This page is a write up on all games that I have played and analysed that relate to my theme in one way or another. I look at how they integrate London in the game. I elaborate on what I took from each game on my Reflective Journal page.
Tuesday 26th February 2019
Today, I started my Contextual Analysis by analysing 2 different games to see how it uses semiotics to represent London so I could take the different aspects and embed them into my game.
Devil May Cry 5 (Reflective Journal-5RJ)
"Developed and published by Capcon, due to be released on the 8th of March 2019"How Does It Utilise London As A Setting
This game is not set in London, however, it uses many iconic elements of London that many people would recognise.
These things include
London Red Bus
An accurate representation by getting the structure right along with the colour
An accurate representation by getting the structure right along with the colour
Street Lights
An accurate representation by getting the structure right along with the colour
London Bins
An accurate representation by getting the shape right
The hotel in the game is designed with flags
An accurate representation by using a similar style as some expensive hotels
An accurate representation by getting the structure right along with the colour
London Bins
An accurate representation by getting the shape right
The hotel in the game is designed with flags
An accurate representation by using a similar style as some expensive hotels
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| (Bibliography-"1CA") |
The design of the streets using a very similar design to London traffic lights, crossing sings and even road barriers.
An accurate representation by getting the correct design of the signs
Is The Setting Realistic
Due to this being a Fantasy game, set in a fictional location called Redgrave City, it has taken a lot more creative liberties that don't fully give a realistic look of London, however it does a very good job in merging this creative world while also presenting the iconic symbols of London.
The shops in the game also greatly resemble London shops in places like Burlington Arcade. As Burlington Arcade uses a very old London style, with stained glass windows and structured in a curved shape.
The shops in the game also greatly resemble London shops in places like Burlington Arcade. As Burlington Arcade uses a very old London style, with stained glass windows and structured in a curved shape.
Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 3(Reflective Journal-6RJ)
"Developed by Infinity Ward, Treyarch, Sledgehammer Games, Raven Software, Aspyr, n-Space and published by Activision. Released on the 8th of November 2011.How Does It Utilise London As A Setting
This game uses a very realistic interpretation of London. The first location you're placed is in the Underground(one of the most well-known parts of London). The player is in the Jubilee line in Westminster and as they go through it, they see many of the assets of the Underground. Such as signs, maps and curved walls. Once you leave this part, you enter into town where you can see the famous London landmarks, such as Big Ben and the London Eye.
Jubilee Train
An accurate representation by getting the structure right uses the correct colours
Station Structure
Telephone Box
Is The Setting Realistic
The setting is very realistic. The design of the Underground is a fairly accurate representation, as from the tile pattern to the placements of the sings are all almost exactly how it's like in real life. The only part that isn't so realistic is when things like the telephone boxes are being shown. As there are a lot more than there would be, possibly due to the developers really wanting to show that this is set in London.
Also, the Location of the station is different in real life. As its more further down. This change may have been for pacing purposes when designing the game.
Furthermore, in the game, Big Ben is visible and can be seen nice and clearly. However, in real life, Big Ben is much further away. This incorrect geographical placement may have been just to give the player more of a London atmosphere. There are also no trees in the game, unlike how it actually is, and instead replaced them with Telephone Boxes.
Wednesday 27th February 2019
ZombiU(Reflective Journal-7RJ)
"Developed and published by Ubisoft Montpellier, released on the 18th of November 2012 for the WiiU"How Does It Utilise London As A Setting
ZombiU uses a subtle approach to express the fact that this is based in London. Your first shown the intro that shows the River Thames. This is the only instance in this game that shows any landmarks of London. It also shows the Overground station in Shadwell. While you start playing the game, you're first given your default weapon of a cricket bat. Typically in zombie apocalyptic games, your weapon tends to be guns or other sharp objects. But with this game, you have a cricket bat. Cricket is mainly an English sport. This detail is important as they could have had anything else, like a baseball bat, but the developers decided to use this London related object.
As you walk around the train station that you're put in, you can see the structure is just like how it is in real life. With sections with red tiles, a service board with real-life Underground lines and ticket barriers, with this rendition of them looking much more authentic than it did in Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 3.
Oyster Swiper
Card Top Up Machine
Serves Board With Real Locations
The characters in this game are also quite diverse, as most N.P.Cs have different clothing and shows men and women as civilians and police. This suits how the real London is, as we have many different groups of people. Also, in this game when you are killed by a zombie, you play as a new character every time. This also increases diversity within the game.
