Learn more about the three different parties that game developers typically fall into and where you might ultimately fit in the best.

Once you’ve learned how to make great games, it’s time to start thinking about how and where you’d like to begin the careers you’ve studied for. Game design online is a very open platform, but has caps on production value. Most people in game development schools harbor the dream of working on AAA console or PC titles, but even that work comes in a variety of flavors. Depending on how your studio operates, your day to day development can vary greatly. Generally, there are three different types of game development parties:

1. First Party
First Party developers work directly for the company creating the console the game will be played on. Nintendo, for instance, has several development teams that all develop and publish under the Nintendo name. First party developers have the benefit of corporate funding and publishing, as well a single platform to learn and develop for. On the downside, however, creativity is more restricted by the wishes of the console makers.

2. Third Party
Any development team working outside of the console manufacturer is considered third party. Independent firms have the ability to develop cross-console, and to basically make whatever they want - however, the burden of actually selling what they make is completely on them. Another task for third party developers is to secure publishing - though some choose to do this themselves, the majority go through a separate company. Third parties might have sub-developers, like Neversoft’s relationship with Activision. Depending on the number of companies involved, this can be freeing or limiting - but every company operates differently.

3. Second Party
Second Party Developers are a special kind of Third Party Developer that develop only for a specific console, like Game Freak, the studio that makes Nintendo’s Pokemon games. Though these environments can offer the best of both worlds - creative freedom and a dedicated environment - they have a history of being risky financially, as they lack complete support from the console developer and are at a disadvantage by only selling to one console exclusively.

As you can see, each set up has its pros and cons. The best strategy is to roll with every opportunity presented, and find out slowly for yourself how you’re most productive. If your game design courses paid off, you might have the option of trying all three.