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Video Game Producers

History

Much has happened in the gaming industry since Atari introduced Pong in the early 1970s. Since then, new consoles have come out, including some forgotten hits, such as Intellivision and ColecoVision; more recent names include Nintendo, Sega, Sony PlayStation, and Microsoft Xbox. The industry has become a billion-dollar venture, with much to win in the case of a hot game (think of Super Mario Brothers in its heyday), but also much to lose in the case of a financial sinker (think of E.T. the Extra Terrestrial—a game so unpopular it actually ended the life of the Atari 2600 console). This financial risk created the need for better oversight and management in the video game production process, which is why the job of producer was born. Video game producers oversee the creative people working away on the details of the game, while ensuring that client and consumer interest will make the project financially viable from the start and marketable in the future.

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