Reviews

Definition

• A review is an evaluation of a publication, such as a movie, video game, musical composition, book, a piece of hardware, or an event or performance.

Types Of Reviews

• Reviews can take place in many different media forms. They can also utilize various different forms within the same review.

Below are examples of the most common reviews:

• Magazine reviews• Online reviews• Video Reviews

Magazine Reviews• Magazine reviews are the oldest and were (until

quite recently,) the most common form of Review.

• Magazines are a media form that cater for a particular audience who like a certain subject. These can include subjects like cars, fashion, surfing or Video Games.

• made up of different articles on their specific subject

• They usually include only text and pictures.

• Magazines usually come out on a monthly basis,

• means that they are limited by how often they update their information

• The first magazine was Play Meter Magazine which began publication in 1974, focusing on Coin operated systems

• The first consumer oriented magazine was Computer and Video Games in November 1981

Since the introduction of the internet, there has been a significant drop off in the number of print magazines that have continued on.

Why could this be the case?

Online Reviews

• Since the introduction of the internet, the number of new print magazines has dropped dramatically, with many old and new magazines deciding that they would rather present their information online where it is cheaper to produce, and quicker to update.

• This ultimately resulted in the online review phenomenon

• Game Zero magazine was the first official online game magazine in 1994. The website was updated weekly during until 1996.

• Since then we have seen various online gaming magazines come into the mix, such as – IGN – Game Spot – Game Arena– Game trailers

• With their audience able to access the information anytime they want, online magazines can update their content at anytime, but usually do so on a daily or half daily basis.

• Online reviews are much more interactive, with images, text and even videos.

• http://au.ign.com/

Video review

• Video Reviews are the third form of review that have become very common since the introduction of the internet. Video reviews present information in an audiovisual fashion rather than print.

• The benefit of video review is that it appeals to a much larger audience who aren't necessarily interested in reading information, but are willing sit and listen to a 4 minute summary.

• Most online review sites, such as IGN or Game Spot include both online reviews and video reviews on their sites, as it is an effective way to reach the largest audience.

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChW_EvTcoe8

• While video reviews have become an industry norm over the last few years for professional reviewers, we are also starting to see a lot of fan made reviews popping up on Youtube.

• While these aren't official reviews, sometimes they can be considered by audiences to be more legitimate, as they are based purely on the makers opinion, and are not obviously influenced by site sponsoring game producers

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFx7wRd2YXc

Video Game Review Characteristics

• - Game play features (multi, 1 player, enjoyment, repetition, etc)

• - Plot• - Character development• - Graphics• - Sound• - Downloadable content• - What console it’s for

• - Whether it is a sequel (and how it compares)

• - Research on developers• - target audience• - rating (pg, ma15+)• -positives/negatives• - Interesting info• - A rating out of 10/100• - Pictures• - Videos

Examples:

• http://au.ps3.ign.com/articles/121/1216517p1.html

• http://au.ign.com/videos/2012/02/03/kingdoms-of-amalur-reckoning-video-review

Task 1

• Look at the print review that has been given to you group. Using a key of some variety, circle or highlight the characteristics that you see in the review.

Task 2

• Look at the videogame case your group has been given.

• As a group list the Videogame Review Characteristics that are evident.

• Be prepared to read your list out to the class.

Task 3

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r172D3yfJr0

• Watch the game play and write a 15 minute review using Videogame Review Characteristics