Institution

--       Background of Rockstar

Rockstar is a major video game developer set in new york who have had a range of successful games and franchises.

-       Rockstar is considered to be a global institution – list all of their studios and when they were acquired by Rockstar.

Mobius entertainment in 2004

Tarantula studios in 1999

Mad doc software in 2008

Dma design in 1999

Angel studios in 2003

Barking dog studios in 2002

-       What other titles are Rockstar famous for?

Grand theft auto franchise

Max Payne series

Manhunt

Red dead

-       What has been their most successful game?

Grand theft auto

-       What controversies have surrounded Rockstar in the past?

Jack Thompson threatened to take various measures to prevent GTA being sold to minors and so rockstar’s partner take-two interactive filed a lawsuit against him.

-       What has made them so successful?

The success of the GTA series and that they have bought out many companies to be their own.

-       Discuss the development and importance of R.A.G.E

ID software developed the game partnering with Bethesda softworks for publication. The game was brought out on playstation 3, X-Box and windows. It used an ID tech 5 engine. It was developed for a first person shooter.

-       Discuss the importance of franchises to Rockstar.

Franchises are important because they build a fan base and develop the games further so that when it is released they already have people who want to buy the new game.

-       Discuss how Rockstar is an example of vertical integration.

Rockstar bought out a range of companies such as tarantula studies etc, who are assigned a certain aspect of the game to work on. They bought the company out so that they would only work for rockstar and so work would be done faster.

-       Why is vertical integration important for developers?

Its faster to work on when they are only working for rockstar and don’t have to focus on other companies projects, as well as making it cheaper for rockstar as they are now part of their company.

-       Discuss the oligopoly of the games industry and the implications for Rockstar.

Rockstar is dominated by sony and so they have the final say on the games.

Institution/Rockstar

Rockstar games is a video game developer/publisher  based in new york city, owned by take two interactive. They are famous for games such as grand theft auto and Max Pane, and use high quality graphics in their games. They have many different studios around the world including Japan, Leeds (Mobius entertainment), Lincoln (Tarantula studios), London, New England (Mad doc software), Edinburgh (DMA design), San diego (Angel studios), Toronto, Vancouver (Barking dog studios) and Vienna (Neo software). Most of these where known as something else before rockstar bought them out (words in the brackets).

Marketing

These trailers are in a list from the time they were released, developing and showing more of the game as they go along. They range from 2006 up to 2011.

-       Who was responsible for the marketing of LA Noire?

Rockstar games

-       List all methods of marketing used to promote the game – consider viral and guerilla marketing techniques as well as more traditional methods.

Social networking e.g. Facebook, twitter

Newspaper adds

TV trailers

Flyers

-       When were the trailers released for the game? List dates and analyze what was shown in the trailers.

1^st trailer released 16/12/2010

2^nd teaser trailer released 21/1/11

2^nd official trailer released 24/1/11

3^rd official trailer released 7/4/11

Official launch trailer released 11/5/11

-       Give examples of how synergy was used to promote the game.

While rockstar produced trailers a newspaper company advertised la noire so that there was more chance of seeing it.

-       Were there any particular deals struck between Rockstar and the platforms?

They made a deal with Sony that ps3 would come out first and then followed by other platforms but it was broken as x-box and ps3 came out at the same time.

-       How was desire creation built around the game before its release?

The slowly let out new bits of information to do with the game and introduced separate levels that could be won if the game was bought early.

-       How were British audiences targeted in the marketing of the game?

Metro newspaper cover

Subway posters

Preorder game in UK

-       How have Rockstar maximized their potential revenue streams?

-       How can you access/purchase the game?

Buy from a shop, off the Internet, pre order.

-       What are the implications of gatekeeping for the target audience?

Codes off the Internet can be used to get into areas that are off limits in the game usually.

-       Once you have purchased the game how have Rockstar maintained the desire creation?

They release merchandise and new levels and weapons for free if you purchase the game.

Production

Release date of LA Noire?
May 17 2011 for consoles
November 11 2011 for PC

Which studios created the game?
Rockstar Games and Team Bondi

Which platforms is LA Noire available on?
PS3, X-Box 360, Microsoft windows

What game engines and software were used to create the game? Havock. This is a physics engine designed primarily for video games. This engine allows for a more realistic virtual world in games. It provides dynamic constraints between rigid bodies and has a highly optimized collision detection library. 


Describe some of the marketing methods used to promote LA Noire in the UK?
Trailers, website, social networking e.g twitter and Facebook



This video is of the production and camera techniques used in LA noire. It shows how they accomplish the realistic features of the characters.



This video shows how they found the setting for la noire and compares the real from the game, showing not much difference.

-       Who created LA Noire?

Rockstar games and team bondi.

-       Which games engines were used to create LA Noire?

Havok

-       Discuss the impact of development in technology in the creation of the game.

Technology is used to create realistic characters and setting in the game showing real facial expressions and body language.

-       When was LA Noire released in the UK?

May 20 2011

-       On which platforms can you play LA Noire?

X-Box 360, PS3, Microsoft windows

-       What rating is LA Noire?

18+

-       Why was the game given these ratings and does this have any implications for Rockstar?

Drugs, violence, sex etc, has a narrower target market and minors still play the game even though its 18+.

LA Noire Game play

-       Discuss the objectives of the game.

To find the criminals by completing missions, and detecting if people are lying from the LAPD point of view.

-       How does the game immerse the audience?

The game is from the main characters point of view allowing them to see what he does and the graphics are enhanced to make it more realistic.

-       How does the game make the audience more interactive?

The audience gets involved in finding clues and telling if people are lying which results in the final impact of the game.

-       What are the key features of the game?

It tests the players crime solving abilities and to tell the difference between truth and lies.

-       How does the game use media convergence?

Players can post on Facebook if they achieve something in the game.

-       What are the possible future developments of the game?

A sequal to the game will be made in less than 5 years