Video Games; Animal Crossing Flashcards
1
Q
what is digital convergence
A
- technology that has the function of many different tools in one
- e.g. phone: can play games, timer, calculator, browse the internet, streams films + TV
2
Q
which age group are the common players of AC
A
- 20-30yr olds
- this challenges our traditional preconceptions of who gamers are (teenage boys)
2
Q
what is the importance about who developed AC NH
A
- NH was developed by an equal number of male and female developers
- they did this to be representative of those playing the game
3
Q
outline the context of Nintendo
A
- is a Japanese owned company, but is a multinational company with subsidiaries (parent company in another country) in USA (main income), China, Korea, Europe etc
- worth $2 Billion
- began in 1889
- is about providing a fun experience
4
Q
give context to the animal crossing franchise/ New Horizons
A
- the series has been running for over 20 years - original game produced in 2001
- it was the first console game to reach 5 million digital sales within a month
- the game won Best Family Game award in 2020
4
Q
outline the rise of Nintendo
A
- 1889: launched
- 1985: Super Mario Bros
- 2001: Animal Crossing first release
- 2006: Wii
- 2017: Nintendo Switch
- 2020: Animal Crossing: New Horizons
5
Q
what was the impact of the pandemic for AC
A
- economic success; people had more disposable income + time to spend on AC
- social: allowed people to express identity + creation online
- allowed for escapism from household conflicts/ the myriad of issues provided by covid
5
Q
outline the marketing of AC NH
A
- NH was heavily advertised as its launch was during Covid, from which the lockdowns provided a ‘captive audience’ for publishers
- a budget friendly, virtual marketing
- Marc Jacobs + Valentino showcased collections on the game
- AOC did virtual house calls on AC instead of in real life
- KFC Philippines created a KFC island, allowing guests to win real life menu items + vouchers
- Nintendo’s YouTube channels were used to demonstrate gameplay - US Nintendo YT channel had nearly 9 million subscribers by 2022
6
Q
what is the Pegi rating for AC NH
A
- rated 3 (equivalent to a U)
- its universal, accessible, non-violent, appropriate
6
Q
what are the audience experiences of AC
A
- socialising with friends through collaborative joint projects
- an escape for those w/ mental health issues - “it has given me back some life joy that i thought i had lost forever”
- sense of community
- immersion
- creative outlet
- achievement
6
Q
what does AC offer players in 2020
A
- offers choice + control due to sandbox nature of game
- escapism from a destabilizing and frightening time - with announcements of daily death tolls
- a travel game when players are unable to travel
- international appeal due to gibberish voices - no need for translation
7
Q
when the release date of AC NH was delayed, stock price dropped by _%
A
- when the release date of AC NH was delayed, stock price dropped by 3%
7
Q
outline the E3 conference
A
- the Electronic Entertainment Expo 2019
- was where publishers, hardware manufacturers etc of the game presented and previewed new updates + upcoming products in relation to Animal Crossing
7
Q
outline AC and BLM protests
A
- AC players brought BLM protests to the game due to real life obstacles presented by Covid
- people raised money through this
8
Q
outline Nintendo’s business model
A
- N is vertically integrated as they keep the development of games in-house, which maximizes profit, maintains market exclusivity, + attracts a loyal gamer fanbase
- e.g. with AC: NH, it was developed by Nintendo in house, is exclusive to the Nintendo console, can be bought digitally from the Nintendo eShop, and requires subscription to Nintendo Switch Online to play online
- unlike diversified conglomerates, N isn’t horizontally integrated - it specialises in 1 area of production; computer console hardware + software of which account for 95% of N’s income
8
Q
why was NH’s release date pushed back
A
- to ensure Nintendo employee welfare
8
Q
outline the gameplay of AC NH
A
- sandbox nature of game: complete freedom for players to spend their time as they choose
- allows collaboration in multiplayer mode
- postmodernists: ‘the line between AC life and real life is blurring’
- AC follows the circadian rhythms of real time - its based on a real 24H clock + follows the seasons in the players chosen hemisphere
- social simulation that allows players to customise their own islands
9
Q
outline the introduction of New Horizons
A
- each iteration of a franchise has to be innovative enough to encourage sales, but familiar enough to follow the success of previous games
- AC: NH was the latest in a well-established franchise of AC games
- it used familiar elements from those games, e.g. the character Tom Nook, while creating difference, e.g. the deserted island setting + multiplayer options
