Kim Kardashian: Hollywood

Language

1) What is the objective when playing the Kim Kardashian: Hollywood game?
To create your own star and customise your looks, become a A-list actor/actress, rule the red carpet and take over  L.A. in a virtual world.

2) What is an A-list celebrity? Why is it important in Kim Kardashian: Hollywood?
An A-list celebrity are the most top actors/actresses that star in the top high ranked movies. This is important to the game as it is the objective of the game to become a successful movie star. This links in with the Blumler and Katz idea of diversion- the game is a good way to escape and give someone a luxury and glamourous lifestyle.

3) How do you download the Kim Kardashian: Hollywood game?
The game can be downloaded on tablets and phones from the app store.

4) What is the narrative or storyline of Kim Kardashian: Hollywood? Where is it set?
The storyline of the game is to become a A-list star from the lower rankings by gaining fans. This is set in L.A. Hollywood.

5) What characters can you play as? What characters appear in the game?
You can play your own character and meet real stars and celebrities. 

Audience

1) What audience pleasures are provided by the game? Use Blumler & Katz's Uses and Gratifications theory.Diversion as it is entertaining- meeting famous people and enjoying a luxury lifestyle.

Personal Relationship as you meet and make a relationships with real stars and celebrities.

Personal identity as they can see their own lifestyle and what they might want to be when they grow up.

Surveillance as they can see what life is like a celebrity. 

2) Why is the game so addictive for audiences?

The game is so addictive as you want to go on in the higher ranking and become famous, buy accessories and live a glamourous lifestyle.

3) Applying Stuart Hall's Reception theory, what is the preferred reading for Kim Kardashian Hollywood - how do the producers want the audience to react to the game? For the oppositional reading, why might someone dislike Kim Kardashian Hollywood?

The preferred reading of the game is about how wonderful it is to be an A-list celebrity and the things you do to become one and also how cool and glamorous it is.

The oppositional reading is about how unrealistic it is and you just don't get fame by knowing famous people you need to work hard to get to where you are in real life.

4) Why does James Liu think Kim Kardashian: Hollywood is so successful?
Firstly it is a well designed game and caters to a specific age groups or types of gamers.

5) What does James Liu suggest is the reason players keep coming back to the game?
The game is addictive and gives you a sense of control.


Representations

1) What representations of women can be found in Kim Kardashian: Hollywood?
The representations of women in the game are of women focusing on their appearance, modelling and dating to become successful.

2) What representations of race, ethnicity or sexuality can be found in the game?
They are controversial-

3) How does the game both reinforce and subvert stereotypes in the media?
The games reinforces stereotypes as they show that women have to act and look a certain ways.
The game also subverts stereotypes as they show anyone of any gender, background and ethnicity can become famous.

4) What does the game suggest regarding modern perceptions of celebrity and how to get famous?

This show that celebrities get famous by dating famous people who can get them fame.

5) How might someone criticise the representation of celebrity in Kim Kardashian: Hollywood?

Someone might criticise the representations of celebrities in the game as you don't only get fame by dating famous people, you need to work hard.

Industries

1) How much does Kim Kardashian: Hollywood cost?

The game is free to download but has in-app purchases and subscriptions.

2) How does the game make money?

The game makes money from the in-app purchases and subscriptions.

3) What subscriptions are available to Kim Kardashian: Hollywood?

• Gold: 49.99 USD / month (or local equivalent)
• Silver: 19.99 USD / month (or local equivalent)
• Bronze: 4.99 USD / month (or local equivalent)

4) How was Kim Kardashian: Hollywood marketed and promoted?
The game was promoted by adverts in a real life perspective

5) How does Kim Kardashian: Hollywood use media convergence to cross-promote the game and the Kardashian brand?
TV shows and social media channels are referenced in the game
The game appears on Kim Kardashian's real social media page.
On the TV show Keeping up with the Kardashians the game appears and the show is also referenced in the game.

Lara Croft Go

Language

1) Who is Lara Croft and when did she first appear in a videogame?
She first appeared in 1996 in Tomb Raider.

2) What classic films influenced the creation of Lara Croft and the Tomb Raider games?
Lara Croft Tomb Raider was influenced by Indian Jones

3) How has Lara Croft and Tomb Raider moved beyond just being a videogame?
There are films about Lara Croft. 

