...is the subject of a research paper I'm doing for one of my classes. I've been having trouble finding credible websites (Wiki doesn't count) that has lots of information on games. Obviously I cite VGchartz for things involving games sales, but I was wondering if anybody had any good links to websites articles that mention:

>Game development costs (records, averages, then and now, whatever)

>Size of development teams for specific games (preferably really small ones and really new ones, to make a comparison.)

 And any other info you think might be relevant. The essay's still in early form, so if you have any suggestions, throw them my way. I'm planning on covering how there's too many sequels, too much focus on looking ''pretty'', sky-rocketing budgets (discouraging publishers to take risks), etc, etc; basically describe some of the bad parts of today's bloated industry to a non-gamer (i.e., my teacher.)

 Alternately, this thread could just become a discussion about your opinions on the topic in general. Might give me some ideas that way, anyway.

I agree with most of your points.
*risk is scary for developers, they rather stick with what worked
* low budget = low risk

I predict,
*excluding Nintendo first party games, you will see 70-80% of games being either mini-games or movie/tv tie-ins on the Wii. Games like Mario and Sonic and Carnival will be the benchmark of the genre.

*PS360 will still get high budget games, but fewer in number and games that doesn't live up to high standard will fail in sales number.

What I'm trying to say is. You will see a very clear separation in the gaming industry.

EDIT:  you might be able to copy and past this thread as a part of your research. 

Actually, believe it or not, you're allowed to quote emails and forums, who knows why that's more credible than wiki. But I'm not complaining.

well, I find that teachers actually enjoy if you go out and look for other people's opinions. (this is like a survey) And not to brag, we are the most knowledgeable people when it comes to gaming targeted audience you will ever find. ;)

I would say... hmmm, search on Joystiq with keywords like "high budget"?.. I remember EA mobile CEO said that PS3 is killing the industry with its high budget games.... what made me laugh was the fact the guy is in the MOBILE sector. ;)

I sorta agree with kingofwale. The Wii will see most of the movie tie ins (not that they won't come to the other consoles, but some of the kid-oriented ones might only appear on the Wii), mini-games (it's a given), and first party games. What I disagree on (or... in addition to that), is that any small developer with interesting ideas will probably put them on the Wii as well.

Games that are fun to play, and not necessarily a mini-game, but games that just don't/won't/can't cater to more than a few hundred thousand. Since they're not going to sell well, it doesn't make sense to put them on more expensive consoles. Also, if a developer would decide to not use the most advance graphics/AI/etc on 360/PS3, then they won't appeal to the owners of those consoles. Also, those games will look like lower quality games, so they might not sell as well because of that.

The PS3/360 will get a lot of those FPS (unless someone actually tries to make a COD4 for Wii, which might actually do well), sequels, and games from developers that want/need to have the most up-to-date graphics there is. Course, not many developers did that during the GC/PS2/Xbox days (the difference wasn't that big though). I expect a few big ones to go this route, but not many.

The problem that this causes is that with higher costs, the mergers will start (or have they already) will reduces (or slows) innovation. Also, sequels be more common, which, though sequels are fun, isn't that great of a thing, especially when people complain of all the sequels/spin-offs of games, with Mario being the most mentioned one, though I would think FF would rank up there with it's 13 main series games, all the remakes of old games on the DS, and all the spin offs coming.

>is that any small developer with interesting ideas will probably put them on the Wii as well.


Yes on Wii, but probably not as hard-copies. I would love to see them on Wiiware channel insteadl, That would be minimal cost to distribute them, without a lot of potential risks.

But in the same sense, a lot of shovelwares might also get in Wiiware.

Without a question, smaller developers won't have the money to develop for PS360, frankly, they won't have the budget or the equipment that enable them to make a big enough titles. That's where you see take-overs. or.. companies will start smaller on DS/PSP and then work themselves up for home console...

With wikipedia, you can just use the sources that are cited there. That's what I do.