Recap of the Video Games unit

The examing board state that students should complete the following for the exam:

A study of the production, distribution and marketing of a specific game within one or across various gaming platforms, along with its reception by a variety of (British) audiences. This should be accompanied by study of the impact of next generation capabilities (HD, Blu-Ray, online services, etc) on the production, distribution, marketing and consumption of games. Publishing will incorporate UGC web uploading


Stuff we have covered in the Video Games Unit:

The range of computer games on the market;
The genre of various games and the typical codes and conventions (shoot-em-up, role playing etc;
The biggest selling games in the UK for 2008;
The history of videogames – from Pong to GTA4;
http://www.otn.co.uk/invaders/
http://www.pbs.org/kcts/videogamerevolution/arcade/game/game_flash.html

The range of video games on the market
http://www.pond5.com/stock-footage/58922/1970s-tv-tennis-pal.html
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=DQ8s8U7qbOU

Violence in video games:

Watch and listen to video clip:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=hKSk1bW9qzw


Violence in video games – does it have any impact on young people?
Read ‘Social Effects of Video Gaming’ handout;

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/games
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/06/17/60minutes/main702599.shtml

Investigate the role of the BBFC; who are they? What do they do?

Women and games:
Representation powerpoints

Watch and listen to video clips:
Lara Croft: Tomb Raider: Edge of Darkness
http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1808416901/video

Tomb Raider: Underworld
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOfhtzyJjtA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lLN7m1qQeo

Find out the following about Lara Croft:

Who is the development and publishing company?
Who is the distribution company?
What were the classifications given to three of the games?
What is the scope of its availability; multi-platform? Retail? Play online? Downloadable – formats?
What messages does Lara Croft’s character send regards the representation of women? Are they typical of female portrayal in video games?
Video games & film:

Research the following games and their film adaptations.
Silent Hill,Resident Evil, Hitman, Doom, Mortal Kombat, Street Fighter, Final Fantasy

What stars were cast? Is the film faithful to the game?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7709298.stm


The video game industry:

PC’s / consoles

Summary:

Verdict Research's latest reports, UK Music & Video 2008 and UK Video Games & Consoles Retailing 2008

Web resourses:

http://www.theinquirer.net/gb/inquirer/news/2008/11/05/computer-games-rise

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7709298.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7706383.stm


LIST OF VIDEO GAMES COMPANIES

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_video_game_companies