This document discusses research on existing video games to inform the development of a new game. It analyzes several older games that share common elements like dark and bright colors, simple pixel art, minimalistic 8-bit sound effects, and straightforward gameplay and scoring systems. These elements, which give the games retro, nostalgic feels, will be incorporated into the final product. While the original games mostly targeted male audiences, the new game aims to appeal to both genders with its easy-to-learn gameplay suitable for casual or first-time players.

1. Research
Rhiannah Baker

2. Existing Product
Aspects that will be similar in my final product:
 You will shoot towards ‘enemies’ to earn
points.
 The ‘enemies’ will be multi-coloured,
according to their row.
 Once being shot, the ‘enemies’ die, and
disappear.
 You have to dodge shots fired at you from
the ‘enemies.
This game
predominantly
would appeal to a
male target
audience due to
its dark colours
and space theme.
The sound
from this
game is a
very basic
and
minimalistic.
There is no
a actual
music to the
game, only
sound
effects from
the gun
shots and
sound of the
aliens
moving.

3. Existing Product
Aspects that will be similar in final product:
 Shooting at brightly coloured
bricks, until they disappear.
 You will shoot towards bricks to
earn points.
 The bricks will be multi-coloured,
according to their row.
The sound takes a simple 8-Bit theme, using
mostly sound effects, but also creating a
theme song.
This is be incorporated into my final product.
This game would appeal
to both genders, but at
the time of release in
1986, its target audience
was male, as they were
most likely to play video
games at the time.

4. Existing Product
Aspects that will be similar in my final product:
 Dark colours contrasted with bright colours
 Simple 8-Bit sound effects
The sound of this game is simple and
minimalistic. The sound takes a simple 8-Bit
theme, using mostly sound effects, but also
creating a theme song.
This is be incorporated into my final
product.
This game would appeal to
both genders, but at the
time of release in 1980, its
target audience was male,
do to its space theme.

5. Research Analysis
• What common features do the researched products
have?
– Dark colours with contrasting bright colours
– Simple pixel art
– Simple gameplay
– Simple scoring system
– Simple 8-Bit sound effects
• What aspects of the research will you include within
your on work?
– Dark colours with contrasting bright colours
– Simple pixel art
– Simple gameplay
– Simple scoring system
– Simple 8-Bit sound effects

6. Audience

7. Audience Profile
Category Demographic Content to appeal to this audience
Age Range
16+
25+
• To create a nostalgia trip for the people who
played the original games when they first
came out.
Gender
Male and female. • There’s no gender specific aspects to the
game, it also has a basic gameplay so even
people who have never played a game
before can simply pick it up and play it.
Psychographic
Belonger. • It is a quick and simple game, that can easily
be played inbetween everyday tasks, they
won’t have to devote a large amount of
time to it.
Social Status
Working class. • It will be easy to get hold of, as it will be
cheap and easily accessible.