Sunday, 25 February 2018

Cross-platform gaming

Give a definition of cross-platform gaming
Cross-platform gaming is when a game is available to play on more than one device rather than different versions of a game. For example, the same version of Minecraft being available on PC, Xbox, iOS, Android, and Nintendo switch.
Why is Microsoft’s “Better Together” update so exciting for the gaming world?
This update is so exciting for the gaming world because it means many people can play the same game from different devices. So therefore, friends will be able to play the same game but in different locations with different devices.
Why might there be concerns over online child protection?
There may be concerns over online child protection as children who play the game will be given the opportunity to interact with strangers which could potentially be dangerous. This is one of the reasons Sony are not allowing cross platform gaming on their PlayStation.
What is the future for cross-platform gaming, in your opinion? What are the pros and cons, for the games developers and the audience?
I think cross-platform gaming will expand in the future to more devices and more games. Some of the pros include game developers getting more money as people will buy the game if they know they can play it with friends who have other devices rather than just the same device. This is also a benefit for the audience as they can play with their friends. A con of cross-platform gaming is that a certain feature may not work as well on one platform as it does another. Another con is that players might migrate to platforms that facilitate for cross-platform gaming. 

Thursday, 22 February 2018

Black Panther

The production company for Black Panther is Marvel Studios and had a production budges of $200 million. This budget could have been spent on the cast, costumes, props, stunt doubles, special effects, and music rights.
Chadwick Boseman stars as the title role Black Panther for around $500,000-700,000. He has previously played this character in the last Captain America film, Civil War. Black Panther will be the first black superhero with a solo movie. Other stars in the film include Michael B. Jordan and Lupita Nyong'o who have both previously started in action films such as fantastic 4 (another film based on marvel comics) and Star Wars. Martin Freeman will also return in this film as his character Everett K. Ross which he previously played in Captain America: Civil War alongside Chadwick Boseman. Another returning character is Ulysses Klaw played by Andy Serkis in Avengers age of Ultron.
Licensed products include apparel, toys, collectibles, home goods and publishing.

Brand partnership for the film was Lexus who released a Super Bowl advert in a slot called 'Long Live the King' where they suggested their new car had the same abilities as the Black Panther. They also released two new cars inspired by the movie.
One of the marketing campaigns for Black Panther was a teaser trailer released during the NBA finals game which marked the start of the marketing champagne. Along with the teaser trailer a new Black Panther comic was released to mark the 50th anniversary of Black Panther. The official trailer was then released in October and had 17 million views. Lupita Nyong'o also posted pictures of billboards featuring the movie just as Hugh Jackman had done before the release of Logan. Lastly IMAX released the poster they will distribute in select cinemas.
Disney can use other assets to help make the film a success by doing things such as putting adverts or showing trailers for the film on their shows/channels. They could also add Black Panther attractions to their theme parks such as characters walking around, selling licensed products, or even a Black Panther ride. Lastly, they could also sell licenced products in their stores.

Question 3

Explain the impact of technological developments and changing economic contexts on the cost for audiences of consuming news. Refer to The Gu...