Prompt Question...

The Importance Of Cross Media Convergence And Synergy In Production, Distribution And Marketing...

GTA4...
- Advertising GTA4 on the TV, internet, magazines, guerilla marketing and billboards.
- When advertising the game on TV they also have the console advertised at the end e.g Xbox, PlayStation.
-Made by two companies- Synergy (Rage and Euphoria)
- Convergence because you can play it online through Xbox Live or Playstation Network

FIFA 10...
- Fifa 10 is not only available to play on Xbox and Playstation but also on iPod Touch, the iPhone and other mobiles phones.
- linked with coke and you received codes to download content

Sims...
- The original Sims can only be played on PCs and Macs and it was created specifically for Microsoft.
-Advertising on Facebook, trailer on TV

Industry as a whole...
-Synergy- Film with a game to go with it
-Sony and Nintendo were going to make a playstation but then nintendo backed out

Advantages and Disadvantages of Onlive

Advantages:
- High performance with good graphics
- straight forward set up (log in - rent or buy - play)
- People already have some of the equipment e.g TV, PC, broadband.
- Can play games that your machine right now may not run. Play games that you bought a while ago and do not have to update
- Small and compact, doesn't take up much room

Disadvantages:
- As it is not released yet, they are wondering if it will be as quick as game stores.
- cause more 'traffic' on the web
- You will need a 10MB cable line that is only connected to Onlive.
- Costly - have to pay $15 a month on top of everything else.

Video games

1. What is the genre of the games?

2. Who is the target audience and why?

3. After playing the games, why do you think Rockstar was so successful

4. If there are any what are the controversial elements?

Grand Theft Auto - Vice city:

1. Genre is action/violence

2. Target audience is boys, 18+ because of the violence and what what you do as a male interest.

3. Tells a story and you have a mission to complete

4. People are wary of things you can do in the game such as speeding, fighting, shooting, etc. People may get used to it and think it's acceptable thing to do in real life. Especially for a younger age.

Red Dead Revolver:

1. The genre is Action/violence

2. The target audience is for male, 16+ because violence is usually associated with guys.

3. Was successful because story-line with the game makes it more interesting.

4. It can be controversial as people may disagree with the amount of violence.

Canis Canem Edit (bully):

1. The genre is violence

2. The target audience is for boys aged 15+ because the characters are male.

3. This game was probably successful because kids can relate to the characters.

4. The controversy this game is what aim of the game as young children would follow.

Table Tennis:

1. The genre is sport

2. The target audience is for both genders depending if the player is interested in sport.

3. It's successful because it's different and more relaxed compared to other games.

Midnight Club:

1. The genre is sport (racing)

2.The target audience is mainly males but women would enjoy the game as well because both genders would enjoy a competitive game.
3. The game is successful because it's good for both genders

Charlie Brooker's Screenwipe

What does the documentary say about key development in video games - is there anything we didn't cover in the power points?

From what we looked at in the power points is similar to what the documentary says about how the video games started as very basic like the objective of the games and the graphics.

What are his opinion on the industry?

Brooker has a very negative view on the games industry and usually mocked it. Even though he made humorous comments about the games he enjoyed them.

Does the documentary suggest any ways that the industry might develop?

He said the in the future, players could interact with the characters as the graphics and technology will be improved.

Does it highlight any differences between the UK and USA market?

He said that the USA has a bigger games industry than the UK. Also, he said that USA games were more violent than UK games.

Any other key points:

Brooker said that new games can cause controversy and the media said games were children's toys rather than for older people.