Metroid Prime 2: Echoes - blog tasks
Language
1) How does the cover communicate the genre of the game?
The gun symbolises that there will be violence which is a common prop and covention of the action genre. The armor signifies they it is there to give some sort of protection.
2) What does the cover suggest regarding gameplay and audience
No, I think the primary age demographic for videogames was primarily male, but to attract females a character that isn't oversexualised or obvious to be male would attract more female gamers and expand the market.
Trailer analysis
Watch the trailer for the game:
Watch the following gameplay clips again:
1) What does the gameplay for Metroid Prime 2: Echoes involve?
2) How has Nintendo’s audience changed since the original Metroid
Read this Houston Press feature on Samus Aran and entitled male gamers. Answer the following questions:
1) How does the cover communicate the genre of the game?
The gun symbolises that there will be violence which is a common prop and covention of the action genre. The armor signifies they it is there to give some sort of protection.
2) What does the cover suggest regarding gameplay and audience
pleasures?
It will be primarily based on the war and actual fighting.
3) Does the cover sexualise the character of Samus Aran? Why/why not?
It will be primarily based on the war and actual fighting.
3) Does the cover sexualise the character of Samus Aran? Why/why not?
No, I think the primary age demographic for videogames was primarily male, but to attract females a character that isn't oversexualised or obvious to be male would attract more female gamers and expand the market.
Trailer analysis
Watch the trailer for the game:
1) What do you notice about genre?
Heavy focus on fights - gunfire and sci-fi aspects of dimensions.
2) How is the character introduced? Is Samus Aran obviously female?
They are introduced as a hero returning. They are not seen as obviously female. But the small waist compared to the shoulders does suggest they may be female compared to the hypermasculine body of being stocky.
3) How can we apply Steve Neale’s genre theory that discusses “repetition and difference”?
Heavy focus on fights - gunfire and sci-fi aspects of dimensions.
2) How is the character introduced? Is Samus Aran obviously female?
They are introduced as a hero returning. They are not seen as obviously female. But the small waist compared to the shoulders does suggest they may be female compared to the hypermasculine body of being stocky.
3) How can we apply Steve Neale’s genre theory that discusses “repetition and difference”?
We have the cliche aspect of good vs evil which is laid out in the most simple terms in the game. They also have to defeat the enemy which is a new creation or something from another dimension - a notable convention in sci-fi.
Gameplay analysis
Watch the following gameplay clips again:
1) What does the gameplay for Metroid Prime 2: Echoes involve?
Walkthrough of basic game mechanics and enemy information.
2) Write an analysis of the media language choices in the construction of the game: e.g. genre, narrative, mise-en-scene, camera shots etc.
Music pitch increases when in battle.
3) Analyse the clips for audience pleasures, applying audience theory and considering media effects.
Puzzle solving - knowing or learning how to advance by exploring and solving puzzles.
HUD scanning info, exploring environment to figure out how to advance.
2) Write an analysis of the media language choices in the construction of the game: e.g. genre, narrative, mise-en-scene, camera shots etc.
Music pitch increases when in battle.
Sci-fi - computer equipment everywhere.
Cut scene of new area and when new enemies are spotted in areas.
See main antagonist 'Dark Samus' escaping and giving new enemies to protagonist to slow them down.
3) Analyse the clips for audience pleasures, applying audience theory and considering media effects.
Puzzle solving - knowing or learning how to advance by exploring and solving puzzles.
Audience
Research the audience for Nintendo and specifically the Metroid franchise, including Metroid Prime 2: Echoes. You may wish to start with the following pages:
Reddit discussion of why people play Metroid
Giant Bomb forum: Who exactly is Nintendo’s demographics?
Reset Era: Nintendo’s audience getting older
1) Who might the target audience be for Metroid Prime 2: Echoes, based on your research? Discuss demographics and psychographics.
Research the audience for Nintendo and specifically the Metroid franchise, including Metroid Prime 2: Echoes. You may wish to start with the following pages:
Reddit discussion of why people play Metroid
Giant Bomb forum: Who exactly is Nintendo’s demographics?
