The document discusses existing video games that are similar to the author's idea for a new game, including Terraria, Temple Run, Super Mario Bros., and Sonic the Hedgehog. Common features across these games are their use of bright colors, side-scrolling gameplay, pixel art style, sound effects, and background music. The author analyzes what aspects of these existing games they will include in their own work, such as colors, props, gameplay, and audio elements.

1. Research
TOM HAASE

2. Existing Product - Terraria
This game is only similar to the idea of my video game, due to it being 2D and a side-scrolling game, however the gameplay itself isn't
similar to my game, therefore I will only talk about detail and movements etc. This game is very clearly pixel art and it was made to look
this way and I will be making my game similar because I will be making my game using pixel art on Photoshop. There isn't huge amounts
of detail in the game, partly because the game is made from pixel art and also because the game is meant to look plain and simple and
this is what a lot of people join. This game allows the character to move left and right when the background isn't moving, however for my
game I will keep my character in the same place and only move the background, making the character look like its moving. The movement
of the character’s legs and arms when jumping/walking are similar to the idea I have for my character's movements. I will have the same
view of the game as well, side on and 2D. Apart from the structures the character is in, the colours are mostly bright, for example blue,
green and red. This is done because the connotations of these colours are positive and joyful, although this game’s main target audience
is children, therefore I cannot use this as an idea for my game, as my target audience is 16-19 years and these colours most likely won’t
have the same effects on people in this age range. The location of this game is outside, as you can see trees in the background and a blue
sky and this is useful as it shows the scene and the setting of the game. The music used is quiet and very slow and peaceful, allowing
people to play it continuously for a long time because people get used to the music and it allows to people to relax whilst playing. The
sound effects are very unrealistic which makes them unique, and there are sound effects for almost everything the character does, for
example breaking trees, walking, and building. The simplicity of this game makes people willing to buy it because they know it wont be a
difficult task to play but a relaxing time, also the colours are stand out and make people notice it, making them look at the game see what
it is like. This is also similar to Minecraft which is a very popular game and if they liked Minecraft then they would likely like this as well due
to the gameplay style and building etc. and people notice this from the pixel art, as they are small blocks, which are in Minecraft.

3. Existing Product – Temple
Run My game will be very similar to Temple Run, apart from the perspective and view, as
this is a third person perspective from behind the character and mine is going to be
from a side perspective and a side-scrolling game. In the name of this game you can
get the basics of it (running in a temple) and the location is made to look like a temple
with the yellow stone and bits of moss within the stone, rugged walls, broken paths
(that the character has to jump over), trees (sometimes blocking the path) and the vines
that hang from the top of the screen. All of these give a clear representation (mise en
scene) of the games genre (action adventure). I will use this to get ideas for the general
props and features I need for my game to make it look like a certain location. The
costume on the original character makes them look like an explorer (similar to Indiana
Jones’s costume), which fits with the location of the game (a temple). The main colours
used are yellow, brown and green, to keep the look of a temple. The layout of this game
with the sizes and positions of the onscreen features such as the score and pause
button and similar to the idea for my game, as I want to show as much of the game
without making the onscreen features too small. The feature of collecting coins as you
run is also within my idea I have for my game and how the character is running because
he is being chased by an enemy/threat is also going to be a feature of my game and in
this game you can only see the enemy/threat when the character slows down or is
caught, which is also similar to how my game is going to play. The music is very intense
and fast paced, which fits with the chasing aspect of this game and makes the player
feel how the character would feel and the music is played with drums, which also fits
with game’s location as it sounds very basic and what you would here at a temple
(almost tribal music). The sound effects are quite important as well, as it brings more life
to the game, as there are sound effects for running, jumping sliding, crashing, turning
and for the enemy/threat as well. This game makes its audience want to buy it with its
reward system and score tally as the players want to achieve a higher score and collect
more coins. This game is very detailed in appearance and it makes the game look more
realistic, s if someone saw an image of this game, like the image on the left then they
are likely to play the game because it looks good.

