Videogames: The Sims FreePlay part 2 - Industries

The Sims FreePlay - Industries blog tasks

Create a new blogpost called 'The Sims FreePlay case study part 2 - Industries' and complete the following tasks.

Regulation – PEGI

Research the following using the PEGI website.

1) What is the VSC and how does it link to UK law?

VSC is a PEGI administrator as PEGI 12+ age ratings are legally enforceable 

2) Note down the key statistics on the homepage.

• 13938+ games rated 
• 15141+ apps rated 
• 1702 number of member outlets
• 30 years in operation 

3) What is the purpose of PEGI?

To give games appropriate age ratings depending on the game's content 

4) Click on the PEGI Rating tab in the top menu. What are the age ratings and what do they include?

PEGI 3

The majority of games in this category do not contain anything that requires rating or warrants a content warning. Games given this rating are considered suitable for all age groups.

 

Some violence in a comical context or child-friendly setting is acceptable, as is nudity when shown in a completely natural and non-sexual manner such as breast feeding.

PEGI 7

Any game that would normally be rated at 3 but contains some possibly frightening scenes or sounds may be considered suitable in this category.

 

A little more violence is permissible at PEGI 7. It is always unrealistic and often directed towards fantasy characters, though very mild non-realistic violence to humans may also feature. Implied violence (for example the bombing of a city where violence is not seen directly) is also dealt with at this level.

PEGI 12

At a PEGI 12 level more detailed and realistic looking violence towards fantasy characters is allowed. Any violence towards human characters must look unrealistic unless it consists of only minor or trivial injury such as a slap.
Sexual posturing of the type often seen in music videos is also allowed at this level as is sexual innuendo.

 

Some bad language is allowed but it can be no more than mild swearing.

 

At PEGI 12, games may provide some instruction on casino-style gambling, for example they can feature an explanation of the rules for Blackjack or Poker. This descriptor also appears on PEGI 16 and PEGI 18 games.

 

A game at this level may feature horror content such as strong threat and dread or graphic injury details.

PEGI 16

At the 16 level you can expect to see more mature and realistic violence against human characters. The game may deal heavily with death and injury to humans. 

 

Sexual activity can be shown but it must not include visible genitals. Depictions of erotic nudity may feature.

 

The worst forms of bad language can be heard and will often include sexual expletives.
Prominent use of tobacco and alcohol may be featured, as well as the use of illegal drugs. The game could glamorise crime.

PEGI 18 

The adult classification is applied when the level of violence is both realistic or severe in nature, often being graphic with blood and gore.

 

The game may include detailed descriptions of criminal techniques, or it may in some way glamorise the use of illegal drugs. Encouragement of tobacco or alcohol may also be included.

 

Sexual activity with visible genital organs may be shown. If a game is released physically in the UK and is likely to attain an R18 rating, the game will be referred to the BBFC for classification.

5) Scroll down to look at the ‘How games are examined’ infographic. What is the PEGI process for rating a game?

First the developer must send a detail list of what the game contains, from there evidence of such actions with a video and a copy of the game is necessary. the game then goes to playtesting, from there the game developers get a certification. 

The ‘Freemium’ gaming model

Read this Lifewire feature on freemium gaming and answer the following questions:

1) How does the freemium model work?

Fremium is another way of saying free but you have to pay money to get good. Freemium games tend to offer certain very important aspects of the game easier to obtain/get to with money 

2) Why do some gamers believe freemium is ruining games?

Freemium results in games taking weeks or even months to make significant progress, making modern gaming more tedious than ever.

3) What are the positives of the freemium model for gaming?

I personally see none. I believe it does help more independent game developers finance future games; but other than that, I am wholly against the freemium, pay to win model.

Now read this Business Insider feature on freemium gaming and multiplayer games. Answer the following questions:

1) Note the key statistics in the first paragraph.

80% of the $10billion in iOS revenue- received from in-app purchases ( each year) 

2) Why does the freemium model incentivise game developers to create better and longer games?

The better the game, the longer the game, the more likely that people are going to keep playing it and purchase currency, lootboxes etc.

3) What does the article suggest regarding the possibilities and risks to the freemium model in future?

Game developers may receive scrutiny due to

• Kids accidentally purchasing items
• Standard games becoming boring. 

Read this New York Times feature on freemium gaming and answer the following questions:

1) Why did Temple Run use the freemium model?

It's a game that doesnt end, if it doesnt end then the potential of making money is very high.

2) The bigger gaming studios like Electronic Arts used to avoid the freemium model. Why are they now embracing it?

It's mainstream and has proven its ability to make significant amounts of money

3) Why does Peter Farago suggest independent game makers benefit more from the freemium model than the major publishers like EA?

Producers like EA have already established business models that would require a large amount of effort to change into a freemium service, while indie developers will not need as much effort or time to do so.

Electronic Arts

Read this Pocket Gamer interview with EA’s Amanda Schofield, Senior Producer on The Sims FreePlay at EA's Melbourne-based Firemonkeys studio. Answer the following questions:

1) How has The Sims FreePlay evolved since launch?

The Sims FreePlay has evolved into a more intricate game over time with far more features and developments 

2) Why does Amanda Schofield suggest ‘games aren’t products any more’?

Since video games can be such a personal medium for gamers and game developers, Amanda Schofield suggests that games aren't products anymore as they now act more as a relationship between said gamers and game developers 

3) What does she say about The Sims gaming community?

The Sims Gaming community has become almost as involved with the development of the game as the developers

4) How has EA kept the game fresh and maintained the active player base?

Constant updates and game changes has kept the audience interested

5) How many times has the game been installed and how much game time in years have players spent playing the game? These could be great introductory statistics in an exam essay on this topic.

• Over 200m installs of the Sims Freeplay
• 78,000 game time ( by year) 

Finally, read this blog on how EA is ruining the franchise (or not) due to its downloadable content. Answer the following questions:

1) What audience pleasures for The Sims are discussed at the beginning of the blog?

Diversion along with personal identity and relationship 

2) What examples of downloadable content are presented?

Expansion packs and characters models 

3) How did Electronic Arts enrage The Sims online communities with expansion packs and DLC?

They showed the main issue with a freemium business model by selling DLC (Downloadable content) that should have been in the game in the first point

4) What innovations have appeared in various versions of The Sims over the years?

• Gender options increased 
• Increased diversity present in the game. 
• Multi-generational legacies 
• Autonomy- gave gamers full access to the 'hyper realistic' world of Sims 3 ( travelling to different neighbourhoods)

5) In your opinion, do expansion packs like these exploit a loyal audience or is it simply EA responding to customer demand?

Expansion packs have no other use than to make more money for game developers, this applies to EA too