Ms. Maroney’s Presentation on How to Answer NAMLE’s “Key Questions” Pertaining to MiniClip.com

Authorship Who made this site? The game site “MiniClip” was founded and funded in 2001 by, Robert Small, a games enthusiast fresh out of university and Tihan Presbie, a computerized financial futures trader.

Purpose What is/was the purpose of this site? -The purpose of MiniClip was to create a free, online gaming site. According to the site’s “About Us”, “The idea was simple - to create a next generation entertainment business by harnessing the power of the Internet to quickly gain market share and to develop a new online brand of digital interactive entertainment.” Who is the target audience of this site & how are you aware of that? The target audience of this site is mostly younger kids ranging from ages 7-23 because the level of intensity from the games. Anyone can play these game if they enjoy game playing however with the advertisements on the side of the page it seems as if the site is mostly designed for younger teens and adolescents.

Economics Who paid for this MiniClip site? According to the “About Us” explanation found on the MiniClips site, “The company was founded and funded in 2001 by, Robert Small, a games enthusiast fresh out of university and Tihan Presbie, a computerized financial futures trader. Miniclip has seen dramatic growth since inception and has been profitable for seven years. It now operates in 15 languages and has a truly global presence.”

Impact Who might benefit from this website? -Those who benefit from this site are those that enjoy online game play. This is a personal passion that many have adopted due to boredom or competitiveness. If one has creative game ideas, he or she can add this game onto the site for free which can cause personal satisfaction. Others that may benefit from this site are companies that want to advertise their products and help boost their products. Who might be harmed by it? -Although those who enjoy games may benefit from this site they can also be harmed. They could also be harmed because they could become so obsessed or distracted with these games that it becomes part of their life. Because of this site they may neglect and abandon their real priorities.

Response What types of action can one take in response to MiniClip, the gaming site? -MiniClip is a site that promotes fun and competition. As a person who enjoys this site, you could simply: become a member, add and create games to the site or encourage others to become involved in the site. I would always to those who do play this site to never let it consume your life!

Content What is this site about? -This site is about competing in games against other online players, competing against yourself, creating new ideas (games) and having self discipline to understand and learn how to play different games.

Techniques What techniques are used? Why? -The techniques that are used on this page are different bright colors, to differentiate different games, brackets, to organize the types of games, sound, to create a fun atmosphere and centered text and pictures, to create organization.

Interpretations How might different people (of different age groups, gender) understand this site differently? -Different people will understand this site differently based on their own personal background. For example, those (most likely males) who enjoy playing violent games, will enjoy and like some of these games better than women will. Some may find these games offensive and boring. On the other hand, those (most likely women) who enjoy playing dress up and make-over’s will enjoy games on this site pertaining to that. Older people will most likely not enjoy or understand this site entirely because they will not be interested in “game play” like students. What is my interpretation of this site and what do I learn about myself from my reaction or interpretation? -My interpretation of this site is that it is fun and entertaining when I have free time on my hands. It is a way for me to free myself from any stress I have and to simply play (my fun pastime). I haven’t learned anything new about myself from playing on this site except that this is a form of fun I can run to when I am stressed.

Context When was this made? -MiniClip was made and copyrighted in Where or how was it shared with the public? -This site was shared with the public on the Internet and advertised as a “Free Gaming Website”. Miniclip has been featured in the 'Times Tech Track 100' and the Deloitte & Touche "Fast 50" in 2008, highlighting it as one of Britain's fastest growing tech companies. In 2007, Miniclip won the prestigious Webby Peoples Voice Award, the "Oscars of the Internet" for the Internet's best game site for the third consecutive year. Miniclip is the largest entertainment portal still in private hands. In 2008, Robert Small, Miniclip's CEO, was named "London Entrepreneur of the year" by Ernst & Young.

Credibility Is this fact, opinion, or something else? How credible is the information on this site? What are the sources of the information on this site? -Everything on this page is a mix of both fact and opinion because it is a gaming website. The games are factual and have only one way to win. The information on the site is credible because they are published games that have a way to win and loose. The sources of the information of the site are people and a company who have uploaded different games for feedback, recognition and criticism. At the bottom of the website there is a link where one can click which gives a summary about the site including: who created the site, when, how it is funded, etc. Click here to research it.Click here