HA12: Task 1 - The Greatest Genre ever!
In my opinion, the greatest game genre in the world is by far the first person shooter genre. By definition: "A first person shooter (FPS) is a genre of action video game that is played from the point of view of the protagonist. FPS games typically map the gamer's movements and provide a view of what an actual person would see and do in the game."
Specific titles also introduce their own characteristics and differences within the genre such as:
Halo: 3
Gameplay and Gamemodes
Halo 3 is by far my favourite game of this genre and my favourite game in general. It really was (too me) my perfect childhood game and I never knew why. In this clip you can see a battle of the online mode "big team slayer" which is one of the many multiplayer modes of the game, some of which include "Infection" a single player has a 1 hit melee weapon known as an energy sword which can lung at the opposing players this person must literally infect the others and make those players become like him (with the energy sword). The opposing side have shotguns and pistols and must hold off against the "infected" enemy team until the timer runs out , "Team Slayer" essentially Team deathmatch from most other first person shooters except unlike most others vehicles and pickups, powerups and turrets are scattered around the map for instance a player could pick up a larger amount of health that decays over a short time (the overshield) or could fly an alien spacecraft known as the banshee, and "Team SWAT" is a game mode where players can only kill the opposing team with headshots, everybody is given a 3 round burst battle rifle which has a scope that can be used to zoom in, unlike Team SWAT there is no weapon drops or vehicles on the map.
CounterStrike: Global Offensive
Gameplay and Gamemodes
Counterstrike: Global offensive or commonly abbreviated to (CS:GO) is an extremely competitive and popular game made by the Valve corporation. It is a first person shooter game that I play quite often and I'm really starting to get into it due to it's competitive yet simplistic aspect of game play and style. The game itself is really fast paced and lots of practice with accuracy and game sense to master. There are fewer modes compared to games such as call of duty and halo however the "competitive" game mode is where most players find themselves, probably due to the ranking system and extreme competitive side to the game, It involves 2 teams, Terrorists and Counter-Terrorists that spawn on opposing sides of the map, the terrorists must then plant the bomb that one of those people spawn with.
Call of Duty: Black Ops III
Gameplay and Gamemodes
Personally I could not create a first person shooter article without mentioning the call of duty franchise (one of the most popular game genres to have ever existed). The Game series itself has had it's fair share of changes from customization of kill streaks to living zombies attacking the player. The game play includes a single player campaign that tells a story in which the player usually takes control of the main protagonist. The multiplayer game mode where players battle (much like they do in halo) except there are different game modes the player can choose from. And call of duty's "third" game mode which has often changed from special ops which is a series of co-operative missions that players can complete that usually take aspects of the campaign. Or as shown below, Zombies game play where players roam often diverse or simplistic maps which have traps/ buyable upgrades/ buildables and barriers they can repair to keep zombies at bay.
The Genre Characteristics
User Interface
The user interface for first person shooters is generically the same. There are usually inventory slots in which the player had devices or equipment they can use, FPS games are known for showing the weapon in the hand of the player these can usually range from bows, guns, grenades, to even knives and the infamous monkey bombs from Call of duty. Whilst some of the genre's User interfaces are similar they definitely have their differences, for instance Halo slick Blue and orange futuristic menu's and HUD's are almost completely different from the black and white less stylish CS:GO menu and HUD, the inventory slots are also mixed around etc so FPS games do have their differences. One key difference in UI for CS:GO is the fact the gun can be swapped around to the opposite side to the screen.
Graphic Style
The Graphic style for most FPS's are generally the same. Some tend too be realistic as possible where as some go for a more simplistic style yet focus more on gameplay such as CS:GO. Halo 3 would be a good game too focus on, it's graphics style is completely different to most first person. Reason being it's futuristic setting has a huge influence on it's graphics.
