The document analyzes several existing video game screenshots and discusses their common features such as multiplayer options, reward systems, character customization, and retro audio styles. It then observes how research into these games can inform the design of a new game by including popular elements like competitive multiplayer, unlockable rewards for progression, and options for customizing playable characters. Interviews with potential players found that they prefer games with these types of features that allow for both competition and personalization.

1. Research
By Libby Whitehorn

2. Existing Product
The screenshot you see is from a game called lollipop chainsaw. This game has had
massive hits with the company warner brothers backing its marketing tragedy. This has
helped increase the games popularity highly. The name ‘Lollipop Chainsaw’ links with the
characteristics of the main character. Stereotypically the main character is your typical
blonde, cheerleading type. She acts and sounds rather squeaky but surprisingly she's a
zombie hunter. They have included her to be playful, even in the way she attacks the
zombies. This is shown in her main attacking moves being cheerleading dance moves,
this adds to the humour they are wanting to portray. The Terrain in this game varies from
abandoned school buildings to the streets. The thing they have in common is the area
has been sectioned off due to the zombie apocalypse. This helps reflect the violence and
narrative of the game. They also have destructive acts in the setting, this again adds to
the violence of the game. The colours used in the game do contrast. This is due to the
zombies and the setting being dull toned and dark, where as the main character is bright
and vibrant. This contrast helps display who the good players are compared to the
enemy. The lighting again varies with the colours. This is due to the enemy being in a dull
and dark light, where as the main character is vibrant and obvious. The colours differ, the
pinks and purples from the main character gives off connotations of playfulness and love,
where as the dark, dingy colours for the zombies gives connotations of death and
unpleasantness. This game is rather gruesome which makes the game a 18+. Through
out this game you can collect resources which boost your ability to fight. For example: the
lollipops as you can see in the screenshot. This game appeals to its target audience by
including features in which they enjoy. For example, you have the option to collect
resources in this game which gives your character a boost in power. This makes
everyone feel like they are achieving something by playing the game which is important.
This is so they feel as if they are progressing. This game also has many tasks to
complete which makes the game tasks different each time. This helps make sure the
audience don't get bored if they cant complete a certain task. The audio in this game is
the classic zombie noises. This creates a retro feel to the game.

3. Existing Product
The screenshot you see here is known as a game called Pokémon. This games narrative is to collect monsters
and level them up so you can defeat the big bosses. There is badges to collect once you’ve defeated the boss.
The aim of the game is to collect all the badges and become the best Pokémon player. This game includes
multiplayer at some points which allows you to help your friends out, by transferring them resources. As you can
see by the screenshots, the games terrain is very earthy based. This consists of fields and caves that need
exploring. The terrain in this game is inactive which means you cant use the scenery to your advantage. The
lighting used in these pictures are bright. This is due to the game being a children's game and making it gloomy
wouldn’t appeal to them. This is because they don’t want to ruin the mood. The mood in this game is suppose to
be happy and competitive. The colours incorporated helps create this. The main colour patterns are greens and
browns. This will be linked in to the main game setting being based in the outdoors. They have used this setting
due to trying to separate where you can capture monsters to where you heal your monsters. This gives a clear
indication on where everything is located. The main characters costume depends on the gender you are playing.
The females outfit is more cute and simple. Where as, the males outfit is more basic and adventurous. The outfits
also link to the adventurous side of the game, linking this aspect to the games narrative. The audio included in
Pokémon is both happy and scary. When you are in the safe zone it includes happy positive sounds, where as
when an enemy attacks the music goes gloomy and dangerous. This builds the suspense in the game, creating a
sense of thrill and excitement. This game appeals to its target audience due to whats included in the game. For
example; you collect monsters and earn resources by levelling them up. This makes the audience feel like they
are achieving something.

4. Existing Product
The screenshot you see here is known as the game: Need for Speed. This
game consists of racing the computer/other players around the world. The
aim of the game is to win. Once you win certain races you achieve reward
points which levels you up. Once you gather enough points, you unlock better
levels and cars. This means the more you play the game, the better your
assets become. This game is very multiplayer based due to it being a
competitive racing game. This means you can play with players around the
world, friends and even against the computer. The colours used in this game
are neutral colours. I feel like this is used to the creators trying to make the
game as realistic as possible. They’ve done this by using different shades
which has created a nice gradient effect. I feel like this game hasn't got any
consistency in colour. I think this is due to you customising what car you want
to drive and what colour you want to make your car. I also feel like the neutral
tones add to the realistic tones they are trying to achieve. The tone of the
game is rather calm and relatable. In this game you get different options on
what character you want to play. For example: you can be given the option of
becoming a cop and you have to set traps and stop dangerous drivers. The
setting of this game varies. Some of the tasks you play in the darkness and
some you play in the middle of no where. The setting really depends on the
task given. However, they are all set either in a town/city or country roads.
The audio used in need for speed consists of normal songs and a few side
effects. The good thing about this game is you get to select the song you
want to listen to whilst driving. This again creates the sense of realism to the
game. Also, there are sound effects like a car revving. This again will be there
to create a realistic effect. This game appeals to there target audience by
having features they appeal to. For example: multiplayer. This helps build
peoples rewards and creates a more intensified competitive streak to the

