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.

Radio 1 launch CSP

Historical, social and cultural context

1) What radio stations were offered by the BBC before 1967?
BBC Radio home 1939-1967
BBC Radio light 1945-1967
BBC Third 1946-1967 

2) How was BBC radio reorganised in September 1967? What were the new stations that launched?
BBC Radio was reorganised because of piracy. The new stations launched were 
Radio 4
Radio 2
Radio 3

3) What was pirate radio and why was it popular?
Pirate radio was radio stations broadcasting from international waters. It was popular as there was a rule for radio stations playing only 5 hours worth of music but pirate radio played 24/7

4) Why did pirate radio stop broadcasting in 1967?
They were caught and sent a bill.

5) How did the BBC attract young audiences to Radio 1 after pirate radio stations were closed down?
They played music that was suited for all people. 

6) What was 'needle time' and why was it a problem for BBC Radio?
A law and rule for radio stations in Great Britain to only play 5 hours of music a day.

7) How did BBC Radio 1 offer different content to previous BBC radio stations?
At different times they would play  different types of music 24/7 rather than 5 hours a day and one type of music.


8) Who was the first presenter for BBC Radio 1 and why did these new Radio 1 DJs cause upset initially at the traditional BBC?
The first BBC Radio 1 presenter was  Tony Blackburn. This caused upset to the main tradition as it was not seen as cool, it struggled financially and they tried to make like a pirate radio channel but had to present it formally.  


9) Listen to excerpts from the Tony Blackburn's first 1967 broadcast - how might it have appealed to young listeners?
They made it sound like it was a pirate radio and put on pop music which appealed to the young listeners.

10) What conventions did Tony Blackburn's radio show borrow from pirate radio - which made it very different to previous BBC radio content?
They used an intro to the radio station and an intro to the radio presenter Tony Blackburn. They also talked about giving freebies.



 Audience and industry

1) What was the target audience for BBC Radio 1 in 1967?

Young mainstream audience as Pop music appealed to them.

2) Why did Radio 1 initially struggle to attract young listeners?

It wasn't as fun as the pirate Radio because they had to play all types of music but the youngsters liked to listen to Pop music. 

3) What audience pleasures did Radio 1 offer listeners in 1967? (Use Blumler and Katz Uses and Gratifications theory).
Personal Relationships - as it felt like you had a relationship with the Radio Presenters.


4) How is the BBC funded?

The BBC is funded by the TV Tax

5) Applying Stuart Hall's Reception theory, what would the preferred and oppositional reading have been of BBC Radio 1 in 1967? 

   
The preferred reading of Radio 1 would be that its a radio station which is aimed at everyone, young and old. It is mainstream.

The oppositional reading of Radio 1 would be that it is for a young mainstream audience as it mainly plays Pop music.

Arctic Monkeys - I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor

1) How do audiences generally watch music videos these days?

Audiences generally use YouTube to watch music videos.

2) What opportunities has the growth of digital technology and YouTube created for new music artists?

It is easier to get famous on apps like YouTube as you can self-promote yourself.

3) What is P2P and why did it cause huge problems for the music industry?

P2P was a sight where people shared music. It was a big problem as music companies didn't make money.

4) Do you think the internet has given audiences more power over who becomes successful in the music industry? Why? 

I think the music industry has given audiences more power as you can easily download and stream songs and movies for free and also you can self-promote yourself on YouTube.

5) How has Fortnite demonstrated the potential future for music videos and promotional opportunities for the music industry? You can read more on this event in this Verge feature.

Audiences where able to watch the show for free and had previously had posters and a Marshmallow skins which gave it the atmosphere of a real concert. 

1) How did the Arctic Monkeys first achieve success and build up their fanbase?

They where a group of friends and wrote their songs based on their lives. They built a huge fanbase by using the app Myspace.

2) Why was P2P file sharing an unexpected aspect to Arctic Monkeys' early success?

Because it gave a feeling of nostalgia to some viewers so they shared it.