Narrative Structures & Gender Representation
The way the story is told in each of these games is fairly similar Halo and Call of duty take a single player campaign approach, It uses AI computer controlled opponents in waves and uses checkpoint systems to save a players progress. The genre also uses cinematic cut scenes in order to tell the story from the players perspective although, some of these cinematics transcend into 3rd person. There is an exception, some games such as the new star wars battlefront game and CS:GO include no singleplayer game which means they don't have a narrative structure and are purely created for their competitive and mutli player aspects.
As far as I am aware, only the latest installments of call of duty, and the Halo series post Halo:Reach include the option to change to a female character. There isn't much changed besides voice acting either which I do believe the genre could certainly work on.
Friday, 27 November 2015
Thursday, 5 November 2015
HA11: Task 1 - Glossary
HA11: Task 1 - Glossary
The Hypodermic Needle Theory
"The "hypodermic needle theory" implied mass media had a direct, immediate and powerful effect on its audiences. The mass media in the 1940s and 1950s were perceived as a powerful influence on behavior change."
Source: https://www.utwente.nl/cw/theorieenoverzicht/Theory%20Clusters/Mass%20Media/Hypodermic_Needle_Theory/
The Inoculation Theory
The Inoculation Theory suggest that our faiths, beliefs and their attitudes alter over time.
Source: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-inoculation-theory.htm
The Two Step flow Model
"Two-step flow model of communication, theory of communication that proposes that interpersonal interaction has a far stronger effect on shaping public opinion than mass media outlets."
Source: http://www.britannica.com/topic/two-step-flow-model-of-communication
The Uses and Gratification Theory
The uses and Gratification theory is trying to understand why and how people resort to specific types of media to satisfy our needs. Some of these needs may be too escape the real world which is why a lot of video games are used. Personal relationships, Personal Identity and Surveillance are also other examples of why people might use this.
The Reception Theory
"Reception theory provides a means of understanding media texts by understanding how these texts are read by audiences. "
Source: http://www.filmreference.com/encyclopedia/Independent-Film-Road-Movies/Reception-Theory.html#ixzz3sjGiqOer
Image Source: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUtkbsoUaE-_xnDKweXDcMZw67GrlXFbhi3nHkAOLFVQfClIzJeGWmf8CUP4vulaizZ9Wup11d8LgJDVLZt-cntTLaGcczlQLUo1JuzHf_FU6Ykr142QZn8Ksklbh3z0tlzC3CZUaaK1fL/s1600/RECEPTION+THEORY.png
The Hypodermic Needle Theory
"The "hypodermic needle theory" implied mass media had a direct, immediate and powerful effect on its audiences. The mass media in the 1940s and 1950s were perceived as a powerful influence on behavior change."
Source: https://www.utwente.nl/cw/theorieenoverzicht/Theory%20Clusters/Mass%20Media/Hypodermic_Needle_Theory/
The Inoculation Theory
The Inoculation Theory suggest that our faiths, beliefs and their attitudes alter over time.
Source: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-inoculation-theory.htm
The Two Step flow Model
"Two-step flow model of communication, theory of communication that proposes that interpersonal interaction has a far stronger effect on shaping public opinion than mass media outlets."
Source: http://www.britannica.com/topic/two-step-flow-model-of-communication
The Uses and Gratification Theory
The uses and Gratification theory is trying to understand why and how people resort to specific types of media to satisfy our needs. Some of these needs may be too escape the real world which is why a lot of video games are used. Personal relationships, Personal Identity and Surveillance are also other examples of why people might use this.
The Reception Theory
"Reception theory provides a means of understanding media texts by understanding how these texts are read by audiences. "
Source: http://www.filmreference.com/encyclopedia/Independent-Film-Road-Movies/Reception-Theory.html#ixzz3sjGiqOer
Image Source: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUtkbsoUaE-_xnDKweXDcMZw67GrlXFbhi3nHkAOLFVQfClIzJeGWmf8CUP4vulaizZ9Wup11d8LgJDVLZt-cntTLaGcczlQLUo1JuzHf_FU6Ykr142QZn8Ksklbh3z0tlzC3CZUaaK1fL/s1600/RECEPTION+THEORY.png
Thursday, 22 October 2015
HA10: Task 1 - Glossary
HA10: Task 1 - Glossary
Semiotics
Semiotics is the study of different signs and how they're used. It is fairly critical to media in terms of the communication and creation.
