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Assassin's creed-3---liberation (1)
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- 4. Getting Started • Howmany of you own a games console? • How old were you when got your first games console? • How many games consoles are there in your household? • At what age did you first play an 18+ game? • Which is better: Xbox or PlayStation?
- 5. Historical Context • Broadlyspeaking, the video games industry is relatively new, compared to other media industries. • Its growth and expansion has been rapid. • It is seen as a serious media industry. • The profits within the industry rival those of major films. • The demographic profile of gamers has changed enormously since the early days of video games.
- 6. Questions to consider… •What is the future of mobile gaming? • Is the 'console decline' a reality? • How does PC gaming fare in the overall market? • Is VR becoming more mainstream? • How does ownership and usage compare globally, and by market?
- 7. How has technologychanged gaming? https://www.digitaledge.org/5-ways- technology-has-changed-gaming/
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- 11. PSVITA – Gamingon the go
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- 13. Regulation • Games inthe UK were regulated by the Pan- European Game Information age rating system (PEGI) and the BBFC until 2012. This is now the responsibility of the Video Standards Council (VSC). https://legalgamer.weebly.com/blog/the-legal- status-of-age-ratings-uk
- 14. Regulation • The regulationof games is a delicate issue and the main worries centre around the suitability of the content (sex and violence) and accessibility for younger gamers (think of recent complaints about ‘Grand Theft Auto’, ‘Call of Duty’ etc.). • Research has shown that younger children routinely have access to games well beyond their chronological age, raising concerns with parents and the government. https://legalgamer.weebly.com/blog/the-legal- status-of-age-ratings-uk
- 15. PEGI • The Pan-EuropeanGame Information age rating system was established to help European parents make informed decisions on buying computer games. It was launched in spring 2003 and replaced a number of national age rating system with one single system. KEY TERM
- 16. Economic and PoliticalContexts: • Video games are culturally and financially significant across three major territories (Japan, Europe and the USA). The release of new gaming technology (PS Vita is considered part of the 8th generation of game technology) or games from popular franchises can be major economic events. Extension TASK: Explore the way that games and technology (and specifically those from within the Assassin’s Creed game franchise) have been marketed and received across the three major territories.
- 17. Economic Context • Originally,the game was exclusive to PlayStation Vita, but given the competitive nature of the video games industry, a larger HD version of the game was inevitable. • Consequently, it was released in 2014 across a larger range of consoles and devices, including PS3 and Xbox 360. Challenge: What sales figures can you find?
- 18. Construct Meaning Define thefollowing terms, citing examples for each: • MMORPG • Persistent worlds • CRPG • Augmented reality • Avatar KEY TERMS
- 19. What is theappeal of video games? • In groups, or pairs, discuss the appeal of video games and try to suggest reasons why this media form is so popular. • Try to incorporate some of the ideas below into your discussion: The uniqueness of MMORPG Persistent worlds CRPGs Augmented reality Teamwork Competition Challenging tasks Intertextuality Single player –vs- Multi-player First person – vs – Third person Avatars The range of platforms
- 20. Assassin’s Creed III:Liberation • Assassin’s Creed III: Liberation, part of the very successful games franchise, was developed by Ubisoft and released on October 30 2012, along with Assassin’s Creed III. • The game was originally exclusive to the PS Vita but was later (2014) released in a modified HD version across a large range of consoles and platforms (including PS3, Xbox 360 and Microsoft Windows). • Assassin’s Creed III: Liberation offers familiar pleasures to existing fans (narrative situation of the Assassins v the Templars, open world gameplay etc.) along with new elements to target a wider audience (e.g. the use of a strong female protagonist). Challenge: Watch the trailer for the game and consider its importance in the marketing.
- 21. Watch the trailerfor the game. What are your first impressions? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5RxYUw4DFY
- 22. Assassin’s Creed III:Liberation Research this game online and compile a detailed case study. Focus on Production, Distribution and Circulation. Ask yourself: • Who developed it? • On which platform was the game first released? • Alongside which other game? • How many official trailers were made? • What YouTube videos supported the release? • What additional content was downloadable? • What extracts from the game can you play online? Challenge: Watch the trailer for the game and consider its importance in the marketing.
- 23. Watch the trailerfor the game again. Consider its importance in the marketing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5RxYUw4DFY
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- 25. Check out thewebsite https://ass assinscree d.ubisoft.c om/game/ en- gb/home/
- 26. Consider processes ofproduction, distribution and circulation: • The game was released on the Sony hand held device PlayStation Vita. It was developed by Ubisoft and released alongside Assassin’s Creed III on the PlayStation 3. • This simultaneous release might be discussed in terms of an attempt to have maximum impact on the three major markets for console and video game release (Japan, North America and Europe). • In terms of production the game was a multinational development which is typical of game production in larger studios such as Ubisoft.