3) How does the rise of Arctic Monkeys differ from how One Direction were formed and became famous?

Arctic monkeys where school friends and became famous by self-promoting themselves whilst one direction where formed when they went on X-Factor as separate acts when Simon Cowell so them and put them together to form a band. 

4) How has technological convergence changed the music industry?

It allows many forms of evidence to be used on the same device.

5) Has the internet been a positive or negative development for traditional record companies? Why?

The internet has been both positive and negative as one way is that it gets the word out of new bands but another way is that audiences stream songs for free which is piracy which results in the music companies making a loss in money. 

1) What is the main Arctic Monkeys audience - demographics and psychographics?
The demographics of Arctic Monkeys is White middle class people. The psychographics are Explorers.

2) What audience pleasures are offered by the music video for I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor?
Nostalgia as it gave the atmosphere the 1980s and programs such as Top Of The Pops.

3) Pick out three particular shots, scenes or moments in the video that would particularly appeal to Arctic Monkeys fans. Why did you choose those moments?

The shot at 01:03 when they zoom in on the drummers -it gives the atmosphere of a rock video.

The shot at 01:33 Gives the feeling of a 1980s video.

The shot at 02:33 I chose this as Fans would love. The girls would love it as they think he is god-like

and hero-like. The men would idealise him as they would want to be him so people think they are

Heroes like them.  

4) What is nostalgia and why is it a key audience pleasure for the Arctic Monkeys music video?

Nostalgia is the feeling or affection from the past. This is a key pleasure in the music video as it is set in the 1980s and makes people who where from those times remember their past

5) How are fans positioned to respond to the video? What does the artist want fans to take from their video?

Older fans would have a personal relationship with the artists and younger fans would get a sense of Going to a club and drinking whilst older fans would get a feeling of nostalgia from the 1980s.   

One Direction - History

Industry

1) How were One Direction formed and how is this reflected in the music video for History?

They were a group of friends who went on x-factor and made it to the top three. It's reflected by showing when they got through the auditions and shows their journey in the music industry.

  2) What is vertical integration? You may need to check your book for this (or remind yourself from this previous blogpost.)

Vertical integration is where one conglomerate owns different companies in the same chain of production.

3) What is horizontal integration? (See link above for help again!)
    
Horizontal integration is when one company buys other companies at the same level.  

4) How has technological convergence changed the way audiences consume music videos?

It has changed the way audiences consume music videos as it is easier to consume because of new and updated apps like YouTube where you can watch songs for free. Spotify is another way. 

5) As a manufactured band, what influence do Simon Cowell and the record company Syco (part of Sony) have over the content and release strategy of One Direction music videos? You may want to read this text from an article in The Inquisitr about the relationship between 1D and Simon Cowell.

One Direction were distancing away from Simon Cowell and wanted to do their own thing.
They felt like they didn't owe him anything.



Audience

1) What is the main One Direction audience - demographics and psychographics?

• Young people age 13+ 
• Mainstreamers
• More girls than boys

2) What audience pleasures are offered by the music video for History?

• Nostalgia
• Personal relationships
• Personal identity
• Diversion

3) Pick out three particular shots, scenes or moments in the video that would particularly appeal to One Direction fans. Why did you choose those moments? 

• When they go through to the finals-stepping stone/big break
• Their concerts-fans.
• The scene when they look of the balcony and see the massive crowd-fans.

I chose these scenes because they the main parts of their Music life which had the most impact on them.

4) What is nostalgia and why is it a key audience pleasure for the History music video?

Nostalgia: Feeling or affection from the past.
It is a key audience pleasure for the History music video as it makes them feel young and remember their good memories that they have had together.

5) How are fans positioned to respond to the video? What do the producers want One Direction fans to take from the video?

In the video it shows fans crying, which shows it is meant to be sad thing as it is the break up of the band. In the lyrics the say " We can make some more...We can live forever." This means no matter what happens they will always united and there for their fans.