4. Existing Product – Super
Mario Bros.
I think that this game is the most similar to my game in appearance and gameplay. First of all this is a side-scrolling game from a
side perspective and is 2D, which is exactly how my game is going to look. Also this game is clearly made from pixel art as there isn't
a lot of detail and everything is clearly made from blocks, which is the same look that I want to make for my game. This game’s
location is the fictional Mushroom Kingdom and this is shown with features in the background including huge mushrooms. The mis
en scene is displayed with the mushrooms in the background, the mystery blocks in the air and the mushrooms that are
enemies/threats and these all give a overall feel for the first look of the game, the character has to get the mystery blocks, and move
forward, without getting defeated by the mushroom (enemy/threat). Because this game is a side scrolling game, the character
doesn’t move as only the background moves, making it look like the character is moving. There is only one original character (Mario)
and he always has the same costume, which is full red, this is because it gives the game an image and makes people remember the
character and the game as the character is simple, eye-catching and easily memorable. The other colours used are also bright
colours such as blue and green in the background, as these make the game more exciting, rather than them being dark and dull. The
mushroom (enemy) is displayed as a dark red, which has connotations of threat and danger, making people know that this is an
enemy and to stay away from it and because this game is very simple to follow and figure out it is very popular, as it is mostly a
relaxing game, rather than a difficult task. However this games main arget audience is children which is different to my target
audience (16-19 years), therefore I may not take these ideas and use them in my game as they wont have the same effect on my
audience, however the gameplay is very similar to the idea I have, so I can take idea of how the character moves and how the
enemies move and how I can make it exciting but a relaxing game at the same time.

5. Existing Product – Sonic The
Hedgehog
This game is also very similar to the idea I have for my game because it is a 2D side-scrolling game, where the background moves
making it look like the character is moving. The location is shown to be in the fiction Seaside Hill level of ‘Sonic Heroes’ and you
can see this with the water in the background, islands in the background and palm trees next to the character. The picture on the
left doesn’t show a very good Mis en scene as it doesn’t show all the features in the Sonic Dash game, as in the picture on the right
you can see obstacles that make the game more of a challenge, for example the ball in the way that follows Sonic and the
character chasing Sonic that he has to run from. Sonic always has the same colours (blue with red shoes) as this is Sonic’s image
(like Mario) and it gives people something to remember and something to associate with Sonic. In the background you can see the
colours blue and green, which are bright and eye-catching making people notice the game and also making people who are
playing the game not get bored with dull colours, making them play it longer. The layout of this game is something I can take ideas
from when making my game, as there is a score, time, amount of collectibles and lives, which is what I want to include in my game.
The whole concept of this game is also something I want to make similar to with my game, running from an enemy, collecting
coins, dodging obstacles and completing a level. However I will most likely change the colours for my game as it wouldn’t fit with
my game type and characters (zombies) and these colours appeal more to children, and my target audience is older then the target
audience for this game, therefore I need to try and make my game more modern and exciting to an older age. The music is very
fast paced, which keeps the player focused and playing, making them feel what the character would feel and the sound effects
brings the game more to life as well, with running, jumping and getting caught by the enemies and obstacles. All of this makes the
game popular and makes people want to buy/play it.

6. Research Analysis
 What common features do the researched products have?
 The four products I research all seem to have stand out colours that make players notice them and to make the game look
more exciting. Most of these colours are to represent a certain mood or location.
 They also all have a display of a mis en scene (usually props in the background showing items or features that make up the
location or fit to the game title).
 These four products were all made to be 2D, however three of them are meant to look 2D whereas one is made to look 3D
with the detail on the character and props/background allowing it to look 3D.
 Three of these games are from a side perspective, however only two of them are side scrolling games, where the character
stays in the same position and only the background moves. The fourth game is from a third person perspective, however
this is also a scrolling game (just from a different perspective), as the character stays in the same position the whole time.
 All of these all have background music to fit with the gameplay style, for example a chasing game has intense music and a
building game has slow paced relaxing music. They all have sound effects to fit with most of the character’s movements and
actions and the significant actions or movements of props, for example building.
 What aspects of the research will you include within your on work?
 I will use colours to create a mood/feel for the overall game and try and make these colours exciting and noticeable at the
same time.
 I will add props into the background for the mis en scene, that show the concept of my game, for example in my game there
are going to be zombies, therefore I could put brains in the background or features to do with the location of my game.
 I will be making my game 2D and side-scrolling, similar to Super Mario Bros. and Sonic The Hedgehog.
 I will have intense music as my game involves a chase and also add sound effects for when my character jumps, slides, runs
or gets caught by the zombie.

7. Questions
 What rewards would you want in a game, why?
 I think collecting new weapons and new skills. This would
not only be rewarding to your character but would also
help to improve their level of play throughout the game.
 Do you prefer single player or multiplayer, why?
 I prefer single player as I have no experience in playing
video games. I think if I played multiplayer i would hold
the ‘team’ back.
 Do you enjoy side-scrolling games, why?
 I like side-scrolling games as there fun to pass time.
They’re not especially hard and there's not a time limit to
them e.g.. You could play them for a minute or an hour.