When you go out of the station, you're shown a rendition of London's streets. The streets of London are very realistic showing things like a Telephone Box. But what makes it truly authentic is the meer design of the street; there is graffiti on the walls, trash on the floor and many side shops, including supermarkets and off-brand fast food shops. These are all typical things you would see around urban or council areas of London, which isn't usually represented in media.
Graffiti
Is The Setting Realistic
The design of the game is very realistic. It gives an authentic depiction of how most rundown areas of London would look like, not shying from the fact that most are not very clean or pleasant.
Although, the only things about this depiction that's not truly realistic are the emergency vehicles. As the design of them is not how it is really. With a police car having orange in its design, slightly resembling how some Met police cars used to look.
Police Car/Van
While the characters are more diverse, the developers didn't do much with ethnic makeup. As during my analysis of the game's semiotics, I noticed most of the characters were either tan or pale skinned. In my playthrough, I only saw one character that differs from this.
"Developed by Polyphony and Published by Sony Computer Entertainment, released in 2012"
How Does It Utilise London As A Setting
This racing game has many different locations around the world as levels/tracks. London is one of them. The London track is set in Central London, showing parts of Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square.
Monday 4th March 2019
"Developed by Ready at Dawn and Published by Sony Computer Entertainment, released on 20 February 2015"
As you walk around the train station that you're put in, you can see the structure is just like how it is in real life. With sections with red tiles, a service board with real-life Underground lines and ticket barriers, with this rendition of them looking much more authentic than it did in Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 3.
Oyster Swiper
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Card Top Up Machine
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Serves Board With Real Locations
The characters in this game are also quite diverse, as most N.P.Cs have different clothing and shows men and women as civilians and police. This suits how the real London is, as we have many different groups of people. Also, in this game when you are killed by a zombie, you play as a new character every time. This also increases diversity within the game.
When you go out of the station, you're shown a rendition of London's streets. The streets of London are very realistic showing things like a Telephone Box. But what makes it truly authentic is the meer design of the street; there is graffiti on the walls, trash on the floor and many side shops, including supermarkets and off-brand fast food shops. These are all typical things you would see around urban or council areas of London, which isn't usually represented in media.
Is The Setting Realistic
The design of the game is very realistic. It gives an authentic depiction of how most rundown areas of London would look like, not shying from the fact that most are not very clean or pleasant.
Although, the only things about this depiction that's not truly realistic are the emergency vehicles. As the design of them is not how it is really. With a police car having orange in its design, slightly resembling how some Met police cars used to look.
Police Car/Van
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| (Bibliography-"2CA") |
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(Bibliography-"3CA") |
While the characters are more diverse, the developers didn't do much with ethnic makeup. As during my analysis of the game's semiotics, I noticed most of the characters were either tan or pale skinned. In my playthrough, I only saw one character that differs from this.
Friday 1st March 2019
Gran Turismo 5(Reflective Journal-8RJ)
"Developed by Polyphony and Published by Sony Computer Entertainment, released in 2012"How Does It Utilise London As A Setting
The game has many different real-life fragments of the area, such as shops like Pizza Hut, Underground stations, areas like Chinatown and architectures like the King George statue.
Building With Massive HD Screens
Located in Piccadilly Circus, an accurate representation by getting the shape and overall layout correct
Leicester Square Station
Located in Leicester Square, an accurate representation by getting the structure right and even the buildings connected to it.
St Martin-in-the-Fields
Located in Trafalgar Square, an accurate representation by getting the structure right and even the building next to it, and even getting the logo on the top.
King George Statue
Located in Trafalgar Square, a fairly accurate representation by getting the design right, however, it doesn't get the correct height
Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain
Located in Piccadilly Circus, a fairly accurate representation by getting the design right and even has the theatre behind it.
Is The Setting Realistic
The design and structure of this track in the game is quite realistic, using many real-life buildings, statues and stations.
Building With Massive HD Screens
Located in Piccadilly Circus, an accurate representation by getting the shape and overall layout correct
Located in Trafalgar Square, an accurate representation by getting the structure right and even the building next to it, and even getting the logo on the top.
King George Statue
Located in Trafalgar Square, a fairly accurate representation by getting the design right, however, it doesn't get the correct height
Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain
Located in Piccadilly Circus, a fairly accurate representation by getting the design right and even has the theatre behind it.