5. Existing Product
The screenshots you see here are known from a game called: Bioshock
2. This game has a really interesting narrative which makes the game
really fun and interesting. In Bioshock 2,the main story line is that you
have been trapped in a underwater world full on mad scientists. The
civilians who have survived are addicted to drug which has caused them
to become dangerous. As you adventure around you will encounter
these people and they will attack you. You are given the option of
different weapons but you collect and unlock these as you go on by
completing certain tasks. It is highly important to collect resources in this
game otherwise you will die easily. The colours in this game are very
dull and gloomy. This is due to the game trying to give a scary, thrilling
effect which makes the audience hearts race with fear. Due to the
colours been dark and dull, the tone and the mood is very silent and
abandoned. This mood of the game is very sinister and scary. This adds
to the suspense which is what they are wanting to create. Due to the
game being 18+, it makes the game violent and rather gruesome. This is
due to the deaths and jump scares being graphic and intense. The
setting of the game is set in a abandoned place underwater. This means
there are lots of hidden rooms and dead ends. The audio used within
this game is very silent. However, when you get attacked there are a few
screeches. However, whilst you complete tasks you collect video tapes
which record people views on what has happened with civilians. This is
played like a old fashion video tape. This adds to the retro style this
game is trying to achieve. This game appeals to its target audience due
to the feature it has and the genre. This game has a multi player and
single player option which means you can play with friends and other

6. Research Analysis
After reviewing all my research, i have seen many common features that all these games have in
common. Even though all these games are different genre’s and game types, i can see they have
similar agendas. For example: they all include multiplayer options and a reward system. These two
features help the audience expand there knowledge of the game by competing against other players,
and it creates a sense of achievement when rewards are given. This is what hooks people into
playing games for long periods of time. They also all contain a few mini tasks within the main story
line. This means it may include puzzles to complete or some sort of obstacle which prevents them in
completing there main and mini tasks. From looking into these products i will definitely include a
rewards system and multiplayer. A few of these games allows you to customise your player which i
feel like would be a great feature to include in my game. This means the audience has the freedom to
pick and chose which gender they want to play and what character would they get the most
enjoyment out of. I also feel like the games I've researched included similar but different audio. The
majority of the games included retro styled game noises. This can be from a zombie attack to when
an enemy attacks. This makes me feel like it would be a good idea to include it in my game in a
suitable way. This is because if it works with the game effectively it will be a memorable noise,
making people will associate the audio with the game i will be creating.

7. Interviews

8. Interview 1
• Which gender character would you prefer to play? why?
I would prefer to play as a male as that is the gender I am, however I think giving the
player the option to choose their gender would be good as not all males might want to
play as males and the same for females.
• Discuss what rewards you would like to receive in the game and why?
I think that a good reward for the player to receive in game would be special powers or
moves, even items as the progress through the game. After completing a certain
challenge or even a hard level getting a cool and powerful upgrade or item would
defiantly make me want to play more.
• Would you like a multi-player option? If so why?
I would like a multi-player game option as it would be fun to play with friends and even
random players around the world, however if it is a puzzle game I don’t think that would
need a multi-player option, furthermore it would be fun to be able to compare scores
with friends and compete with each other.

9. Interview 1
Observation:
After looking over my first interview, I have concluded that they like to play
multiplayer games, like to customise there characters and like to receive
rewards through out. The multi-player option gives the audience a sense of
freedom, due to them being able to play against friends and compete around
the world. The option to customise your character appeals to this interviewee
due to them wanting to play there own gender. This means this is a option I will
definitely include in my game. Lastly, the interviewee said they would prefer to
receive rewards. This is due to them believing it motivates them to play the
game more. This will also give them the option of levelling up there characters
and enhancing there assests. This product will appeal to this audience due to
including features which allow them to be more competitive.

10. Interview 2
• Which gender character would you prefer to play? why?
I would prefer to play as a male (because I am male), however, I would like to have the option to
choose what gender my character is.
• Discuss what rewards you would like to receive in the game
and why?
It depends what type of game it is. I think that a good reward would be power ups or extra lives,
because it would make the player feel like they are progressing in the game. I also think that you
could unlock more levels throughout the game. Another good reward to have in a game is
achivements, which you could unlock by completing certain tasks within the game.
• Would you like a multi-player option? If so why?
I would like a multi-player option, because I think that gaming is more fun when playing with other
people rather than on your own. I think that the best video games have both multiplayer and
singleplayer options.

11. Interview 2
Observation:
After looking over my second interview, I have conducted that this interviewee enjoys
playing multiplayer games, they also like to customise there own character and they
prefer to receive rewards. What they suggested about the rewards system is it should
give rewards like power ups and lives. This is due to the player feel like they are
progressing in the game. They also suggested including achievements where if you
complete a task you unlock items. Again, this interviewee prefers to customise there
character. This is due to the majority of males wanting to play there own gender. This
interviewee expressed a interest in the multi-player option. This is due to it being more
exciting and competitive playing against others. I feel like my game will appeal to this
target audience due to including features that are highly liked. For example: multiplayer
option, rewards etc. This then gives the audience a variety of options to select, giving
them the freedom to select what they want to complete/what character they want to play.

12. Bibliography

13. Bibliography
1. Sullivan-Cree, A. (2018) Target Audience Interviews (conducted on 28th
November 2017)
2. Case, J. (2018) Target Audience Interviews (conducted on 28th November
2017)