Just in case you do not have the printed copy of this extremely useful revision booklet:
http://media.edusites.co.uk/files/OCR_AS_G322_Section_B_The_Games_Industry_Teacher_Notes_and_Revision_Handout.doc
You will need your log in for Media Edu from last week
Sunday, 12 May 2013
Tuesday, 7 May 2013
Audiences & Institutions practice questions (games industry)
OCR AS
Media Studies
AS G322: Key Media Concepts
Section B: Institutions and Audiences
AS G322: Key Media Concepts
Section B: Institutions and Audiences
Games Industry Practice Questions
- Explain how the industry you have studied is
exploiting new technology in the areas of production, marketing and
exchange
2. Account for recent changes in consumption and production in
the industry you have studied.
- To what extent are media audiences the agents,
beneficiaries or victims of change?
4.
Explain the significance cross media convergence and synergy,
in production, distribution and marketing; the industry you have studied
5.
How does your own experience of
consumption illustrate wider patterns and trends of audience behaviour the
industry you have studied?
6.
What impact does media
ownership have on the industry you have studied?
- How
are audiences effectively targeted in the industry you have chosen?
- How do
institutions in your industry meet the needs and expectations of the
audience?
- What
are the issues raised when targeting audiences in your chosen industry?
- Discuss
the issues raised by institutions’ need to target specific audiences
within a media industry which you have studied.
- Discuss
the issues raised by media ownership within a media industry which you
have studied.
Monday, 6 May 2013
Activision Blizzard (COD and Skylanders) beating the industry's slump #institutions
http://www.trefis.com/stock/atvi/articles/184969/activision-blizzard-preview-beating-the-industrys-slump-handily/2013-05-06
Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ:ATVI) is expected to report earnings for the first quarter of 2013 Wednesday, May 8. [1] Successful franchises like Call of Duty and Skylanders helped the company beat the industry wide sales decline in the fourth quarter of 2012. Activision reported a 25% year-on-year increase in revenues for the three months ending December. In contrast, video game sales for the entire industry plunged 22% during the holiday period. [2] Results were buoyed by Call of Duty: Black Ops II, which was the highest selling game worldwide in 2012. [3]
The Black Ops II phenomena has shown no signs of slowing down. The game remained on the charts for the first three months of 2013, both in the U.S. and worldwide. We expect the company to deliver another solid quarter, staying ahead of the industry slow down.
Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ:ATVI) is expected to report earnings for the first quarter of 2013 Wednesday, May 8. [1] Successful franchises like Call of Duty and Skylanders helped the company beat the industry wide sales decline in the fourth quarter of 2012. Activision reported a 25% year-on-year increase in revenues for the three months ending December. In contrast, video game sales for the entire industry plunged 22% during the holiday period. [2] Results were buoyed by Call of Duty: Black Ops II, which was the highest selling game worldwide in 2012. [3]
The Black Ops II phenomena has shown no signs of slowing down. The game remained on the charts for the first three months of 2013, both in the U.S. and worldwide. We expect the company to deliver another solid quarter, staying ahead of the industry slow down.
Video games & The Male Gaze #audiences and #institutions
http://www.gameranx.com/features/id/13939/article/tyranny-of-the-male-gaze/
Stephen Beirne draws a line between the rejection by publishers of female protagonists with the feminist theory of the male gaze
Stephen Beirne draws a line between the rejection by publishers of female protagonists with the feminist theory of the male gaze
The end of the epic: why the success of Bioshock Infinite is bad for gaming
http://www.newstatesman.com/culture/2013/04/end-epic-why-success-bioshock-infinite-bad-gaming
Phil Hartup hated the critically acclaimed blockbuster. And he thinks you should too.
The end of the epic: why the success of Bioshock Infinite is bad for gaming
Thursday, 2 May 2013
Localisation in video games
TV Tropes - Bowdlerise
Bowdlerization means altering existing programs, plays, etc. so they are less rude and/or offensive. Used in a very negative sense, by those who think the alterations are often done with a ridiculously high fear of lawsuits and/or need for political correctness.
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/Bowdlerise
TV Tropes - General localisation examples
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/LocalizationTropes
Some great examples on there, some of them are serious and some you may think are a bit strange! But publishers will do what is necessary to cater for regional audiences.
Remember the task I set you at the end: Find out the name of the Free to Play Xbox 360 game launched by Microsoft that is going to be funded entirely by additional DLC microtransactions? Find out what it is and a bit of information about it. This shows that Microsoft is very interested in getting in on the Free to Play (or F2P) market - you might find it strange but companies can potentially earn a LOT more by releasing a free game than a £40 title. It's the future!
Bowdlerization means altering existing programs, plays, etc. so they are less rude and/or offensive. Used in a very negative sense, by those who think the alterations are often done with a ridiculously high fear of lawsuits and/or need for political correctness.
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/Bowdlerise
TV Tropes - General localisation examples
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/LocalizationTropes
Some great examples on there, some of them are serious and some you may think are a bit strange! But publishers will do what is necessary to cater for regional audiences.