Reset Era: Nintendo’s audience getting older
1) Who might the target audience be for Metroid Prime 2: Echoes, based on your research? Discuss demographics and psychographics.
Meant for older audiences who used to play on the old Nintendo consoles like the SNES, N64 and the Gamecube which this version of Metroid was played on.
Age: 10-20; primarily male - Nintendo was mainly focusing on targeting kids.
Wii U demographics are 93pc male and 7pc female.
2) How has Nintendo’s audience changed since the original Metroid
game in 1986?
Their target audience back in the 80s and 90s have grown up, so even though the target audience may have been for kids, Nintendo is now focusing on family-fun games for all ages. Their actual audience are 20s to 40s.
3) What audience pleasures are offered by Metroid Prime 2: Echoes or the wider Metroid franchise?
The newer releases give the audience who played "Prime 2: Echoes" a sense of nostalgia.
4) What effects might Metroid have on audiences? Apply media effects theories (e.g. Bandura’s social learning theory, Gerbner’s cultivation theory).
Some effects they could have is FOMO. If Nintendo release new Metroid games and older audiences buy it, it could have an effect on those who used to play the game to but the new ones.
Their target audience back in the 80s and 90s have grown up, so even though the target audience may have been for kids, Nintendo is now focusing on family-fun games for all ages. Their actual audience are 20s to 40s.
3) What audience pleasures are offered by Metroid Prime 2: Echoes or the wider Metroid franchise?
The newer releases give the audience who played "Prime 2: Echoes" a sense of nostalgia.
4) What effects might Metroid have on audiences? Apply media effects theories (e.g. Bandura’s social learning theory, Gerbner’s cultivation theory).
Some effects they could have is FOMO. If Nintendo release new Metroid games and older audiences buy it, it could have an effect on those who used to play the game to but the new ones.
Read this Gamesparks feature on gaming demographics and answer the following questions:
1) Who is considered to be the stereotypical gamer?
1) Who is considered to be the stereotypical gamer?
Adolescent boys - aggressive marketing by AAA developers target this demographic.
2) What has changed this?
Smartphone games are primarily women.
3) What role do women play in the videogames market? Quote statistics from the article here.
Game design for mobile are meant for them to be played in short sessions and making it fun for long period of time - matching with work commutes and at home.
42pc of women own either an Xbox or Playstation compared to males at 37pc.
4) Why are older gamers becoming a particularly important market for videogames producers? How can you link this to the Metroid franchise?
Older gamers tend to decrease time spent on games due to increased responsibilities, don't want to play for long periods but still want their brains to be challenged. So strategic games like Starcraft for game level designs with difficult enemy AI, side objectives like mini games to only play for a few minutes.
5) What does the article suggest regarding audience pleasures and expectations for different generations of gamer?
Parents now use games a form of education for young children. They should be using the model of Pixar movies on how to approach difficult themes for kids and adults.
Younger gamers prefer competition while older gamers' interest in this tapers off around 40.
Games should offer as many languages as possible as VPNs allow a global growing trend.
2) What has changed this?
Smartphone games are primarily women.
3) What role do women play in the videogames market? Quote statistics from the article here.
Game design for mobile are meant for them to be played in short sessions and making it fun for long period of time - matching with work commutes and at home.
42pc of women own either an Xbox or Playstation compared to males at 37pc.
4) Why are older gamers becoming a particularly important market for videogames producers? How can you link this to the Metroid franchise?
Older gamers tend to decrease time spent on games due to increased responsibilities, don't want to play for long periods but still want their brains to be challenged. So strategic games like Starcraft for game level designs with difficult enemy AI, side objectives like mini games to only play for a few minutes.
5) What does the article suggest regarding audience pleasures and expectations for different generations of gamer?
Parents now use games a form of education for young children. They should be using the model of Pixar movies on how to approach difficult themes for kids and adults.
Younger gamers prefer competition while older gamers' interest in this tapers off around 40.
