Horizon Forbidden West: Audience and Industry blog tasks

 Horizon Forbidden West: Audience and Industry blog tasks              Create a blogpost called 'Horizon Forbidden West: Audience and Industry' and work through the following tasks.

Audience

Look at this YouGov blog on the console gaming audience and answer the following questions:

1) What statistics can you find for the number of male / female players for the major consoles?                     Male players dominate PlayStation and Xbox audiences, but Nintendo consoles attract a more balanced gender split. While specific numbers vary, Nintendo audiences are often closer to a 50/50 split, while Xbox and PlayStation skew male at around 60-70%.

2) What is the difference between 'hardcore' and 'casual' gamers - and which do you think would play Horizon Forbidden West?
Hardcore gamers dedicate significant time to gaming and prefer complex, immersive experiences, while casual gamers prefer simpler, less time-intensive games. Horizon Forbidden West would likely appeal to hardcore gamers due to its expansive open world, deep narrative, and challenging gameplay mechanics.

3) What are the different reasons YouGov researched for why players play games? Which of these would apply to Horizon Forbidden West?                                                                                                                  Reasons include escapism, competition, relaxation, social interaction, and storytelling. Horizon Forbidden West aligns with escapism, storytelling, and relaxation, offering a rich, immersive world and narrative.

Look at the PlayStation website page for Horizon Forbidden West. Complete the following tasks: 

1) How is the game promoted to an audience?                                                                                             Through trailers showcasing the vast open world, stunning graphics, intense combat, and Aloy as a relatable protagonist. Emphasis is placed on exploration, narrative depth, and innovation.

2) What are the key features for the game listed on the site?

• A vast, vibrant open world with diverse environments.
• Advanced combat mechanics and new tools for exploration.
• Encounters with dangerous machines and hostile factions.
• A compelling continuation of Aloy’s story.

3) What information does the website offer players about the game world and characters? Give a few examples.

• Detailed descriptions of the post-apocalyptic world and its various biomes.
• Background on Aloy’s journey to save Earth from environmental collapse.
• Introductions to allies like Erend and Talanah, and adversaries such as Regalla.

4) What spin-offs and additional content are available as part of the Horizon franchise?

• Horizon Zero Dawn: The Frozen Wilds DLC
• The VR experience Horizon Call of the Mountain
• Merchandise such as artbooks, comics, and action figures.

5) Applying Henry Jenkins's work on fandom, what aspects of the website (you may need to scroll down) encourage fan activity and engagement with online Horizon communities?                                                       The website encourages fan engagement by showcasing artwork and lore, linking to forums and social media channels, and promoting community events. Fans can share their experiences, participate in discussions, and access additional content like guides and updates.

Read this Wired feature on Horizon Forbidden West's open world design. Answer the following questions: 

1) Why did the writer enjoy Horizon Forbidden West?                                                                                The writer appreciated the vast and beautifully designed open world, engaging narrative, and balance between exploration and structured gameplay.

2) How is Horizon Forbidden West structured for players when they first start the game?                                   The game begins with a guided introduction that teaches mechanics and gradually opens the expansive world for exploration.

3) Why does the writer feel HFW created a more successful open world game than The Witcher 3?HFW is praised for its seamless integration of exploration and storytelling, avoiding the overwhelming feeling of side quests and unnecessary clutter that some players experience in The Witcher 3.

Industries
Industry research

1) Research Sony PlayStation Studios.                                                                                                                  Sony PlayStation Studios is a network of development studios producing exclusive games for PlayStation consoles.

2) What studios are part of Sony PlayStation Studios?                                                                          Includes Naughty Dog, Santa Monica Studio, Insomniac Games, Guerrilla Games, and more.

3) What notable games have they produced?                                                                                               Titles like Uncharted, The Last of Us, God of War, Spider-Man, and Horizon series.

4) Now research Guerrilla Games. Look at the 'Explore' page in particular. Who owns Guerrilla Games and how does it reflect the modern videogames industry?                                                      Guerrilla Games is owned by Sony Interactive Entertainment. This reflects the consolidation trend in the industry, with large corporations acquiring studios to secure exclusive content

5) Choose one of the 'Guerrilla Spotlight' features and write three things you learn about the videogames industry and/or Guerrilla Games from the interview. 

1. • Insights into the collaborative culture at Guerrilla.
   •  The importance of diverse skill sets in game development.
   • The significant investment of time and resources in producing AAA games.

Read this USA Today feature on Guerrilla Games. Answer the following questions: 

1) Which three companies merged to become Guerrilla Games?
Orange Games, Digital Infinity, and Formula Game Development

2) What other games and franchises were created by Guerrilla Games?                                                        Killzone franchise and earlier, smaller titles.

3) How did Guerrilla maximise the Killzone franchise?                                                                                   By developing sequels and releasing games on multiple PlayStation platforms.

4) What did Sony sign with Guerrilla in 2004?                                                                                            A first-party publishing deal, making Guerrilla an exclusive PlayStation developer.

5) How is Horizon Forbidden West described in the article and what is the next stage for the franchise?                                                                                                                                             Described as a groundbreaking open-world game with stunning visuals and engaging gameplay. The next stage includes expansions and VR experiences like Horizon Call of the Mountain.

Regulation and PEGI

1) What is HFW's PEGI rating and what age rating do you feel would be appropriate? Why?
 PEGI rating: 16. This is appropriate due to combat, mild language, and mature themes, which may not be suitable for younger players.

2) Why is regulating videogames difficult in the digital age?                                                                  Digital distribution bypasses traditional sales channels, making enforcement harder. Online multiplayer and user-generated content can introduce unregulated elements.

3) Are attitudes towards media content and regulation changing as a result of the internet? Explain your answer.                                                                                                                                         Yes, audiences increasingly value personal responsibility over strict regulation. The internet exposes users to a variety of unregulated content, shifting focus to parental controls and age-verification systems rather than outright censorship.