P3

VIDEO-GAME REVIEW


THE SIMS 3

A) GENRE
The Sims 3 fits into the 'life simulation' genre which involves the player taking control of one or more virtual lifeforms. A life simulation game can revolve around individuals and relationships, or it could be a simulation of an ecosystem. In addition, The Sims 3 can also be identified with the open-world/sandbox style of gaming which characterises a game that has minimal character limitations and gives the gamers the option to roam and change a virtual world at will. In contrast to a progression-style game, a sandbox game emphasises roaming and allows a gamer to select tasks. 

B) TARGET AUDIENCE
The game has been rated as Teen by the ESRB and has acquired a PEGI rating of 12.
The game contains crude humour, sexual themes and violence (as listed by the ESRB).


C) NARRATIVE / STORYLINE
The game has no specifically defined storyline. Instead, the player is given the chance to  take control of their avatars and the environment around them in order to shape their own narrative for the characters they have created.

D) CHARACTERS
When playing the game you are given a chance to choose from (and take control of) pre-existing avatars made by the game developers or avatars which you can create and modify yourself.

E) GAMEPLAY
The gameplay involves the player creating in-game avatars called 'Sims' which you can customise in a variety of ways; from their hair, skin colour, gender, personality traits, clothes. eye colour, garment colours, preferences, tone of voice, etc. After creating your Sim(s) you are then given the chance to choose a town/city to place your Sim(s) in- choosing their house (which is also customisable) and getting the chance to start playing as the character you have created. Once you start 'live mode' you are then expected to interact with the world around you through clicking and choosing from the options given. Your options as the player guides your Sim's interactions and storyline. 

F) PLATFORMS
The game (multiple versions) is available on PC, Mac, PlayStation, XBOX, Wii, iOS, Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DS, Blackberry, Android, Windows Phone and Bada


G) PERSONAL RECOMMENDATION OF REVIEWER
Personally I think that playing the Sims 3 is worth it if you buy most of the franchise's expansion pack. Having packs like 'Generations', 'Late Night', 'Supernatural', 'Pets', 'University Life' and a multitude of other add-ons, will definitely make the whole experience 100 percent more exciting and unique- especially now that the prices for them are at an all time low in comparison to when I originally played the game.
SOURCE LINKS 

http://www.esrb.org/ratings/Synopsis.aspx?Certificate=26182&Title=The+Sims+3
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/game-reviews/the-sims-3
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/app-reviews/the-sims-3/user-reviews/adult
http://sims.wikia.com/wiki/The_Sims_3



LESSON 14 - MAGAZINE REVIEWS



GAME MAGAZINE

DIRECT MODE OF ADRESS
The reviewer talks about the game as if they are narrating the readers experience with the game- telling us their own experience and opinions by placing the readers in the position that they were in whilst playing the game. This can be seen in phrases like "only when you fall back out...do you really appreciate...". 

COLLOQUIAL EXPRESSIONS
The game uses some colloquial expressions like "videogamey moments" and "it'll be downright criminal" to help emphasise their point and opinion on the game. 

EXPLETIVE LANGUAGE
In this game magazine article, the reviewer doesn't use any expletive language.

INDIRECT MODE OF ADDRESS
In some parts, the reviewer attempts to include the readers by using the phrase 'we' when giving us their advice and their take on the game.

FORMAL EXPRESSIONS
In general the reviewer speaks in an informal tone. 

TECHNICAL LANGUAGE
In some cases, the reviewer mentions some technical language like the 'hardware, game menus and conventions'.



EDGE MAGAZINE


DIRECT MODE OF ADDRESS
The reviewer begins the article by addressing the audience straight away, stating that "you wait ages for a novel narrative conceit and then two come along at once".

COLLOQUIAL EXPRESSIONS 
The article uses less colloquial expressions in comparison to the previous article (by Game) - instead they only keep it to phrases like "gimmickier moments".

EXPLETIVE LANGUAGE
Just like the previous article, the reviewer in this article does not use any expletive language throughout their writing.

INDIRECT MODE OF ADDRESS
The reviewer in this article sticks to using direct addresses towards the reader and with just plainly stating facts and their personal opinions of the game. 

