Kim Kardashian Hollywood CSP case study

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1) What is the objective when playing the Kim Kardashian: Hollywood game?

The objective of the game is to work your way up the celebrity scale from Z-List to A-List.

2) What is an A-list celebrity? Why is it important in Kim Kardashian: Hollywood?

It is a person who is known well and it is important in Kim Kardashian Hollywood (KKH) as she is a A-list celebrity

3) What is the narrative or storyline of Kim Kardashian: Hollywood? Where is it set?

It is set in the United States of America and the narrative of it is to interact with a range of real and fictional characters and develop your ranking as a celebrity.

4) What characters can you play as? What characters appear in the game?

You play as your own celebrity and try to make it up the celebrity rankings. Characters in the game include people like Kim Kardashian, Willow Pope, Kylie Jenner and more.

Some characters help you get up the celebrity ranking like Kim Kardashian. While some characters also try bring you down like Willow Pope.

5) What activities does your character get up to in the game? 

Going to photoshoots and trying to get as many fans as possible.

Representations

1) What representations of women can be found in Kim Kardashian: Hollywood?

In KKH traditional representations of women are supported as the game includes things like wearing perfect make-up at all times and looking the best at all times. However it also subverts traditional representations of women as in KKH women are independent, strong and dominant. However some parts of the game does show woman being dependent on men as one of the main objectives of the game is to date a man and in addition to that, one of the options in the game is to choice between being dependent on a man (Simon Orsik) due to something going wrong or deal it with yourself.

2) What representations of race, ethnicity or sexuality can be found in the game?

There is a diverse range of characters in the game as it includes people from many different backgrounds and race. It also has had positive things said about the representations of sexuality as it doesn't discriminate about having a boyfriend or a girlfriend. Even in one of the dialogue speeches, they mention something about having a boyfriend or girlfriend.

3) How does the game both reinforce and subvert stereotypes in the media?

Reinforce stereotypes of women being independent, strong and powerful as in the media women are presented as strong and independent.

Subverts stereotypes of women being independent and are more dependent on male. This is because in the game, you have to date a male. 

4) What does the game suggest regarding modern perceptions of celebrity and how to get famous?

That you need to look perfect for social media and in general in order to become famous. The game also may be suggesting what consequences come with being a celebrity. The game may be suggesting that in order to become famous a person must do photoshoots and things that are out of their comfort zone. 

5) How might someone criticise the representation of celebrity in Kim Kardashian: Hollywood?

Someone might criticise the representation of celebrity in KKH as it is presented as something that is easy to become and doesn't take much effort. 

Audience

1) Who is the intended audience for the Kim Kardashian Hollywood game? Why do you think this?

The intended audience for KKH may be young females as the game is mainly filled with independent females. I think the KKH intended audience may also be people who want to live the celebrity life as they express the way celebrities live a lot in the game.

2) What audience pleasures are provided by the game? Use Blumler & Katz's Uses and Gratifications theory.

Diversion - People can play KKH anywhere as it is on a mobile phone. It also provides people with entertainment.

Surveillance - People could learn more about the celebrity life.

Personal relationship - People might have made a connection with Kim Kardashian.

Personal identity - Teenagers might see similar things that link with their lives such as dressing up. 

3) Why is the game so addictive for audiences?

It is a short game that can be played anywhere at anytime because of its accessibility. It is also addictive as it is possible to play it on a device where someone would carry everyday and everywhere - a phone. It also provides entertainment to the player. 

Read this article from Forbes on why the Kim Kardashian game is so successful. If the website is blocked in school, you can access the text of the article here.

4) Why does James Liu think Kim Kardashian: Hollywood is so successful?

Kim Kardashian is a famous name so her star power gives the game a major advantage.

The company that made KKH (Glu Mobile) and Kim Kardashian are trust worthy.

5) What does James Liu suggest is the reason players keep coming back to the game?

It provides players with social recognition through social promotion.

Industries

1) How much does Kim Kardashian: Hollywood cost?

It is free

2) How does the game make money?

Through in-app purchases for example, It makes money through subscriptions and there are different levels of subscriptions: Bronze, Silver and Gold. It also makes money by making players buy energy when their energy has ran out. It also makes money through buying outfits with real money.

3) What subscriptions are available to Kim Kardashian: Hollywood?

3 - Bronze, Silver and Gold

4) How was Kim Kardashian: Hollywood marketed and promoted?

It was been marketed through their reality TV show - The Kardashians. 

Kim has also marketed and promoted the game through her social media.

They also have trailers and links to the game

5) How does Kim Kardashian: Hollywood use media convergence to cross-promote the game and the Kardashian brand?

In the game, there are references to the TV show (The Kardashians). Many social media platforms have also been referred in the game. The TV show has also referred the game many times. This is how the game and the Kardashian brand cross-promote.

Exam question practise

“Videogames are increasingly played and enjoyed by a wider and more diverse audience." 

Does your study of Lara Croft Go and Kim Kardashian Hollywood support this view?

Write a detailed three-paragraph answer to this question using the information you have learned in these case studies.

My study of Lara Croft Go and Kim Kardashian Hollywood does support this view as both games provide everyone a sense of enjoyment and has many references about diversity which intrigue wider audiences.

In Lara Croft Go, the main character is Lara Croft. Lara Croft was the first ever female protagonist in any game. The first Lara Croft game was made by Eidos Interactive and was released in 1996. The game was called Tomb Raider. Since she is the first ever female protagonist, she was both criticised and praised as she was seen as a sex symbol to men but also a empowering role model to women as she was an independent, strong and dominant woman. Since she was the first ever female protagonist and was strong, she influenced a lot of women to start playing the Tomb Raider games. When the game first came out, 40% of early players were female. If females made a personal relationship with Lara then they were more likely going to play the rest of the franchise  like Lara Croft Go. This support from previous games from the Tomb Raider franchise brought more females to the videogame industry creating a more diverse audience and allowing the game to be enjoyable to a wider audience

Kim Kardashian Hollywood (KKH) has also bought a more diverse and wider audience as it has many references to sexuality, race and gender. For example in the game it doesn't discriminate about having a boyfriend or a girlfriend as it allows you to date and flirt with anyone. This could've bought many people who do have different sexualities and have been discriminated for it as in the game they are not discriminated for it. This makes it more enjoyable for a wider audience. In addition to that, the game has many references to race and ethnicity. In the game, there is a diverse amount of people who are celebrities. You can also change the colour of your character allowing you to be any skin type which be enjoyable to a wider audience because they may be able to see their lives on the screen (personal identity). Moreover, in the game there are women and men who are both portrayed as powerful and strong. This can make the game more enjoyable to people creating a wider and more diverse audience. 

In conclusion I think that games are enjoyed by a more wider and diverse audience.