- 27. Consider the relationshipof recent technological change and media production, distribution and circulation: • The ways in which the PS Vita was attempting to tap into the increasing success of mobile gaming (smart phones, tablets etc.). The PS Vita was designed with many features usually associated with smart phones (touchscreen as well as Wi-Fi, 3G and Bluetooth capability). • The game itself as part of a well-known and popular franchise may be seen as an attempt to bring high game production values to the burgeoning new mobile gaming arena. It is significant that the game was originally exclusive to the PS Vita but was later (2014) released in a modified HD version across a large range of consoles and platforms (including PS3, Xbox 360 and Microsoft Windows). • In terms of distribution these versions of the game could be purchased over the internet using such outlets as Steam, the Playstation Network or Xbox Live Arcade.
- 28. Consider the impactof digitally convergent media platforms on global production, distribution and circulation: • It is significant that the Assassin’s Creed III: Liberation hand held game could be linked to the full PS3 console version of the game (owning both versions would unlock additional game content). This use of convergence is relevant in terms of promotion/marketing and circulation. • The internet/Wi-Fi functionality of the PS Vita allows users opportunities to download additional content (DLC) such as weapons, characters and “skins” or outfits. It also affords users the chance to engage in multiplayer versions of the game. These features promote gamer engagement and identification with the game.
- 29. Theorist #1 –Albert Bandura (Media Effects Theory) Bandura suggested that: • The media can implant ideas into the mind of the audience directly (link to Hypodermic Needle Model) • The audience acquire attitudes and emotional responses and new styles of conduct through modelling. • That media representations of transgressive behaviour, such as violence or physical aggression, can lead audience members to imitate those forms of behaviour. Challenge 1: Look up the Bobo Doll experiment. Challenge 2: Considering what you now know, consider how this theory can be applied to ‘Assassin’s Creed III: Liberation’.
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- 31. A new audience?Discuss. • Why did the company decide to include a mixed-race female protagonist in Aveline de Grandpré? Challenge: research other responses to the game on gaming websites. Are these responses positive or negative?
- 32. Female representation ingaming Conforms or subverts?
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- 34. Social and CulturalContexts: • Considering video games in relation to gender issues may be a useful way to explore them in terms of social and cultural significance. The representation of female characters, under- representation of women in video game development and an assumed minority of female video games players are areas that could be explored. This game has a female protagonist and it may be useful to consider whether she subverts or reinforces expectations of female characters in games and how audiences may respond to this.
- 35. Consider how producerstarget, attract, reach, address and potentially construct audiences: There are many aspects of the game that are significant in relation to audience targeting and construction: • The game is for a hand held device. This may imply it is aimed at a more casual or mobile gamer (a discussion here about “on the go” gamers playing mobile games versus traditional console and PC gamers may be useful). • The game features a female protagonist. This is unusual in the franchise and may be considered in terms of appealing to a different demographic (possibly linked to the “on the go” gamers discussion above). The existence of a female protagonist may also be discussed in terms of constructing audiences by asking whether this game might offer a platform for female gamer identification.
- 36. Consider the interrelationshipbetween media technologies and patterns of consumption and response: • The game is linked to a more traditional console version and which was simultaneously released with this game. This might be considered as an attempt to draw gamers from different platforms to purchase additional hardware and adopt new gaming habits. • The two versions of the game are also linked in terms of downloadable content and special features. This relates to changing patterns of consumption. Gamers might be being encouraged to have a more complete or satisfying experience by using a range of interlinked products that offer exclusive downloadable content. This is only made possible through convergent technology and gamer “buy- in” to the value of the exclusive content.
- 37. Review The video gamesindustry is regularly criticised by the media for the assumed effect that over- exposure may have upon young gamers’ behaviour. • How might problems in regulating the industry and ensuring that gamers are only playing age- appropriate games contribute to this criticism? • Is there any truth to the suggestion that the immersive nature of the game-playing experience might make it harder for gamers to distance themselves from violent action?
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Editor's Notes
- #19 Massively Multi-Player Online Role-Playing Game A feature of MMORPG games that means that the game world continues even when the gamer is not a part of it. Computer Role-Playing Game Computer generated content overlaid on a real-world environment. The player’s representation of themselves within the game.
- #21 Production: Released in October 2012 on PlayStation Vita. Developed by Ubisoft. Launched alongside ‘Assassin’s Creed III’ (the best-selling game in the UK in the week of its release). Assassin’s Creed III was the biggest launch in Ubisoft’s history and the third biggest launch of any game in the UK in 2012 (behind ‘Call of Duty: Black Ops II’ and ‘Fifa 13’). Click on link in title to play trailer.
- #23 Production: Released in October 2012 on PlayStation Vita. Developed by Ubisoft. Launched alongside ‘Assassin’s Creed III’ (the best-selling game in the UK in the week of its release). Assassin’s Creed III was the biggest launch in Ubisoft’s history and the third biggest launch of any game in the UK in 2012 (behind ‘Call of Duty: Black Ops II’ and ‘Fifa 13’).
- #32 Consider: -the rise in female gamers; -wider changes in society, culture and the gaming world -outdated stereotypes/role models
- #33 Consider: -the rise in female gamers; -wider changes in society, culture and the gaming world -outdated stereotypes/role models