- NH is designed to be easy to use for new AUDs + to achieve a low age rating (PEGI 3) to maximise potential players
9
Q
what is the purchase price of AC: NH
A
- £40 in the UK in 2023
10
Q
outline ownership + control of video games
A
- the relative novelty + rapid growth of the video gaming industry means that ownership, though concentrated in the hands of a new multinational media conglomerates, isnt as concentrated as in film
- in terms of the top video games publishers of 2022, China, USA + Japan dominate the top companies, of which Nintendo places at #8
11
Q
outline marketing in the video game indsutry
A
- marketing a high-budget video game follows a similar process to that of a film; a series of teasers, trailers, adverts, opportunities for fan interaction + publicity stunts build anticipation for launch day
12
Q
in what ways does the design of AC: NH maximise audience appeal
A
- its accessible: designed to appeal to all regardless of age, gender or experience in gaming
- isn’t culturally specific, so has global appeal
- is family friendly in its rating + simple colourful design
- offers multiplayer function - in which online allows virtual interaction + audio chat
- by running in real time, it encourages playing over longer periods of time
13
Q
outline the ‘word of mouth’ in the release of AC: NH
A
- the wide audience appeal of the game enabled a large amount of user-generated content/ word of mouth
- within 4 months of launch, videos about the game had already reached over 3 billion views on TikTok
- New Horizons was the most tweeted-about game on Twitter in 2020
14
Q
outline the success of NH
A
- AC: NH sold about 5 million digital copies globally in its 1st month (March 2020) - set record for the most digital units sold in a month
- became the #1 console game in terms of sales
- brands such as Gucci + H&M as well as politicians, such as Biden in his presidential campaign created, visited, interacted with islands
15
Q
outline the impact of technological changes on video games
A
- video gaming relies on the development of technology but also feeds into that development;
- improved features such as faster + better 3D graphics + sound quality were prompted by the demand of video gaming
- games consoles, although now only accounting for 1/4 of the market, were crucial in driving up video gaming
- development of the internet allows; downloadable games, global multiplayer games, monetising of games in play, fans forums, + the metaverse
- virtual realty is a small but rapidly expanding aspect of the VG market
- improved tech + cheaper cost of equipment in general allows for growth of VG industry + improved AUD experience
16
Q
outline the regulation of video games
A
- video games in the UK are regulated by the Video Standards Council (VSC)
- the VSC Rating Board must issue a PEGI certificate before any game can be released
- the PEGI system rated games by minimum age; 3, 7, 12, 16 and 18
- AC: NH is PEGI 3 - suitable for all
17
Q
why are age + gender key demographic variables
A
- young audiences, including children, dominate the games market
- most games were aimed at M due to the historic dominance of the physical games market
- W are now seen as an important market due to the rise in F gamers with mobile gaming
- there is a lack of evidence about social class or race or ethnicity as variables
17
Q
outline the role of individual producers in AC: NH
A
- Katsuya Eguchi was the creator of the Animal Crossing series + produced AC: NH, which follows both the format of the previous games + adds innovations
- he has stated in interviews that his motivation to create games based on family, friendship + community stems from his loneliness of moving away from his home town
18
Q
name the 6 elements of the psychographic profile of games
A
- action: destruction/ excitement
- social: competition/ community
- mastery: challenge/ strategy
- achievement: completion/ power
- immersion: fantasy/ story
- creativity: design/ discovery
18
Q
what elements of the psychographic profile does AC: NH have
A
- creativity (design), immersion (fantasy), social (community)
- its pleasures of design + strategy appeal to both genders + all ages
19
Q
which award did AC: NH win + why
A
- Animal Crossing: New Horizons won the BAFTA Game Beyond Entertainment award in 2021
- was for helping players think creatively + critically + immerse themselves in a fully realised world
- this shows how a simple mainstream video game can move beyond entertainment + allow meaningful communication between players
19
Q
what is a critique of using traditional advertising
A
- in the UK, women primarily discover games through word of mouth by friends + family, + secondly on social media
- men discover games through online video channels,
+ reviews, then friends + fam - neither groups rely on trad advertising for info about games, reflecting modern audiences’ resistance to advertising
- marketing for video games will only work if it generates word of mouth