4) What devices can you play Lara Croft Go on?
You can play on a iPad mobile or tablet

5) What type of game is Lara Croft Go?
Lara Croft Go is a puzzle solving game as there are many things you need to solve.

6) How does Lara Croft Go use narrative (storyline)?
It uses the same part of puzzle, solving and finding different things and a lot of action.

7) What iconography can be found in Lara Croft Go? How does this help communicate the sub-genre of videogame?
There is a lot of acrobatic moves and killing which gives it the sense of violence.
8) What other characters or enemies feature in the game?
Things like snakes and spiders.
9) What is the setting for Lara Croft Go? How does this compare to previous Lara Croft or Tomb Raider games?
The setting of Lara Croft Go is in a jungle which compares to the first Lara Croft Tomb raider which was also set in jungles.

10) Read this BBC article on the history of Lara Croft and Tomb Raider. How has the character of Lara Croft evolved over the last 20 years?  
Lara croft has changed over 20 years with clothing and her body.


Audience

1) Why might an audience enjoy playing Lara Croft Go?

An audience might enjoy playing Lara Croft because its a puzzled 

2) Where and when might an audience play a game like Lara Croft Go? Think about the device it is played on and the times of the day someone might want to play the game.

3) How did Square Enix design Lara Croft to make it appealing to an audience?

They designed her by using classic animations from the older Lara croft games which gives  a feeling of nostalgia.

4) Which of Blumler and Katz's Uses and Gratifications theory might apply to Lara Croft Go?

Diversion as people need to be entertained.

Personal identity as they can learn from these things.

5) Who is the target audience for Lara Croft Go? How does brand loyalty contribute to this target audience?

The target audience for Lara Croft go are those who are interested in the quality of the innovative gameplay, those in brand loyalty with the hitman go series, those in brand loyalty on the feminine empowerment displayed and those with brand loyalty on nostalgia or even the sexualisation of Lara Craft Go.


Representation

1) How are women usually represented in videogames?

Women are usually represented as a figure of sexual desire.  

  

2) How does the character of Lara Croft reinforce female stereotypes in the media?

Her body features are exaggerated  and she is designed to be attractive to men. 

3) How does the character of Lara Croft subvert female stereotypes in the media?

She is an action hero which is  traditionally a male stereotype and she is a empowered female heroine. 

4) Why do some people believe the videogames industry is sexist and needs to change?

Some people believe that the videogame industry is sexist as usually the man is the main hero and the women is usually the hero's apprentice and usually objectified and sexualised.

5) Do you think Lara Croft is an empowering feminist icon or just another objectified woman designed to appeal to male gamers?

I think Lara Croft is just another objectified woman as parts of her body are still being shown and exaggerated.

Industries

1) What does PEGI stand for?
 Pan European Game Information

2) What is PEGI's job?
A rating system to help the consumers make sure they are able to play the game.

3) Which company created Lara Croft Go?
Square Enix

4) What two popular videogame franchises were combined to create Lara Croft Go?

Core design and Square Enix.  

5) What else is part of the Lara Croft/Tomb Raider franchise?

 The Hitman Go series. 

A brief history of videogames

1) What were the first videogames like?
The first videogames were games built on analogue machines.

2) How have videogames changed over time?
Over time, videogames have changed from 2D to 3D and some games have a storyline to follow.

3) What do the most successful games have in common? Answer this in as much detail as you can. Think about audience pleasures - what do people like about playing videogames?

The most successful games contain guns,blood and fighting as this appeals to people as it sometimes might take their anger away if they kill someone. The audience pleasure is superiority to characters (diversion). as you are killing others which makes you feel like you are the head.  

4) What criticisms have been made towards videogames over the years? Here's a good article on the impact of videogames on players that might be helpful.

Many people believe that when people play videogames that the majority get aggressive but studies show that not all aggressive behaviour come from the videogames and also can come from other things.

Also, the majority of violent people are not even interested in videogames and shows that violent video games don't make people do violent stuff outside.



1) How many Fortnite players are there worldwide? Here's an updated article with recent figures for you.
Fortnite has 250 million players in total

2) Why is it so popular? What are the audience pleasures of the game?
It is so popular as the graphics are like a cartoon. The audience pleasures of this is audience escapism  (diversion) as they can rest and take time for themselves.

3) Why might some people criticise Fortnite?
Some people might criticise fortnite because there are to many updates and somethings aren't good enough.

