Games Brittania Documentary

What different genres of game are discussed?
In the documentary many different genres were discussed. The main ones that were described in the film was the fantasy genre that was concentrating on board games such as dungeons and dragons where you were in control of the game and what happened. The second genre was racing games such as wipeout, burnout paradise and to some extent carmeggedon and the documentary was saying how these games started to change the audience. The third genre that was described was simulation games such as black and white and populas. The final genre that was discussed was the latest genre being the city roaming genre, this covers games like grand theft auto.


What does the documentary say about character development?
The film shows the advance from characters with no face or personality such as the minor in the popular game of the 1980's to characters with a personality, feelings and full bodily features like Lara Croft. This is mainly due to the 3D revolution so you can relate with the character more and in games like Lara Croft you are made to feel for the character and you are challenged with the task of looking after her like she is your daughter.


Does it discuss technological developments and advances in the industry?
The programme shows the change from board games to 3D video games. From the original ZX Spectrums to the BBC Micro that showed 2D games with annoying soundtracks and simple games to todays games consoles with 3D, relatable character. There was also the development of "God Games" that make you control a virtual planet such as Black & White where you are a big God-like hand that controls the happiness or destruction of villages, towns and cities. The packaging changed the audience from geeks to a more modern teenage audience, such as Wipeout that had a trance like packaging to promote their product. The film also showed the timeline from side scrolling games to 3D games like Grand Theft Auto and then it moves again to 3D side scrolling games like Little Big Planet that allows another form of 'bedroom programming'. Online play is also a major part of todays gaming society where large parts of the population take a new identity that can rival their current real life.


Does it make any criticisms of the industry?
It shows that story games already have a decided ending and the characters already have feelings for other people so the argument is whether there is any place for the gamer as they cannot decide the outcome just how fast it happens. Another criticism is that games challenge moral boundaries such as Grand Theft Auto invites the player to roam around a city and kill everyone they see and whether this will become a part of peoples real life and if this is how they will answer their problems in the future.