Assassins Creed (Lib) - Response

Question 1

Overview

Answer 1

• developed by ubisoft and released on 30/10/12
• originally exclusive to PS Vita, in 2014 was released on other consoles

Question 2

Typical Audiences

Answer 2

• male teenagers, take it seriousy and are competitive
• homogenous industry, most game developers have been male
• some may not react positively to a female assassin as the protagtonist

Question 3

Aveline

Answer 3

• typically female characters are the ‘damsel in distress’, treated as submissive or mysoginised
• typically, clothing is tight (exaggerating figure) and minimal
• female audiences will respond positively to Aveline
• she is a mixed race protagonist, with many androgyous characteristics
• fails to be sexualised
• her strength, bravery and combat skills confirm her post-feminist construction

Question 4

Appeal of Role-Playing Games

Answer 4

• people can ‘try on’ characteristics, create their ideal self
• allows diversion/escapism from the real world
• offer the target audience a challenging gameplay, forcing audiences to use critical thinking

Question 5

Intertextuality in Video Games

Answer 5

• audiences see familiar graphics, cinematic filming, audio and visual codes to create a familiar environment
• could allow for a more positive response from the audience

Question 6

Positioning: Appeal of Role-Plays

Answer 6

• ‘omniscient’ persepective (3rd person)
• full control, visuals of Aveline and the digtal world she lives in
• ability to manipulate character and make key decisions if necessary

Question 7

Are They No Longer Anti-Social?

Answer 7

• role playing games require player to be more active and connect with audiences online
• online forums allow them to communicate with one another
• resulting in a shared experience

Question 8

Media Effects

Answer 8

Albert Bandura
- this game is rated a PEGI 18
- ‘Bobo Doll Experiment’ proved transgressive behavior in younger children
- children are easily encouraged and enticed to imitate aggressive behaviour
- video games often used as a scapegoat in the media (in cases where a younger peron has committed acts of violence/murder)

Question 9

Fandom

Answer 9

Henry Jenkins
- institutions can struggle to monitor and take ownership over what is theirs, when other pieces of media are being created by fans
- fans can either be strong supporters or harsh critics, impacting the development of games directly
- communities are created outsidce the core game experience
- passion expressed through alternate media outlets e.g. the movie (2016), comic con etc…