Auto

  5. Wii Games

  6. The SIMS

  7. Tetris

  8. Need for Speed

  9. Sonic the Hedgehog

  10. Final Fantasy

  11. FIFA

  12. LEGO

  13. Madden NFL

  14. Assassin's Creed

  15. Pro Evolution Soccer   

Developing a Brand - Wearable Merchandise  

As games gain popularity, their characters will too.  Part of building and developing a brand is increasing the popularity of characters through the use of wearable merchandise.  Think of all the types of wearable merchandise that surround us each day.  Hats, Shirts, pants, watches, earrings, backpacks, etc.  Each one of these wearables is an ADVERTISEMENT and helps to build the brand's popularity.  Ironically enough, we usually PAY for these items...that means we as customers are PAYING to advertise THEIR PRODUCT.  Hmmmm.....

Assignment - Create Wearable Merchandise for your video game.  Focus on the main character and main villain for this project.  Keep the following in mind as you create your designs on your iPad:

• • Color Scheme--Make it POP!

  • Image of the Character

  • Catch Phrase--Every Character should have a Slogan or Catch Phrase

  • Salability--Why would someone buy this?  Cute? Scary? Appealing?

Some examples of wearables are shown below:

Your Turn - Create Wearables for your Video Game

• • 2 Shirt Designs (one for Main Character, one for Main Villain)

  • 1 Hoodie Design (Choice of Character)

  • 2 Hat Designs  (one for Main Character, one for Main Villain)

  • 1 Shoe Design (Choice of Characters)

  • 2 Misc. Wearables (NOT shirt, shoe, hoody or hat) (Your Choice of Characters)

  • Be sure to set a PRICE for each item.  Prices should be typed in the Lower-Right corner of each design. (i.e. - $9.99)

Total of 8 Designs.  You will have 2 class periods to complete these 8 designs. You can start with one of the samples shown below, or you may find your own on the internet, it's up to you.

Click on the pics below, it will take you to a full-size version of the picture.  Blow it up on your iPad and take a screen shot.  Take this screen shot and open it into your sketch app.  Then you can create your wearables.

Homework - Continue working on your wearables, don't forget your prices!!!  Have a GREAT day!