Remember the task I set you at the end: Find out the name of the Free to Play Xbox 360 game launched by Microsoft that is going to be funded entirely by additional DLC microtransactions? Find out what it is and a bit of information about it. This shows that Microsoft is very interested in getting in on the Free to Play (or F2P) market - you might find it strange but companies can potentially earn a LOT more by releasing a free game than a £40 title. It's the future!
Monday, 29 April 2013
Trends of 2013 - the rise of the indie
By Martin Robinson Published 11/01/2013
2013, so we're told, is going to be the year of mass disruption in videogames.
2013, so we're told, is going to be the year of mass disruption in videogames.
Gaming in 2013
Gaming in 2013: Five Industry Trends to Watch
| by
2012 was a chaotic year for the gaming industry.
Tuesday, 23 April 2013
What Does 2013 Hold for a Gaming Industry in Flux? G322 Section B
http://mashable.com/2013/01/03/2013-gaming-predictions/
The last year was a turbulent and exciting one in gaming.
After Double Fine's record-breaking Kickstarter, a gold rush began as indies funded their dreams with the masses. Facebook reported 235 million of its users play games each month. Nintendo launched a console that faced "second-screen" entertainment head on. A live-action series about Halo was watched millions of times on YouTube. These are but a handful of trends that forecast the future.
Mashable spoke to 16 prominent figures across the games industry to discern what might be coming down the pike in 2013. Many of those quoted below talked about similar themes: freemium games, the rise of digital distribution, new console and tablet hardware, and crowdfunding for indie games. Read below to see their full predictions.
http://mashable.com/2013/01/03/2013-gaming-predictions/
The last year was a turbulent and exciting one in gaming.
After Double Fine's record-breaking Kickstarter, a gold rush began as indies funded their dreams with the masses. Facebook reported 235 million of its users play games each month. Nintendo launched a console that faced "second-screen" entertainment head on. A live-action series about Halo was watched millions of times on YouTube. These are but a handful of trends that forecast the future.
Mashable spoke to 16 prominent figures across the games industry to discern what might be coming down the pike in 2013. Many of those quoted below talked about similar themes: freemium games, the rise of digital distribution, new console and tablet hardware, and crowdfunding for indie games. Read below to see their full predictions.
http://mashable.com/2013/01/03/2013-gaming-predictions/
Tuesday, 9 April 2013
Convergence Culture: TV and Gaming (The Walking Dead and Defiance)
Defiance & Convergence
Convergence of TV and MMO: The Making of Defiance
World-First Convergence of TV & Gaming
With 'Defiance,' Comcast's Syfy Bets $100M On Convergence Of TV And Videogames
The Walking Dead & Convergence
The Walking Dead: Convergence Unleashed
Convergence Culture and The Walking Dead
Convergence of TV and MMO: The Making of Defiance
World-First Convergence of TV & Gaming
With 'Defiance,' Comcast's Syfy Bets $100M On Convergence Of TV And Videogames
The Walking Dead & Convergence
The Walking Dead: Convergence Unleashed
Convergence Culture and The Walking Dead
Ridiculous Fishing review: Reel nice
Ridiculous Fishing review: Reel nice
Vlambeer, the indie studio based in the Netherlands (more violins), was working on an iOS port of its hit Flash game Radical Fishing when the team discovered another games studio had stolen its idea and used it to win acclaim and generate App Store cash.
Ridiculous Fishing is a game that carries a sad story (cue violins).
Animal welfare charity PETA blasts Ridiculous Fishing
Animal welfare charity PETA blasts Ridiculous Fishing
In a rare case of life imitating art, outspoken animal charity People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has condemned Vlambeer's hit fishing-themed casual game Ridiculous Fishing for its enthusiastic depiction of aquatic animal slaughter.
In a rare case of life imitating art, outspoken animal charity People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has condemned Vlambeer's hit fishing-themed casual game Ridiculous Fishing for its enthusiastic depiction of aquatic animal slaughter.
Ridiculous Fishing review (iOS)
Ridiculous Fishing review
It might seem a little pretentious to throw an adjective like ‘Ridiculous’ in a game title. Who’s to say just how ridiculous it is? I mean, it’s fishing after all. But ridiculous is probably the perfect way to describe the premise of Ridiculous Fishing. Players have to drag dozens of fish to the surface on the same hook and then blast them into oblivion with a gun. It doesn’t get much more ridiculous than that. As you learn plaything the game, though, there is a surprising amount of depth behind the absurdity.
It might seem a little pretentious to throw an adjective like ‘Ridiculous’ in a game title. Who’s to say just how ridiculous it is? I mean, it’s fishing after all. But ridiculous is probably the perfect way to describe the premise of Ridiculous Fishing. Players have to drag dozens of fish to the surface on the same hook and then blast them into oblivion with a gun. It doesn’t get much more ridiculous than that. As you learn plaything the game, though, there is a surprising amount of depth behind the absurdity.
Square Enix blames “huge slump” in US sales for western title failures
The European market is soft but its poor sales in North America that really surprised Square Enix this past year, resulting in an expected extraordinary loss out of its next financial report.
The European market is soft but its poor sales in North America that really surprised Square Enix this past year, resulting in an expected extraordinary loss out of its next financial report.
