Language / Gameplay analysis
1) What elements of gameplay are shown?
Building your own characters and relationships with characters/pets, exploring the world/city,
2) What audience is the trailer targeting?
Youth/teenage audience
3) What audience pleasures are suggested by the trailer?
Diversion and personal relationships
1) How is the game constructed?
The game is very simple and easy to play as the game gives hints throughout and starts with a tutorial that covers the basics of gameplay (e.g. sim creation and building)
2) What audience is this game targeting?
Youth/teenage boys and girls but it could be argued its leaning more towards young girls as the female characters have more options
3) What audience pleasures does the game provide?
Surveillance, diversion/entertainment and personal relationships
4) How does the game encourage in-app purchases?
It allows users to save time through the use of crystals which can be earned through watching ads or purchased through the shop
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?
The DLC packs reinforce ideologies about consumerism/capitalism as they promote the idea that buying things achieves happiness. They also reinforce ideas about success meaning career progression/ making more money which also links to capitalistic ideology.
1) How do the expansion pack (DLC) trailers reinforce or challenge dominant ideologies?
The DLC packs reinforce ideologies about consumerism/capitalism as they promote the idea that buying things achieves happiness. They also reinforce ideas about success meaning career progression/ making more money which also links to capitalistic ideology.
The Chic Boutique trailer focuses heavily on fashion, shopping and appearance which reinforces the dominant ideology that women are interested in appearance/style.
Characters shown in the trailers seem to be slim and meet western beauty expectations.
However they do also challenge common ideologies by representing teens as independent, they also promote ideas of creativity over conformity by encouraging users to express themselves and challenge social pressures to dress “normally”.
2) What stereotypes have you identified in The Sims FreePlay?
3) What media theories can you apply to representations in The Sims FreePlay?
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 aims to be somewhat realistic (life, death,relationships,etc.) but avoids darker themes which aren't suitable for younger audiences to make the game more enjoyable.
2) How has The Sims tried to create more realistic representations of ethnicity?
The create a sim feature lets players create their own sim and make it whatever ethnicity they'd like. However, the feature was criticised for making some ethnicities look very stereotypical/cartoonish so they had to rework it.
3) How has The Sims responded to racism and sexism in society?
The game doesn't include direct links to racism/sexism as they avoid topics that would make the game feel "too real".
4) What is The Sims perspective on gender fluidity and identity?
The game only allows players to pick between male or female sims but the game does include same sex relationships which shows support for the LGBTQ+ community.
5) How does The Sims reinforce the dominant capitalist ideologies of American
2) What stereotypes have you identified in The Sims FreePlay?
Western beauty standards - Slim bodies, flawless skin, perfectly styled hair.
Happiness comes from buying things, not relationships or personality.
Gender stereotypes - Women linked to home decor, childcare, beauty and fashion. Whereas Men shown more in careers, hobbies or active roles.
Family stereotypes - nuclear family
3) What media theories can you apply to representations in The Sims FreePlay?
Stuart Hall – Representation Theory
Stereotypes used to simplify complex identities.
Mulvey – Male Gaze
Fashion packs present female Sims in ways that emphasise appearance
Gauntlett – Identity
The game allows players to construct identity through customisation
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 aims to be somewhat realistic (life, death,relationships,etc.) but avoids darker themes which aren't suitable for younger audiences to make the game more enjoyable.
2) How has The Sims tried to create more realistic representations of ethnicity?
The create a sim feature lets players create their own sim and make it whatever ethnicity they'd like. However, the feature was criticised for making some ethnicities look very stereotypical/cartoonish so they had to rework it.
3) How has The Sims responded to racism and sexism in society?
The game doesn't include direct links to racism/sexism as they avoid topics that would make the game feel "too real".
4) What is The Sims perspective on gender fluidity and identity?
The game only allows players to pick between male or female sims but the game does include same sex relationships which shows support for the LGBTQ+ community.
5) How does The Sims reinforce the dominant capitalist ideologies of American
culture?
The game focuses on consumerism/materialism as players have to constantly buy things to make their sims happy. The game also focuses on career based success where sims have to work their way towards a better life by getting paid more which links to ideas of the 'American dream'.
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