The Sims FreePlay CSP - Language & Representations

The Sims FreePlay CSP - Language & Representations 

Language / Gameplay analysis

Watch The Sims: FreePlay trailer and answer the following questions:

1) What elements of gameplay are shown?

-The game play elements show character design, home design, taking care of pets, making relationships and families, exploring and living life in your own town.

2) What audience is the trailer targeting?

-Personal identity- Create characters on people around them to make it seem as if its their real life.

3) What audience pleasures are suggested by the trailer?

-The trailer suggests creative freedom in designing homes and characters, engaging in social interactions.

Now watch this walk-through of the beginning of The Sims FreePlay and answer the following questions:

1) How is the game constructed?

-The game begins with tutorials guiding players through creating characters, building homes, and performing daily tasks. Time-based mechanics encourage progression and task completion.

2) What audience is this game targeting?

-The game is seen to be targeting younger women as there is a lot about living life and starting family empathised through. 

3) What audience pleasures does the game provide?

-Diversion- players are able to make a whole new persona in game and live their dream life away from reality

4) How does the game encourage in-app purchases?

-The game uses limited resources like currency and time-based tasks, prompting players to spend real money.

Representations

Re-watch some of the expansion pack trailers and answer the following questions:

1) How do the expansion pack (DLC) trailers reinforce or challenge dominant ideologies?

-They reinforce family values when women are expected to have children as well as having success by living in a penthouse and romance being the key to happiness.

2) What stereotypes have you identified in The Sims FreePlay?

-Stereotypes include gender roles and societal expectations, though some updates strive to broaden diversity.

3) What media theories can you apply to representations in The Sims FreePlay?

-Hall's approaches to representation-How different genders and races are represented.

Representation reading

Read this Forbes article on gender and racism in The Sims franchise and answer the following questions:

1) How realistic does The Sims intend to be?

-The Sims was made to be realistic and replicate an American life where they look to make the game more believable.

2) How has The Sims tried to create more realistic representations of ethnicity?

-The franchise has expanded its character customisation to include more diverse skin tones, hairstyles, and cultural outfits.

3) How has The Sims responded to racism and sexism in society?

-EA has improved diversity and responded to social critiques with updates that better represent various demographics.

4) What is The Sims perspective on gender fluidity and identity?

-One  of the first questions asked when creating a sim is male or female? Even though they strive for inclusitivity they still need more time to understand what they want to achive with the game.

5) How does The Sims reinforce the dominant capitalist ideologies of American culture?

-The game’s focus on career progression, consumer goods, and material wealth reflects American capitalist value

Read this New Normative feature on LGBTQ representation in The Sims franchise (the website link no longer works but that will take you to the text of the article - you'll need your Greenford Google login to access). Answer the following questions:

1) How did same-sex relationships unexpectedly help the original Sims game to be a success?

-The game showed consumers that they are very inclusive,which attracted more players.

2) How is sexuality now represented in The Sims?

-The game now openly supports LGBTQ relationships.

3) Why have fans praised the inclusion of LGBTQ relationships in The Sims franchise?

-The inclusion was able to help many fans learn about sexual preferences in a safe way. it played a huge role in their perception of sexuality as the game was going towards equality and gay rights, normalising it as a whole when playing.

4) Why did the Sims run into regulatory difficulties with American regulator the ESRB? How did EA respond?

-Early games faced ESRB scrutiny for same-sex content. EA defended inclusivity, emphasizing the game's broad appeal.

5) How is sexuality represented in the wider videogames industry today?

-The industry has progressed in representing diverse sexual orientations.

Reality, postmodernism and The Sims

Reality, postmodernism and The Sims

Read this Paste Magazine feature on reality and The Sims franchise. Answer the following questions:

1) What does the article suggest about the representation of real life in The Sims 4?

-Sims 4 is a sort of escapism for the reality of life where there are no limitations in the game like there are in reality.

2) What audience pleasures did the writer previously find in The Sims franchise?

-The writer found satisfaction in creative escapism and storytelling.

3) Why the does the writer mention an example of a washer and dryer as additional DLC?

-DLC like washer/dryer packs exemplifies monetization of mundane realism.

4) How does this representation of reality link to Baudrillard’s theory of hyperreality - the increasingly blurred line between real and constructed?

-The similarities between the game and reality fallow the same path of growing up going to school, falling in love, starting a family, all the basics people would imagine. 

The Sims FreePlay social media analysis

Analyse The Sims FreePlay Facebook page and Twitter feed and answer the following questions:

1) What is the purpose of The Sims FreePlay social media channels?

-To promote and advertise their games.

2) Choose three posts (from either Twitter or Facebook) and make a note of what they are and how they encourage audience interaction or response.

-'The last time your Sim was in their hometown, Amy Joliver was their childhood friend. Now, they are a celebrity TV chef! Can you help your Sim impress Amy and the judges to win the SimTown Bake Off?

-'It's here! Our 103rd Update 'Home for the Holidays'!

-Decorate your Sims' homes with adorable items featuring DJ Candy, Bobaboo, and Pigglez from MySims™: Cozy Bundle, which is available now on Nintendo Switch!'

3) Scroll down the Facebook feed briefly. How many requests for new content can you find from players? Why is this such as an important part of the appeal for The Sims FreePlay?

-Numerous player requests for new features indicate high community involvement and investment in game evolution.

4) What tweets can you find in the Twitter feed that refer to additional content or other revenue streams for EA?

-Posts frequently advertise new expansions, seasonal content, or promotions for in-app purchases, reinforcing monetisation strategies.