View Full Version : [Dissertation] Can you help me?
Sky_Dragon
12-03-10, 17:40
Hi sorry to be a pain again, but I need to do some follow up interviews to my questionnaire that I posted before.
I will be doing them separately looking at 3 main areas:
- The percentage of people willing to buy games for those under the age restriction for the game.
- The percentage of people whom play video games themselves and believe them to have no effect on themselves, but whom believe video games have an effect on others.
- Public perceptions of video games and individuals beliefs on where these perception originate.
Anyone willing to help please leave your name and topic you think would best suit you. Unfortunately I won't be able to do this with everyone so therefore if I get enough interest I will do it as a forum focus group (set a start and finish time and allow people to argue it through).
On a side note I was hoping for some specific people to help me out if possible, Ten/Spike any chance one or both of you could do topic 1? Zombie/Nabil any chance you could help with topic 2? (This is to because I know you have autism Nabil so this would put an interesting spin on your answers).
I am happy to do this via any means necessary, and all responses will be anonymous (you won't be referred to by name in the dissertation). I will require some background information on you though i.e. Age, Sex, Gaming history etc.
Thank you in advance.
Sky.
thezombiemessia
12-03-10, 19:15
I am quite content with doing an interview for all 3 subject areas.
Though it's up to you if you'd like to focus on just the 1 topic.
I'll go for any/all. But if you'd rather I just did one, I'll go for the first one.
Sky_Dragon
12-03-10, 19:44
Thanks.
I am trying to separate them to make them more focused, if you answers cross over it doesn't matter in any way.
Plus if I didn't I know I would get carried away and it would then lose all meaning.
I got kicked out of GAME for telling a man who was buying Bayonetta for his son that he really shouldn't be. Didn't go down well at all.
Considering you are interested, I will write up some dedicated questions to ask you and then I will PM them to you, and request a time, thats best for you to do the interview.
Considering you are interested, I will write up some dedicated questions to ask you and then I will PM them to you, and request a time, thats best for you to do the interview.
Let's do it! :horray:
Sky_Dragon
21-04-10, 16:17
Hi, I am sorry I know that it has been a while, I was just wondering if you were still able to help me with some interview's, as time is tight I have just set some questions that I hope you can work with.
If you have the time to answer these question quickly please do.
Many thanks.
Do you think that video games are an acceptable as a method of communications?
Considering that the video games industry has grown year on year since 2003 do you believe that they are becoming more mainstream?
As a mainstream entertainment media do you think that video games should be able to tackle more controversial topics?
When surveyed 57% of people said that it would be acceptable to them for video games to tackle issues such as the war in Iraq. Do you believe that taking on issues such as these would help the acceptance of video games?
When you consider that the majority of people surveyed said that they believe that video games have an effect on those that play them, public opinion is clear that video games, are in some way influential, do you believe something needs to be done to stop the 50% of surveyed people who state they are willing to purchase video and computer games for minors?
A main theme than ran through the results of the questionnaire was that of confusion, do you think that there is a level of confusion surrounding the industry?
Do you think that a reform of the industries systems, or the industries products is more important? Systems being how goods are sold and brought.
Thanks!
I'll do question 3 if you want. And :
Do you think that video games are an acceptable as a method of communications?
Yes, but I don't think that they are a very practical form of communication.
Considering that the video games industry has grown year on year since 2003 do you believe that they are becoming more mainstream?
Definitely. When I was at school, it was definitely a minority thing. I've seen it grow and grow to the point where it's odder to meet someone that doesn't play video games with some regularity.
As a mainstream entertainment media do you think that video games should be able to tackle more controversial topics?
Sure. I think there's always a stigma attached to emerging media. It happened with TV, Cinema, Video, Rock & Roll, and even during the renaissance in Florence and Vienna.
When surveyed 57% of people said that it would be acceptable to them for video games to tackle issues such as the war in Iraq. Do you believe that taking on issues such as these would help the acceptance of video games?
