Question 6

6. What is the importance of cross media convergence and synergy in production, distribution and marketing?

Cross media convergence is when a mixture of media sources are combined together in one project. Synergy is when two things together have a bigger impact on something than an individual thing.
Production:
Grand Theft AutoIV includes music in its game play. Players can have the option to listen to the radio, where they are able to listen to popular music
Marketing:
Cross media convergence is important as it can sell a product more easily as it would seem more desirable, an example of a product with it is the Xbox 360 as this plays video games and DVDs so the target market can be wider because there are more aspects that could interest people.
Distribution:
More distributors will be interested in buying the product, as due to the cross media convergence, there is an increased target market, there is more demand for the product.

Production:
In production synergy plays an important part because one media project can then influence another media project for example Tomb Raider was released as a video game then years later because of the success of the series a film was released and together sales would become larger.
Distribution:
If the original product was a success, an item based on that product will be more likely to be wanted by customers. Therefore distributors will want to sell this product to keep up with product demand.
Marketing:
Synergy is important when it comes to marketing as the follow up product can involve aspects from its original media product to create hype. For example, if someone has seen a film for example Alice in Wonderland the film came out, then whilst the hype for the film was still around Nintendo released a game, using footage of the film to promote it.

OnLive advantages and disadvantages

5 advantages and 5 disadvantages of OnLive.
5 Advantages;
1) Any game
2) Any time
3) Any place which has internet connection.
4) Good graphics
5) Able to play on your TV

5 disadvantages;
1) Have to have an internet connection
2) May run really slow, or cut out on bad internet connections
3) Monthly subscription of $14.99
4) Waiting list
5) Must be 18 years plus

What do you think of the game?
The game has good graphics, interesting missions and an aim. Without cheats the game takes longer to change story, with cheats the game has a wider variety of playing styles.

was it what you expected based on the marketing?
The marketing was similar to the game play' they showed true to game screen shots. The characters are the same as what was shown in the adverts. The graphics are true to what was advertised.

What was unexpected about the game?
The game was true to the advertisement shown.

What differences did you notice between the sessions?
Without cheats its harder to get in trouble, and slower. With cheats you can basically do what you want. There is a wider variety of transport, weapons etc. Keeps your interest in the game.

Comments on the graphics;
The graphics are realistic, but are able to portray the game play in the best possible way. It looks really smooth and not box like so this gives more depth to the game and will make people want to play it as they hear better things about the game and how amazing it is. The gameplay is enjoyable as you can do what you want whether it is killing people or completing missions for people. It is also quite a large game and allows a lot of play time so you gain value for money. It is also quite an easy game to get the hang of as the controls are quite basic and there are numerous cheats to protect yourself so you can survive for longer and learn the controls more easily.

Super Mario Galaxy Marketing

Nintendo used the success of the Wii to promote the game; Super Mario Galaxy.

Marketing definition

What a company does to boosts its sales of its products and services. Ways in which it may boost its sales could be; advertising (general media exposure, using slogans, packaging design, celebrity endorsements). The aim of marketing is to attract the product/services target audience.
There are 4P's of marketing;
1) Product
2) Price
3) Promotion
4) Place

Viral Marketing

Viral Marketing is when there are adverts on the internet making a product desirable to a person. Viral marketing also consists of videos on the internet that promote a product. Viral marketing is also very cheap. It can also be heard by word of mouth and can spread around a lot of people.

Guerilla marketing

An unconventional way of marketing, it is also cheap. Instead of investing money, the marketers invest time and knowledge. The adverts are thought provoking. Normally, the campaigns are unexpected, unconventional and interactive. Normally seen in unexpected places.

Specialist Press


Press with specializes in a certain media; e.g. Videogames.

Super Mario Galaxy

The developer of the game is Nintendo EAD Tokyo, the publisher is Nintendo, the director of the game is Yoshiaki Koizumi, the producer is Shigero Miyamato, the producer and director are also the designers of the game. The people that composed the music are Mahito Yokota and Koji Kondo. It is the 3rd 3D platformer in the mario series after Super Mario 64 and Super Mario sunshine.
Marketing:
In North America, certain retailers had given out a free limited edition coin for pre-ordering the game.
Trading cards were released in 2008, this created more popularity and awareness of the game.
Super Mario Galaxy had much commercial success. It sold 500,000 copies in its first week.

open source, Wideload Games

Open source software:
Is a computer software, it allows users to improve software. Designed for the public access. Standish Groups estimated that Open source software saves consumers $60 billion a year.
Free software movement was launched in 1983. Although names was changed in 1998.

