P4
Task 1 - Distribution
Distribution
The Game is distributed by various online or physical shops like G2A or Amazon because you can buy a physical copy of the game or download it on Steam.
On the Playstation, you can buy a "hard copy" of the game which is where you buy a disc that you can put into the Console and play. This can be ordered online or bought in a shop. Otherwise, you can use the Playstation Network (PSN) to buy the game online and you can download and install it.
Xbox One has a similar format to Playstation, you can buy physical copies of the game but you have to install the hardware for the game before you can play. Otherwise, the Microsoft Store is where you can buy games online for Xbox.
On Steam, a game distribution platform mainly for PC, the games are bought online and installed.
Some of these methods are more simple than others, with some consoles having issues with installing games, Xbox One had a very slow installation speed when it was first released and the process of having to install the hardware first on the Xbox makes that process more difficult. Overall, it is quite easy to get a game.
Hellblade release
- Only on Microsoft Windows and Playstation 4, released 8th August 2017 - Console exclusive
- Versions for the Xbox One and Xbox One X were released on 11th April 2018
- Virtual Reality versions released for HTC Vive and Oculus Rift on 31st July 2018
- Game for Nintendo Switch announced for 2019
Hellblade Prices
(as of February 2019)
- PS4 - £17.99
- Steam - £24.99
- Xbox One - £24.99 (Amazon)
Task 2 - Advertising
'Hellblade' did not have as wide an advertisement, possibly due to a lower budget.
Hellblade Advert Analysis
On the game distribution platform 'Steam', this poster is on the game's page. The game would be put near the top of most consoles' game-browsing charts because its fame and sales so fans of similar games might be attracted by the thumbnail. If they are attracted by that, they are likely to be of the target audience for the game. This may lead to them seeing the poster below and seeing the very positive reviews of the game, and the other aspects of the poster that please the aspects that they want in a game. This is the next step, before they start to become more curious and active about the game, the customer comes closer to buying the game because of seeing this poster.
The poster has a basic layout, it is split horizontally in a 2:1 ratio, with Senua occupying the right of the poster. On the other side of the poster, the 'Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice' title and logo is in the centre, surrounded by 14 individual game reviews of assorted quotes, star ratings and numerical ratings of the game. This suggests that reviews are a very important aspect in attracting video game customers. The screen is dominated by the positive reviews, meaning that the producers of this poster assessed that their target audience is heavily influenced by the opinions of esteemed critics.
The aesthetics of the poster are mainly used to give some insight into the game. Senua, on the right hand side, is the protagonist of the game, so getting her seen as an icon for the game is very helpful to advertise as she will be recognised and linked to the game, subconsciously reminding you of it. The dark background connotes the dark themes of the game, it would suggest that the game is not an optimistic game. There are also smaller elements that hint to the game, the burning embers and the wooden figure suggest to violence in the game. On the other hand, the text colour is white, this has limited significance about the game because it is only used to make the text stand out.
Several elements of this poster include suggestions of the genre. The genre is often a main attraction about a game and the fantasy genre has a wide fan base. 'Hellblade' is a fantasy game, the logo for the game looks like a celtic symbol, suggesting this is when the game is set, this will appeal to fans of 'Game of Thrones' or 'Lord of the Rings' which have similar, historical and medieval influences. This is reinforced by the character of Senua, her blue, face makeup and ancient headwear connotes are more symbols of the setting and culture of the fantasy genre. Blue face paint is stereotypically celtic so people will immediately associate this to the era and recognise that the genre is probably 'fantasy'.
Hellblade Trailer Analysis
Trailer I analysed - 'Hellblade Cinematic Trailer (PS4)'
The cinematography used in this trailer is very impressive and uses a similar style to other trailers produced by Ninja Theory. They often use slow, tracking pan shots of the subject which is often Senua, another example of when this is used is in the opening credits to the game when Senua paddles along and we catch up. Normally, these shots move around the subject until her face is revealed. This is typical of a trailer because the main protagonist is normally your icon for the game that is instantly recognisable, in this case, Senua is Hellblade's icon.
The main colours used in the trailers are dark blues and greys as well as the orange of the burning tree. These low key colours will suggest that the game has dark themes because of the negative connotations. The orange of the flames suggests the game involves danger. On the other hand, the transition when the tree begins to burn shows that the flames are imaginary, which infers that the pain and peril connoted is caused by her.
The editing throughout the trailer is very slow paced, they use long takes and fade transitions to create the slow pace. This may resemble the game's adventure aspects which can take a long time or the style of first person gameplay with rare cut-scenes.
Sound is a key aspect of the game, foley sound establishes the environment but dialogue is even more important. There is only one main character in the game but there are many voices because of the psychotic voices that Senua hears, these voices say what she is thinking, help her or undermine her. In the trailer, these start halfway through telling her what she thinks, but does not want to believe, that her friend is dead. The voices build up and get louder into a psychotic chaos until she has to shout "Shut up!" to make them stop, this is synchronised with when the fire stops, which is important to show that she is seeing and hearing things.