Genre
Selection of content
Media
Text
A media text is a type of media that one can research. For instance a film would be a type of media text that can be analysed. This can be any media product, posters, films, Television shows, books, cartoons.
Semiotics
Semiotics is the study of different signs and how they're used. It is fairly critical to media in terms of the communication and creation.
Genre
A genre is a specific type of film, music, game. Quite a variety of media can be defined in terms of genre.
Selection of content
The selection of content is not necessarily specific to the media and games industry. It is the selection of device you want the end user to receive as information or entertainment.
Construction
of content
The construction of content is the way a particular type of film, program, media device or game has been created. It is the building process too that type of media product.
Codes and
conventions
The games industry/ Media industry have codes and conventions. Codes are the signs of products which create meaning. They can be split up into 2 categories symbolic & technical.
Modes of
address
In the terms of media text, modes and addresses are related to the intended audience (consumers) of the product.
In the terms of media text, modes and addresses are related to the intended audience (consumers) of the product.
Monday, 28 September 2015
HA9: Task 3 - Primary Research
HA9: Task 3 - Primary Research
Too establish an audience for GTA: V I would first need to devise some questions too ask a demographic on what they think of GTA so there would need to be qualitative, quantitative, and an audience profile before I could personally define an audience for GTA by gathering Primary research common forms of primary research include interviews, one to ones or questionnaires.
Quantitative
The quantitive research I will produce will be a series of yes or no questions to define statistics on the target audience for GTA: V. I believe these figures will come in useful to understand what a certain age group or gender like about GTA as opposed to another.
Qualitative
The Qualitative research will most likely be why a specific demographic like GTA so for instance I would ask open ended questions to understand what they actually like about GTA as apposed to a yes or no whether they enjoy it. The questions I will be asking my audience are closed end first so for instance "Do you enjoy the story missions within GTA: V?" or perhaps "Do you enjoy the multiplayer aspect of GTA: V?".
Picture source: https://themarketingdirectors.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/qualitative_vs-_quantitative_research.jpg
Audience Profiling
Too establish an audience for GTA: V I would first need to devise some questions too ask a demographic on what they think of GTA so there would need to be qualitative, quantitative, and an audience profile before I could personally define an audience for GTA by gathering Primary research common forms of primary research include interviews, one to ones or questionnaires.
Quantitative
The quantitive research I will produce will be a series of yes or no questions to define statistics on the target audience for GTA: V. I believe these figures will come in useful to understand what a certain age group or gender like about GTA as opposed to another.
Qualitative
The Qualitative research will most likely be why a specific demographic like GTA so for instance I would ask open ended questions to understand what they actually like about GTA as apposed to a yes or no whether they enjoy it. The questions I will be asking my audience are closed end first so for instance "Do you enjoy the story missions within GTA: V?" or perhaps "Do you enjoy the multiplayer aspect of GTA: V?".
Picture source: https://themarketingdirectors.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/qualitative_vs-_quantitative_research.jpg
Audience Profiling
HA9: Task 2 - Secondary Research
HA9: Task 2 - Secondary
Research
Defining an audience for Grand Theft Auto: Five is difficult because Rockstar (the media producers in this case) could have had any intended audience in mind when they created the game. Even though it's part of a series it's still difficult to set a specific age cap on because i personally know people 30+ who play Grand Theft Auto: Five, and some players who avidly play the game are just 15-16 which is below the age restriction.