Monday, 8 April 2013
how the iPad has changed gaming
Have a look below at how the iPad has changed gaming. You only have to look at recent innovations like having a second screen (Wii U) , experimenting with motion controls (Kinect), and Free to play games spreading onto consoles (Happy Wars on the Xbox360) to see that the iPad did not only create the now-saturating tablet market but also changed the way we consume our games.
(Tech Magazine is available through the iOS App Store for 69p a week, but they were letting you download your first 5 issues for free, well worth it, lots of technological nuggets you may find interesting!)
(Tech Magazine is available through the iOS App Store for 69p a week, but they were letting you download your first 5 issues for free, well worth it, lots of technological nuggets you may find interesting!)
Saturday, 6 April 2013
Tomb Raider Movie Reboot Coming From MGM
Movie studio planning to start Lara Croft's story at the beginning...
A reboot of the Tomb Raider movie franchise is in the pipeline after movie studio MGM purchased the big-screen rights to the title.
A reboot of the Tomb Raider movie franchise is in the pipeline after movie studio MGM purchased the big-screen rights to the title.
games costing $100 million need 5-10 million sales to succeed
Square-Enix posted a grim financial revision yesterday, which caused president Yoichi Wada to stand down. The company then called Tomb Raider a failure, despite selling 3.4 million units in just four weeks. Numbers like these are often not enough to cover triple-a development costs, one analyst has said.
Tomb Raider misses sales targets; Rogers in contention for board election
Square Enix’s big console releases are not performing as desired in the West.
As part of the publisher’s latest financial report, the company described sales of Tomb Raider, Hitman: Absolution and Sleeping Dogs as “weak” in both North America and Europe.
As part of the publisher’s latest financial report, the company described sales of Tomb Raider, Hitman: Absolution and Sleeping Dogs as “weak” in both North America and Europe.
Grand Theft Auto 5 boxart
Rockstar has revealed the boxart for upcoming release Grand Theft Auto V.
It stays true to the templates laid down by its predecessors and will be instantly recognisable to shoppers, as well as likely pleasing series’ diehards.
The game itself is due out on September 17th.
Here’s the art in full:
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/and-here-s-your-grand-theft-auto-v-boxart/0113436
It stays true to the templates laid down by its predecessors and will be instantly recognisable to shoppers, as well as likely pleasing series’ diehards.
The game itself is due out on September 17th.
Here’s the art in full:
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/and-here-s-your-grand-theft-auto-v-boxart/0113436
EA: Ignore the vocal minority - the market likes free-to-play
The angry whining of teens on the internet should not be mistaken for actual, real-world opinion.
That much is certainly true. Whether it can be applied to arguments surrounding free-to-play gaming is probably slightly more debatable.
There’s no confusion as to which side of the fence EA sits on, however. EA All Play senior VP Nick Earl says that there’s no disputing free-to-play’s victory in the modern games market.
That much is certainly true. Whether it can be applied to arguments surrounding free-to-play gaming is probably slightly more debatable.
There’s no confusion as to which side of the fence EA sits on, however. EA All Play senior VP Nick Earl says that there’s no disputing free-to-play’s victory in the modern games market.
Disney kills off LucasArts
LucasArts is to be disbanded by new owner Disney.
The firm's game publishing and internal development business will close, with Lucas properties such as Star Wars to be licensed to external businesses, Game Informer reports.
The firm's game publishing and internal development business will close, with Lucas properties such as Star Wars to be licensed to external businesses, Game Informer reports.
Angry Birds cartoon series premieres next month
Rovio has announced the debut of its new Angry Birds animated series will land in March.
A blog post and accompanying trailer from the video game developer-turned-entertainment company confirmed that Angry Birds Toons will premiere on March 16-17 (assumedly based on time zones).
According to Rovio, new episodes will be made available online “every” week – though how many are ready to go at this point is unclear.
It’s been a while since we heard about the cartoon, which was originally revealed back in January 2011 as one of the many products the company was investing in for its mobile franchise.
Angry Birds' Rovio doubles its revenues
Business has been good for the Angry Birds developer as the company's revenues doubled year-on-year in 2012.
The studio's revenue was €152.2m, up 101 per cent from 2011's €75.6m. Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) grew by 64 per cent to €76.8m.
“2012 was another record-breaking year for Rovio. We doubled our revenue with an EBIT margin of 50 per cent, more than doubled our headcount, established new offices and a New Business Ventures unit,” said Rovio CFO Herkko Soininen.
Like the year before, merchandising accounted for a large chunk of the company's revenue. Rovio's Consumer Products business unit's revenue showed a yearly growth of over 300 per cent, and made up almost half of the company's total revenue.
Rovio games broke the 1bn download mark in May 2012 and the total active monthly users topped at 263m in last December.
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/angry-birds-rovio-doubles-its-revenues/0113569
Minecraft PC passes 10m sales, Xbox 360 retail launch this month
Minecraft has surpassed 10m copies sold across PC, Mac, and Linux platforms.
"Minecraft (PC) has hit 10M! As promised, a subtle hint on the main 1.6 feature…" Bergensten tweeted.