4) Copy and paste two comments from 'below the line' of the Guardian article - these are comments written by Guardian readers in response to the feature. Select one comment you agree with and one you disagree with and explain why.

"A fantastic game for all the family. The violence is cartoon-like, not gratuitous or graphic. I limit my children to only playing the PlayStation at the weekends. Simple."

"I limit my children to only playing the PlayStation at the weekends. Simple."

"terrible idea

1) your kids will grow up despising you
2) they will see you'd rather they be bored and miserable then do what they enjoy just cause you object to it and resent you for it
3) Computer games naturally get them more engaged in computing which leads being interested in Science and engineering
4) a game like this teaches co-operation, creativity, social skills, problem solving and a competitive spirit
5) if they do well at the game they earn a sense of confidence
6) their friends likely play it, and you've just isolated them from their friends making them shut-ins and removing their sense of confidence as everyone they know takes part through the week and you've limited them to the weekend
7) any homework or studying goes better with allotted breaks else it becomes an unbearable task and they learn nothing
8) let them do what they want, its only way they will really learn and develop"

I agree with the first comment as if you restrict them from playing all the they can get time to do their homework.

I disagree with the second comment as if you let them do anything they want they will be addicted to the game and prioritise game time more then family time and doing their homework.

Apple Beats 1 Radio CSP: blog tasks

Background, industries and the impact of the internet

1) How have our music listening habits changed since 1960?
The young people listen to the radio much less as there are more better ways to stream music.

2) When did Apple Beats 1 Radio launch and what is it?
Beats 1 launched in 2015 and it is a radio station by Apple.

3) What is the difference between Beats 1 Radio, iTunes and Apple Music?
Beats 1 Radio is a radio station whilst the other two are apps with the music on it.

4) Why was Apple so keen to enter the online music world and compete with Spotify, Deezer and Amazon Music (and others)?
Apple wanted to keep the iTunes fans a way from Spotify and Amazon music.

5) Why did Apple choose the three selected DJs for launch? 
Apple chose them as they are the top DJ's and are well known who are experts in different fields of music.

6) How does the use of DJs differ from Spotify, Amazon Music and other streaming services? 
The Apple DJs are already established and bring their own fanbase. But Spotify and Amazon allows the audience to build a personal relationship with the DJs.

7) How does the content of the Julia Adenuga show differ from Radio 1? 
Radio 1 doesn't put that much of grime or rap so it makes a change playing it on the Station.

8) Why does Beats 1 radio give Apple the power to make or break new artists? Is this a good thing or a bad thing for the music industry?
Artists sign exclusivity deals with Apple with certain online providers. This doesn't influence what the DJs can play as the artists who have sign up with apple may have preference which isn't good. 


9) Read the BBC feature on the launch of Apple Beats 1 Radio. Did the industry experts think it would be a success? Why?
Yes, as bringing well known DJs meant they could already create such a big fan base.

10) Give arguments for and against the idea that Beats 1 will be a threat to traditional media industries (e.g. radio stations, record shops, online music retailers etc.)

Beats 1 is not a threat to traditional media as it is just like other apps for example Spotify and Amazon music. Not all people will stop listening to radio stations as it is such a big thing and they already have a huge fanbase.

But some people could say that it is because its main reason to launch was to keep the I tunes fans away from Spotify and Amazon music. Also if people kept listening to music on Beats 1 then people wouldn't need to go to record stores or online music retailers and some people might stop listening to the radio as they got what they need on Beats 1.

Audience

1) Who is the target audience for Beats1 and Julia Adenuga in particular? Refer to demographics and psychographics.
The target audience are a mainstream young audience. 

2) Why do people listen to Beats1? Which aspects of Blumler and Katz’s Uses and Gratifications theory relate to Beats 1 and its audience?

People listen to Beats1 because they need to be entertained (diversion) and they need to socially interact with people (personal relationships). 

3) Can the audience actively interact with the Apple Beats 1 Radio or are they passive when listening? How? Give examples.
The audience passively listen as its a radio so they just listen to what the presenters talk about and what music they play. 

4) Is Apple Beats 1 aimed at a mass or niche audience? How does this differ to BBC Radio 1?

Apple Beats1 is aimed at a niche audience as they tried to keep their audience away from other apps like Spotify and amazon music.

5) Do you think Apple Beats 1 radio will be popular with young audiences or are streaming services the future of audio-based media?

I think streaming services are the future of media as younger people are moving away from radios as they are getting old.