Videogames: The Sims FreePlay part 3 - Representation

 Textual analysis


Re-watch some of the expansion pack trailers and answer the following questions:

1) How do the expansion pack (DLC) trailers reinforce or challenge dominant ideologies?

the game reinforces capitalist ideologies
the teen expansion pack shows that teen girls hobbies are reading

2) What stereotypes have you identified in The Sims FreePlay?

women's interests are fashion and beauty

3) What media theories can you apply to representations in The Sims FreePlay?

Hall- stereotypes
Butler gender is a performance

1) How realistic does The Sims intend to be?

it reflects real life but the aim isn't to be realistic

2) How has The Sims tried to create more realistic representations of ethnicity?

they try to be more diverse by representing multiple ethnicities

3) How has The Sims responded to racism and sexism in society?

The Sims do not tolerate racism or sexism and they try show this with diversity and same sex marriage and working women

4) What is The Sims perspective on gender fluidity and identity?

they support gender fluidity as they have same sex marriage options

5) How does The Sims reinforce the dominant capitalist ideologies of American culture?

they reinforce capitalist ideologies as they show that when the sims work hard they get to buy valuable things

) How did same-sex relationships unexpectedly help the original Sims game to be a success?

it drew positive publicity to the game as they are pro LGBTQ and would gain suppport from that community

2) How is sexuality now represented in The Sims?

sexuality is fluid in the sims

3) Why have fans praised the inclusion of LGBTQ relationships in The Sims franchise?

fans were pleased by the LGBTQ inclusivity as that community is under represented in the media and video games

4) Why did the Sims run into regulatory difficulties with American regulator the ESRB? How did EA respond?

ESRB corrected that after the game shipped and same-sex support was an automatic M.”
Through a lot of effort, determination and standing their ground, EA was able to convince the ESRB to maintain the game’s T-rating

5) How is sexuality represented in the wider videogames industry today?

traditionally only heterosexual relationships were represented in the media and video games industry but this has been changing and they are becoming more inclusive and representative

1) What does the article suggest about the representation of real life in The Sims 4?

The sims reflect virtual life with no barriers or limitations meaning it is escapism because it is the life one hasn't lived.

2) What audience pleasures did the writer used to find in The Sims franchise?

diversion, personal relationship and identity

3) Why the does the writer mention an example of a washer and dryer as additional DLC?

it reflects real life chores

4) In your opinion, has The Sims made an error in trying to make the franchise too realistic?

players enjoy how realistic it is but it could be an error if it is too realistic as players want an escape not an extension of real life

5) How does this representation of reality link to Baudrillard’s theory of hyperreality - the increasingly blurred line between real and constructed?

The actions you take in the game are closely linked to real-life however you create a life and characters which are not real.

1) What is the purpose of The Sims FreePlay social media channels?

promoting extensions and new features

2) Choose three posts (from either Twitter or Facebook) and make a note of what they are and how they encourage audience interaction or response.

3) Scroll down the Facebook feed briefly. How many requests for new content can you find from players? Why is this such as an important part of the appeal for The Sims FreePlay?

4) What tweets can you find in the Twitter feed that refer to additional content or other revenue streams for EA?

5) Linking to our work on postmodernism, how could The Sims FreePlay social media presence be an example of Baudrillard’s hyperreality and simulacra?


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Semiotics

Image
1) What meanings are the audience encouraged to take about the two main characters from the opening of the film?  The film teaches the audience that stereotypes are not always true and to make your own assumptions rather than believing ones that have been created by society. It teaches the audience that everything is not as it seems and to look into the deeper meaning of things. 2) How does the end of the film emphasise de Saussure’s belief that signs are polysemic – open to interpretation or more than one meaning? The film is evidence that signs are  polysemic (open to interpretation) as the audience may have thought the the two characters where going to rob or cause distress to the homeless man, however they actually helped him instead which is not what the audience would have expected. 1) What did Ferdinand de Saussure suggest are the two parts that make up a sign? Ferdinand de Saussure suggests the two parts that make up a sign the signifier and the signi...
Read more

Videogames: The Sims FreePlay part 2 - Industries

  Regulation – PEGI Research the following  using the PEGI website . 1) What is the VSC and how does it link to UK law? . VSC links to the law due to the The Video Recordings Act in 1984 where it is illegal to supply PEGI 12, 16 or 18 games to those underaged in the UK. 2) Note down the key statistics on the homepage. VSC established in 1989,used in over 30 countries across Europe,over 1000 games rated 3) What is the purpose of PEGI? PEGI informs consumers about the content of a game before they purchase it in order to protect them from unsuitable content. 4) Click on the PEGI Rating tab in the top menu. What are the age ratings and what do they include? 3, 7, 12, 16 and 18.  5) Scroll down to look at the ‘How games are examined’ infographic. What is the PEGI process for rating a game? ratings are based on expert advice and public consultation The ‘Freemium’ gaming model Read  this Lifewire feature on freemium gaming  and answer the following questions: 1) ...
Read more

Videogames: exam question

  To what extent do video game makers target audiences through changing representations? Refer to  two  of your three Videogames Close Study Products to support your answer. [25 marks]  Intro: to a certain extent, but arguably, many TRA and SFP also reinforce many stereotypical representations in the media. Plan Tomb Raider:  Changes representations  of women in video games. Female characters are rarely playable and usually reinforce traditional gender stereotypes. Women have traditionally been represented as as "damsels in distress" and objectified.In patriarchal culture, the way women’s bodies are represented as objects is different to the representation of male bodies as spectacle. In tomb raider lara croft is the hero and main character- she subverts traditional stereotypes of women as she is actively fighting, she is fast and is on a dangerous quest overcoming physical obstacles and uses gunplay. Strong, independent, playable female character lack of...
Read more