Not particularly; I think the subject matter tackled is a) secondary to it's preconcieved perception, and b) no matter how sensitively it treats the subject matter, it will still likely be condensed into a headline by some knee-jerking red top, and then the poor opinion regurgitated into "fact" and "proof" by the ignorant who allow the media to tell them their own opinion.
When you consider that the majority of people surveyed said that they believe that video games have an effect on those that play them, public opinion is clear that video games, are in some way influential, do you believe something needs to be done to stop the 50% of surveyed people who state they are willing to purchase video and computer games for minors?
Sure, but it's a judgement call. And "having an effect on those who play them" doesn't need to have negative connotations. Listening to music has an effect on me too.
A main theme than ran through the results of the questionnaire was that of confusion, do you think that there is a level of confusion surrounding the industry?
No, not really, I think there is a level of ignorance in some areas.
Do you think that a reform of the industries systems, or the industries products is more important? Systems being how goods are sold and brought.
The one thing I wish, is that people would pay more attention to reviews and demos when buying a game.
That's the best hope in my mind for getting rid of shovelware, or worse, licensed shovelware. I hate shovelware.
Do you think that video games are an acceptable as a method of communications?
Yes, but they are not the best or the easiest way of communication.
Considering that the video games industry has grown year on year since 2003 do you believe that they are becoming more mainstream?
Certainly, but VGI will never become so mainstream like TV or music.
As a mainstream entertainment media do you think that video games should be able to tackle more controversial topics?
Of course, videos games are a mainstream entertainment media and while similar mainstream media tackle controversial topics, why should videogames be controversial-free?
When surveyed 57% of people said that it would be acceptable to them for video games to tackle issues such as the war in Iraq. Do you believe that taking on issues such as these would help the acceptance of video games?
Maybe yes, if we show people we can make a game based on recent real and controversial events, making it realistic, serious and good, people could
compare this to a movie experience and say: Hey, i love Black hawk down and this game looks as good as the movie. And if people start to see the similarities between movies and games, its a win.
When you consider that the majority of people surveyed said that they believe that video games have an effect on those that play them, public opinion is clear that video games, are in some way influential, do you believe something needs to be done to stop the 50% of surveyed people who state they are willing to purchase video and computer games for minors?
I dont think its possible to stop parents from buying games to their kids but the only thing that can prevent this is better education for parents about the game they want to buy for their kids. And if a educated parent buys it anyway, knowing its +18, noone can do anything about it.
A main theme than ran through the results of the questionnaire was that of confusion, do you think that there is a level of confusion surrounding the industry?
The confusion is there and it will remain there forever. Many people refer to video games as to something kids play and when you are mature and tell to someone who doesnt play videogames that you play them, he would think of you as a big kid. Something like this doesnt exist in the movie industry.
Do you think that a reform of the industries systems, or the industries products is more important? Systems being how goods are sold and brought.
I think the industry is fine as it is.
Thanks!
No problem :)
thezombiemessia
22-04-10, 15:45
Do you think that video games are an acceptable as a method of communications?
How do you define acceptable?
It is most certainly a form of communication, as are all types of Media...in Theory I'd say it's acceptable, but it all depends on the message you're trying to convey.
You wouldn't create a VideoGame to try and educate people about the dangers of Rape, but you could use it to talk about the dangers of weaponry.
Considering that the video games industry has grown year on year since 2003 do you believe that they are becoming more mainstream?
Yes, and it has to be one of the quickest growing Mediums around.
As a mainstream entertainment media do you think that video games should be able to tackle more controversial topics?
Yes. Even if it weren't mainstream, it should still be allowed to tackle "controversial" topics. Radio, Films, Comics, Books, and Music all deal with "controversial" issues, and many other niche markets deal with it...so why not VideoGames?
When surveyed 57% of people said that it would be acceptable to them for video games to tackle issues such as the war in Iraq. Do you believe that taking on issues such as these would help the acceptance of video games?
