Sims audience and industry Flashcards
What reduces the risk of Sims as would be argued by Hesmondhalgh?
-It’s one game of an entire franchise of games. The game is a successful off-shoot of SimCity and it has generated four further versions plus other spin-offs such as The Sims Carnival and The Sims Social
-It’s also available across a wide range of platforms as it has undergone commodification and diversification as they look to make as much profit as possible
- Thirdly because it doesn’t alienate sexual orientation or nationality creating a wider audience
When was Sims Freeplay released on mobile?
Made available on IOS in 2011, and all other operating systems (Windows, Blackberry and Android) by 2013
When was the initial ‘The Sims’ released?
2000
Which platforms is The Sims on and how has this developed overtime?
Sims was originally a PC game, but titles have been developed across a range of platforms like Xbox and PlayStation. The Sims Freeplay has positioned the franchise within mobile gaming
Who developed the Sims Freeplay?
EA mobile and Firemonkeys Studios
Who is EA mobile?
A subsidiary of the US company Electronic Arts
Who is Firemonkey Studios?
An Australian games developer that are also a subsidiary of Electronic Arts
What’s the strategic positioning of Electronic Arts within the gaming industry?
They are both horizontally integrated: shown by the fact that they own both EA Mobile and Firemonkey Studios (as well as BlueTongue and Maxis) and vertically integrated: their subsidiaries developed the game and they published the game. This means they have large control over the industry
Who published the game?
Electronic Arts
Who are Electronic Arts?
The second largest gaming company/global conglomerate in Europe/US. They develop (fund and organise production) and publish (distribute and circulate) games
What is the funding structure of The Sims?
Freemium game, meaning it’s free to download, but includes the possibility of in-app purchases
What helps to ensure the interactivity of The Sims Freeplay?
It’s regularly updated offering players new content and the opportunity to interact with events and competitions
How can the Sims get extra money aside from the Freemium model?
The suburban real world environment provides opportunities for the game to generate an income by using product placement. Items and tasks can be sponsored by companies, e.g. adidas sponsor some of the Sims clothing
The game runs adverts and players gain free in-game currency by watching them
Who regulates games in Europe?
PEGI (Pan European Game Information)
What does PEGI do?
PEGI offer ratings for games to help the audience make informed decisions. They do not regulate the industry by enforcing age limits or access, they simply offer information to help consumers make an informed choice
What have PEGI recently started regulating on?
A games use of microtransactions (in app purchases). This is aimed at parents who wish to know what content games offer their children.
What is the age rating of Sims?
12
Which gender and age are stereotypically aimed at in video game advertising? What is marketing towards the other gender like?
Early games focused their advertising at young boys, despite 50% of the gaming market being made up by girls and older audiences do play games as they have grown up with them.
Some games are often specifically targeted at girls although they are based off stereotypical ideas about gender roles.
Which gender may Sims be thought to appeal to?
Its often thought to have a feminine appeal as it’s focused on domestic settings, home, family and relationships. The domestic sphere is typically perceived as feminine.
It does also offer some content related to social and professional settings too
Why does Sims appeal to an audience of all ages?
Available on mobile devices makes it accessible to everyone
How many times have the app been downloaded since release and how can this be explained?
Over 200 million (overall players have engaged with the game for 78,000 years of gameplay) - it has a broad appeal
Who is the primary target audience for the game and why?
Much of the game reflects an aspirational lifestyle based on home and family, so the primary target audience can be identified as young females (however it carries relatively broad appeal)
What type of narrative is used in the Sims?
-It’s an indefinite sandbox environment with no definite ending or goal. It’s largely situated in the mundanity of day to day life
-The experience is limited only by the player’s commitment to spending time on the game.
-Events happen slowly, encouraging players to come back time and time again to see how Sims are developing
Which of Blumler & Katz’s gratifications apply to the game and why?
- Escapism - offers players the ability to create the perfect life, far away from reality. In this sense, it creates a hyperreality
- Personal identity - players can create Sims to look like them and have similar personalities, yet live in a perfect world
- Social interaction - Social elements offered such as having friends, sending gifts and interacting with your own Sim as if they’re your friend
- Entertainment
