The document discusses the representation of graphic violence in video games like Call of Duty and its effect on teenage audiences. It explores how the games use visuals and sound to create tension and suspense. It also examines how the games portray stereotypes and how this has been controversial. Additionally, it looks at the large corporations that produce the games and how ideologies are portrayed.

1. MY CRITICAL INVESTIGATION PRESENTATIONBy Bilaal Mughal

2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ld9ynbhJ49s&feature=player_embedded

3. Critical Investigation TitleHow and why does graphic violence withinvideo games such as Call of Duty attract ateenage demographic

4. Linked ProductionViral campaign for a new and upcoming gameand also a Magazine article promoting therelease of that video game

5. MIGRAIN

6. Media LanguageBlood and GoreContrast of lighting = Tension + SuspenseDiegetic and Non-Diegetic sounds = heavybreathing, gun shots = Suspense http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKBNDDJbTwDiegetic sounds – feel more involved, water dripping, footsteps,mice crawling adds to suspense and tensionhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0avfjkdAr0Realistic representation of how video games are nowadays,provocative language and violence

7. InstitutionsActivisionInfinity WardAnalysis: How the Infinity Ward scandal affectsCall of DutyBroke contract between them as Infinity Wardwere not paid their royalties and thereforeresigned Black Ops violence 'went too far' – TreyarchTreyarch (owned by activision) “It was too much. The throat cutting is nasty, but that was worse.”

8. GenreAction + Shooter – consists of a lot of blood,gore and violence in order to attract theirTargeted market. Guns and other weaponutilities to satisfy user requirements Psychological Horror – Influences teenagers tocarry out what they see on screen. E.g. Manhunt

9. RepresentationViolence > portrayed > negative light.Negativity > violence causes for young teenagers to become influenced and adapt to the violence. Games > COD and MOH adapt > violence and make the idea of war a enjoyable experience. Arabs are portrayed negatively within Call of Duty and shown to be antagonists.

10. Cubans“Common stereotypes of masculinity, particularly in World WarII cultural media. = DOMINANT REPRESENTATIONS

11. AudienceIn my opinion around 13 to 25 year olds.However the advertisements make the gameseem diversely targeted and suitable foreveryone Teenagers at a young age have beenencouraged by the graphics to perceive theviolence positively, and act upon it. It's targetedspecifically for males due to the high content ofviolence, however females are also known forplaying such games. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ouf9RyA33A&feature=player_embedded

12. Ideologies All the institutions are based in the USA, and thereforecreates the idea of how Americans portray andrepresent other stereotypes within video games. It alsocreates the idea that post 9/11 the amount of violentgames have increased, especially in Call of Duty where alot of negative representations upon Arabs havecontroversy affected the way we as an audienceperceive them. Call of Duty: Black Ops was also releasedon the 9th of November = 9/11

13. NarrativeTraditional narrative of a war game Protagonist “Normal” – White people Antagonist“Abnormal” Arabs, other ethnicities etc.

14. SHEP

15. Social Socially accepted, a lot of moral panics areyoung teenagers are influenced and encouragedto take aboard the idea of graphic violence fortheir own enjoyment.The ideologies of the Americans shownwithinthe game play also shows the impact it has onsociety

16. HistoricalThe events of 9/11 have caused for an increasein violent games and also the idea that Arabs areantagonists and therefore misrepresented.Violence is over-represented which adds to themoral panics. However this amount of violencehas been developing over time. COD > been known for its use of graphicviolence

17. Economical A very big increase in violence games. Gamessuch as Call of Duty are now seen to be a fashionitem and a desirable game amongst youngteenagers, it's a very debatable game sociallyamongst teenagers.

18. PoliticalThe portrayal of dominant figures such as JohnF. Kennedy, Fidel Castro and Richard Nixon havebeen represented within the game in a waywhich has been controversial and debatedhighly around the world. The narrative roles ofviolent games usually suggests the sameconventions of communism.

19. Issues and DebatesRepresentations & StereotypingMedia effectsPost 9/11 and the mediaMedia technology and the digital revolutionThe effect of globalisation on the media

20. Media TheoriesHypodermic theoryCultivation theoryEffects theoryReception theoryUses and gratifications theory

21. Points I will use in my essay“If something is repeated often enough it will tend to bebelieved and remembered”“Stereotypes are thus neither neutral nor fair, presenting theexamination of differences within groups” “Media studies of moral panics emphasise the social and legalconsequences of widespread public exposure (via the media) tocrime, violence, and other societal, ethical or medical ills” “Mass Media have the power to directly effect the attitudes andbehaviour of ordinary people”

22. “Psychos will always be psychos; they don't need video games to help them.”“The reproduction of ideology has to be seen within the context of the means ofproduction of media organisations.”“We must get away from the habit of thinking in terms of what the media do to the people and substitute for it the idea of what people do with the media”

23. This fits into the contemporary media landscape because.. The use of violence within modern video gamesis still debatable on whether this much graphicviolence should be accepted and the effectssocially. It also underlines the misrepresentationsof race gender and ethnicity which at the momentis a factor which is still quite controversial aroundthe world

24. BibliographyWilliams, Kevin. Understanding media theory . London: H.Arnold, 2003. Print.Laughey, Dan. Media studies – theories andApproaches . Harpenden, Herts. Kamera books2009.http://www.gknova6.com/agegate.phphttp://www.gamepro.com/article/news/214252/analysis-howthe-infinity-ward-scandal-affects-call-of-duty/http://www.gamepolitics.com/category/topics/call-duty-serieshttp://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/6454298/Call-Of-DutyModern-Warfare-2-leaked-footage-set-to-ignite-controversy.htmlhttp://www.digitalislam.eu/article.do?articleId=1704http://childrenshospitalblog.org/my-son-wants-call-of-duty-but-how-do-these-videogames-impact-teen-boys/http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/gamesblog/2010/apr/28/games-controversy