Bergensten’s link was to a photo of a horse, indicating what would appear to be a new feature for the upcoming update for the game.
In other Minecraft news, the Xbox 360 edition will land at retail on April 30th in the US for $20. As of March, the game has sold 6m copies on XBLA alone since its launch last May.
The retail version will arrive in Australia, Hong Kong, India, New Zealand, Singapore and Taiwan in early June – though no word on additional regions, such as Europe.
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/minecraft-pc-10m-sales-xbox-360-retail-launch-this-month/0113654
ANALYSIS: Free-to-play games putting pressure on triple-A
In an increasingly fractured market there are less and less outright villains in the games business, save for one business model: free-to-play
UK boxed game sales spike over Easter
UK games retailers enjoyed its busiest weekend yet last week, thanks to BioShock and Tomb Raider.
The two blockbuster releases of the last month dominated the Chart-Track Top 40 last week, with BioShock Infinite becoming the fastest selling game in the series to date.
743,045 games were sold in the UK last week, generating £20.26m in revenue. A rise of 47 per cent week-on-week. This number is for boxed video games only, GfK Chart-Track currently does not track digital game sales.
It was also one of the busiest release weeks for some time, with Luigi’s Mansion 2 (No.5 in the charts), Army of Two: The Devil’s Cartel (No.6), Tiger Woods PGA Tour 14 (No.8), LEGO City Undercover (No.13) and Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time (No.31) joining BioShock: Infinite on the shelves.
It marked an end to a solid March for the trade, following a disappointing start to the year. However, with a lack of new software due over the next two months, game sales are expected to slip again before the end-of-year rush.
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/uk-boxed-game-sales-spike-over-easter/0113674
The two blockbuster releases of the last month dominated the Chart-Track Top 40 last week, with BioShock Infinite becoming the fastest selling game in the series to date.
743,045 games were sold in the UK last week, generating £20.26m in revenue. A rise of 47 per cent week-on-week. This number is for boxed video games only, GfK Chart-Track currently does not track digital game sales.
It was also one of the busiest release weeks for some time, with Luigi’s Mansion 2 (No.5 in the charts), Army of Two: The Devil’s Cartel (No.6), Tiger Woods PGA Tour 14 (No.8), LEGO City Undercover (No.13) and Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time (No.31) joining BioShock: Infinite on the shelves.
It marked an end to a solid March for the trade, following a disappointing start to the year. However, with a lack of new software due over the next two months, game sales are expected to slip again before the end-of-year rush.
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/uk-boxed-game-sales-spike-over-easter/0113674
Marketing: In-game advertising
In-game advertising (IGA) refers to advertising in computer and video games. IGA differs from advergaming, which refers to a game specifically made to advertise a product.
The IGA industry is large and growing. In 2009, spending on IGA was estimated to reach $699 million and is anticipated to grow to $1 billion by 2014
In-game advertising (Wikipedia)
Help Sim City sell your eyeballs to Nissan
Vote for Barack Obama ads in Burnout Paradise (Picture below)
Angry Birds rakes in serious cash - Angry Birds uses in-game advertising to promote other Rovio products (such as Bad Piggies!) sell micro transactions to improve game content or other DLC.
From MCVUK.com - In-game ads to top $7.2bn by 2016
Revenue from in-game advertising is expected to increase in the next few years, but are advertisers making the most of our medium?
The new Advertising and Video Games report by research firm DFC Intelligence predicts that the in-game advertising market will reach $7.2bn globally by 2016, according to IndustryGamers.
The report added that the North American in-game advertising market was worth $1bn in North America last year, and is expected to reach $2bn by 2014.
This figure also includes around-game advertising - such as banners around browser-games - and advergames, which are titles used to advertise a product, organisation or viewpoint.
However, DFC claims the full potential of this advertising channel is not being realised.
"Video games have reached beyond adolescent males into a mainstream entertainment medium that touches every segment of the population," said DFC analyst and the report's lead researcher Michael Goodman.
"Despite this, advertisers continue to under utilise video games as an advertising vehicle. This is slowly changing and more games go online.
"Video games, with their high degree of immersion and interactivity, are a natural solution for building brand awareness and influencing purchase decisions."
The IGA industry is large and growing. In 2009, spending on IGA was estimated to reach $699 million and is anticipated to grow to $1 billion by 2014
In-game advertising (Wikipedia)
Help Sim City sell your eyeballs to Nissan
Vote for Barack Obama ads in Burnout Paradise (Picture below)
From MCVUK.com - In-game ads to top $7.2bn by 2016
Revenue from in-game advertising is expected to increase in the next few years, but are advertisers making the most of our medium?
The new Advertising and Video Games report by research firm DFC Intelligence predicts that the in-game advertising market will reach $7.2bn globally by 2016, according to IndustryGamers.
The report added that the North American in-game advertising market was worth $1bn in North America last year, and is expected to reach $2bn by 2014.
This figure also includes around-game advertising - such as banners around browser-games - and advergames, which are titles used to advertise a product, organisation or viewpoint.
However, DFC claims the full potential of this advertising channel is not being realised.
