Videogames: Henry Jenkins - fandom and participatory culture

 1) What is the definition of a fan?

A fan is a person with an extreme and uncritical enthusiasm

2) What the different types of fan identified in the factsheet?

Hardcore, Newbie, Anti-fan

3) What makes a ‘fandom’?

fandoms exhibit a ‘passion that binds enthusiasts in the manner of people who share a secret,fandoms are built by audiences that are so passionate about the media texts

4) What is Bordieu’s argument regarding the ‘cultural capital’ of fandom?

Bordieu's argument is cultural capital (knowledge, taste) confers a symbolic power and status for the fan.

5) What examples of fandom are provided on pages 2 and 3 of the factsheet?

The Rocky Horror picture show gave heterosexual fans opportunity to transgress gender and sexuality boundaries in a fantasy environment. The Vampire Diaries is also mentioned.


6) Why is imaginative extension and text creation a vital part of digital fandom?

Fans take their interests into other forms and platforms such as creating fan-art and videos to satisfy their craving for the relationships they desire.

Tomb Raider and Metroid fandom research

Look at this Tomb Raider fansite and answer the following questions: 

1) What types of content are on offer in this fansite?

chat rooms, fan art, fiction, games and films.

2) What does the number of links and content suggest about the size of the online fan community for Tomb Raider and Lara Croft? Pick out some examples from this page.

The tomb raider fan community is very large and they are very invested in it. e.g LaraCroft cosplay, Tomb raider fan site.

3) Scroll to the bottom of the page and look at the short ‘About me’ bio and social media updates. Is this a typical example of ‘fandom’ in the digital age? Why?

The social media updates is a way of keeping the fandom connected and a way of communicating.

Now look at this Metroid fansite and answer the following: 

1) What does the site offer?

games, interviews, social media links and podcasts.

2) Look at the Community Spotlight page. What does this suggest about the types of people who enjoy and participate in fan culture?

It features fans that are enthusiastic about the game and enjoy being a part of the fandom and fan culture.

3) There is a specific feature on Metroid Prime 2: Echoes. What do the questions from fans tell you about the level of engagement and interest in the game and franchise from the fan community?

Fans are very invested and engaged with the game.

Henry Jenkins: degree-level reading

Read the final chapter of ‘Fandom’ – written by Henry Jenkins. This will give you an excellent introduction to the level of reading required for seminars and essays at university as well as degree-level insight into our current work on fandom and participatory culture. Answer the following questions:

1) There is an important quote on the first page: “It’s not an audience, it’s a community”. What does this mean?

They are a community of people with the same interest and are engaged in the game.

2) Jenkins quotes Clay Shirky in the second page of the chapter. Pick out a single sentence of the extended quote that you think is particularly relevant to our work on participatory culture and the ‘end of audience’ (clue – look towards the end!)

"Some call such people “loyals,” stressing the value of consumer commitment in an era of channel zapping; some are calling them “media-actives,” suggesting that they are much more likely to demand the right to participate within the media franchise than previous generation".

This can be linked to fandom as fans are very committed to media texts and fans create their own texts to be a part of the community.

3) What are the different names Jenkins discusses for these active consumers that are replacing the traditional audience?

active consumers are connectors and influencers.

4) On the third page of the chapter, what does Wired editor Chris Anderson suggest regarding the economic argument in favour of fan communities?

Chris Anderson suggests the economic benefit would come from having lower production costs then building up a much stronger network with their targeted consumers.

5) What examples does Jenkins provide to argue that fan culture has gone mainstream?

fan culture has gone mainstream because they have become less geeky and have a life. They no longer fit in with the stereotypes.

7) What does Jenkins suggest the new ideal consumer is?

the new ideal consumer is passive without challenging what they see.

8) Why is fandom 'the future'?

Franchises heavily depend on fandoms to keep up with new media texts.

9) What does it mean when Jenkins says we shouldn’t celebrate ‘a process that commodifies fan cultural production’?

The companies creating media texts do not get the profit from fans who produce products from the original media text.

10) Read through to the end of the chapter. What do you think the future of fandom is? Are we all fans now? Is fandom mainstream or are real fan communities still an example of a niche media audience?

Fandoms have become mainstream, they are not as niche as they used to be and with the development of social media it will be easier for fandoms to connect and fans to produce content.

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