Video Game Advertisement Codes and Conventions SEGA Master

Video Game Advertisement Codes and Conventions

SEGA Master System 1987 Commercial https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=s 1 CVqhp. MK 0 o When the advertisement starts it immediately shows the company's logo and name while using direct address towards the audience. These techniques are used to create a dramatic opening which will divert the viewer's attentions from what they were previously were doing to the advert. The big bold logo is on screen for around 6 seconds with short and sharp edits to shots of the actual product. This ensure that the audience will remember what the product looks like and the company.

Next, a father and his children appear on screen to represents that the game isn’t only for children and that it is multiplayer. This tells the audience that the game is interactive and a group activity which can be shared with a wide age range. Also throughout the quick and sharp editing is used in order to portray an exciting and energetic experience.

This idea is later reinforced as it cuts to a middle aged man enjoying and experiencing the SEGA game. Beforehand, it showed a range of accessories that could of be used for the game, this shows that the game is versatile for any customer’s preference.

Lastly, the advert once again displays its logo but also adds its slogan. The slogan is used to tempt and challenge the viewer and interprets the message that if you don’t buy the game then you lose this battle of having the most up to date game.

Nintendo Power 1990 Commercial https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=8 SFt 0 Md. TTSA The advertisement begins with attention grabbing special effects which are likely used in order to target a young teenager as an audience. Fast paced and non continuity editing represents impulsive decisions and create hysteria over this new game. Visual effects are used to show that just like the advert the game is also up to date with the latest technology and trends.

Throughout the whole advertisement special effect is used along with wide shots of the game being played. These shots demonstrate to the audience what benefits the game has and is used to convince them to buy the product. Either a sound mixing or a sound track is played during the fast editing to once again create a hyped atmosphere which is suppose to get the viewers frantic and buy the game impulsively based on the advertisement.

This idea is supported as after these shots text appears on the screen giving a phone number to ring in order to buy the product on a special offer. Also an image of the product comes onto screen, both of these techniques are used to persuade. A few seconds later the phone number reappears on the screen along with text saying ‘free call’. Because the call is free the audience may call the number just based on that fact and view it as they have nothing to lose as its free call and they may only intend on finding out more information or just down to pure boredom. After this the clip quick cuts to Nintendo’s representative Mario and then cuts again to the phone number. The more the number is presented on screen the more tempted the viewer is to call the number. The flashing on screen colours are also tempting as it makes the viewer feeling like they must call urgently before the number leaves the screen again and lose their chance.

In the last 10 seconds of the advert, a women in presented in a dramatic showbiz dress treating Nintendo Power as a prize that you are competing for. You could also argue that the women is used as sexual reference to persuade young teenager boys to buy the product. The screenshot below is evidence of humour which is used throughout the advert to make it seem light hearted and enjoyable like the game. Throughy using Mario they are also making this character memorable which could offset a word to word promotion for the product. For example, if you find the advertisement funny or memorable you are likely to talk to family and friends about it to see if they have seen it, if not they will make sure to try to watch it.

World Of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade 2007 https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=w. BWMOo 7 h. FSM Just like the other advertisements, World of Warcraft also opens with the logo of their developers/publishers. This is a typical code and convention of video game advertisements as it makes the game makers recognisable. For example, if this logo came up before the advert you would immediately know whether the game is likely to be successful or not.

While the logo faded onto screen, an intense soundtrack began to fade and the volume slowly increased as the screen cuts to a white screen that slowly fades into a character. Unlike the other advertisements, World of Warcraft takes on a cinematic look as it slowly zooms out of the close up of the character. I believe this cinematic atmosphere is a persuasive technique as once the audience is committed to the advert they will want to find out what happens to the character like in a film. However, this is not possible, in order to find out the audience will have to play the game leading to them buying the game. After this shot they also use direct address as if they viewers are already apart of the game and urges them to continues their quest and finish the game.

After this the clip then changes to shots of actual game footage showing the audience what they will take part in during the game and showing some of the storylines. This is another code and convention used in all three advertisements as it is the best technique in order to sell a game as it shows that the advertisement is not over exaggerating the game and that if you buy it then this is what you should expect. Lastly, they use their slogan ‘A new world awaits’- this would appeal to an audience who plays video games in order to escape reality and relax. Therefore, this slogan would interest a lot of gamers who play video games regularly. World of warcraft is an online game which means although it can only be played by one person per platform, you can easily connect with people all over the world and intertwine them into your story. This was a massive leap for gaming as it showed that even if there is only one person playing they are to connect with other worldwide and create friends.

Fallout 4 2015 https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=GE 2 Bk. Lq. Mef 4 Similar to World of Warcraft, Fallout uses a cinematic layout and begins with a focused shot on a television screen which slowly zooms out. Meanwhile a soundtrack is playing over the clip which hints to the audience what year the game is set in. 30 seconds later, the non diegetic sound changes to a narrator of a new broadcast mentioning war. This once again gives the audience brief hints of what the games is about. During this the shots keep fading and dramatically cutting between time period to show the difference.

Throughout the first half of the advert the shots are set out as if you are a onlooker on the situation. However, after this you are still in first person view but you begin to follow a dog. This is a code and convention as it involves the audience into the game involuntary. As you follow the dog around you learn more about the setting and history of the game. First person view means that the game is for one player only. This has dramatically changed since the 80’s as gamings purpose was mostly for families to connect and have fun, However, now, games are mostly targeted towards individuals for leisure.

At the end of the trailer for they use the lightning bolt as a symbol which they fade the title of the game into. This is used as a symbol as it will make the game recognisable and when they see the lightening bolt they will know it is it Fallout. They also place their developer/publisher logo after this which is different compared to the other adverts which had them first. Lastly, I noticed that instead of using a phone number they have now used a website URL. I believe this is a code and convention as people are more likely to search the URL on their phone or tablet rather than ring as you may be put in a queue and have to wait. A website is a lot more easier and you are able to find out more information quicker.