"Video games have reached beyond adolescent males into a mainstream entertainment medium that touches every segment of the population," said DFC analyst and the report's lead researcher Michael Goodman.
"Despite this, advertisers continue to under utilise video games as an advertising vehicle. This is slowly changing and more games go online.
"Video games, with their high degree of immersion and interactivity, are a natural solution for building brand awareness and influencing purchase decisions."
Revision: Changes in audience profiles
Changes in audience profiles:
Whereas once the primary audience for games was seen as male, aged 11-15, the gaming markets are expanding, due to a number of factors.
Whereas once the primary audience for games was seen as male, aged 11-15, the gaming markets are expanding, due to a number of factors.
- More sophisticated graphics and more complex game play have attracted more mature audiences.
- Early gamers continue as gamers - those who were in the original audiences in the 1980s are older but continue to play.
- Industry growth has enabled increasing diversity of games, leading to broadening of audiences.
- Industry growth has meant that games are now cheaper to buy (although more expensive to produce) which again broadens the audience.
- Gaming is becoming culturally acceptable across many social groups.
- Online gaming has considerably expanded game appeal - for example, increasing female audiences, who are participating in traditionally 'male' games as well as more 'female' games such as simulations.
Comments on and criticisms of computer games:
- Game play can be competitive, co-operative or individualistic.
- Many games are violent. Others are to do with excelling in sport, completing dangerous missions to retrieve or collect things, or taking on the persona of a warrior or hero and employing strategy to win. Games use technology to represent reality or to embody fantasy. Critics argue they harden players to the task of murder by simulating the killing of hundreds or thousands of opponents in a single game. Grand Theft Auto 3 is criticised, for example, because players can choose to steal a car, pick up a prostitute, have (implied) sex with the prostitute, then kill her and steal her money.
- Tomb Raider was marketed through the visual construction of Lara Croft.
- Many critics have commented on the lack of 'female' games.
- Critics also observe how few original games are produced, since so many games are spin-offs from films.
VLE area for Media Studies
New improved VLE area for Year 12 Media Studies.
In the "Exam Prep" area I have put all of the previous TV drama extracts along with sample answers and the examiner's report for each year.
There will also be guidance and tutorials to help you with your magazine constructions.
Any suggestions as to anything else that could go on there, let me know.
Click Rick or go to tinyurl.com/deyesmedia12
In the "Exam Prep" area I have put all of the previous TV drama extracts along with sample answers and the examiner's report for each year.
There will also be guidance and tutorials to help you with your magazine constructions.
Any suggestions as to anything else that could go on there, let me know.
Click Rick or go to tinyurl.com/deyesmedia12
Friday, 5 April 2013
AS Media Studies G322 (TV Drama) Resit: Monday 13th May AM
Section A: TV Drama (Probably won't be medical drama + age...)
Section B: The video game industry
L3 will be open everyday after school for drop in revision or catchup - except for Mondays after school as FilmClub is based in there, but I will be still be about so you can ask anything or we can go somewhere to discuss any issues you may have.
Section B: The video game industry
L3 will be open everyday after school for drop in revision or catchup - except for Mondays after school as FilmClub is based in there, but I will be still be about so you can ask anything or we can go somewhere to discuss any issues you may have.
Thursday, 4 April 2013
Critical Consensus: Ridiculous Fishing - A Tale of Redemption
Critical Consensus: Ridiculous Fishing - A Tale of Redemption
Vlambeer's mobile title is highest scoring game of 2013 so far
Vlambeer's mobile title is highest scoring game of 2013 so far
On paper, the fishing game seems like a pretty ridiculous concept all round. It's a fairly sedentary hobby, epitomised by calm mornings on a chilly river bank, in which the ultimate achievement is to drag a slimy, smelly creature out of its natural habitat before photographing it and either putting it back or stuffing it for the wall of your house.
Tuesday, 2 April 2013
Ever increasing game costs could cripple the industry.
Video Game Costs Could Crash the Industry
Essential reading for G322 resitters - very interesting stats regarding the state of the industry - the fact that Tomb Raider can be critically acclaimed, sell 3.5 million copies and yet the publishers make a Loss for the year: something is rotten in the state of Denmark. Something needs to change or the industry is heading for a meltdown.
Read the Mashable article after the cut
Tuesday, 26 March 2013
Ridiculous Fishing, Byrdr and Vlambeer's creative approach to indie marketing
Ridiculous Fishing, Byrdr and Vlambeer's creative approach to indie marketing
"We literally had no clue what we were doing."
For many independent developers raising awareness and generating buzz around a game is a tricky proposition, especially in the increasingly crowded mobile marketplace.
"We literally had no clue what we were doing."
For many independent developers raising awareness and generating buzz around a game is a tricky proposition, especially in the increasingly crowded mobile marketplace.
Saturday, 23 March 2013
Slender: The Eight Pages - Links for May exam!
