.

1. Research
Jake Whattam-Smith

2. Existing Product 1
Minecraft
Initially, the displayed images below, under the type of image category, effectively portray the
visualization that I intend on achieving within my own video game; this is primarily under the location
visible in the foreground etc. Originally, coming under the location, this very popular video game called
‘Minecraft’ portrays the slightly needed location scenario that I intend on incorporating within my own
video game project (from start – end); this would predominantly be the most beneficial aspect to include
within my own product, mainly because it displays obvious and stereotypical features within the western
theme. Due to having presented these clear representations, it would help create a clear understanding
into the general narrative; evidently creating a sense of relatability and concluding in engaging my
audience more, whilst also holding a tone of enjoyment alongside – all of which are aspects I intend on
securing within my own product and the audience. Next, this video game (‘Minecraft’) also portrays a
large variety of vibrant colors, all in helping portray this western theme once again throughout this biome
(‘red sand’ as described in the game); this was effective in engaging the audience, as for these visually
pleasing colors seem effective in holding a satisfaction towards them. Further, they would be effective in
also helping display a more stereotypical representation of the western era, regarding why both aspect
would be used in my own project.

3. Existing Product 1 Continued
Minecraft
Furthermore, the displayed images below, under the type of image category, effectively portray the
representation I intend on reflecting the western theme, all of which is present throughout my video
game. Therefore, the aspects visible, that will be incorporated across my own project, primarily consist of
composition, mise-en-scene, location, and colors. Originally, coming under both mise-en-scene and
locations, this predominant feature involves the general setting and aesthetic of the mountainous region
(as shown below) - this here place is characterized as a red sand biome within the ‘Minecraft’ video
game; this will be integrated within my own game, appearing within the foreground of the western,
desert like scenario, as for it effective conforms towards the stereotypical depiction upon the western
genre, all of which reflects more of an understanding throughout my audience. Finally, coming under this
particular video game ’Minecraft’, the last two features that will become present within my own project
comes under both composition and colors; this having been evident through mainly the colors of vibrant,
dark, and monotonous reds, alongside some aspects upon different shades of yellow and a cream color.
In having displayed some of these forms, they will help evoke more of an intriguing attitude and
understanding across my audience; this is primarily because the general stereotype is present, all of
which is recognizable within a wide range of intellectual people (upper and or low classes).

4. Existing Product 2
Westerado: Double Barreled
Originally the displayed images below, under the type of image category, they effectively portray the
visualization that I intend on achieving within my own video game; this is primarily under the camera
angle and location visible within the foreground. Initially, coming under the camera angle, this video
game called ’westerado’ portrays a side view when previewing you moving the character and the
game as a whole (narrative, missions etc); this side view is effective in portraying the complete mise-
en-scene and helps engage the audience further in having more of an understanding into the games
visual style and working physics, all of which make the experience when playing the game much more
interactive and captivating in the position of the audience. Furthermore, coming under the location,
this video game (‘Westerado’) also portrays the stereotypical representation of a western desert
scenario throughout the whole course of the video game (from start – end); this would predominantly
be the most beneficial and effective use from another game to incorporate within my own product,
this is primarily because having portrayed this stereotypical display of a western theme, it helps create
a clear understanding and relatability within my audience, all of which would evidently make it much
more engaging and fun to play – features I intend on using effectively across my viewers.

5. Existing Product 2 Continued
Westerado: Double Barreled
Originally, the displayed images below effectively portray the representation I intend on using throughout
my characters in the dress codes stated, and in the use of lighting/shadowing. Initially, coming under the
dress codes, this video game portrays their various amount of characters in clothing of which conforms to
the general expectations within the western theme. As these dress codes are stated, this evidently means
they are very effective in helping portray the western theme that is displayed throughout, all of which
supports the audience in making them understand the general video game’s characteristics and reasoning
for certain features more (such as snakes, the desert, and older fashioned buildings/clothing styles); due to
the knowledge accumulated here, this seemingly makes the game much more enjoyable and recognizable,
all of which are aspects intended in the production of this video game project and expected in my audience.
Furthermore, this video game (‘Westerado’) also portrays aesthetically pleasing lighting and shadowing
features within the visualization of this entertaining game; this would predominantly be very effective and
beneficial in helping engage my audience more. Further, this is primarily because the aesthetica of the
shadowing from characters, animals, plants etc makes the game much more realistic in its performance,
creating more of a personal relationship in similar traits between the game and its target audience, evidently
meaning its much more enjoyable to play – these being intended aspects throughout the course of the video
games audience playing it.

