"The significance of proliferation in hardware and content for institutions and audiences"
This part of the spec may give you a headache due to the big p-word but it should not be much to worry you.
Again, some prompts and bits to think about this point after the cut.
Definition: Proliferation is the increase in the amount of hardware and content available to both audience and institution through emergence of new and old media.
How has the increase and improvement in technology affected the way that games are produced? Particularly with our case studies?
Cinematic cut scenes commonplace, often using techniques associated with the film industry to produce sophisticated, life-like cinematic shorts to move narrative on - narrative (story) is much more important nowadays than in previous decades. Consumers now want believable characters that show the story-arc and character growth expected from A-list Hollywood stars!
This can be seen through the opening credits of GTA IV. This is almost 10 minutes of narrative and dialogue to set up the story, accompanied with the credits showing on screen - something more expected from the film industry: traditionally you would only see the credits on completion of the game.
Skylanders also benefited from NFC - Near Field Communication - the same technology used in 'smartcards' such as Barclays Pay&Go? and Oyster Cards in London - to create the 'toys with brains' gimmick that sets them apart in the very competitive world of children's games.
Gesture control has also improved over recent years leading to Kinect/Move/Wii U
How has the increase and improvement in technology affected distribution? (With examples using our case studies)
Our old friend Digital Distribution - new technologies converging so that all major consoles have internet access - many allows content to be downloaded digitally. See previous prompts that have looked at this in more detail!
Digital Distribution also has an affect on indie games - it is DD that has enabled indie developers right into people's living rooms. Where would Minecraft be in
Proliferation and negative distribution:
Downloading from unofficial sources ie. Limewire, Youtube grabber and also other digital piracy including file sharing and technology to rip DVDs that can be played on consoles - often with the consoles having to be adapted to use the ripped DVDs of copied games.
Research some ways that developers try to get around the copying of their games - can you remember any famous developers who have embraced the piracy of their game?
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