1. Console Manufacturers And
First Party Publishers
First Party Publishers are the companies that make the hardware, e.g.
games consoles, that games are played on –specifically Sony, Microsoft,
Nintendo and, now that mobile phone based platforms are emerging,
companies such as Nokia.
These companies are the 'gatekeepers' of the industry, as they decide
whether or not to approve each game targeted for development on their
respective console platforms. They have an immense amount of power
and influence over what gets released and which titles get priority mar-
keting.
First Party Publishers provide support to developers and publishers work-
ing on their particular platforms.