Monday, February 24, 2020

Newspapers: Weekly Media homework - news story research

Daily Mirror 


People wearing protective face masks are led away from a bus at Lyon Perrache bus station in France today, after the coach arrived from Italy with the driver reportedly suffering from a cough

The story is in essence just another example of the growing corona virus fear. After a bus driver was showing symptoms of the virus after coming from Italy, the bus driver and all of its passengers were quarantined. He was screened and proven clear of the virus.

Calling badly-paid work 'low-skilled' fuels Britain's class divide



Union members and striking McDonalds  protested outside Downing Street in November to demand better wages and guaranteed contracts (Photo: Leon Neal/Getty Images)


The article is a good example of "i"s left wing nature. It highlights the issue with Preti Patels recent controversial proposition to ban low skilled workers from entering the country. The article further highlights the issues this brings as it (by what the article suggests) underestimates the skill required to do such jobs such as a care worker, retailer etc. The article also highlights the possible racial undertones the new legislation may present. 


Daily Mirror
Coronavirus: Brits with even a minor fever will soon have to self isolate for a week



The above article is about the coronavirus, it states that people who show even slight remote symptoms to the virus should aim to at least attempt to self isolate for a week. This is apart of the new stage of the virus containment plan. This article is less opinionated and more factual but also highlights the tendencies to portray mainly bad news.


"I"

Coronavirus in the UK: Britons working from home and panic buying could lead to more late-night supermarket deliveries

British shoppers have been stocking up on hand sanitiser amid coronavirus fears (Photo: JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty)

It seems that every newspaper is jumping on the coronavirus panic. The above article highlights the extent of panic buying and employees working at home means that late-night supply runs for supermarkets after talks with the government to help alleviate supply stress.



Daily Mirror
Kate Middleton dazzles in blue to host glitzy palace bash for children's charity



The support for Kate Middleton is very apparent in the above article. The daily mirror is known for their support of the royal family, in particular Kate Middleton, this support falls in the line of their target demographic of the conservative middle-class citizen. If only they could do the same with Megan Markel


Independent 

Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women That a Movement Forgot by Mikki Kendall, review: a much-needed reality check


Author, activist and cultural critic Mikki Kendall

An interesting take on feminism that's not explored often, if ever. The left-wing nature of the Independent is showing in this article; the nature of the feminism movement is questioned and critiqued, asserting the idea that current pop feminism is the white woman's feminism that has exploited colour women for years. I wouldn't call it thought-provoking, but it's an alternative take on the movement, especially in the same week of international women's day is ballsy.

Tuesday, February 11, 2020

Videogame Index

1) Videogames: Women in videogames
2) Videogames: Further feminist theory
3) Learner response: OSP assessment
4) Videogames: Tomb Raider Anniversary
5) Videogames - Metroid Prime 2: Echoes
6) Videogames: Henry Jenkins - fandom and participatory culture
7) Videogames: The Sims FreePlay part 1 - Language & Audience
8) Videogames: The Sims FreePlay part 2 - Industries
9) Videogames: The Sims FreePlay part 3 - Representations

Videogames: The Sims FreePlay part 3 - Representation

The Sims FreePlay - Representation blog tasks

Create a new blogpost called 'The Sims FreePlay case study part 3 - Representations' and complete the following tasks.

Textual analysis

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?

The main ideologies that are enforced in the trailer are:

Capitalism is the main ideology that is present in the trailer 

2) What stereotypes have you identified in The Sims FreePlay?


Gender stereotypes
Sexuality stereotypes

Traditional family ideals


3) What media theories can you apply to representations in The Sims FreePlay?

Van Zoonen - The idea that gender is constructed through media language 
Stuart Hall - Identity being constructed rather than being given to us
Gauntlett - Masculinity theories 


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 intends to be as realistic as possible with the technology available. This is done through serious emphasis on relationships, family, and money

2) How has The Sims tried to create more realistic representations of ethnicity?