FORMAL EXPRESSIONS
Overall, this article uses a more complex set of vocabulary when talking about the game and the individual components its reviewing. This is evident in their use of words like 'conceit', 'portentous', 'prosaic' and 'laconic'.

TECHNICAL LANGUAGE
The article mentions some technical language like the genre that the game is a part of - as well as constantly referring to the device/platform that is used for the game. 




LESSON 15 - VLOGGER REVIEWS



(JIM STERLING)

What kind of image of themselves does this vlogger try to project?
Right off the bat you can tell that this vlogger is trying to be funny and outrageous through the use of dark comedy.
Examples from the video to support your answer.
This is evident at the start of the video when they start with the pun saying "Hello there you horsey portions" - alluding to game they're reviewing which fits into the topic of horses. As for the dark comedy, we also find this vlogger stating that "you can basically slap the horse in the face until it dies".

What kind of viewer do you think this vlogger is trying to address?
I think that this vlogger is aiming to mainly target a more mature and playful demographic.
Examples from the video to support your answer.
This is evident in the fact that it uses expletive language to create comedy and put an emphasis in their opinions on the game. 



(MATTHEWMATOSIS)

What kind of image of themselves does this vlogger try to project?
I think that this vlogger is attempting to be more official with their review- and is aiming to be more serious with their approach to their review.
Give examples from the video to support your answer.
This can be seen when the reviewer speaks in a more serious and formal tone- giving their viewers clear information and advice on their audience rather than using expletive language to emphasise their point.

What kind of viewer do you think this vlogger is trying to address?
I think that from the tone and structure that this reviewer has taken, this vlogger is aiming to address viewers who are more concerned on how to play the game and narrating how the game works- as well as the components it could/should improve on. 
Examples from the video to support your answer.
This is evident in the way that they have formed their review of the game. Their review is more in depth as well as the fact that they mention technical terms like 'lateral movements', 'downward momentum' and 'complementary colour schemes' which you would only normally find in reviews which are aiming to be more authentic and formal. 

(PUSHING UP ROSES)

What kind of image of themselves does this vlogger try to project?
I think that this vlogger is aiming to project a more humorous, light-hearted and likeable image of themselves. 
Give examples from the video to support your answer.
This is evident when they begin their review by making their intentions clear to their audience, stating that the video is not going to be an "in-depth review because they don't want to spoil anything but that they do want to just give a quick rundown so they are here to pique their viewers interest of the game". Furthermore, we can also find this vlogger using puns related to the game (Owlboy) like "beaked my interest" and "i'm talon you", "ruffle your feathers" and "it's also a hoot". 

What kind of viewer do you think this vlogger is trying to address?
I think that this vlogger is aiming to reach an audience audience looking for some humour and light-hearted review.
Give examples from the video to support your answer.
This can be seen when they use puns and a more humorous attitude towards their review- however this does not stop them from making clear and viable opinions on the game- as well as using small amounts of expletive language to make a statement.



(GEEK REMIX)

What kind of image of themselves does this vlogger try to project?
I think that this vlogger is trying to project a more serious and logical image of themselves. 
Give examples from the video to support your answer.
This can be seen in places where the reviewer attempts to outweigh different perspectives and takes on the situations presented by the game they're reviewing. Their overall approach with stating their opinions are spoken in a serious tone which juxtaposes well with their vocal tone which would typically fit a more upbeat scenario/ type of review.

What kind of viewer do you think this vlogger is trying to address?
I think that this viewer is aiming to address a more mature audience - perhaps teens, young adults to adults. In terms of the gender of their demographic, I'd say that this review would probably draw in more male viewers though that does not mean that a female audience wouldn't relate to the topic. In general, gamers of all genders would probably relate to the topic of the game being reviewed.
Give examples from the video to support your answer.
This is evident in the explicit content of the game that they're reviewing. The review herself doesn't use expletive language in their statements but the scenarios and the imagery depicted in the game that they are reviewing can be deemed revealing and sexually explicit.




LESSON 16 - REVIEW COMPARISONS


LGR - THE SIMS 4 REVIEW



GAMERANX - FRIDAY THE 13TH : THE GAME










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