Yes, but only if other forms of Media and Society as a whole are educated about the game, the meaning, and the industry as a whole.
When you consider that the majority of people surveyed said that they believe that video games have an effect on those that play them, public opinion is clear that video games, are in some way influential, do you believe something needs to be done to stop the 50% of surveyed people who state they are willing to purchase video and computer games for minors?
Simple education. For years there were adverts to educate the public about the new ratings systems for movies, and they are advertised in a tonne of other places.
This should make it obvious for videogames, but apparently not in a lot of cases.
There needs to be a system to educate the public about age ratings for VideoGames, including signs within Game shops.
Apart from this, it is already being done and has been for years.
A main theme than ran through the results of the questionnaire was that of confusion, do you think that there is a level of confusion surrounding the industry?
There will be a level of confusion surrounding any industry that somebody is not interested in, or has no experience with.
I know older people that are confused by both the Internet, and DVDs. As VideoGames become more mainstream within society, they'll become more commonplace, and the confusion will soon dwindle.
Do you think that a reform of the industries systems, or the industries products is more important? Systems being how goods are sold and brought.
In what way? Do you mean age ratings and the like?
They're no different from films, comics, books, and music...there is no need for the industry to change this system.
What needs to be changed is the public perception of videogames being less important as a medium than the above mentioned types.
Making the public aware that GTA is labelled as an 18 because, like an 18 rated film, it contains sex, drugs, violence, and bad language is more important than the industry coming up with some new or larger symbol to stick to the box that conveys the same message...
Sky_Dragon
22-04-10, 21:16
Thanks guy's. Really thank you. Not just for answering the question's but for the perfection of your answer's. They match near perfectly everything I am saying in my work!
Do you need more. I didn't have the time last time I came online.
If not, ignore my answers.
If so:
Do you think that video games are an acceptable as a method of communications?
I don't really think so. Video games may convey ideas and opinions, but usually that's not the reason it was created. However, video games can show an immense amount of deepness in some situations.
Considering that the video games industry has grown year on year since 2003 do you believe that they are becoming more mainstream?
Yes and no. Video games are still shunned by many and labelled as a useless medium. Video games are seeper into the public's consciousness as something that it's cool to do, however as with other popular forms of media, the public's view is merely guided by our current societies deep-seated views.
As a mainstream entertainment media do you think that video games should be able to tackle more controversial topics?
I think the 'No Russian' mission in Modern Warfare 2 tells us that it can be used to receive publicity, but I highly doubt that video games can be used to tackle these topics. This is particularly the case since television and news media generally has a dim view on video games.
When surveyed 57% of people said that it would be acceptable to them for video games to tackle issues such as the war in Iraq. Do you believe that taking on issues such as these would help the acceptance of video games?
No. Video games are never going to give an accurate depiction of events as video games are only made to make money from. A game drawing from Hollywood blockbusters would do better than a game based on true events.
When you consider that the majority of people surveyed said that they believe that video games have an effect on those that play them, public opinion is clear that video games, are in some way influential, do you believe something needs to be done to stop the 50% of surveyed people who state they are willing to purchase video and computer games for minors?
Yes. However, as a seventeen year old who does play 18+ games, I think it depends on the severity of the case. In my situation I think it should be more of guidance, but buying a twelve year old 18+ rated games is unacceptable, especially at such an impressionable stage.
A main theme than ran through the results of the questionnaire was that of confusion, do you think that there is a level of confusion surrounding the industry?
Being a relatively new medium, many people seem to have overlooked video games and now don't quite understand them. People also don't see how a video game could affect a child, whereas others over-react and think that video games create killers. Hopefully over the next few years, a better understanding of video games will be grasped by all.
Do you think that a reform of the industries systems, or the industries products is more important? Systems being how goods are sold and brought.
I see no reason for change in either at the moment.
Thanks!
You're welcome!