2. Computerized Entertainment and Classification
Chapter 2
Computerized Entertainment and Classification

3. Objectives Describe different gaming genres.
Define video game terms related to various gaming genres.
Discuss the history of radio, movies, television, art, and theatre.
Classify different computerized entertainment media.
Categorize different games and toys into appropriate genre and themes.

4. Objectives (Continued)
Describe the life cycle of media from experimental to mainstream.
Discuss the use and importance of genre classification in game marketing.
Identify the unique selling points of various games.
Explain the importance of target marketing as related to the total marketing effort.

5. Audio/Visual Effects
Three main categories of computer software entertainment are
Audio/visual effects
Video games
Digital toys
Audio/visual effects are any entertainment that can be seen or heard
When referring to this category of products, most people would refer to them as simply “media”

6. Audio/Visual Effects (Continued)
Everyone would agree these are all audio/visual effects or media: art, theater, radio, movies, and television
History would call each item experimental and mainstream, depending on the time frame
In ancient times, art was the mainstream media
Paintings, sculptures, architecture, songs, and frescos were produced for the enjoyment and entertainment of the people

7. Audio/Visual Effects (Continued)
A big step in experimental media came with the invention of the motion picture
Today, these are called movies, whether delivered on film, video, or DVD
Radio began as experimental media created by individuals who wanted to talk to each other over distances
Early radio broadcasts included scheduled shows and programming

8. Audio/Visual Effects (Continued)
Next up was experimental media that broadcast both sound and images
The television began to show up in homes in the late 1940s
Broadcasting was limited to one or two programs per day
As television stations began to provide more programming, radio stations switched from theatrical programming to music formats

9. Audio/Visual Effects (Continued)
In the present day, television is still mainstream, but several other important media have been developed
There has also been a move from audio/ visual effects entertainment to interactive entertainment media
Interactive entertainment media, such as video games, incorporates audio and visual effects

10. Audio/Visual Effects (Continued)
In the early days of computers, few people were using this experimental technology
With the mainstreaming of computers, new media were invented for computer delivery
Most technological advancements have followed the experimental–mainstream–obsolete model

11. Audio/Visual Effects (Continued)
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12. Video Games
From almost the beginning of computers, designers developed games that used computer software
A video game is an electronic software that has all of the elements of a game
A game
Is an activity organized by rules
Has an objective, goal, or victory condition
Is in a game environment that enables play or pretending

13. Video Games (Continued)
Gameplay is what the player experiences during the game
This includes the set of challenges and obstacles the player must interact with
The second part of the definition of a video game requires the use of a graphic display generated by a computer
The display may be shown on a television, computer monitor, or handheld device

14. Video Games (Continued)
The last requirement for a video game is that the movements of the player and obstacles are controlled through a user interface
A game genre is a type or major category of game
Most video games can be categorized into at least one genre, such as action, board, puzzle, music/party, or role playing

15. Video Games (Continued)
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16. Digital Toy A digital toy does not meet the criteria of a game
It does not have a structured set of rules on how to play with it correctly or it has no objective or gameplay goal
A digital pet is an example of a digital toy
For the most part, the interactions between the player and toy are simply for enjoyment

17. Marketing Your Video Game
The goal of marketing is to find a group of potential buyers that share similar interests aligned with your video game
Before you begin designing a video game, you will need to know the genre and theme under which you will be marketing it
A target market is the segment of the population on which you will focus your attention and resources to attract as buyers

18. Marketing Your Video Game (Continued)
Certain demographic information, such as age, income, and gender, can help determine the most likely potential buyers
Marketing tools are any devices or actions that draw attention to your product
Television commercials
blasts
Product websites
Marketing brochures

19. Marketing Your Video Game (Continued)
Each product must have a unique selling point (USP) that is significant enough for people to tell one competing game apart from another
With your USP, you can also help target potential customers
Marketing effort is the time, energy, and expense undertaken to promote your product

20. Marketing Your Video Game (Continued)
The marketing effort needed to gain interest in a large group of people with a lot of differences is huge
Target marketing and genre recognition are very important
Target your marketing effort
Think about your game and how you will promote it before, during, and after the design stage

21. Marketing Your Video Game (Continued)
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22. Which genre of video games do you find most appealing or enjoyable to play? Why do you like this genre more than others?
What marketing methods have you experienced that made you want to try a video game?