Gamasutra Expert Blogs: From Addiction To Revenue Models

In our weekly Best of Expert Blogs column, we showcase notable pieces of writing from members of the game development community who maintain Expert Blogs on Gamasutra. Member Blogs -- also highlighted weekly -- can be maintained by any registered Gamasutra user, while the invitation-only Expert Blogs are written by development professionals with a wealth of experience to share. We hope that both sections can provide useful and interesting viewpoints on our industry. For more information about the blogs, check out the official posting guidelines. Here are the top blogs for the week: This Week's Standout Expert Blogs Life, Addictive Game Mechanics, And The Truth Hiding In Bejeweled Erin Hoffman What does it mean for a game to be "addictive"? Is that a desirable quality or a dangerous one? What could addictive games be reflecting about ourselves? These questions and more are raised and addressed by Erin Hoffman in thoughts prompted by Bejeweled Blitz. Movie vs. Game Distribution Timothy Ryan Hollywood has some ten major methods for consumers to experience a film, with the movie industry earning revenue from nine of them. Console games have roughly half that number, with only three or four generating real income. Surely, this isn't doing our industry any favors, argues Timothy Ryan. Inside The Digital Toy Factory - Developing To Deadlines Colin Anderson Denki calls itself a "digital toy factory," not a game developer. In this in-depth post, co-founder Colin Anderson discusses the studio's thoughts on process, including the importance of change, the scientific method, and influences from the old Hollywood studio system as well as theatre. The Framers Were Gamers Eric Hardman How is the United States Constitution like a video game design document? Eric Hardman explains, and his headline rhymes. Trees In The Breeze David Rosen In a post that's short but raises an important point often overlooked by video games, David Rosen describes his realization that foliage isn't actually completely still most of the time. What other aspects of the environment are frequently misrepresented in games? Also, his headline rhymes.