Case Study Requirements

All case studies must include:
Production:
Information on the game, ie. what kind of game is it, i.e first person shooter.
Who made it? Developer, publisher
How was it funded?
What new technology or key features?

Marketing:
What was the strategy, i.e. viral, conventional?
What kind of audience are they trying to attract and how? i.e. look at the different ads.

Distribution:
How do you buy it?
How do you pay?
How can you get hold of it?

Consumption:
Is there any user generated content?
Is it multi-player ?
Is it online?

Any points of interest, something that makes this game interesting?

Exam Preparation Task

In your case study group discuss the following questions and try to answer them as much from memory first as possible, then turn to your notes.

1. What is an example of a vertically integrated company?

2. What has the impact of increased internet connectivity been on the media production, distribution and marketing process?

3. What is technological convergence and give an example of its use in the industry?

4. What is media convergence and give an examples of its use in the industry?

5. What are some of the issues raised by Media ownership in the videogames industry?

6. What is the importance of cross media convergence and synergy in production, distribution and marketing?

7. What impact have recent developments in technology had on the production, distribution, marketing and exchange of videogames?

8. What are some of the significances of proliferation in hardware and content for institutions and audiences?

9. Think about the ways in which your own experiences of interacting with the videogames industry might illustrate wider patterns and trends of audience behaviour; write some bullet points on your own consumption of videogames.

Ensure your answers are in full sentences, try to construct an argument in response to the question.

Don't forget to include information on both GTA IV and your case study game, also feel free to incorporate historic information about the industry to illustrate your broad understanding of the industry.

Case Study - Distribution Task

You need to do some research into how your case study game was distributed.
Make sure you answer the following questions:

• What consoles is your game available on and was it released on any other console, if yes then was it at the same time or at a later date?
• Why do you think it is available on that console? i.e. the Wii's interactivity is essential for the game experience.
• After it's initial release was there any add-ons or downloads?
  
• What content is available online, where online (what websites) and why do you think that particular content is online? i.e. what makes it different, desirable for the gamer?
• What websites are your game available on? i.e. XBox live
• Can you play your game with other people? i.e through bluetooth on the DS or on a multi-player mode on the Wii.
• Were there any promotions for your game? i.e. like Coca-Cola and FiFA
  

Case Study:Production

Once you have decided on the game you want to case study find out the following things initially:

TITLE: Production of (insert the name of your game)
What company developed the game?
How long did it take them?
What was the initial concept of the game?
How many people did it take to develop the game?
What kind of teams were needed (i.e. character animators)
What software was used to develop the game? (i.e. Euphoria)
What platforms is it available on?
How many units have been sold to date?
What company distributes the game?
What model of production was used for this game? i.e. the Hollywood model

You must make sure you blog all of your information.
DO NOT copy and paste, you must read the information and re-write it in your own words to ensure you understand all the information so you can use it appropriately in the exam.

Second Task

In pairs or threes discuss your own history of gaming and use the following questions to structure your response:

What was the first ever game you played?
What games did you used to enjoy playing and what did you like about them?
What games do you play now and what do you like about them?
What consoles have you bought and why?
Do you play games online? If yes, what games and where do you play them?

Include images and youtube clips of game play of some of the games you discuss.

Write up your responses to these questions to the blog before 9am Monday 26th April 2010

First Task

Please write up all of your notes on the Rockstar Games Play Session.
Answer the following questions for each game:

• What do you like about the game?
• Who is the game aimed at (target audience)?
• What do you think of the content/game experience?
• Are there any potential issues with it?
• Are there references to any other media industry i.e. music and film?
• Are there any similarities between the games, if yes then what are they?
• Make a note of the console you played the game on, why do you think the game was released on this console?
  

DEADLINE: Monday 26th April 9am