Assignment 1: Unit 22/77

Genres

FPS

Description: FPS (First Person Shooter) is a huge market and one of the most competitive around. As the name suggest this genre of game is based around mainly warfare, through the camera that is always facing your weapon. The juggernauts of the FPS industry are Activision, EA and Treyarch. Activision and Treyarch being the developers of the Call of Duty series. EA and Dice behind the Battlefield games. Both huge games within the industry, let alone in the FPS category. There hasn’t been many other games that has been as stand out as these, however FPS shooters on the PC have always been a contender, Counter Strike has been a fast paced online FPS that has created heated tournaments for many players around the world.

Genre Example: Between the two big names of the FPS industry, I have chosen Battlefield 4. They’re many opinions and debates around which game is better Battlefield or Call of Duty. In my opinion that crown goes to Battlefield, which is initially due to the ever so impressive battle style and combat situations that the game supplies you. Moreover the Frostbite 3 engine creates a visually impressive game that displays high graphics and sleek visuals, which is leagues higher than any of the Call of Duty games. Though lacking a strong single-player mode, which Call of Duty manages to deliver each time, the main attraction is the online multiplayer all the players thrive to. Progressing in the battlefield and levelling up keeps the players hooked on consistently playing the game, that’s with any FPS.  First Person Shooters allow the player to be immersed into the game, giving the player the ability to experience a game through the eyes of the main protagonist or a soldier you have created helps the experience of the game. Story: Though not the main attraction of a FPS, the story of Battlefield 4 is still something to talk about. Following the main protagonist named ‘Recker’ in the military group called ‘Tombstone’ America is at war with the Chinese. Fighting over political rites, either on land, in the air or on boat, the story attempts to tug at the heart strings of the player and give them a strong sense of warfare. Purpose: Focussing solely on the multiplayer of this FPS, Battlefield 4 has huge maps, 32-on-32 layer lobbies, large vehicles, aircraft and a whole load of gun fire, Battlefield 4 has found a way to really place the player in the middle of an exciting, tactical and fun experience.

Platform Games

Description: This genre of games is arguably the very first games that launched the newer generation of games. The biggest names in all of gaming are platform games, for many a platform game was their very first and you can bet which game it was. Traditional platform games were side on 2-D games, with the protagonist being able to run and jump between several objects and NPCs e.g. Platforms. Due to new types of games, designs and consoles, the platform genre has died down but not gone. Arguably the master of all games and the godfather of every game made, Super Mario Bros is the most iconic game to date.

Genre Example: Though there are many platform games that are more recent and greater in story, graphics and playability Super Mario Bros is the original platform game that was played by the masses, thus my mind is set on this game. Description: Though the game has been developed over the years after the initial release, for consoles such as the DS and WII, obviously the graphics have dramatically changed and the gameplay dramatically improved, yet the format and formation of the game has stayed the same, keeping to the roots of platform gaming. Many know the story of Mario and Luigi, struggling their way through their world in order to save Princess Peach from the bad guy Bowser. Besides sliding down pipes, jumping on goombas, jumping over gaps and eating large mushrooms to become bigger, there is not much else to the game. Over the years platforms have evolved to having a much more immersive story that has different levels which increase in difficulty and an interesting storyline is developed.

Role-Playing

Description: They’re many categories that fall under role-playing games, generally the most vast and creative games the role-playing genre is popular. Action RPG (Role-Playing Game) are typically based on combat and developing a character in different ways the gamer wishes. Story progression and exploration is a key aspect for RPGs. MMORPGs are RPGS but Massive Multiplayer Online. Meaning that hundreds of players can interact at once together online with their unique character in real-world time. Role-playing choices is also a large market in the Role-Playing genre, one franchise that leads that is the Mass Effect series. Giving the player the ability to choose how the game will break down, e.g. who will die? Who shall I save? And so on.

