The Sims FreePlay CSP - Language & Representations
Language / Gameplay analysis
1) What elements of gameplay are shown?
It shows how you can build relationships with others and how you can also have pets which you can love. It shows how you can customise your characters in a variety of different ways. The game also says "live", "play" and "grow" which shows what the game offers.
2) What audience is the trailer targeting?
In the trailer it seems like they are targeting a very wide audience because of the different ages of the characters shown as well as the different styles they have and shows them doing different hobbies like gardening or playing the guitar. I think that it is aimed at a younger audience who have more spare time even though it is a mobile game aimed at casual games it has a lot of time limited tasks and rewards you for coming back to the game and playing constantly which an older busier audience might not be able to do.
3) What audience pleasures are suggested by the trailer?
Personal Identity - The different ages of characters and the different styles they have allows the audience to express themselves freely.
Personal relationships - Shows a marriage and a proposal as well as the affection to the pets.
Surveillance - The sims have different needs you have to fulfil.
Diversion - you can build your ideal life.
Now watch this walk-through of the beginning of The Sims FreePlay and answer the following questions:
1) How is the game constructed?
You are able to complete daily/weekly tasks in order to earn XP, this XP allows you to level up and unlock more things as well as earn some more in game money (simoleons) which is what the aim of the game is and how you progress.
2) What audience is this game targeting?
It targets a wide range of audiences and existing fans of the Sims game which has a huge fanbase already. There are more clothing and style options available for the female characters which could suggest that the game might lean towards a more female audience.
3) What audience pleasures does the game provide?
Personal Relationships - You can get married, you can have pets and show they love and you can make your own characters to interact with.
Personal Identity - The freedom to create a character that represents you and allows you to express yourself to an extent.
Surveillance - You can learn how it feels to live other lifestyles since the game closely mirrors reality through the different tasks like getting a job, earning money, gardening and watching TV shows like sim chef which offers intertextuality to shows like master chef.
Diversion - It is part of the sandbox genre so you can do whatever you want in the game which could give you a sense of escapism - you could build a life that mirrors your life or make a whole new one.
4) How does the game encourage in-app purchases?
Offers adverts to buy crystals to speed up the time that tasks take therefore they game makes money from advertising or you can just pay real money if you don't want to watch the adverts. The time limit on tasks and the product placements.
Representations
Re-watch some of the expansion pack trailers and answer the following questions:
1) How do the expansion pack (DLC) trailers reinforce or challenge dominant ideologies?
Capitalism is heavily reinforced throughout the different DLC packs with the emphasis on buying things as well as the excitement around the boutique. Other than this the different DLC packs tend to subvert various stereotypes and is quite diverse. There if a variety of different races and sexualities shown in the different DLC packs as well as different representations of people.
2) What stereotypes have you identified in The Sims FreePlay?
In the video about the boutique the shoppers mainly tend to be women however one of the woman has short hair which could simultaneously subvert stereotypes. There is an emphasis on buying things in the game such as the luxury penthouse apartments as well as all of the children having different hobbies which involve having to go to clubs and buying things. The game reinforces the stereotype that you need money and materialistic success to truly be happy.
3) What media theories can you apply to representations in The Sims FreePlay?
1) How do the expansion pack (DLC) trailers reinforce or challenge dominant ideologies?
Capitalism is heavily reinforced throughout the different DLC packs with the emphasis on buying things as well as the excitement around the boutique. Other than this the different DLC packs tend to subvert various stereotypes and is quite diverse. There if a variety of different races and sexualities shown in the different DLC packs as well as different representations of people.
2) What stereotypes have you identified in The Sims FreePlay?
In the video about the boutique the shoppers mainly tend to be women however one of the woman has short hair which could simultaneously subvert stereotypes. There is an emphasis on buying things in the game such as the luxury penthouse apartments as well as all of the children having different hobbies which involve having to go to clubs and buying things. The game reinforces the stereotype that you need money and materialistic success to truly be happy.
3) What media theories can you apply to representations in The Sims FreePlay?
Representations are constructed, Bell hooks and intersectionality, Van Zoonen and sex role stereotypes, Butler and gender is a performance as well as the media mirroring reality.
Representation reading
Read this Forbes article on gender and racism in The Sims franchise and answer the following questions:
1) How realistic does The Sims intend to be?
The sims is not meant to be realistic but is meant to be believable. They want to make it seem cartoonish in a way.
2) How has The Sims tried to create more realistic representations of ethnicity?
They want to create a way of making sims look like different ethnicities without it being stereotypical but the Sims say that they are a caricature of real life and don't want to represent life too closely.
3) How has The Sims responded to racism and sexism in society?
They say that it is all up to the player and that is what makes their game so good because it is all up to the player therefore if they want to be intolerant the Sims doesn't allow it but they cant stop it either.
4) What is The Sims perspective on gender fluidity and identity?
They want the game to be a place where nobody is judged for anything and although they have not added any features like this in the game yet they are discussing it. They believe that the main focus of the game is to build you dream career and to take care of your sims for example through making sure their hygiene levels stay up.
5) How does The Sims reinforce the dominant capitalist ideologies of American culture?
Representation reading
Read this Forbes article on gender and racism in The Sims franchise and answer the following questions:
1) How realistic does The Sims intend to be?
The sims is not meant to be realistic but is meant to be believable. They want to make it seem cartoonish in a way.
2) How has The Sims tried to create more realistic representations of ethnicity?
They want to create a way of making sims look like different ethnicities without it being stereotypical but the Sims say that they are a caricature of real life and don't want to represent life too closely.
3) How has The Sims responded to racism and sexism in society?
They say that it is all up to the player and that is what makes their game so good because it is all up to the player therefore if they want to be intolerant the Sims doesn't allow it but they cant stop it either.
4) What is The Sims perspective on gender fluidity and identity?
They want the game to be a place where nobody is judged for anything and although they have not added any features like this in the game yet they are discussing it. They believe that the main focus of the game is to build you dream career and to take care of your sims for example through making sure their hygiene levels stay up.
5) How does The Sims reinforce the dominant capitalist ideologies of American culture?
The entire game uses the freemium model and sets its audience up to pay for something eventually, it could reinforce the idea that time is money. The game itself also reinforces the idea that you need money to succeed and enjoy your life as the goal of the game is to build your dream life which in the game can only be done with a certain amount of money.
Comments
Post a Comment