Slender: The Eight Pages
- Slender: The Eight Pages (Wikipedia page)
- Slendergame.com - fan site
- Slender Man Mythos - Great fan site for fanart, fanfic, videos and parody
- The Slender Man wiki
- Slender: The Eight Pages: Short, Crude, And One Of The Scariest Games Of The Year
- Slender - The official site: You can download the game from here for free!! I DARE YOU
- The Slender Man movie - Kickstarter
- Slender Rising - attempt at an iOS app game
- Slender: Eight Pages to get sequel (Slender: The Arrival)
Tomb Raider links for May exam!
- What
Tomb Raider Can teach you about content strategy
- Lara's
climb back to fame
- Rhianna
Pratchett on writing Lara Croft's history for Tomb Raider
- In
pictures: The evolution of Lara Croft
- Crystal
Dynamics talk Tomb Raider
- Pratchett:
Nobody talks about how well Nathan Drake represents men
- Tomb Raider: Official Trailer frin E3 2011 (new TR game revealed)
- Tomb Raider trailer - "There's a survivor in all of this" LOVE THIS
- All Your History: Tomb Raider Part 1: Hard Core Design
- All Your History: The History of Tomb Raider Part 2: A Survivor is Born
- http://www.tombraider.com/gb/base/brandsitepreorder?refer=211Tomb Raider 2013 official site&
- Tomb Raider (2013) Wikipedia page
- GAME grows PC download plan with Tomb Raider promotion
- Quantic Dream "categorically refused" to put gun-touting Ellen Page on cover - not about TombRaider but an interesting story on audience and institutional opinions
- Tomb Raider marks the return of Supermarket Price Wars
- Tesco breaks Tomb Raider street date!
- Tomb Raider "paving the way for new game heroines"
- Women are the future of gaming
- Multi-million marketing campaign to ensure Top Five status for Tomb Raider
- Tomb Raider and the rape controversy
Wednesday, 20 March 2013
The story behind the smash hit Ridiculous Fishing
The story behind the smash hit Ridiculous Fishing
Has your best idea just been ripped off? Here’s how a small game studio bounced back from a clone attack to make one of the year’s hit mobile games.
Few think of the app stores as hostile, but mobile developers struggle every day to survive in an increasingly crowded market. They cast their lines in murky waters, cross their fingers, and hope players will bite.
Game developer Vlambeer was unlucky. It found a shark in those waters. Now, it has bounced back from a near-fatal cloning incident to claim one of the most popular games on iOS. “For a while, we just lost all faith in creativity as a way to earn a living,” Rami Ismail, one of the two members of the Dutch studio, told us.
Vlambeer’s extreme-sports game, Ridiculous Fishing, launched last month to massive acclaim and sales success. It’s based on the studio’s first-ever title, the Flash game Radical Fishing, which a rival ripped off at an unfortunate time. In July 2011, Gamenauts released a clone called Ninja Fishing just as Vlambeer was preparing to announce its remake.
Has your best idea just been ripped off? Here’s how a small game studio bounced back from a clone attack to make one of the year’s hit mobile games.
Few think of the app stores as hostile, but mobile developers struggle every day to survive in an increasingly crowded market. They cast their lines in murky waters, cross their fingers, and hope players will bite.
Game developer Vlambeer was unlucky. It found a shark in those waters. Now, it has bounced back from a near-fatal cloning incident to claim one of the most popular games on iOS. “For a while, we just lost all faith in creativity as a way to earn a living,” Rami Ismail, one of the two members of the Dutch studio, told us.
Vlambeer’s extreme-sports game, Ridiculous Fishing, launched last month to massive acclaim and sales success. It’s based on the studio’s first-ever title, the Flash game Radical Fishing, which a rival ripped off at an unfortunate time. In July 2011, Gamenauts released a clone called Ninja Fishing just as Vlambeer was preparing to announce its remake.
Monday, 4 March 2013
Reclaiming Lara Croft
The heir to Discworld, Rhianna Pratchett, tells why she's rebooting Tomb Raider
http://metro.co.uk/2013/03/04/rhianna-pratchett-on-reclaiming-lara-croft-and-having-discworld-creator-terry-as-a-dad-3522630/
http://metro.co.uk/2013/03/04/rhianna-pratchett-on-reclaiming-lara-croft-and-having-discworld-creator-terry-as-a-dad-3522630/
Sunday, 24 February 2013
Wednesday, 9 January 2013
Well done year 12 - Half of AS over...
I'll get the full scoop off you all tomorrow but hope today was bearable. There were enough differences to do with AGE in the clip so if you were able to babble about how the director did this through camerawork/mise en scene/edits/sound then hopefully you did okay. (Small child and the doctor "we both know my disease is invariably fatal" ... younger staff vs more experienced staff "That aint no drunk guy sleeping!" and the wily "I lost your bullet" sequence)
As for Ownership, there was lots you could have mentioned - If you were lucky you harked back to the day you made conglomerate maps ... or maybe you had a glance at my revision post on ownership here.
But however your morning was.... DON'T PANIC.
We will be pencilling in everybody to resit in the summer, and then if you do really well we just cancel those resits for those people, so most of you will get a chance to improve. Even if you do well, the best way to think about it is "Well, that's what I got after 12 weeks of teaching, I might be able to do even better at the end of the year!" But obviously, only you will know what is on your plate in the summer regarding other subjects.
