[game_edu] thoughts on access to industry research

[Andrew Armstrong]

This is also an issue for game historians - there are figures out there, 
vaguely, for certain game sales, but apart from public NDP figures, most 
countries "selling data analysts" don't even release anything, apart 
from perhaps a chart.

If anyone knows a whole load of good data (and not vgchartz) I'd love to 
check the links out. :)

Andrew

S. Gold wrote:

> As you all know, I am always very busy looking for resources and 

> opportunities for all of us to benefit, but sometimes I come across 

> small stumbling blocks. This is one of those occasions where I need a 

> couple more heads to help me come up with possible solutions that 

> might help bring this resource to all of us in education.

>

> I recently found myself on a quest to access game industry research 

> information that is normally sold to various studios per report or via 

> purchasing seats to the database of information. When I am referring 

> to research information, I mean in-depth information on game titles, 

> industry trends, franchise history, marketing analysis, competition 

> analysis, etc... This is information that really is not accessible via 

> a Google search. I tried to talk to the folks at NPD, "I appreciate 

> your inquiry, but at this point NPD does not wish to participate. We 

> have quite a strain on our resources right now, so we can't make any 

> time commitment." I then spoke to EEDAR, a "a business intelligence 

> company". The cost to get access to EEDAR's info via GamePulse is $25K 

> USD per seat (or $50K for 5 seats) per year with most large studios 

> buying into the 5 seat access. Of course, that kind of pocket change 

> is not in the budget of most educational departments. So I have been 

> in touch with the CEO of EEDAR (http://eedar.com) and he said that he 

> has a great affinity for education, he realizes that this is 

> information that educators need access to in order to really give 

> students a true understanding of the business of games. However he 

> finds it hard to sell something to EA for $25K and then turnaround and 

> sell the same thing to educators for considerably less. So he is 

> looking for ideas on how to do business with educational institutions 

> without jeopardizing current clients. My questions to you: 1) is this 

> the kind of information you would like access to? 2) what would you be 

> willing to pay if your institution could have access? 3) can you think 

> of a reasonable recommendation that would satisfy all parties?

>

> Ideas that are currently being floated:

>

>     * Creating a "lite" version of GamePulse -- probably branded under

>       a different name

>     * Custom reports that give game industry info with permission to

>       redistribute to students (custom reports are still pricey, but

>       not like the all access GamePulse). Typically, there is no

>       license to redistribute.

>

>

> All of your comments and ideas will be compiled and I will present 

> them in hopes of making something like this open to all educators.

>

> Everyone have a great weekend (those in the USA -- have a great long 

> weekend).

>

>

> Susan

> -- 

> Susan Gold

> Skype: tahoegold

>

> "To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is 

> all." Oscar Wilde

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