Introduction to video games

 Watch the YouTube video outlining the history of the videogames industry from the 1970s to the 2010s. Now answer the following questions:


1) What were the first videogames like?

They were designed for rapid code breaking and calculating ballistic trajectories. 

2) How have videogames changed over time?

As technology has evolved, the video games of greater complexity have become possible to create. Games have been generated with coins and have added colour since the 1980s.

3) What do the most successful games have in common? Answer this in as much detail as you can. Think about audience pleasures - what do people like about playing videogames?

They all have some end goal to achieve, which keeps players motivated to keep playing until they win something and feel the excitement through the main goal they've achieved, which fits into the diversion audience pleasure as they have something exhilarating to look forward to while they play the video game. Also, most of the games in the late 1900s contain a fun element regarding space, which is great for a late 1900s audience as of the increase in interest about space due to the space race.

4) What criticisms have been made towards videogames?

They can be controversial if they contain hazardous views such as larceny and murder- video games have been portrayed negatively in the media and popular culture associated with violence, addiction and social isolation as they keep kids awake at unusual hours and due to the fun addiction they might gain from the video games, leading to excessive playing.


Now answer the following questions:

1) At the time of the article, how many Fortnite players were there worldwide? (Bonus question - how many are there now? Try Googling it.)

More than 200 million players worldwide- now there are just over 207 million players worldwide as of March 2025.

2) Why is it so popular? What are the audience pleasures of the game?

Well, it’s free, it’s fun and it has a very silly, offbeat sense of humour. While PUGB has a serious, realistic visual style, Fortnite: Battle Royale has very bright, almost cartoon-like graphics as well as loads of ridiculous items and costumes, such as space suits and dinosaur outfits. You can also pull a variety of dance moves during the game, and some of these have taken on a cult appeal in schoolyards around the globe. The Floss, inspired by the viral video of the boy dancing with Katy Perry during her Saturday Night Live appearance last spring, is basically the new dab. The different character and dance options are fun for kids to experiment with and they will fight until there is only one man left standing, who will be the winner of the game. Cleverly, the developer is adding new items, features and play modes on a weekly basis so there is always a new reason to come back and play, and fans like to show off that they have the latest gear.

3) Why might some people criticise Fortnite?

The concept of video game addiction is highly contentious within the medical community and the World Health Organisation has recently recognised gaming disorder as a condition. This is a controversial subject as it is good for fornite to have committed players but it's obsessive and overly addicting for players (kids) and can negatively impact their mental health.

4) Copy and paste two comments from 'below the line' of the Guardian article - these are comments written by Guardian readers in response to the feature. Select one comment you agree with and one you disagree with and explain why.

Imperium40k
Imperium40k
1

It’s pretty easy to see why people love the game so much, with the sense of camaraderie between friends playing the same game and all, but I didn’t really feel a reason to play after a few hours, unlike other games out nowadays like Monster Hunter World and even older favourites like Bloodborne and the Souls series.
But anyway this is a surprisingly balanced article, especially since it’s aimed at parents of all people. Most parents of younger children or teenagers aren’t that supportive of games in general nowadays, and this article serves to contradict the usual drivel about violence and such.
Well written indeed!


I disagree with this comment as I think fornite is a more addictive and entertaining video game than others in the market


  • TaliShar
    TaliShar
    0

    I play with my son and daughter...I and we love it...So much fun and while it's violent there is no blood or gore same as overwatch...The people we have come across have been good sports also...If you lose big deal so have 99% of the others in the map...And you just jump back in...PUBG witch is far too serious for its on good and quite frankly isn't as fun....It's telling to me the most fun I've had in games this and Overwatch are both cartoonist in style. Like Overwatch also when they play together without mother hen watching over them they never argue or blame each other when it goes wrong. Really recommend it to anyone and everyone. : )

I agree with this comment as it is a game that can bring families closer together and doesn't contain to much violence either.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Audience effects theory

Image
Audience effects theory: blog tasks 1) Write a definition of a  passive  audience:   This is the view that audiences  passively  take in information from the media and that these messages have the same effect on everyone. 2)  Write a definition of an  active  audience:  This is the more modern and generally accepted view that audiences  interact  with and make conscious choices regarding the media they consume. 3) Write a definition of the  hypodermic needle  theory:  This is the suggestion that audiences are always  passive  and therefore take the intended message from the producer as if it was injected into their minds. This assumes no individual difference in audience members.  4) Write down a  media product  (e.g. TV show, newspaper or video game)   for each category of Blumler and Katz's Uses and Gratifications theory and  WHY  it fits that particular audience use/grat...
Read more

His Dark Materials: Language and Representation blog tasks

  His Dark Materials: Language and Representation blog tasks Language and close-textual analysis 1) Write an analysis of the episode - using  your notes from the screening in class .  Make specific, detailed reference to moments in the text using media terminology (e.g. media language - camera shots and movement, editing, diegetic/non-diegetic sound, mise-en-scene etc.) You can currently  watch His Dark Materials on BBC iPlayer here . Camerawork, editing and sound: There was a lot of non-diegetic music creating drama and tension, especially during the chase scene. There were also many close-up shots signifying power and dominance as well as over-the-shoulder shots representing the conversation taking place between the kids and the two different sides of the worlds. Additionally, during the fight seen, there was a lot of fast-paced editing and high angle drone shots suggesting suspense. Mise-en-scene: The settings of the cave and the abandoned city of two worlds fits ...
Read more

Ownership and Control

  Ownership and control: blog task 1) Why did Facebook buy Instagram for $1bn? To gain profit because Instagram is a competitive social network and a high revenue and also Facebook was afraid of their popularity causing rival bids. 2) What are the benefits for media companies of vertical integration? The benefits are: a higher profit, greater economies of scale, low costs and decreased quality concerns. 3) What are the benefits for media companies of horizontal integration? Reduced competition,  revenue growth, increase in profit and creative control. 4) What is a subsidiary? A smaller company that is owned by a larger company. 5) Give three examples of media companies that have used synergy to maximise the profit from a brand (there is one above to help you). Coca cola and Pepsi- by bundling all market spend on a single brand, while driving greater penetration and trial of the product sub- brand. Disney and Marvel- publishing, licensing and creative and product development So...
Read more