Q8 Response:
Video games provide an escapist, interactive experience – and
can be part of a franchise as a means of promoting media such as a TV series or
movie - The Lego Movie for example. The Lego Movie video game not only promotes
the movie, but offers interaction with the audience’s pick of characters from
the cast; not only providing lasting entertainment for the player, but having
the player somewhat grow fond of the characters, creating a network of personal
‘connections’ and character values inside the game – adding to the escapist appeal.
The video game also gives an entertainment appeal and
promotes the brand by offering a virtual sense of building (with Lego), and may
draw younger audiences to want the more physical version themselves, usually of
certain (possibly sponsored or a result of a collaboration) models, which may
include Batman’s ‘Batmobile’, and more. This brings in young audiences more for
the building, while older youths may want a sense of plot and action, where the
story and motive comes into play; bringing in a large variety of audience looking
for a simple, creative, plot based adventure.
Mark 8/10 You are right in all you say but I think that the examiners would expect you to refer more closely to the actual video game, for example, pick out elements that made for 'lasting entertainment' (like the adventures, challenges, quests); growing fond of Emmet etc
ReplyDeleteBlumler and Katz argued that there are many uses and gratifications that audiences gain from the media and these make the media successful. Personal identity, social integration and integration, entertainment, and surveillance are four types of uses and gratifications.
Video games offer entertainment: The Lego Movie Game, like most games, allows the player to enter a fictional world that means they can escape from their everyday life. It allows players to re-experience entertaining aspects of the original film, such as its humour and silliness. As players work their way up the levels they can feel the satisfaction of becoming an expert player.
Video games offer social interaction/integration: many multiplayer games enable a worldwide community of players
to come together in the game and communicate with each other; many gamers use online forums to discuss games with fellow fans. The Lego Movie Game is not a multiplayer game, but it does offer a set of characters that the audience already knows that they can interact with – this can give them a sense of belonging as if they are a member of a real community. Video games also allow people to escape from the people that they live with, if necessary, which may make it easier for them to live together. The more entertaining a game is, the better it can serve this purpose.