Games should offer as many languages as possible as VPNs allow a global growing trend.
Industries
Read this Destructoid blog on the Metroid franchise. Answer the following:
1) Why has Metroid never quite fitted with the Nintendo brand?
Read this Destructoid blog on the Metroid franchise. Answer the following:
1) Why has Metroid never quite fitted with the Nintendo brand?
The target age for this game are 15-35, but this is a demographic that Nintenso has struggles with.
2) What franchises have overtaken Metroid in the sci-fi hyper-realism genre in recent years?
Mass Effect, No Man's Sky, Halo.
3) Why does the writer link old boy bands from the music industry to the Metroid franchise? Do you agree with this reading of the brand?
The writer was discussing how boy bands she listen to are no longer relevant to the new generation, where popular artists constantly change. I think that the Metroid series never really took off on the large scale like games such as Mario or Zelda which is very popular still to this day, especially with the release of the Nintendo Switch which revamped these old franchises.
4) What is an ‘AAA’ or ‘triple-A game’ in the videogames industry?
Games produced by major publishers or developers with high budgets.
5) Do you think there will be further Metroid games featuring Samus Aran? Should there be?
There is a new game coming out called Metroid 4, the game before was Metroid: Samus Returns in 2016. I think that Nintendo need to focus on revamping new AAA titles but the Metroid series still gives them big sales. The demographic of 15-35 is one that they struggle with.
2) What franchises have overtaken Metroid in the sci-fi hyper-realism genre in recent years?
Mass Effect, No Man's Sky, Halo.
3) Why does the writer link old boy bands from the music industry to the Metroid franchise? Do you agree with this reading of the brand?
The writer was discussing how boy bands she listen to are no longer relevant to the new generation, where popular artists constantly change. I think that the Metroid series never really took off on the large scale like games such as Mario or Zelda which is very popular still to this day, especially with the release of the Nintendo Switch which revamped these old franchises.
4) What is an ‘AAA’ or ‘triple-A game’ in the videogames industry?
Games produced by major publishers or developers with high budgets.
5) Do you think there will be further Metroid games featuring Samus Aran? Should there be?
There is a new game coming out called Metroid 4, the game before was Metroid: Samus Returns in 2016. I think that Nintendo need to focus on revamping new AAA titles but the Metroid series still gives them big sales. The demographic of 15-35 is one that they struggle with.
Representation
Read this BBC3 feature on Samus Aran and answer the questions below:
1) What was notable about the original Metroid game in 1986?
Read this BBC3 feature on Samus Aran and answer the questions below:
1) What was notable about the original Metroid game in 1986?
The main character was revealed to be a woman at the end of the game.
2) What were the inspirations behind the gameplay and construction of Metroid?
Mario and Zelda and the film Alien. The weapon system was upgraded from Zelda.
3) Why are the endings to the original Metroid considered controversial?
Completing the game very quickly under a hour would feature the character in a bikini rather than the armour itself.
4) What reaction do you think the reveal of Samus Aran in a bikini would have got when the game was first released in 1986? Have
2) What were the inspirations behind the gameplay and construction of Metroid?
Mario and Zelda and the film Alien. The weapon system was upgraded from Zelda.
3) Why are the endings to the original Metroid considered controversial?
Completing the game very quickly under a hour would feature the character in a bikini rather than the armour itself.
4) What reaction do you think the reveal of Samus Aran in a bikini would have got when the game was first released in 1986? Have
attitudes towards women changed?
I think that there would be a lot more backlash and attitudes to hyper-sexualisation of women have changed.
5) How have later versions of the Metroid franchise sexualised the character of Samus Aran?
She wore heels in Super Smash Bros.
6) How can we apply Liesbet van Zoonen’s work to Samus Aran and Metroid?
"discourse, struggle and negotiation" - Samus Aran's polarising character of being either a feminist or sexist icon much like Lara Croft can be used to describe the constant change of the character. She isn't sexualised in the later games unlike the original ending.
