Games, an industry continue to develop serious is the youngest, powerful and least known of Argentina, there are 65 companies that develop products for everyone
Laura Reina
THE NATION
a boy, he spent his playing Lucas video games. Big, too. The industry is part of the younger, vibrant, playful and less known in Argentina: the video game industry.
What began ten years ago by the hand of young and enthusiastic self-taught in private garages and basements today has become a competitive sector which brings together 65 companies, the majority of SMEs ", which employs over 2000 people and 50 million bill dollars a year, according to a recent report by the Center for Metropolitan Economic Development (DESC), along with the Game Developers Association of Argentina (ADVA).
New media like the Internet (especially since the explosion social networks) or mobile cellular type, allowing instant and free access to a mass audience and not necessarily a fan of games, lit the fuse of an industry that is growing. And also helped the continued development of modern consoles like the PlayStation (Sony) or Wii (Nintendo), which concentrate the public truly fanatical, demanding and aware of new releases.
"The first turning point that paved the sector's boom was the move into casual games, designed for all audiences, with rules simple and free or very low cost. This broadened the concept of game and managed approach segments that previously had no way to access this type of entertainment, "says the report.
According to Sebastian Uribe, director of the Department of Game of the Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires (ITBA), by 2005 the industry was good amateur. "Today people are asked formed, with knowledge and experience. Five years ago there was a requirement. Hired before fanatic people who did the work for little money. Now it does not happen, the sector was professionalized.
95 percent of video games developed in the country are exported. In the world order, Argentina is a competitive market that combines good human resources with low prices, but the latter is beginning to change. Martin Repetto, CEO of Minor Studios, a company dedicated to developing games for Mac and PC, which integrates social networking and devices like iPhone and iPad commented, "We are becoming cheaper, but better quality."
"Develop a game in Argentina is getting more expensive by factors such as inflation or the high salaries paid in the industry. Countries like India, Romania and China are becoming cheaper and more capable, but we still have The advantage of locating culturally closer to Europe and the United States, who are our main customers. "
cultural affinity with Europe and the States Together, they represent over 70% of console gaming market and about 50% of online
game is a strength that stands Chilcowski Andres, founder and CEO of NGD Studios. Among his achievements Regnum Online, a game that already enjoys more than 150 countries.
"Today, many Argentine companies that only provided development services for others are creating their own intellectual property, which is where the true value of the industry," said Chilcowski, adding that only one in ten games is really successful.
But, despite progress, the local gaming industry will need to "explode." "It has not happened
hit that big national industry. Now there is an opportunity to occur with many products being developed and published in most markets around the world, including Europe and the United States, "said CEO QB9, Alfredo Cattan.
The company is the creator , among others, Doors of Mind
, PandemicyMundo Gaturro
, a game designed for children who "run" on the Internet. "The growing trend is to develop games across multiple access platforms. For example, start playing on Facebook and follow my departure from an iPhone, "said Cattan, who said that 90% of what develop export it, although the market is starting to move.
founder and CEO of Three Melons, Patricio Jutard, said that despite the growth of the last time the industry did not make the big leap. "We need more coverage and have more places where people can be trained formally, and we must fight piracy," said Jutard, who sees great prospects for developing social games
multiplayer and free.
Part of FIFA 2010 is Argentina Within the industry, developing games for consoles such as PlayStation or Wii is one of the strongest bets. These are big productions that require an investment of between 5 and 15 million dollars and more than a year of work. In the jargon of the game, called AAA. In Argentina, Sabarasa is one of the companies that produce and publish video game console. "Here, the development of video games for consoles is very strong, but as there is no legal market have less visibility," he said Javier Otaegui, founder and CEO of Sabarasa.
Globant, Argentina technology company that develops software products, is another strong commitment to the development of AAA video games. The company dedicates two of the seven departments that has a game-one development and another test, which, in total, grouped in 800 people. In Globant developed part of FIFA 2010 the game sold the year. Diego Ignacio
Cantalupo and Tarter, director of Technical Operations and the Department of Gaming
Globant, say they make video games is as complex as a film. The secret of a successful video game: "Good idea, implementation capacity and timing
. Today, the important thing is to come first, because that idea and may have thought before," they said Cantalupo and cake.
Game over. 2001
Beginnings In the midst of crisis comes an industry hand amateur young fans of video games, without training or previous experience. Of these enterprises
and arises Argentina as a software developer country at competitive prices. Romania, India and China are the other countries chosen to develop games.
2010
Consolidation From 2005 to present, the industry has grown and has become professional. Integrate young people no longer amateurs, but people with experience and academic training, one-person
appear the basis of the video game industry. Survive the more adventurous, associate and founded the first industry SMEs.
2005
development begin to emerge the first business opportunities. Foreign companies are beginning to look to emerging markets to cheaper
costs but not specific. In fact, one of the weaknesses of the industry is to have no academic programs for these professionals, who require constant updating. 2015
The expectation Prospects are good and in fact are expected to exploit the local industry with a "big hit" to revolutionize the video game market in the world order. Builders
phenomenon
1. Game Designer: define the gameplay and characters from an idea embodied in a document so that the programmer and 3D artists to develop
the game. Average salary: $ 4500
2. Writer, artist and 2D 3D, and musician, the writer develops scenes designed by the designer and create dialogues, if any. The artists performing the art of the game and musicians create the melodies. Average salary: $ 4400
3. Developer: gives life to the idea created by the designer. Allow us to obtain the characters move, perform actions and have life. Average salary: $ 4800
4. Tester : spend hours playing and generates a report of possible improvements. Is responsible for making the final quality control. Average salary: $ 2800
5. Producer : is that the project has in his head and makes sure that the times of each stage are met. It is a task of coordination with different areas. Average salary: $ 5000
formal training, poor The major shortcoming of the industry is the lack of a specific academic offerings. The ITBA issue, from next March, the Diploma in Games Design and Development, aimed at people with some knowledge of programming. "We believe we bring to completion, to make this race will enter the industry as if they had previous experience," said the director of the Department of Game of the ITBA, Sebastian Uribe. Campus Image and Da Vinci are other alternatives for those who want to train.
10 and 11 December next Videogames Exhibition comes Argentina, organized by the Game Developers Association of Argentina for all industry players, from investors, artists and entrepreneurs. Pan will be on site. DIXIT
"Develop a game in Argentina is getting more expensive by factors such as inflation or wages paid" MARTIN REPETTO
Minor Studios "Today several Argentine companies are creating their own intellectual property, which is where the true value of the industry, "ANDRES CHILCOWSKI
NGD Studios" We need more outreach and places where people can be trained formally. And we have to combat piracy
PATRICIO
JUTARD
Three melons "The growing trend is to develop games with access to multiple platforms, start playing at Facebook and I at the iPhone" ALFREDO CATTA
QB9 " At home, the development of video games for consoles is very strong but, as there is no legal market, he takes away visibility
Javier Otaegui
Sabarasa
