The Sims FreePlay - Industries blog tasks
Create a new blogpost called 'The Sims FreePlay case study part 2 - Industries' and complete the following tasks.
- 13939+ Games Rated
- 15141+ Apps Rated
- 1702 Number of Member Outlets
- 30 Years in Operation
In the UK, PEGI 12, 16 and 18 rated games are legally enforceable and cannot be sold to anyone under those respective ages.
1. Content Declaration Assessment 2. Submission Materials 3. Video Footage Examination 4. Game Examination 5. Receiving The PEGI Licence
Developers give away an app's core functionality for free and offer upgrades to add certain features. For example, the app may contain ads, and you can pay to disable them. Or, a game app might allow you to purchase additional game currency to advance more easily through the game.
Players become frustrated when it seems like the developers of these games are trying to nickel-and-dime them to death.
This model also places emphasis on longevity, which players like. That is, a popular game with an existing fan base can continue to add premium content to keep the game fresh and keep those loyal players.
- Candy Crush and Clash of Clans' in-app purchases account for the 70-80% of the $10 billion or more in iOS revenue each year.
The articles suggest that there is a possibly of addiction that can occur. This happens without players even realising that they've become addicted. With the freemium model, this adds the risk that children might be making in-app purchases without even parents permission.
1) What audience pleasures for The Sims are discussed at the beginning of the blog?
Within the game, there is now more than one gender available
Regulation – PEGI
Research the following using the PEGI website.
1) What is the VSC and how does it link to UK law?
The VSC rating board is an administrator of the PEGI age rating system. This is used in over 30 countries across Europe. In 2012, PEGI was incorporated into the UK law and The VSC was appointed as the statutory body responsible for the age rating of video games in the UK using the PEGI system.
The VSC rating board is an administrator of the PEGI age rating system. This is used in over 30 countries across Europe. In 2012, PEGI was incorporated into the UK law and The VSC was appointed as the statutory body responsible for the age rating of video games in the UK using the PEGI system.
2) Note down the key statistics on the homepage.
- 15141+ Apps Rated
- 1702 Number of Member Outlets
- 30 Years in Operation
3) What is the purpose of PEGI?
The purpose of PEGI is to prevent things like explicit content, swear words etc. from being consumed by an age group that shouldn't be consuming it.
The purpose of PEGI is to prevent things like explicit content, swear words etc. from being consumed by an age group that shouldn't be consuming it.
4) Click on the PEGI Rating tab in the top menu. What are the age ratings and what do they include?
5) Scroll down to look at the ‘How games are examined’ infographic. What is the PEGI process for rating a game?
1. Content Declaration Assessment 2. Submission Materials 3. Video Footage Examination 4. Game Examination 5. Receiving The PEGI Licence
The ‘Freemium’ gaming model
Read this Lifewire feature on freemium gaming and answer the following questions:
1) How does the freemium model work?
2) Why do some gamers believe freemium is ruining games?
Players become frustrated when it seems like the developers of these games are trying to nickel-and-dime them to death.
3) What are the positives of the freemium model for gaming?
Now read this Business Insider feature on freemium gaming and multiplayer games. Answer the following questions:
1) Note the key statistics in the first paragraph.
2) Why does the freemium model incentivise game developers to create better and longer games?
Participants regularly invest money on the game, suggesting that there is a high degree of confidence about the amount of players that this particular game can attain. As a result, developers are encouraged to put the income boost straight into the game to improve it.
Participants regularly invest money on the game, suggesting that there is a high degree of confidence about the amount of players that this particular game can attain. As a result, developers are encouraged to put the income boost straight into the game to improve it.
3) What does the article suggest regarding the possibilities and risks to the freemium model in future?
The articles suggest that there is a possibly of addiction that can occur. This happens without players even realising that they've become addicted. With the freemium model, this adds the risk that children might be making in-app purchases without even parents permission.
Read this New York Times feature on freemium gaming and answer the following questions:
1) Why did Temple Run use the freemium model?
The reason for Temple Run using the freemium model is because it has helped players enjoy the game.
The reason for Temple Run using the freemium model is because it has helped players enjoy the game.
2) The bigger gaming studios like Electronic Arts used to avoid the freemium model. Why are they now embracing it?
Electronic Arts are now embracing the freemium model as it is able to reach a larger audience and much more money can be made via in-app purchases and ads.
Electronic Arts are now embracing the freemium model as it is able to reach a larger audience and much more money can be made via in-app purchases and ads.
3) Why does Peter Farago suggest independent game makers benefit more from the freemium model than the major publishers like EA?
Because it will be much more easier for independent developers and game makers to start from nothing just to produce a freemium game at a high standard.
Because it will be much more easier for independent developers and game makers to start from nothing just to produce a freemium game at a high standard.
Electronic Arts
Read this Pocket Gamer interview with EA’s Amanda Schofield, Senior Producer on The Sims FreePlay at EA's Melbourne-based Firemonkeys studio. Answer the following questions:
1) How has The Sims FreePlay evolved since launch?
Since its first launch, the Sims Freeplay has grown as it has become more complex and developed over the years-it is a prime example of all the dreams that this game can turn into a reality.
Since its first launch, the Sims Freeplay has grown as it has become more complex and developed over the years-it is a prime example of all the dreams that this game can turn into a reality.
2) Why does Amanda Schofield suggest ‘games aren’t products any more’?
The fact that producers/creators and players will talk about future changes to the game with each other means that the game can no longer be considered a product.
The fact that producers/creators and players will talk about future changes to the game with each other means that the game can no longer be considered a product.
3) What does she say about The Sims gaming community?
They play a part in the game development.
They play a part in the game development.
4) How has EA kept the game fresh and maintained the active player base?
EA searches for game fans and uses the anticipation to improve the game
EA searches for game fans and uses the anticipation to improve the game
5) How many times has the game been installed and how much game time in years have players spent playing the game? These could be great introductory statistics in an exam essay on this topic.
There has been over 200 million downloads of the game and players game time has added up to over 78,000
There has been over 200 million downloads of the game and players game time has added up to over 78,000
Finally, read this blog on how EA is ruining the franchise (or not) due to its downloadable content. Answer the following questions:
Personal relationships with the characters in the game.
Diversion allows the gamer to escape reality when playing the game.
2) What examples of downloadable content are presented?
DLC, Expansion packs and 'Stuff' packs for things such as furnitures in your house in the game.
DLC, Expansion packs and 'Stuff' packs for things such as furnitures in your house in the game.
3) How did Electronic Arts enrage The Sims online communities with expansion packs and DLC?
4) What innovations have appeared in various versions of The Sims over the years?
There has been an increase in diversity that is present in the game.
5) In your opinion, do expansion packs like these exploit a loyal audience or is it simply EA responding to customer demand?
In my opinion, I don't think it is there to purposely exploit a loyal audience. I think the main reason for expansion packs is obviously there for EA to make some money however, they're offering their audience more which is what gamers want rather than being stuck in one mode with restricted abilities.
In my opinion, I don't think it is there to purposely exploit a loyal audience. I think the main reason for expansion packs is obviously there for EA to make some money however, they're offering their audience more which is what gamers want rather than being stuck in one mode with restricted abilities.
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