Distribution
The Game is distributed by various online or physical shops like G2A or Amazon because you can buy a physical copy of the game or download it on Steam.
On the Playstation, you can buy a "hard copy" of the game which is where you buy a disc that you can put into the Console and play. This can be ordered online or bought in a shop. Otherwise, you can use the Playstation Network (PSN) to buy the game online and you can download and install it.
Xbox One has a similar format to Playstation, you can buy physical copies of the game but you have to install the hardware for the game before you can play. Otherwise, the Microsoft Store is where you can buy games online for Xbox.
On Steam, a game distribution platform mainly for PC, the games are bought online and installed.
Some of these methods are more simple than others, with some consoles having issues with installing games, Xbox One had a very slow installation speed when it was first released and the process of having to install the hardware first on the Xbox makes that process more difficult. Overall, it is quite easy to get a game.
Hellblade release
- Only on Microsoft Windows and Playstation 4, released 8th August 2017 - Console exclusive
- Versions for the Xbox One and Xbox One X were released on 11th April 2018
- Virtual Reality versions released for HTC Vive and Oculus Rift on 31st July 2018
- Game for Nintendo Switch announced for 2019
Hellblade Prices
(as of February 2019)
- PS4 - £17.99
- Steam - £24.99
- Xbox One - £24.99 (Amazon)
Task 2 - Advertising
'Hellblade' did not have as wide an advertisement, possibly due to a lower budget.
- Youtube trailers
- Steam and Console adverts
- Billboards
- Gamescom trailers
Hellblade Advert Analysis
On the game distribution platform 'Steam', this poster is on the game's page. The game would be put near the top of most consoles' game-browsing charts because its fame and sales so fans of similar games might be attracted by the thumbnail. If they are attracted by that, they are likely to be of the target audience for the game. This may lead to them seeing the poster below and seeing the very positive reviews of the game, and the other aspects of the poster that please the aspects that they want in a game. This is the next step, before they start to become more curious and active about the game, the customer comes closer to buying the game because of seeing this poster.
The poster has a basic layout, it is split horizontally in a 2:1 ratio, with Senua occupying the right of the poster. On the other side of the poster, the 'Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice' title and logo is in the centre, surrounded by 14 individual game reviews of assorted quotes, star ratings and numerical ratings of the game. This suggests that reviews are a very important aspect in attracting video game customers. The screen is dominated by the positive reviews, meaning that the producers of this poster assessed that their target audience is heavily influenced by the opinions of esteemed critics.
The aesthetics of the poster are mainly used to give some insight into the game. Senua, on the right hand side, is the protagonist of the game, so getting her seen as an icon for the game is very helpful to advertise as she will be recognised and linked to the game, subconsciously reminding you of it. The dark background connotes the dark themes of the game, it would suggest that the game is not an optimistic game. There are also smaller elements that hint to the game, the burning embers and the wooden figure suggest to violence in the game. On the other hand, the text colour is white, this has limited significance about the game because it is only used to make the text stand out.
Several elements of this poster include suggestions of the genre. The genre is often a main attraction about a game and the fantasy genre has a wide fan base. 'Hellblade' is a fantasy game, the logo for the game looks like a celtic symbol, suggesting this is when the game is set, this will appeal to fans of 'Game of Thrones' or 'Lord of the Rings' which have similar, historical and medieval influences. This is reinforced by the character of Senua, her blue, face makeup and ancient headwear connotes are more symbols of the setting and culture of the fantasy genre. Blue face paint is stereotypically celtic so people will immediately associate this to the era and recognise that the genre is probably 'fantasy'.
Hellblade Trailer Analysis
Trailer I analysed - 'Hellblade Cinematic Trailer (PS4)'
The cinematography used in this trailer is very impressive and uses a similar style to other trailers produced by Ninja Theory. They often use slow, tracking pan shots of the subject which is often Senua, another example of when this is used is in the opening credits to the game when Senua paddles along and we catch up. Normally, these shots move around the subject until her face is revealed. This is typical of a trailer because the main protagonist is normally your icon for the game that is instantly recognisable, in this case, Senua is Hellblade's icon.
The main colours used in the trailers are dark blues and greys as well as the orange of the burning tree. These low key colours will suggest that the game has dark themes because of the negative connotations. The orange of the flames suggests the game involves danger. On the other hand, the transition when the tree begins to burn shows that the flames are imaginary, which infers that the pain and peril connoted is caused by her.
The editing throughout the trailer is very slow paced, they use long takes and fade transitions to create the slow pace. This may resemble the game's adventure aspects which can take a long time or the style of first person gameplay with rare cut-scenes.
Sound is a key aspect of the game, foley sound establishes the environment but dialogue is even more important. There is only one main character in the game but there are many voices because of the psychotic voices that Senua hears, these voices say what she is thinking, help her or undermine her. In the trailer, these start halfway through telling her what she thinks, but does not want to believe, that her friend is dead. The voices build up and get louder into a psychotic chaos until she has to shout "Shut up!" to make them stop, this is synchronised with when the fire stops, which is important to show that she is seeing and hearing things.
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