Some games go through development hell; just to make it through the production phase, let alone continue to branch out into other markets. The demand for creative, captivating, and engaging Video Games is at an all-time high due to the technological advances made for the gaming communities. Developments such as virtual reality and higher caliber gaming consoles (including PC) have become mainstream for the masses, making it harder for smaller publishers and developers to break out into the market due to their limitations. But what ideas can smaller developers capitalize on to ensure they produce something profitable?

Hybridity

There is no shortage of media hybridity in the modern age. More often than not we are seeing franchises move from books to Films, to video games, to theme parks; the list can go on. However, smaller developers do not often get this luxury due to the price of these cross-media productions. The cost to produce these developments often mean high prices being charged to fans to maintain a steady increase in income. But the current creative environment we live in may be the saving grace for smaller developers.

It has become much easier to have a film published for the public to see thanks to the birth of the World Wide Web and social media. Independent filmmakers often capitalize on these sorts of media for publicity and promotion.

So when we begin to look at smaller, independent video game developers, it seems like a match made in heaven for the two parties to collate their creative efforts and use each other as a helping hand.

Cross-media productions

As franchises grow, so does their spectrum of creativity. Many franchises with large overarching storylines such as 'Mortal Kombat' and 'The Walking Dead' are fantastic examples of how media hybridity has allowed their scope to continue growing outside of their first conceptualized medium.

If smaller developers of video games were allowed the access to bridge into the film scene, before their game has its initial release, then there may be a possibility for both industries to flourish together.

I'm talking about synonymous releases of a film and a video game. Instead of waiting for the success of a game to then create a film series or vice versa, filmmakers and developers need to engage both markets at the same time.

This would allow budding directors, actors, and film crew an opportunity to find work within the realm they want to, as well as provide game developers with cross-promotional content which would boost the sales of the games; while driving people to look into other types of media (such as the films) for more of the content they love.

'Quantum Break' pushing the idea

Obviously, it is easy to make this statement with rose tinted glasses and assume that everything would work out without a hitch. But it is worth bearing in mind when you look at games such as Remedy entertainment's 'Quantum Break' video game.

During the development of the game, the creators decided that they would also create a running short film series, in which players of the game would alter the storyline depending on the decisions they made in the game.

'Quantum Break' pushed the idea that games and films can go hand-in-hand together and assist each other in delivering a narrative experience to the players. This hybridity of media is an excellent way for two industries to begin to grow together by aligning their creative efforts.

Practicality

Money is once again the main issue. However, we live in a time where avid filmmakers are eager to create content, and smaller game developing studios need to begin to branch into other media for exposure. They two industries have so much potential to be able to develop upon what 'Quantum Break' has achieved, and push boundaries even further with regards to filmmaking and game development.