Videogames Introduction

 

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 mainly based on arcades and were 2D 

2) How have videogames changed over time?

They started to get more clear and become better quality. They also become 3D, For example Super Mario 64.

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?

Most successful games such as Call of duty, Fortnite and Minecraft have the ability to play online and with friends. They also have a storyline which players could play too, They also have the ability to talk with other people within the game for example voice chat.  

Diversion: Most games allow users to leave reality and enter a world of sandbox and freedom. E.g. Minecraft allows people to be creative and allows them to create anything they want in their world. In addition to that, games like Fortnite and Call of duty ,when won, can allow the user to feel excitement and joy. 

Personal relationships: People could've made friends through the online platforms and videogames. They could've also made a connection with the characters in the game due to other games for example Call of duty started in 2003 and many players might've made connections with the characters in the game. Another example is God of War, it has been running since 2005 and is still going on and still has lots of players due to the connection that people may have with Kratos. 

Surveillance: Games like Minecraft can allow children to learn more about the real world and how to survive. In addition to that games like Call of Duty can teach people more about WW2 as most of their games are linked to the wars. 

4) What criticisms have been made towards videogames?

That many games that involve female protagonists have been sexualised due to the female's appearance.

Many games may be too violent for kids.

Games could discriminate many things such as gender, religion and race and ethnicity, 

Read this Guardian feature from when Fortnite first became sensationally popular and watch the original trailer below.



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.)

At the time of the article, there were 200 million players worldwide.

As of March 2023, 500 millions players worldwide.

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

Fortnite is popular due to the items in the game and the joy it brings to many people. It also may be popular due to the fanbase it had already made previously with its other part of the game (Save the world) where you have to build bases and protect yourself from zombies. In addition to that, the items are very silly and funny which attracts children to play Fortnite. The bright colours and cartoon like graphics also attract children as the colours make it less serious and more silly and fun. People may also play the game due to most popular youtubers playing the game. It also provides many people with visceral pleasure and diversion and it gives them physical thrill when they see something happen and people might get excited due to them winning. It also has multiplayer allowing you to play with your friends and people online.

3) Why might some people criticise Fortnite?

People might criticise Fortnite as it has violence due to the guns it has such as RPGs, LMGs and pistols.

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.

"I've watched my 14 year old play this. It's like Minecraft meets The Hunger Games with a touch of Lazer Quest chucked in. It seems straightforward and enjoyable. They at least learn to be strategic and adaptable from it."

"The violence is 'unreal' and not gory/grotesque, but there's lots of guns and shooting. It doesn't seem to cost anything. It's very hard to win too, I think." 

I agree with this comment as most players are teenagers and are at a young age. In addition to that, the game is like Minecraft as you can build and your main aim is to win and survive. It also very similar to the hunger games as you to survive and win. Fortnite also does allow kids to be more strategic and adaptable as it forces them to think about their next move so that they can win and survive. It is also not that violent due to there being no blood and there only being weapons. 

An online space where up to 100 anonymous people log in to destroy each other in a dog eat dog fight for survival? I miss the chatterbox too.

I disagree with this comment as Fortnite is more than a survival as it provides the player with entertainment and lets them knows different ways to strategize. A game like PUBG is more of a survival based game. Whereas Fortnite can provide many different things for the players such as entertainment, new strategies and can allow them to have fun and make new online friends.