Introduction to Videogames


1) What were the first video-games like?
The first video games were very simplistic, with minimal playability, usually consisting of repetitive actions. They were usually only in black and white and had little to no storyline.

2) How have video-games changed over time?
Over time, video games' graphics improved and games became more and more complicated, with more complex and difficult gameplay capabilities, more in-depth storylines and more colours. In recent years video games have become much more cinematic some games even have fully animated cutscenes, with voice-acting.

3) What do the most successful games have in common? Answer this in as much detail as you can. Think about audience pleasures - what do people like about playing video games?
The most popular video games tend to be first person shooters; puzzle solving and platforming games. There are a few exceptions like Minecraft (An open-world sandbox game). Most of these games tend to be multiplayer games, which allows the audience to play with their friends and create their own teams. As well as this, popular video games tend to have an end goal, like a final boss or an end to the story, which gives the consumer the satisfaction of completing a story when they complete a level. Additionally, these games tend to have main characters who are relatable and likeable, giving the audience somebody to relate to and gives the audience a way to channel their emotions through a character, giving them a stronger emotional attachment to their game character.


4) What criticisms have been made towards video games?
Since most popular video games are centred around first-person shooters, many people criticise video games as being overly violent and creating more aggression in people. As well as this, people tend to think that these video games are a distraction to young people and make them 'dumber' since they spend less time studying.


5) What is Fortnite: Battle Royale?

Fortnite: Battle Royale is essentially a massive online brawl where up to 100 players leap out of a floating bus on to a small island and then fight each other until only one is left, on this island, weapons, materials and tools can be found to help the player in winning the match. The space on the island gradually decreases forcing players to fight one another.

6) How many Fortnite players are there worldwide?
As of February 2018, Fortnite announced that Fortnite: Battle Royale had over 3.4 million confirmed players worldwide, but this number only continues to grow.

7) Why is it so popular? What are the audience pleasures of the game?
Due to it's fun, bright and almost childish aesthetic, Fortnite makes itself much more accommodating for younger generations, making the game accessible to everyone. Additionally, Fortnite has become popular with many celebrities, which boosts it's popularity, since people want to play with their idols (Drake plays Fortnite). Fortnite has a huge range of relatable, customisable characters, making the game much more relatable to its audience. Also, the game offers some people an opportunity to escape from their real life, and take all their anger out on their enemies (in the game of course).

8) Copy and paste two comments from 'below the line' of the Guardian article - these are comments written by Guardian readers in response to the feature. Select one comment you agree with and one you disagree with and explain why.

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"All parents at my son's primary school got an email this morning specifically about Fortnite! Young kids are spending 20+ hours a week on it!" 

Personally, I disagree with this comment because it is implying that kids spend all their time on the game, when, in reality, 20hrs out of 168hrs is hardly anything. As well as this, many people think that children are getting addicted to these games, which I feel are claims that have minimal backing, since children have always spent their time doing something, and in this point in time, the thing that kids are playing is Fortnite, but in the past it was things like Fidget Spinners.
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"it's just a good all round shooty shooty game and not overly violent/gory - me and my mates play it and we're all 35+"

Personally, I agree with this comment because I believe that video games should just be played, regardless of content, for fun, and the main audience who play this game, only play the game to have fun and spend time with their friends, which is what gaming should be. 
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"Do people prefer this or PUBG overall?"
"I prefer the pub."

This chain of comments isn't at all relevant to the task set by my teacher, but I think its hilarious.(PUBG is a game that inspired Fortnite and similar style games).


Written By Aishwarya Odedra


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