Using more realistic character models 

3) How has The Sims responded to racism and sexism in society?

By stating the game is entirely under the player's control

4) What is The Sims perspective on gender fluidity and identity?

The sims, seems to not focus on the idea of gender fluidity seeing that the game has you choose a specific gender at the beginning. They have stated although, that the idea of gender fluidity is interesting, but needs to be explored properly before hand.


5) How does The Sims reinforce the dominant capitalist ideologies of American culture?

Purchasing and a meritocracy mindset is a very visible  


1) How did same-sex relationships unexpectedly help the original Sims game to be a success?

Same-sex relationships helped show the flexibility of Sims, showing that the game allows players to truly do what they want

2) How is sexuality now represented in The Sims?

Autonomy is given to players by allowing to do exactly what they want. Same-sex relationships are normal in the game.

3) Why have fans praised the inclusion of LGBTQ relationships in The Sims franchise?

It acts as a means of normalising same sex relationships as it's being made by a massive gaming company 

4) Why did the Sims run into regulatory difficulties with American regulator the ESRB? How did EA respond?

The availability of the "love bed" and sex between sims made the ratings for the game difficult to determine

5) How is sexuality represented in the wider videogames industry today?

Far more inclusive than before in all respects. 


Reality, postmodernism and The Sims

Read this Paste Magazine feature on reality and The Sims franchise. Answer the following questions:

1) What does the article suggest about the representation of real life in The Sims 4?

It suggests that The Sims 4 is quite realistic, so much so that it can take away from diversion as it makes you lead a domestic life

2) What audience pleasures did the writer used to find in The Sims franchise?

Escapism, this audience pleasure is extra amplified with the sci-fi and fantasy expansion packs

3) Why the does the writer mention an example of a washer and dryer as additional DLC?

It was a way of further showing the extent of domesticity the game shows

4) In your opinion, has The Sims made an error in trying to make the franchise too realistic?

I feel an element of fantasy/unrealistic content is vital to make the game different as making it more realistic ruins the point of a game. You can't escape from reality if the game you're playing resembles your reality 

5) How does this representation of reality link to Baudrillard’s theory of hyperreality - the increasingly blurred line between real and constructed?

Hyperreality is the USP of Sims, its main goal is to blur the line between what's real and what's a game by trying to make their game as realistic as possible.


The Sims FreePlay social media analysis

Analyse The Sims FreePlay Facebook page and Twitter feed and answer the following questions:

1) What is the purpose of The Sims FreePlay social media channels?

To help promote the game, keeping fans updated with brand new content, incentivising purchases of currency by stimulating interest 

2) Choose three posts (from either Twitter or Facebook) and make a note of what they are and how they encourage audience interaction or response.

  • brand new Nightclub in SimTown
  • Daring Do's Hobby Event is back 
  • Sims 20th birthday, House competition 
All three of these events offer an incentive to come back to the game, from competitions and limited time events, the instagram page shows an interest in maintaining an interactive audience  

3) Scroll down the Facebook feed briefly. How many requests for new content can you find from players? Why is this such as an important part of the appeal for The Sims FreePlay?

There are constant requests to add brand new content from fans of the game, this kind of interaction is important as it helps the game developers get opinions and ideas for the games improvements

4) What tweets can you find in the Twitter feed that refer to additional content or other revenue streams for EA?


  • " Do your Sims love to live the high life" ... " Complete the glam mansion special event
  • "Wish you were a little kid again? Tap into your Sims 'inner child' with the quest re-run, live in game now!" 
  • "Executive producer & general manager of the sims franchise held a discussion with he Women's ultimate team in Melbourne. She spoke about her 17+ year game development". 
5) Linking to our work on postmodernism, how could The Sims FreePlay social media presence be an example of Baudrillard’s hyperreality and simulacra?

Merges reality and the Sims by being a real world media product but being based on the Sims world