Industry & Audience Flashcards
Industry: Product Context
-Assassin’s Creed Valhall was published by Ubisoft Montreal and AC Liberation was published by Ubisoft Sofia (has over 45 studios and has a net work of $2.97B) encompasses 12 incarnations of the game, plus spin-offs.
-It is an action adventure, open world game, played from a third person perspective
-Each game is set in a historical setting with a new story and time period
-The franchise recorded sales of 200 million units since its introduction in 2007
-This was helped by the launch of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla in 2020 which sold more units in its first week than any other game in the series
-Valhalla is the 12th major game in the series and followed Odyssey and was the first game to be released across generations of consoles (Cross Platform)
-1.7 million copies of this game were sold to date, making it the most popular entry in a series that has been regularly releasing at least a game a year since 2007
-Age restriction of 18
-However, games in the back catalogue of the franchise continue to be popular.
-Budget of 500 million for Valhalla
Who published Assassin’s Creed Valhalla?
Ubisoft Montreal
Ubisoft Montreal is one of the many studios under the Ubisoft umbrella.
Which studio published Assassin’s Creed Liberation?
Ubisoft Sofia
Ubisoft Sofia is one of over 45 studios under Ubisoft.
How many incarnations of the Assassin’s Creed game are there?
12 incarnations
This includes main series games and spin-offs.
What type of game is Assassin’s Creed?
Action adventure, open world game
The game is played from a third person perspective.
What is a defining feature of each Assassin’s Creed game?
Set in a historical setting with a new story and time period
Each game offers a unique narrative experience.
How many units has the Assassin’s Creed franchise sold since its introduction in 2007?
200 million units
This figure highlights the franchise’s popularity and commercial success.
Which game helped boost the franchise’s sales in 2020?
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
Valhalla sold more units in its first week than any other game in the series.
What position does Valhalla hold in the series?
12th major game
It followed Odyssey and introduced cross-platform release.
How many copies of Valhalla have been sold to date?
1.7 million copies
This makes it the most popular entry in the franchise.
What is the age restriction for Assassin’s Creed games?
18
This reflects the mature content typically present in the games.
What was the budget for Assassin’s Creed Valhalla?
$500 million
This budget underscores the scale and ambition of the game.
When did gaming begin and with what console?
1972 with the Magnavox Odyssey
The first game was a simulator called Pong.
What significant game was released in 1978 that contributed to the development of amusement arcades?
Space Invaders
This game created tension and adrenaline among players.
Which game attempted to appeal to a female audience in 1980?
Pacman
Pacman was given a face just after the release of the Intellivision.
What was notable about the game Doom released in the early 1990s?
It became the first first-person game
Doom marked a significant advancement in gaming technology.
What was the first console released by Nintendo?
Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in 1985
The NES played a crucial role in popularizing video gaming.
What major console was released a decade after the NES?
The first PlayStation
The PlayStation significantly impacted the gaming industry.
What influential game and console were released in 2001?
Grand Theft Auto and the first Xbox
GTA influenced visuals and provided freedom in gameplay.
What game released in 2006 allowed players to connect with family?
Wii Sports
Wii Sports was recognized as a best-playing game.
Which game released in 2013 provided an emotional experience?
The Last of Us
It was released alongside the PS4.
What is the most recent PlayStation console mentioned in the content?
PS5, released in 2020
The PS5 represents the latest advancement in gaming technology.
Fill in the blank: The release of _______ in 1985 marked the beginning of a new era in home gaming.
Nintendo Entertainment System
True or False: The game Night Trap was notable for beginning to sexualize women in video games.
True
Night Trap was one of the early games to include sexualized content.
When was the first gaming console, The Magnavox Odyssey, released?
1972
The Magnavox Odyssey is considered the first home video game console.
How have the profits of the gaming industry compared to other media industries?
They have rivalled those of major films
The gaming industry’s rapid growth has led to significant financial success.
What are some examples of gaming consoles mentioned?
- Xbox 360
- PlayStation
- PlayStation Vita
These consoles provide diverse gaming experiences and multiplayer interactivity.
What demographic changes have occurred in the gaming community?
Gamers of all ages, genders, and demographics
A quarter of gamers in the UK are over 50 years of age.
True or False: The profile of gamers has remained the same over the years.
False
The traditional image of a lone male teenager has evolved significantly.
What has contributed to the serious perception of playing computer games as a media industry?
Complexity in construction and varied demands on gamers
Games are increasingly recognized for their intricate design and engagement.
Fill in the blank: The gaming industry has seen rapid growth since the _______.
[1970s]
This period marks the beginning of significant advancements in gaming.
What aspect of gaming has expanded due to technological development?
Multiplayer interactivity
This feature enhances the gaming experience by allowing multiple players to engage simultaneously.
What years does Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla take place?
872-878 AD
Who is the main character controlled by the player in Valhalla?
Eivor
What two factions are involved in the conflict in Valhalla?
Assassin Brotherhood and Templar Order
Can players choose the gender of the main character in Valhalla?
Yes, players can play as either a male or female character
When was Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla released?
November 10, 2020
What platforms was Valhalla released on?
Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Stadia, PlayStation 5
What aspects of Valhalla received praise from critics?
Narrative, characters, voice acting, visuals, soundtrack, world-design, interconnectivity of activities
What were the criticisms directed at Valhalla?
Repetitiveness, game-breaking bugs at launch, prioritizing microtransactions
What was the original release date announced for Valhalla?
November 17, 2020
What is significant about Valhalla in relation to new console generations?
First Assassin’s Creed title for Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5
How many editions of Valhalla were released?
Four editions
What are the names of the editions of Valhalla?
Standard edition, Gold edition, Valhalla edition, Ragnarok edition
What benefit do players on Xbox One or PlayStation 4 have regarding upgrades?
They can upgrade to the next-gen version at no extra cost
What record did Valhalla set in its first week of release?
Sold more copies than any other Assassin’s Creed game
How many players had Valhalla reportedly reached by November 17, 2020?
Over 1.8 million players
How many physical copies of the PlayStation 4 version were sold in Japan within its first week?
45,055 copies
What was the ranking of the PlayStation 5 version in Japan’s best-selling retail games during its first week?
Twenty-fifth best-selling retail game
What milestone did Valhalla achieve in terms of revenue?
First AC game to generate over $1 billion in revenue
How long does it take to complete the main story of Valhalla?
52 hours
How long does it take to complete the game for completionists?
135 hours