Task 1 - Construction Analysis

Construction Glossary and Analysis

• Media Text:

Media text can be anything to media, such as newspapers, TV, radio and magazines. Movies and games are also forms of media text.

• Semiotics:

Semiotics is the study of how meaning is created, how we read signs and give meaning. Humans also do this with media text. For example; when a player on a game notices that their life bar is low or their screen gets a red outline, they know that they are about to die unless they find a health pack or anything that may regenerate health. Provided it doesn’t regenerate automatically.

• Genre:

Genre refers to the type of a certain media, like movies or games which a given all kinds of genres like action/adventure or horror.

• Content:

Content refers to what is more specific to a genre, what you would see. In a survival/horror game you would expect to see darker colours and rooms and a look that’s generally dirtier or gritty.

• Construction:

The construction is about what is noticeable, or expected, in the game or other form of media, such as the story/narrative, layout, captions and anchorage. The construction can also be shown in ways to give the audience a hidden meaning through a change in camera angles, lighting effects etc.

• Codes and Conventions:

Codes and conventions bring rules, regulations and customs into the mix. They are there to make sure thing, such as games, are made to a specification and stick to a certain genre.

• Modes of Address:

The mode of address establishes how a game or other media text speaks to the audience through first or third person speech. First person refers to a character or person speaking about themselves and experiences from their own perspective (“Me” or “I”). Third person refers to a character or narrator speaking through narration from a different perspective (“He”).

• Target Demographic:

The target demographic refers to the type of audience a game is aimed at, e.g. age, gender, family etc.

Comparing The Last of Us and Just Dance

Just Dance

Genre – Dancing simulator, Party, Fitness.

Content – IP, Songs, Colourful, Vibrant, Uses well-known songs, Uses large and bold text.

Construction – Gameplay consists of mimicking the character seen on the screen using 

motion controls, Very simple and clear interface.

Narrative Conventions – Uses popular songs from the time that it is released.

Common Codes – Animated character/avatar, Repetitive and fast-paced gameplay.

Profiling – This game is centred towards families and people who have many friends, essentially every one of all ages as it is a more upbeat game built for family fun.

Image: http://img1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120712184601/nintendo/en/images/archive/b/bd/20120915214101!Just_Dance_4_(Wii)_(NA).jpg

The Last Of Us

Genre – Action/Adventure, Survival/Horror, Thriller.

Content – Has a post-apocalyptic look (homes and shops are ruined and have been looted etc.), Claustrophobic, Uses large and weathered text, Dark.

Construction – Has mostly linear, story-centred gameplay, story is based around a zombie apocalypse (infection, death).

Narrative Conventions - Gameplay mostly consists of stealth, sneaking past zombies to get from point A to point B while protecting the young girl who travels with you. 

Common Codes – Implements the use of melee and ranged weapons, as well as health packs and other resources, but resources are usually scarce.

Profiling – This game is centred mostly towards males around 15 to 30 years old or older as this it contains dark tones and a serious story.

Image: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/9e/TheLastOfUs.jpg