6. Existing Product 3
Escapists
Initially, the displayed images below, under the type of image category, effectively portray the
visualization I intend on reflecting across the western theme, all of which is present throughout my
video game. Therefore, the aspects visible, that I will be incorporating within my own project,
primarily consist of the angle, props, sound, and mise-en-scene denoting the train. Originally, and
most importantly, coming under both mise-en-scene and props, these aspects are present across
the clearly denoted train that is displayed across the bottom half of the your screen in this
particular mission on the game ‘Escapists’; this will be integrated within my own video game, as for
it is predominantly based around focusing on a train heist, regarding why each mission is situated
on working you way through the train (as the vigilante) of which evidently finishes by taking
control of the convoy. Next, coming under the last two aspects of both sound and angle, there is an
obvious slight side/birds eye view upon the train here, alongside a various amount of prop choice,
from batons to hiding places etc. In having displayed some of these aspects across the 4 features
identified, it would reflect the western theme, helping have a more intriguing attitude and
understanding throughout my audience.

7. Existing Product 3 Continued
Escapists
Next, the displayed images below, as the same previously, also display other features within, all of which
effectively portray the conception I intend on reflecting throughout my video to help support the action genre
and western genre. Therefore, as mentioned previously, I will be incorporating aspects upon consisting of
lighting and costumes; all of which are present in the game ‘Escapists’ within this particular level, where
specifically you have the intentions of escaping this prison train. Initially, coming under lighting, this distinctive
feature is present throughout the game, generally upon most physical objects that are placed either in the
foreground (Cacti, rocks, bushes) and or either within the carriages of the train (seating, walls, desks); this
aspect that is included in the design of the game makes it much more aesthetically pleasing towards the eye,
alongside adding an engaging felling within my audience, all of which helps evoke the western theme whilst
making it more exciting and enjoyable to play. Similarly, also the costumes within the game conform to the
general stereotype upon western characters (hats, checkered clothing, boots etc), all of which holds similar
characteristics to the lighting effect – making it more engaging, aesthetically pleasing, and understanding of the
genre. In conclusion, within the game ‘Escapists’, the different characteristics that have been identified
effectively (mise-e—scene, lighting, costumes, props, and sounds) will all greatly benefit in the production of my
video game; predominantly in helping portray the western genre, but also in helping engaging the audience
more, whilst also supporting a sense of enjoyment when playing it.

8. Existing Product 4
Red Dead Redemption
Initially it is important to recognize that the displayed images below, under the type of image category, supports the
portrayal I am intending on defining throat the video game in am going to produce in this project. Therefore, some
of the aspects represented in the denoted captions will be incorporated within my own project, these primarily
consisting of location, costume, props, and audience appeal.
Originally, and partially the most important features to extract comes under both location and the costumes with
the game ‘Red Dead Redemption 2’.
Initially, coming under location, this is an essential component to incorporate within my own game as it will
evidently help define the general theme denoted, primarily being the western genre, whilst also supporting the
more intriguing and understanding statements of this era in time, conforming further to the more intellectual
aspects I am to include alongside.
Next, coming under costumes, i have closely related this to being an important feature, as similarly to the location,
it helps evoke the theme that is regularly being displayed throughout my video game, whilst also supporting more
of an understanding within my audience. As visualized in the source here, it is clear in defining the difference
between good and bad, therefore this feature will also be effective and an essential component to incorporate in
my own video game; this is clearly identified via the dark/smarter clothing of the sheriffs (good), juxtaposing against
the more scruffy/concealed clothing of the heist man (bad).