8. Interviews

9. Interview 1
 What rewards would you want in a game, why?
 I would want gear and weapons as rewards, from killing a
boss or enemies. The reason this should be in the game is
that it makes the player feel like he's accomplishing
something.
 Do you prefer single player or multiplayer, why?
 I prefer multiplayer because its more fun to play with your
friends as you can mess about. I also think multiplayer
games are overall more enjoyable to play.
 Do you enjoy side-scrolling games, why?
 Yes, because its very relaxing and a easy game to play. Its
also quite atmospheric when playing a side scrolling
game.

10. Interview 1
 Observation:
What this says about my audience:
 they prefer action games, with weapons and violence.
 Multiplayer is the preferred choice so they can play with friends.
 They enjoy side-scrolling games because they're relaxing.
How will your product appeal to this audience:
 there is action in my game, however there’s no boss fighting and
weapons gaining, therefore this aspect won’t appeal to them.
 My game is single player, therefore this aspect won’t appeal to
them either.
 My game is a side-scrolling game, therefore they will enjoy the
game style of my game, as to them it is relaxing.

11. Interview 2
 What rewards would you want in a game, why?
 It would depend on the genre of game that you were making, I
would like to have rewards that make me happy rather than ones
that make me stronger in the game. I also like them to be difficult to
obtain as it makes me feel better.
 Do you prefer single player or multiplayer, why?
 I prefer single-player because then the developer is responsible for
any mishaps that happen within the game, in multiplayer other
people can ruin the experience for me whereas you are able to
completely immerse yourself in single-player.
 Do you enjoy side-scrolling games, why?
 I am a fan of the classic side-scroller such as Mario because the
game mechanics are usually perfect. They are brilliant for just picking
up and playing on the go as you don’t need to overly concentrate
when playing.

12. Interview 2
 Observation:
What this says about my audience:
 They prefer difficult rewards that complete the game rather than easy ones that make you
able to achieve more in-game.
 They prefer single player as they don’t enjoy playing with online people, who can ruin the
experience for them. (which is the opposite view to interview 1)
 They enjoy side-scrolling games, as they have no mechanical issues and are relaxing to play.
How will your product appeal to this audience:
 The rewards in my game don’t come from fighting and defeating a boss (as preferred in
interview 1), however come from finishing a level quick enough without getting caught by
an enemy, and they give you the accomplishment of a level, rather than in-game boosts,
meaning this person would like my game. Due to this response being more popular I will try
and include a skill level reward to my game, which improves the character’s ability.
 They like single player games and mine is a single player therefore they would enjoy my
game as they are the only ones to create an experience for themselves.
 They enjoy side scrolling games (like my game) as they are relaxing and easy to understand,
therefore overall interviewee 2 would prefer my game more than interviewee 1.

13. Interview 3
 What rewards would you want in a game, why?
 I think collecting new weapons and new skills. This would
not only be rewarding to your character but would also
help to improve their level of play throughout the game.
 Do you prefer single player or multiplayer, why?
 I prefer single player as I have no experience in playing
video games. I think if I played multiplayer i would hold
the ‘team’ back.
 Do you enjoy side-scrolling games, why?
 I like side-scrolling games as there fun to pass time.
They’re not especially hard and there's not a time limit to
them e.g.. You could play them for a minute or an hour.

14. Interview 3
 Observation:
What this says about my audience:
 They prefer collecting weapons and skills as a reward (like interviewee 1).
 They prefer single player due to their lack of experience in multiplayer games.
 They enjoy side-scrolling games as they are relaxing and easy to play, and have no
time limit.
How will your product appeal to this audience:
 They wouldn’t prefer the rewards in my game as they are only accomplishing a level
and changing character, as you cannot improve skill level.
 They would enjoy my game due to it being single player and they can play by
themselves, without having to play with others.
 They would enjoy my game due to it being a side-scrolling game, as it is easy for
them to learn and play (due to their lack of experience in video games) and they can
play it for however long they want, as there is no minimum time limit, for example
playing a game on FIFA where you have to play a certain amount of time to gain a
reward.

15. Bibliography

16. Bibliography
1. anon . (2018). Terraria Wiki. Available:
http://terraria.wikia.com/wiki/Terraria_Wiki. Last accessed 22nd Feb 2018.
2. anon . (2018). Terraria Wiki. Available: terraria. Last accessed 22nd Feb 2018.
3. anon . (2018). Temple Run. Available:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_Run. Last accessed 22nd Feb 2018.
4. anon . (2018). Super Mario Bros.. Available:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Mario_Bros.. Last accessed 22nd Feb
2018.
5. anon . (2018). Sonic The Hedgehog . Available:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonic_the_Hedgehog. Last accessed 22nd Feb
2018.