Genre Example: Due to the Role-Playing genre being hugely popular there are many games and franchises to choose from. However the most prolific game that was released this year and the most expensive games ever made, the choice was clear on GTA V (Grand Theft Auto 5) Description: The GTA series has been extremely vast and expansive. Although it does not lean toward much fantasy/mystery type of game, the huge role-playing franchise has always been a huge contender for the top spot. Now that the latest instalment of GTA V is out that crown was practically taken, that is all down to the extreme story the game follows and the possibilities that have been handed to use by the creators Rockstar. One of the highest rated games that has ever been created the endless opportunities shows how epic a game within this genre can be. Labelled as an 18 age rated game the GTA series has been always labelled as controversial and has had many scenes within the games that have been pointed out and subjected to the media but this is always overlooked by the rest of the game. Story: The players control the three main characters throughout the single-player mode, forever switching between the main mission and side missions. The story is cantered on the character’s previous and current lives. Michael, Trevor and Franklin three very different people with different lives come together construct and execute heists to earn money for many reasons. Along with many more edgy plot twists and hiccups along the way the story becomes expansive. The missions aren’t the only exciting aspect, as with all RPGs the exploration is there, finding new missions, cars, people, scenery and as always with the GTA series the hilarious interactions and findings you can come across that will just out right make you laugh. On top of all this it is based in Los Santos (Los Angeles) which is a sunny treasure. If it’s driving around in a banged up off-roader in the large hills or driving in your fancy city car, many places in this game can be explored. Purpose: This RPG is supposed to give the player a sense of freedom and gives them the ability to do what they want, when they want it and how it is all done.  An RPG is arguably the best way to tell a story and give the player a better sense of a game by giving them a playable character and doing as they will.

Sports

Description: Though not being very creative or vast like role-playing games sport games still manage to sell a huge amount of copies due to obvious reasons. The sports genre is huge, however there is a huge company that is very well known for its sports games, of course EA (Electronic Arts). EA is the powerhouse behind the FIFA, Madden, NHL, NBA and many more. EA doesn’t only work on sports based games as that is known, but what they excel at is producing realistic sport games. Sports games allow people to emulate a game of sport with all the available sports clubs and game types within game. The aim of this genre is to allow the player emulate mainly physical sport. Players also can simulate a game of sport and watch the games unfold as a manager, using tactics and knowledge of the sport, Championship Manager is a popular game for this emulation.

Genre Example:                                       Thanks to EA’s influence in the sporting games industry a good example of an accurate sports game will come from their selection of work, an obvious choice would be FIFA, however being an American Football enthusiast Madden 15 will be the chosen game, moreover the game mechanics of Madden 15 is impressive and the player animation/production are striking. Description:                      The Madden series is huge and always visually impressive. With the all new improvements from Madden 25 (25th year anniversary) Madden 15 was designed for the next-generation console.  So if you’re new to Madden, what would expect from this sports game? Madden is based on American Football and the NFL (National Football League). Obviously in America this game franchise is huge and is still somewhat big within the UK and other countries. Madden brings the player loads of different opportunities when playing this game, controlling the offensive and choosing your plays really brings you closer to the game as you design how wish to score a touchdown. When defending Madden 15 has given the player the opportunity to use any defender on your team from a Third-Person camera allowing the player to be emerged within the game. Adjustments such as these give sports gamers a new way to experience their favourite sport through a game. Being able to emulate sport in such a way is the reason why the sporting genre is huge within the gaming industry.  Playing with your favourite team going through the American Football season in any fashion you like is great, given the opportunity to be a player, coach or a owner of a Football team gives the player huge responsibilities, which is great. Playing online with friends or solo is also a feature many sports games have and this allows the player to play competitively. Purpose: Sports games such as Madden give a real sense of the real sport. Having the ability to play your favourite sport is great and become addicting to many. Either scoring touchdowns, scoring goals, racing with your friends the sports genre of game is all competitive and always fun.