9. Existing Product 4 Continued
Red Dead Redemption
Furthermore, coming under props, this game specifically focuses in on a various amount of different props throughout the
campaign as recognized, these primarily consisting around weapons, such as pistols/rifles/and or shotguns, alongside other
things like maps, cigarettes and ammunition. Upon concentrating on these props specifically, I had come to realize that they
are used frequently in the process of the playing the game, in both helping the narrative move onwards in a flowingly
manner, whilst also to engage the audience more i presenting the wide variety of mechanics included. In displaying these
aspects, mainly coming across the weapons and ammunition, it would evidently help evoke the action genre more, all of
which helps the stability and understanding of the game throughout my audience more, but also in representing the whole
western theme and ongoing situations, an issue which is widely recognized and resolved in incorporating features across a
wide mixture of video games. Finally, coming under audience appeal, this game effectively evokes there different ideals and
understanding statements of things in the western genre, a seriously important feature to enable when portraying a video
game that is set within a different time era to current periods (such as future and past). This is portrayed through their use
of education aspects, such as when discovering new items alongside with their personal information regarding the device
and its features in this historic era; all of which helps create a strong intriguing, yet also determined factor within its
audience to push them in playing the video game more. In having incorporated this factor in my own video game, regarding
the project and theme i am aiming it towards (western as well), would be very beneficial and effective in engaging the
audience more, whilst also displaying enjoyment alongside, a trait that is essential within a video game (to enjoy it).

10. Research Analysis
Throughout the course of all the researched products previously mentioned,
consisting of ‘Minecraft’, ‘Escapists’, ‘Red Dead Redemption 2’ and ‘Westerado’,
they all benefit effectively in the conclusion of producing my end final product of a
video game in this project given; however, during this process a range of common
features from each individual researched source is also relevant and present
throughout them all. Linking efficiently between one another, here are few aspects
to consider that are displayed.
#1 The western theme - Initially it is important to recognize that throughout this
selective range of video games i have researched before you, consisting of
‘Minecraft’, ‘Escapists’, ‘Red Dead Redemption 2’ and ‘Westerado’, a clear theme is
displayed, coming under the western theme. Originally, after the initial plan's pages
were introduced to the video games project, i had evidently become attached
towards the more historic background within a video game; upon having this more
suited towards myself, it had also seemed appropriate within the age category in
the brief, suitable from 16 - 24 year old's. Evidently, in the newly released ‘Red Dead
Redemption 2’ video game, upon which i had researched, it had gained an immense
popularity, all of which helps support the use and presentation of using the western
theme more.

11. Research Analysis - Continued
#2 The action genre - Additionally, this is another obvious feature within the sources
gathered, coming under the action genre. With some of the source it is optional
whether to make it more intense, such as within ‘Minecraft’ and ‘Escapists’; whereas
others there is no choice but to engage with this theme, such as in ‘Red Dead
Redemption 2’ and ‘Westerado’, where frequently weapons such as guns are
regularly used an involved within the narrative of the game itself.
#3 The education aspects - Finally, another aspect that is present throughout all of
the sources researched comes under the education features within them, as all the
games previously mentioned help evoke more of an intriguing factor, beside the
obvious action previously gathered. Furthermore, in having this informative aspect,
specifically within a more historic video game, it helps to evoke more of an interest
throughout their audience; evidently this may help upbring more hobbies, and
generally help portray more of a social life towards other in not just having an
interest within video game, as this is the usual stereotype.
Throughout these 3 significant and impactful aspects within the sources i have
evaluated, i intend on using all of these features effectively to help portray the
western theme, justify an education purpose, and evidently produce an enjoyable
experience.

12. Bibliography
1. Fortnite (21 July 2017) Epic Games
2. PixelArt.com (2013) Bryan Ware
3. Red Dead Redemption (18 May 2010) Rockstar Games
4. Wikipedia.com (11 October 2004) Tsugumo
5. Westerado (16 April 2015) Ostrich Banditos
6. Minecraft (17 May 2009) Mojang
7. Escapists 2 (22 August 2017) Team 17 Digital Limited
In conclusion, coming forth from the previous bibliography mentioned,
nothing has changed or further been researched in preparation
towards final production of the project.