Is The Setting Realistic
Week 2
Monday 4th March 2019
The Order 1886(Reflective Journal-9RJ)
"Developed by Ready at Dawn and Published by Sony Computer Entertainment, released on 20 February 2015"How Does It Utilise London As A Setting
The Order is a game set in London in the 19th century. The design and style of many different things show you that this game is based off London.
1- Building Resemblance
There are many tall buildings that resemble different London landmarks, which in a way shows the development of industrialised buildings.
From the floor rug to the Portraits on the wall, the design of the inside of this building is very decadent and showcases how back then the difference between the different classes was much greater, as nowadays we have much more middle-class people.
3- Clothing
The different characters in the game have many different styles of clothing. Ones like the main character and some N.P.Cs are very clean, detailed and decadent that would only be worn by high class/status. With the N.P.Cs you see, they are wearing very standard clothing from that time, with some not even having shoes. Further showing how the topic of 'class' was very important then.
4- Similar Locations
The design of the town draws many similarities to areas like Mayfair in Central London. Mayfair is considered to be a very expensive and high-class area.
5- Olden Style Town
Different assets of the design resemble how London actually used to look in the past. Using old designs of post boxes and old structures of shops with stainless glass windows and buildings made with bricks.
Is The Setting Realistic
I believe that this game is very successful at displaying a realistic depiction of London in the past. As it uses a style that would be expected from the time that this was set in. I also believe it does a good job of displaying the difference between the classes of that time as well.
Getaway(Reflective Journal-10RJ)
"Developed by Team Soho, and Published by Sony Interactive Entertainment
, released on 11 December 2002"
(YouTube Screenshots (Bibliography-"4CA"))
(YouTube Screenshots (Bibliography-"4CA"))
How Does It Utilise London As A Setting
Like most of the others, this game is set in Central London. And it also uses different London symbols like police cars and a London bus. It also has different shops that are in central like Debenhams and other shops.
There are quite a few locations that have an accurate depiction in this game. Similar to Gran Turismo 5, this game has the King George Statue, Piccadilly Circus Station, Oxford Street Shops, China Town Entrance and even the Building With Massive HD Screens.
Is The Setting Realistic
There are quite a few locations that have an accurate depiction in this game. Similar to Gran Turismo 5, this game has the King George Statue, Piccadilly Circus Station, Oxford Street Shops, China Town Entrance and even the Building With Massive HD Screens.
Due to this being quite an old game, most of the design of things like the buses and police cars resemble how to used to look like years ago like a police car that was also shown in Zombi U.So this game isn't a very accurate representation of modern London. However, it is a good representation for the time that it was made.
Week 6
Sunday 7th April
Assassin's Creed Syndicate
"Developed and Published by Ubisoft, released on 23 October 2015"19th Century London Semiotics
This game (much like The Order 1886) has a setting that uses different semiotics that helps evoke that this is an olden London setting. Such as;
1) Buildings Made From Brick
Currently, we have buildings made from different materials, but at this time, the majority of buildings were simply made from bricks due to them being faster to make and costing less to do so.
2) Wooden Structures Inside Buildings
In buildings that appeared to be representations of lower class, most of the interior was made of wood, with wooden walls and doors. This is likely due to them being more cheaper buildings, they were made from fewer materials.
3) Higher Class Buildings
In buildings that appeared to be representations of higher class, the interior consists of red decadent curtains, rugs and very elegant wall design. These buildings have much more smooth and clean wood, possibly mahogany. They also seem to have more bookshelves as the higher class would tend to read books more.
4) Olden Style Lamps
5) Real London Architextures
6) Olden Styles Of Transports
Back then, London didn't have the electrical and technological advantages we have now. Instead of driving cars, they mostly road horses and trains were powered by steam engines rather than electricity.
7) Steam Pump Buildings
As the 1800s were one of the starts of the Industrial Revolution, they powered mechanical contraptions, vehicles and various other things. This is why many more buildings had chimneys that would release steam.
All these aspects help evoke that the setting is set in an old London without needing to show obvious London symbols everywhere like telephone boxes. Its depiction is quite realistic as these are all the different aspects you would expect to see in London in the 1800s.
This game gas gave me ideas for my location art (Reflective Journal-11RJ)
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