Assassin's Creed III Liberation

Question 1

Who developed AC3 Liberation?

Answer 1

Ubiosft

Question 2

When was AC3 Liberation released alongside Assassin’s Creed III?

Answer 2

October 30th 2012

Question 3

Originally the game was only released for PS Vita, what year did it become modified for other consoles?

Answer 3

2014

Question 4

What other consoles was AC3 Liberation modified later for?

Answer 4

PS3, Xbox 360 and Microsoft Windows

Question 5

What familiar pleasures does AC3L offer to exiting fans of the franchise?

Answer 5

Narrative situation of the Assassins vs the Templars, open world gameplay.

Question 6

Since when have video games exponentially grow?

Answer 6

The 1970s

Question 7

What was created through video games?

Answer 7

“The Gamer”

Question 8

Which three major territories are video games financially significant?

Answer 8

Japan, Europe and The USA.

Question 9

What handheld device was AC3L released on?

Answer 9

PlayStation Vita.

Question 10

What game was AC3L released simultaneously with?

Answer 10

Assassin’s Creed III

Question 11

What did the simultaneous release (2 games from Sony) mean for Sony?

Answer 11

Attempt to have maximum impact on 3 major markets for console and video game release.

Question 12

What is typical for a larger studio: Ubisoft?

Answer 12

Producing the game as a multinational development.

Question 13

What was the PS. Vita attempting to “tap into”?

Answer 13

The increasing success of mobile gaming (smartphones tablets etc.)

Question 14

Which features was the P.S Vita deigned with associated with smartphones?

Answer 14

Touchscreen, Wi-fi, 3G and Bluetooth capability.

Question 15

In terms of DISTRIBUTION, how could these games be purchased?

Answer 15

Over the internet using outlets such as: Steam, The PlayStation Network or Xbox Live Arcade.

Question 16

What is changing about video game regulation across many European countries?

Answer 16

It is becoming standardised.

Question 17

Video games were regulated by which body until July 2012?

Answer 17

The BBFC.

Question 18

Since July 2012 who regulates video games?

Answer 18

The Video Standards Council (VSC) applying the PEGI System.

Question 19

In what terms can the PEGI system be discussed?

Answer 19

In terms of its process (age ratings as well as visual descriptors of content), also its attempt to harmonise the protection of children across Europe.

Question 20

Which is stricter: BBFC or PEGI?

Answer 20

PEGI

Question 21

Why don’t the VSC use BBFC anymore?

Answer 21

The BBFC used their methodology for rating films for video games “the methodology of rating films is not appropriate for rating games. Games and films are totally different.”

Question 22

What age rating did PEGI give the game?

Answer 22

18

Question 23

How could you unlock additional game content?

Answer 23

AC3L handheld game could be linked to full PS3 console version of the game.

Question 24

What is an example of convergence in the distribution and circulation of the game which is relevant in terms of promotion/marketing of the game?

Answer 24

The convergence of the handheld and full console version of the game to unlock additional game content.

Question 25

How could users DOWNLOAD additional content (DLC)?

Answer 25

The internet/ Wi-fi functionality.

Question 26

What additional game content was downloadable?

Answer 26

Weapons, characters and “skins” or outfits.

Question 27

Apart form additional game content, what did the Wi-fi functionality allow users to do?

Answer 27

The handle to engage in multiplayer versions of the game, this all promotes gamer engagement and identification with the game.

Question 28

What is the Livingstone and Lunt theory summarised?

Answer 28

There is a struggle in recent UK regulation between the need to interest citizens (protection from harmful or effective material) and the need to interest consumers (ensuring choice, value, market competition.

Question 29

Define convergence?

Answer 29

The process or state of converging.

Question 30

Define diversification?

Answer 30

The action of diversifying something or the fact of becoming more diverse.

Question 31

How were media regulatory practises impacted?

Answer 31

By Convergence and Diversification

Question 32

What opened up new opportunities and arguably new risks that complicate regulation?

Answer 32

New technology (in this case the convergent PS Vita with access to internet etc.)

Question 33

How can Hesmondhalgh show how cultural industry companies would minimise risk and maximise audeince.

Answer 33

believes cultural industries aim to minimise risk, maximise audiences through vertical and horizontal integration and formatting their culture products e.g. stars, genres etc

Question 34

What does the video game industry offer to sell hardware?

Answer 34

many similar examples (to AC3L using game to sell PS Vita) to use software to sell hardware.

Question 35

What gender issues are there in video games?

Answer 35

that they are a minority as players, and underrepresented in video game development

Question 36

How might audiences respond to a female protagonist who subverts expectations of female characters in games?

Answer 36

- Represents female game players = more females buy into franchise. - Possibility of loosing some members who expect certain aspects from franchise.

Question 37

What might the game being made for a handheld device imply?

Answer 37

aimed at more casual or mobile gamer, "on the go" gamers vs traditional console and PC gamers.

Question 38

Talk about female protagonist?

Answer 38

unusual for franchise, appeals to different demographic (link to on the go gamers), constructs audiences; offer platform for female identification.

Question 39

What is seen as an attempt to draw gamers from different platforms?

Answer 39

Game is linked to console version which was released simultaneously with this game. Therefore get them to purchase additional hardware and new gaming habits.

Question 40

What relates to changing patterns of consumption?

Answer 40

the two versions of the game are also linked in terms of downloadable content and special features.

Question 41

What might encourage gamers to have a more complete or satisfying expereince?

Answer 41

A range of interlinked products that offer exclusive downloadable content, only possible through convergent technology and gamer "buy-in" to the value of the exclusive content.

Question 42

What age rating did the game recieve?

Answer 42

PEGI 18 due to largely violent content.

Question 43

What theorist can be linked in terms of audience response to violence?

Answer 43

Albert Bandura's arguments about observation and imitation and vicarious consequences.

Question 44

What experiment that Albert Bandura ran be linked to audience targeting/imitation?

Answer 44

The "Bobo Doll" experiment, violent behaviours imitated in game.

Question 45

Active roles are adopted by a player of games, are Bandura's conclusions invalidated or more relevant?

Answer 45

maybe less relevant- audiences are choosing to commit acts of violence in a VIDEO game rather than watching/imitating real violent acts. argue against...

Question 46

What is significant in the success of video games?

Answer 46

Fan culture/ online fan communities. can be passionate exponents of game, or harshest critic and impact development of games indirectly.

Question 47

What other experiences duo video games now offer with their link to the internet?

Answer 47

Social expereinces, multiplayer options, communities outside of the core game experience online.

Question 48

"Fandom" (Henry Jenkins) can be related to strong franchise of AC and well developed fanbase, what is his theory?

Answer 48

NUTSHELL: Internet has allowed fans to gather and create own texts, easily share their work instead of just consuming, audiences are creating texts.