This allows you to alter games with the program allowing freedom with the game.

Wideload Games:

Wideload games develops games. Their games are unique and are not easy to categorize with genre. The company is owned by Disney interactive studios..

They have released games such as; Stubbs the Zombie, Hail to the Chimp, Cyclomite and Texas Cheat'em.

Iphone:

Technology used during GTA IV by Rockstar games

Technology.
Game engine- is a software system designed for the creation and development of games.In 2006, Rockstar games developed their first games using R.A.G.E (Rockstar, Advanced, Games, Engine), this was Table Tennis.

Bullet Software & Open Source.

Bullet Software:
http://bulletphysics.org/wordpress/
Multi threaded 3D
COCOTO surprise uses bullet on Wii.
Film 2012 uses bullet software for a lot of the rigid body special effects.
Zero Gear is the first game of 2010 using bullet physics for its physics and ogre 3D for graphics rendering.
Bullet physics library is one of the best physics libraries on market today.
Trials HD Xbox 360 uses bullet physics library to calculate their physics simulation and collision inside the game.

Open source software:
Is a computer software, it allows users to improve software. Designed for the public access. Standish Groups estimated that Open source software saves consumers $60 billion a year.
Free software movement was launched in 1983. Although names was changed in 1998.

Section 1. Game feedback.

Canis canem edit:
Playstation 2
The game is set in an unusual location, in a school. This game would appeal to people 13+, as the violence isn't too extreme, and the location & graphics would appeal to this age range. It is a surreal version of their day-to-day life.
There are no references to other media industries. The game is unique, and there are no similarities to another game.

Read dead revolver:
Xbox
My favourite aspect of the game is the location- 'wild west'. This game would appeal to 14 years +. I don't think it would retain the interest of younger children, and the violence is suitable for 14+ years, it may be seen as inappropraite for younger children.
There are no other references to other media. There are no other similarites to any other games that I played.

Table tennis:
Xbox
I like the simplicity of the game, it's easy to learn the rules, controls and the aim of the game.
People who would be interested in this games would be people who enjoy both playing and watching sports. All ages would be suitable for playing this game, as there is no violence, lots of interesting graphics and a simple aim. Therefore all ages can enjoy it.
This game is boring and repetative. There is no reference to any other media.

Midnight club- Los Angeles
Playstation 3
I like the graphics of this game, and the graphics. I found the game quite limiting -unable to get out of the car. I think that this game would appeal to 10+ years old, as there is a small amount of violence, yet interesting enough graphics and an easy enough. The location is based on a real place, L.A. The cars are based on real cars. The game is similar to Grand Theft Auto.

Grand Theft Auto.
Playstation 2
I like the flexibilty of the game, players are able to control the character. The game is aimed at older teenagers, (15+) as there is a lot of violence. The game has good graphics but is violent. The music which is featured in the game is real music, which is recogised.
This game is similar to other driving games, and 'shoot-em' games.

Second Task

What was the first ever game you played?

Elliss: Rugrats.

Craig: Mario World

Emily: Mario World

What games did you used to enjoy playing and what did you like about them?

Elliss: Simpsons Hit & Run, well known characters, variety of cars and levels.

Craig: At 6, Pokemon because you grew up around it (on TV).

Emily: Mario World, because there was a goal, which made it addictive.

wfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385">What games do you play now and what do you like about them?

Elliss: wii winter olympics because there is a big variety of events

Craig: fifa and call of duty because there competitive.

Emily: wii fit because you are able to make a mini you and see what progress you make over time.

What consoles have you bought and why?

Elliss: wii because their games appeal to me more-variety

Craig: Xbox 360, wii, psp: passes the time and a good way to entertain yourself.

Emily: ipod touch: thousands of apps and able to listen to your music wherever and whenever.

Do you play games online? If yes, what games and where do you play them?

Elliss: no

Craig: no

Emily: facebook games e.g. tetris