Analyse the trailer for the computer game ‘Skyrim’ to gain an understanding of how this text appeals to an audience

Console based computer games have become incredibly sophisticated providing the user with an experience which no other medium can offer.  The player is in control of the narrative and their decisions influence the course of the action. This allows the creators of the game to be innovative and amaze audiences with their design of parallel worlds.  It is this medium that is pushing the boundaries of entertainment and audiences are constantly updated with new experiences and scenarios.

An article in the resources section discusses how the game ‘LA Noire’ positions the player as a detective in a film noir.  The player makes all the decisions and the graphics are at such a level as to provide a filmic experience.

In the 2012 awards for the games industry, sponsored by HMV, Skyrim won the best game of the year.

Here is a link to the trailer for ‘Skyrim’;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjqsYzBrP-M

In this task you will explore the ‘Skyrim’ computer game and franchise.  You will de-construct the trailer to understand how it appeals to an audience.  This will allow you to answer the examination question;

Discuss the audience appeal of your text

Denotation –Signifier –What can be seen or heard?	Connotation-Signified-What does it mean?
Sound	Drums suggest danger and the soundtrack is similar to one for an epic fantasy genre.  It brings to mind a franchise such as ‘the Lord of the Rings’ which was a similar quest narrative
Voice-over ‘You should have acted’	A mature male voice offers stern advice in a fatherly tone suggesting that the responsibility rests with the hero or the player of the game to fulfil their role and mission. It is a direct appeal to the user to act. It also provides the back-story as this is a sequel to 4 previous quests
Point of view shots	This type of shot dominates suggesting the role of the game player in determining the direction of the action.

You could begin like this;

‘The voice-over provides information about the narrative and it they have chosen the voice of a mature English actor, such as Sir Ian McKellen, who played Gandalf in ‘the Lord of the Rings’, to deliver the fatherly advice. This tone provides gravitas and the sense of impending doom if the player does not act to save the world.  This would appeal to a young male audience who traditionally like epic fantasy quests…’

The results of the 2012 awards suggest ‘Skyrim’ is the best game of the year.

http://www.goldenjoystick.com/

This article argues that computer games are more sophisticated than films

http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2011/jun/02/la-noire-video-games-films-sophistication?INTCMP=SRCH

An informative review in the technology section of ‘the Guardian’ which explains that, ‘Skyrim is one of the most gargantuan undertakings gamers will experience all year. The sheer size of the adventure, both in terms of its environment and in the amount of activities available to the player, is mind-blowing.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/gamesblog/2011/nov/10/elder-scrolls-v-skyrim-review

Links to reviews of the game;

http://uk.gamespot.com/the-elder-scrolls-v-skyrim/reviews/

http://www.t3.com/reviews/elder-scrolls-v-skyrim-review