Identifying the Target Audience Part 2

Target Audience The target audience is the group of people for whom the game is meant. To develop an effective game you must become familiar with the likes and dislikes of your target audience.

Target audience for games can be distinguished based on age and gender. For age players are categorized into preschoolers, children, teens and adults. For gender based games, players or male or female.

Players can also be divided in groups based on geographical location, nationality, culture and religion. Based on needs and motivational levels, the audience for games can be further divided into casual players, hard-core players, intermediary players and professional players.

Casual Players Have limited interest in playing games Do not spend much time playing games Prefer to purchase easy games and buy difficult games rarely and only if they are influenced. These players are mostly older and female. They like games such as Solitaire, Jawbreaker and Minesweeper.

Hard-Core Players Have a passion for games Like to play high-level or challenging games Tend to play more involved games that require more time to complete Tend to compete in tournaments and leagues They do not purchase easy games These players prompt creativity and progression by kindling new ideas and creative solutions. Hard-core gamers play games such as Halo, Metal Gear Solid 4, etc.

Intermediary Players The customers in the middle that are not too simple or too complex. This enables maintaining the balance in terms of both creativity and profitability.

Professional Players Professional players are hard-core players who play games to earn money. Many companies pay these players for testing the game developed by them. Game testing is an important line of business in the games industry.

Identifying the Game Genre Video games are classified into various genre based on the type of player’s interaction with the game called gameplay

The word genre refers to a particular class or type of artistic venture. Cinema has different genres, such as action, comedy and romance. You can also categorize games into different genres.

The genre of the game is based on the motivation and the target audience identified for the game. The genres for games are the following: EducationalSportsFantasy ActionSimulationCard AdventureRole-playing game (RPG)Board

Action Action games focus on warfare. In this game, players make rapid moves to carry out attacks on targets Players need spontaneous and quick reactions to overcome game challenges.

Two subtypes of this genre are the shooter game and the fighting game. A shooter game involves destroying all opponents using some sort of weapon, usually a gun or some other shooting weapon. The aim of this game is that the shooter or the player character remains alive throughout the mission.

There are two view points: First person shooter (FPS) genre – The player can view the events through the shooter character’s eyes. Example: Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn Third person shooter (TPS) genre – The player views the events through a camera that follows the shooter character from a few feet behind. Example: Gunstringer.

Adventure An adventure game does not involve spontaneous challenges or action. The player solves different puzzles by interacting with the characters or the environment of the game. Examples: Myst, Harry Potter series, Fable series

Sports Sports-based games simulate traditional sports. Some sports games focus on the actual playing of a sport. Others focus on the strategy of the game or mock sports with comedic effect.

Simulation A simulation game emulates real or fictional activities. This genre provides the player with a realistic analysis of the object involved in the game. Example: Sim City or Combat Flight Simulator.

Role-Playing Game (RPG) This game type makes the player play the role of one or more characters in a predetermined storyline. Each character has specific skills and abilities. The player explores and completes the quests to access unique locations. Example: Lost Odyssey or Fable Heroes.

Fantasy Fantasy games are based on an imaginary virtual world. Examples: Final Fantasy or Baldur’s Gate.

Card This game virtual playing cards as the main device. Some card games use traditional decks and apply standardized rules. Other card games vary by location and culture. Examples: Solitarie or French Tarot.

Board The game involves counters or objects moved or placed by a certain set of rules on a playing board. It requires players to use strategy, chance or a combination of both, until they achieve their goal. Example: Backgammon

Assignment You decide to create a game in the sports genre. You use a mobile device as you gaming platform. Define the target audience for your game with respect to the selected game genre and game platform.