Let's start with the fact that Grand Theft Auto: Five is M rated game a "Mature" game. But what does this mean? Well Grand theft auto: V is rated mature due to it's blood and gore, aspects of intense violence, nudity, and use of drugs. This means that only people 17+ years (18+ in some countries) can purchase a copy of the game legally, this most likely means that the target audience is somewhere between 18-30 year old people.
Whilst the game might certainly be aimed at a mature target audience, it doesn't stop children getting their parents to buy a copy of the game for them, I have played Grand theft Auto: Five as a 17 year old and I can say as a teenager the game is a lot of fun. However I personally understand why Rockstar have targeted this game to mature audience due too all the freedom a player has with game play concepts including extreme violence, nudity and drugs. Coming from https://www.commonsensemedia.org/game-reviews/grand-theft-auto-v
" Parents need to know that Grand Theft Auto V is an M-rated action game brimming with gang violence, nudity, extremely coarse language, and drug and alcohol abuse. It isn't a game for kids. "
I think this sums up Grand theft auto: Five's target audience pretty nicely "this isn't a game for kids" yet as a 17 year old who's been through high school recently I can confidently say that GTA was bought by a vast majority of the school.
Defining an audience for Grand Theft Auto: Five is difficult because Rockstar (the media producers in this case) could have had any intended audience in mind when they created the game. Even though it's part of a series it's still difficult to set a specific age cap on because i personally know people 30+ who play Grand Theft Auto: Five, and some players who avidly play the game are just 15-16 which is below the age restriction.
Let's start with the fact that Grand Theft Auto: Five is M rated game a "Mature" game. But what does this mean? Well Grand theft auto: V is rated mature due to it's blood and gore, aspects of intense violence, nudity, and use of drugs. This means that only people 17+ years (18+ in some countries) can purchase a copy of the game legally, this most likely means that the target audience is somewhere between 18-30 year old people.
Whilst the game might certainly be aimed at a mature target audience, it doesn't stop children getting their parents to buy a copy of the game for them, I have played Grand theft Auto: Five as a 17 year old and I can say as a teenager the game is a lot of fun. However I personally understand why Rockstar have targeted this game to mature audience due too all the freedom a player has with game play concepts including extreme violence, nudity and drugs. Coming from https://www.commonsensemedia.org/game-reviews/grand-theft-auto-v
" Parents need to know that Grand Theft Auto V is an M-rated action game brimming with gang violence, nudity, extremely coarse language, and drug and alcohol abuse. It isn't a game for kids. "
I think this sums up Grand theft auto: Five's target audience pretty nicely "this isn't a game for kids" yet as a 17 year old who's been through high school recently I can confidently say that GTA was bought by a vast majority of the school.
HA9: Task 1 - Glossary
HA9: Task 1 - Glossary
Resource pack Glossary
Quantitative Research -This is the type of research that instead of gathering text and opinions of a demographic. It generates facts and figures of the demographic, this is useful when a closed end question is asked. The Guardian has a great article about the stereotypical female population of video games and the fact that in some cases females play games more than males.
It also mentions their favorite type of game genre.
Source:
http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/sep/17/women-video-games-iab
It also mentions their favorite type of game genre.
Source:
http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/sep/17/women-video-games-iab
Qualitative Research - This is a type of research that gathers opinions, reasons and motivations of a group of people. This type of research is more often gathered in an interview. This type of Research is good for understanding what a specific demographic like in a media product.
Audience Profiling - This means that a company (for instance a video game development team) profile their audience before they think of or plan a game to understand what they would like from their product. For instance, Video game developers could ask the demographic what they enjoy about video games and the developers could improve the game by implementing these features.
Dr abraham maslow created "The heirarchy of needs" essentially it is 7 different types of behavior that he learned whilst studying monkeys, but his work can also be applied to the media/ games industry.
Dr abraham maslow created "The heirarchy of needs" essentially it is 7 different types of behavior that he learned whilst studying monkeys, but his work can also be applied to the media/ games industry.
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