In the meantime I will keep stockpiling any articles on GTA 5 I can find so that the resit can include the actual release of the game (Spring release date) so you will be able to get hot off the press examples of a AAA game being released by my beloved Rockstar.
Mr H
As for Ownership, there was lots you could have mentioned - If you were lucky you harked back to the day you made conglomerate maps ... or maybe you had a glance at my revision post on ownership here.
But however your morning was.... DON'T PANIC.
We will be pencilling in everybody to resit in the summer, and then if you do really well we just cancel those resits for those people, so most of you will get a chance to improve. Even if you do well, the best way to think about it is "Well, that's what I got after 12 weeks of teaching, I might be able to do even better at the end of the year!" But obviously, only you will know what is on your plate in the summer regarding other subjects.
In the meantime I will keep stockpiling any articles on GTA 5 I can find so that the resit can include the actual release of the game (Spring release date) so you will be able to get hot off the press examples of a AAA game being released by my beloved Rockstar.
Mr H
Tuesday, 8 January 2013
EXAM ROOM CHANGE for those who weren't in today
The Media exam is now going to be in D1 and D2 tomorrow morning. The exam officer spoke to the class today to remind them but just to let those know who weren't in the lesson.
Maricourters - This will probably suit you three better as you are only going to the building that we are usually in for our lessons on Mondays so no fear of getting lost.
If anyone wants any last minute tips, reply to this post with any questions you may have and will get back to you.
P.S tip of the day: search G322 on twitter to see if other media teachers out there are putting out any last minute tips.
Mr Howard
Maricourters - This will probably suit you three better as you are only going to the building that we are usually in for our lessons on Mondays so no fear of getting lost.
If anyone wants any last minute tips, reply to this post with any questions you may have and will get back to you.
P.S tip of the day: search G322 on twitter to see if other media teachers out there are putting out any last minute tips.
Mr Howard
Sunday, 6 January 2013
The Making of Minecraft
The Making of Minecraft
“I think I was already f***ing rich by the time I realised, ‘I’m gonna be f***ing rich.’” That’s how quickly it all happened for Markus ‘Notch’ Persson.
He’d made a game called Minecraft – you may have heard of it. It did rather well. Is doing, actually: three and a half years after the alpha version went on sale, Notch’s studio, Mojang, is still selling 43,420 copies every day, and that number continues to climb.
“I think I was already f***ing rich by the time I realised, ‘I’m gonna be f***ing rich.’” That’s how quickly it all happened for Markus ‘Notch’ Persson.
He’d made a game called Minecraft – you may have heard of it. It did rather well. Is doing, actually: three and a half years after the alpha version went on sale, Notch’s studio, Mojang, is still selling 43,420 copies every day, and that number continues to climb.
The Future of Minecraft: what lies ahead for the all-conquering sandbox game?
The Future of Minecraft: what lies ahead for the all-conquering sandbox game?
It’s hard to imagine how Minecraft could become any bigger than it already is, or how Mojang could spend the money if it did. Then the Mojang guys tell me. It sounds like a good plan.
It’s hard to imagine how Minecraft could become any bigger than it already is, or how Mojang could spend the money if it did. Then the Mojang guys tell me. It sounds like a good plan.
Minecraft creator blames GAME failure on digital distribution
http://www.vg247.com/2012/03/27/minecraft-creator-blames-game-failure-on-digital-distribution/
Minecraft creator blames GAME failure on digital distribution
Mojang boss and indie ambassador Markus “Notch” Persson finds digital distribution a bit of a two-edged sword.
Minecraft creator blames GAME failure on digital distribution
Mojang boss and indie ambassador Markus “Notch” Persson finds digital distribution a bit of a two-edged sword.
Minecraft sold 453,000 copies on December 25
http://www.vg247.com/2013/01/02/minecraft-sold-453000-copies-on-december-24/
Minecraft sold 453,000 copies on December 25
Mojang has announced that 453,000 copies of Minecraft were sold on Christmas Day. According to Minecraft creator Markus “Notch” Persson on Twitter, “Across all platforms, Minecraft sold 453k copies on dec 25! Wowzers!"
According to Minecraft’s official site, 8.7 million copies of the PC version have been sold to date. On top of the 4 million Xbox 360 copies sold and 5 million copies sold on iOS and Android, nearly 18 million copies of Minecraft have been sold to date across all platforms.
Minecraft sold 453,000 copies on December 25
Mojang has announced that 453,000 copies of Minecraft were sold on Christmas Day. According to Minecraft creator Markus “Notch” Persson on Twitter, “Across all platforms, Minecraft sold 453k copies on dec 25! Wowzers!"
According to Minecraft’s official site, 8.7 million copies of the PC version have been sold to date. On top of the 4 million Xbox 360 copies sold and 5 million copies sold on iOS and Android, nearly 18 million copies of Minecraft have been sold to date across all platforms.
REVISION: Spec broken down part 6
"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.
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.
