Unit 1 – Video Games Essay

The game that I have decided to choose is FIFA 11, the reason for my choice is because it is the best
sports game. Over 2.6 million copies have been sold which makes it the best-selling sports game and
it beats competition from Pro Evolution. The company that have developed this game is EA sports.
They mostly develop sports games and the majority of them are successful. The games that they
have developed other than the FIFA series are, fight night, NBA and NHL.

The term “character control” means how you control a character throughout the game. For
example, you are able to control more than one character on FIFA. There are 3 types of character
controls. They are: A single character, multiple characters that have a frequent change and multiple
characters that have an infrequent change. The definition of a single character is when you stick with
one character throughout the whole game; an example for this would be Tomb Raider. The
definition of a multiple character with a frequent change is when the game allows you to change
very frequently throughout the game within 5 seconds; a good example for this would be FIFA as it
allows you to change players quickly. Lastly, multiple characters with an infrequent change is when
you can only make a few changes throughout the game, an example for this would be Call Of Duty as
you are able to change characters after certain levels.

The type of character control my game features is multiple characters with a frequent change is used
on FIFA at all times as I will be changing characters every 5 seconds when the ball goes to a different
player. However, people may want to be a single character, to do so, you must play as a virtual pro,
meaning you create yourself a player and just play with him.

The term playing methods means different ways someone may be able to play a game or how they
can interact with it, by playing against different people. There are many different types of playing
methods, but the 3 main ones are, one player, versus and co-operative. The reason why these
playing modes are different is because they want a challenge. One player is when you just play
against the computer. However, you can change the game modes which will make it harder. Versus
mode allows you to play against a friend or a family member, you can also play online or against the
computer. Finally, there is co-operative, this is when you can be on the same team with a friend.
The types of playing methods that are on FIFA are in my opinion, all 3. The reason for this is because
you can play one player; this will be on manager mode. You can also play versus mode against other
people and online, and also you can play co-operative, which will allow you to play online and as
part of a team.

The term game space means a certain area the game has. For example, call of duty has a big game
space area because there are many different maps. There are many different types of game space,
they are, mapped, a contained area, free roam level, structured and free roam massive.

The mapped area is when you are able to see the whole map from above, a bird’s eye view. This will
feature on games such as world of war craft and donkey Kong. I think this is effective on some games
as it will show you would level to go on next and you do not forget.
A contained area is where you can only play in one area; you won't be able to move out of it, a good
example for this would be FIFA. This is different because they play in different stadiums. This will be
used in my chosen game because you’re only in one area and that is a football stadium.

A free roam level is an area where you can go back and forward in the same level or area, however,
there is an objective. This features in games such as Call of Duty. This is different to other games
because it allows you to go up and down the map, some games will not allow you to go backwards.
This could be used in my game because the game allows me to go backwards and forwards on the
pitch.

A structured area is simply one way you can go. A good example for this would be Super Mario Bros;
this only allows you go to forward, if you try to go backwards it blocks you off. This will be different
to many games as they allow you to go backwards and forwards.
A free roam massive area allows you to play in a big world and you can do whatever you would like.
However, there is an objective. A perfect example for this would be Grand Theft Auto as it lets you
do whatever but the character must take on missions.

The term Narrative means the games story mode or missions. There are 4 types of Narratives and
they are linear campaign, non-linear campaign, level objective and single objective.
A linear campaign is when you must complete missions in order to progress. Games like football
manager and FIFA has this Narrative, because when you are doing the career mode, the game
chooses the fixtures for you to do in order. This is different to most games as they do not have a
story mode like FIFA as this is my chosen game so it has all of them features.

A non-linear campaign is when you are able to play different missions in any order you would like.
Games such as, Grand Theft Auto is a non-linear campaign as you are able to move on to different
missions. However, in most games, you must complete the game as a linear campaign so then you
will be able to play it as a non-linear.

A level objective is when you must complete a level to move on to the next one. They all usually start
off fairly easy, but once you start moving upper levels, they will be more challenging. A good
example for this would be Crash Bandicoot, as you start on the quick and short levels, later on in the
game you will be taking on longer and more challenging levels.

A single objective is when your only object is to win; the perfect examples for this would be fighting
games, such as Tekken. This can be used in my game because to win trophies on there, the aim is to
win your games.

The term camera view is how the angles and the shots are positioned and taken throughout the
whole game. There are many different angles, such as, bird’s eye, extreme long shot, third person
and first person. A bird’s eye view is when you see the game from a high angle, a game with this
angle is The Sims. An extreme long shot is when you can see most of the game; a perfect example
would be FIFA. A third person view is when the camera is behind them, games such as Resident Evil
and Gears of War. A first person view is a point of view shot; this is in games like Call of Duty. The
reason why this will be different on all games because having the same camera view would be
boring, for example, first person suits a shooting game because you know how to aim, if it was an
extreme long shot, the aiming would not be accurate and people would find it hard. The camera
angle on FIFA is an extreme long shot. This is good for the game as you will be able to see the full
pitch. There is also a third person view when there is a free-kick, penalty, or a corner. This is used
throughout the game when you play the 90 minutes.

The term Genre is how it is categorized based on their gameplay. Games such as, Grand Turismo,
Boxing and FIFA are all within sports. There are many different video games genres such as,
Adventure, driving, combat, music sim and platform. These genres are unique as they contain
different gaming content. They also put the games in to different categorise so there will not be any
confusion. The genre of my game is sport, which is a tactical game. Football is a sport and this game
is very realistic as it allows you to manage a team as well as playing.

In conclusion I think I have found the main points by analysing the video games content. I have also
learnt many conventions from the video games content by researching them.

I enjoy playing this game, it is my favourite game because football has been my life long passion, and
I am naturally drawn to the FIFA football genre. I also appreciate how the graphics and the realism of
the gameplay has evolved through the years and been able to use my own football knowledge to
develop my own style to playing it.