7) What did Brianna Wu suggest regarding the character of Samus
I think that there would be a lot more backlash and attitudes to hyper-sexualisation of women have changed.
5) How have later versions of the Metroid franchise sexualised the character of Samus Aran?
She wore heels in Super Smash Bros.
6) How can we apply Liesbet van Zoonen’s work to Samus Aran and Metroid?
"discourse, struggle and negotiation" - Samus Aran's polarising character of being either a feminist or sexist icon much like Lara Croft can be used to describe the constant change of the character. She isn't sexualised in the later games unlike the original ending.
7) What did Brianna Wu suggest regarding the character of Samus
Aran?
She has argues that Samus is transgender.
8) Do you see Samus Aran as a feminist icon or simply another exploited female character?
I think its a bit of both currently. She is a female lead in a AAA title in a time where you rarely saw that. I also think she is exploited with the ending of the original game, but that isn't taking place with new releases so she could be seen more as a feminist icon.
She has argues that Samus is transgender.
8) Do you see Samus Aran as a feminist icon or simply another exploited female character?
I think its a bit of both currently. She is a female lead in a AAA title in a time where you rarely saw that. I also think she is exploited with the ending of the original game, but that isn't taking place with new releases so she could be seen more as a feminist icon.
Read this Houston Press feature on Samus Aran and entitled male gamers. Answer the following questions:
1) What does Anita Sarkeesian suggest regarding Samus Aran?
The game is diminished for the ending.
2) Why does Brianna Wu (and others) suggest Samus Aran may be transgender?
She was originally portrayed as 6"3 and more muscular.
3) Why is Samus Aran useful for male gamers trying to argue videogames are not sexist?
The article says that the character can be used in a list to show how many female protagonists there are.
4) Why are Lara Croft, Zelda and Peach not ideal examples to argue for female equality in videogames?
Lara Crofts sexual appearance in the early games, Zelda and Peach are damsels in distress.
5) What does the ‘SJW’ in ‘SJW-gender politics’ refer to?
Social Justice Warrior
6) How can we apply Gerbner’s Cultivation theory to representations of women in videogames as discussed in the article? How might this lead to ‘entitled male gamers’?
If women are overly sexualised in videogames that is how men will percieve women to be.
7) Does the videogame industry have a problem with gender? Provide evidence for your argument.
I think that women have been hyper-sexualised in videogames, but I think its beginning to change with females becoming main protagonists and becoming less sexualised. I think the expansion of the videogame market into mobile will lead to more women being the main protagonists in videogames. We are seeing this more and more with major titles such as Wolfenstein: Youngblood which has yet to come out. Also The Last of Us will feature Ellie as the main protagonists as she was one of the two in the original 2013 game. With AAA titles like these having female characters as protagonists
2) Why does Brianna Wu (and others) suggest Samus Aran may be transgender?
She was originally portrayed as 6"3 and more muscular.
3) Why is Samus Aran useful for male gamers trying to argue videogames are not sexist?
The article says that the character can be used in a list to show how many female protagonists there are.
4) Why are Lara Croft, Zelda and Peach not ideal examples to argue for female equality in videogames?
Lara Crofts sexual appearance in the early games, Zelda and Peach are damsels in distress.
5) What does the ‘SJW’ in ‘SJW-gender politics’ refer to?
Social Justice Warrior
6) How can we apply Gerbner’s Cultivation theory to representations of women in videogames as discussed in the article? How might this lead to ‘entitled male gamers’?
If women are overly sexualised in videogames that is how men will percieve women to be.
7) Does the videogame industry have a problem with gender? Provide evidence for your argument.
I think that women have been hyper-sexualised in videogames, but I think its beginning to change with females becoming main protagonists and becoming less sexualised. I think the expansion of the videogame market into mobile will lead to more women being the main protagonists in videogames. We are seeing this more and more with major titles such as Wolfenstein: Youngblood which has yet to come out. Also The Last of Us will feature Ellie as the main protagonists as she was one of the two in the original 2013 game. With AAA titles like these having female characters as protagonists
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