Friday, 4 January 2013
REVISION: Spec broken down part 5
"The technologies that have been introduced in recent years at the levels of production, distribution, marketing and exchange"
Below the cut will be some prompts to consider what you would talk about in this part of the spec based on the games and tech we have studied, but with regards to new tech - if you are v comfortable with the concept of Digital Distribution and DLC along with some great examples I bet you could answer anything to do with this.
Again - not an exhaustive list, just me thinking about what we've talked about and what examples we have mentioned or what you might want to look further into.
Below the cut will be some prompts to consider what you would talk about in this part of the spec based on the games and tech we have studied, but with regards to new tech - if you are v comfortable with the concept of Digital Distribution and DLC along with some great examples I bet you could answer anything to do with this.
Again - not an exhaustive list, just me thinking about what we've talked about and what examples we have mentioned or what you might want to look further into.
REVISION: Spec broken down part 4
"The importance of cross media convergence and synergy in production, distribution and marketing"
As yesterday's posts, many of these posts are going to be very much stream of consciousness splurging of whatever points I think we have discussed or anything else you need to be aware of but make sure you know some key terms and know what examples you can mention. By all means, use what I write here but go explore - nothing I mention is anything you can't find yourself - YouTube, official websites, Facebook pages - it is all out there so go live it up!
As yesterday's posts, many of these posts are going to be very much stream of consciousness splurging of whatever points I think we have discussed or anything else you need to be aware of but make sure you know some key terms and know what examples you can mention. By all means, use what I write here but go explore - nothing I mention is anything you can't find yourself - YouTube, official websites, Facebook pages - it is all out there so go live it up!
Thursday, 3 January 2013
REVISION: Spec broken down part 3
the issues raised by media ownership in contemporary media practice; Below: Revision prompts to do with the part of the spec listed above:
Ownership in the games industry: aka AAA/Blockbuster games vs The Independent
REVISION: Spec broken down part 2
Candidates should be prepared to understand and discuss the processes
of production,
distribution, marketing and exchange as they relate to contemporary media institutions, as well as the nature of audience consumption and the relationships between audiences and institutions. In addition, candidates should be familiar with:
Below are some revision prompts to do with exchange/consumption
distribution, marketing and exchange as they relate to contemporary media institutions, as well as the nature of audience consumption and the relationships between audiences and institutions. In addition, candidates should be familiar with:
Below are some revision prompts to do with exchange/consumption
REVISION: Spec broken down part 1
This is the spec I will be going through all this in a PPT as a last minute reminder but I will post it up here as I do it to help you. First of here's a reminder of everything that the exam board wants us to know:
Candidates should be prepared to understand and discuss the processes of production, distribution, marketing and exchange as they relate to contemporary media institutions, as well as the nature of audience consumption and the relationships between audiences and institutions. In addition, candidates should be familiar with:
The issues raised by media ownership in contemporary media practice;
The importance of cross media convergence and synergy in production, distribution and marketing;
The technologies that have been introduced in recent years at the levels of production, distribution, marketing and exchange;
The significance of proliferation in hardware and content for institutions and audiences;
The importance of technological convergence for institutions and audiences;
The issues raised in the targeting of national and local audiences (specifically, British) by international or global institutions;
The ways in which the candidates’ own experiences of media consumption illustrate wider patterns and trends of audience behaviour.
Firstly, behind the cut I will be focusing on the elements of production, marketing, distribution and exchange. Remember: These are just prompts, if you don't have the notes to answer questions asked then you need to do some reading.
Candidates should be prepared to understand and discuss the processes of production, distribution, marketing and exchange as they relate to contemporary media institutions, as well as the nature of audience consumption and the relationships between audiences and institutions. In addition, candidates should be familiar with:
The issues raised by media ownership in contemporary media practice;
The importance of cross media convergence and synergy in production, distribution and marketing;
The technologies that have been introduced in recent years at the levels of production, distribution, marketing and exchange;
The significance of proliferation in hardware and content for institutions and audiences;
The importance of technological convergence for institutions and audiences;
The issues raised in the targeting of national and local audiences (specifically, British) by international or global institutions;
The ways in which the candidates’ own experiences of media consumption illustrate wider patterns and trends of audience behaviour.
Firstly, behind the cut I will be focusing on the elements of production, marketing, distribution and exchange. Remember: These are just prompts, if you don't have the notes to answer questions asked then you need to do some reading.
GTA V new pics (Christmas Eve's postings!)
R* reminding you that you have a game coming out in Spring 2013 - you might have heard of it? (I hope!)
http://www.oxm.co.uk/48843/new-gta-5-screenshots-appear-over-christmas-oxm-totally-not-late-to-the-party/
http://www.oxm.co.uk/48843/new-gta-5-screenshots-appear-over-christmas-oxm-totally-not-late-to-the-party/
REVISION: 2012 for Videogames
Video games in 2012: year in review - Telegraph http://bit.ly/UHE6QG
A must-read for G322 ocr revision - Show off your knowledge on 9.1.12 (Next Wednesday!!) of the current games industry.
Or read the article after the cut below:
A must-read for G322 ocr revision - Show off your knowledge on 9.1.12 (Next Wednesday!!) of the current games industry.
Or read the article after the cut below:
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