Quality of Video Games: Introduction to a Complex Issue

Abstract

The video games industry is one of the fastest growing branches of industry, reaching revenues comparable to (or even surpassing, depending on the source) the 70 year older film industry. The growth was not free from turmoil, as the industry faced many disruptive changes, market crashes, fusions and takeovers. High development costs and fierce competition make video games a high-risk business. While it seems obvious that companies in such unstable environment should strive to achieve the highest quality of their products, the uniqueness, variety, complexity, and constant evolution of video games makes common definitions and models of quality difficult to apply. This article provides an overview of problems concerning the application of the term “quality”, it's frameworks and measurement methods to video games.