Genre Analysis
Introduction
Video games are the best thing that can happen to kids since the invention of the television. Many people have bought games without knowing what it was about or whether it was good enough to buy based on peer reviews and other sources. With the internet being used almost daily, people can now be informed about video game reviews by searching domains or already having the knowledge of a website through previous encounters. The two genres that are mentioned in this analysis are texts from a website that conducts information and reviews of video games, (IGN) and a video channel in www.youtube.com called Machinima. Both of these genres offer communication and detail in video game reviews by conveying their own reviews through their own perspectives.
Intended Audience and Purpose
The intended audience for IGN is a variety of people of all ages. Video games don’t have to be restricted because of biased reasons. Everybody in general can view the website with ease knowing that it does not discriminate gamers or other people viewing the site because almost everyone can be a gamer, even your grandmother! The main audience would be people who like video games and liked to be informed about them. IGN has a massive library of recent and past games that they display and share with people who view their site. Not only will the audience be attracted to the reviews but will also like the other content that is displayed in the website. Viewers can revisit this website for the latest in video game reviews.
Machinima’s main audience would most likely be people who spend a lot of time on the internet watching videos or gamers who like to be updated in the latest news. Machinima conducts video game reviews and posts them on a website called youtube. People can view their videos by either searching for them through youtube or by clicking on the channel itself; on the main page, click on the channel link type to the specified channel in the search box. The audience can expect to watch the videos not knowing what they are about to see because this is their first time viewing the reviews, unless there are old game reviews that have been posted before. Users have unlimited freedom in viewing the videos whenever they want, wherever they want, as long as an internet connection is available. Besides video game reviews, Machinima also posts other miscellaneous videos that deal with games and technology in general.
Machinima’s main audience would most likely be people who spend a lot of time on the internet watching videos or gamers who like to be updated in the latest news. Machinima conducts video game reviews and posts them on a website called youtube. People can view their videos by either searching for them through youtube or by clicking on the channel itself; on the main page, click on the channel link type to the specified channel in the search box. The audience can expect to watch the videos not knowing what they are about to see because this is their first time viewing the reviews, unless there are old game reviews that have been posted before. Users have unlimited freedom in viewing the videos whenever they want, wherever they want, as long as an internet connection is available. Besides video game reviews, Machinima also posts other miscellaneous videos that deal with games and technology in general.
Rhetorical Issues
IGN is a credited website because of the company’s knowledgeable staff and workers in the field of gaming. The tech engineers and gaming staff have put up this website for a reason, and that is about video games through a professional’s point of view. The audience might express feelings of happiness or anger depending on the outcome of the game reviews. IGN conducts its reviews by interviewing game companies to give the viewer a sense that the website is credible. Viewers also know that the website is safe and reliable because there are no rip offs or lies. The game information gathered through interviews and other reliable sources like e-mails makes IGN a trusted site among many. The company’s logo and copyright signature determines IGN as an acceptable website that displays factual information.
Machinima is also a credited channel that conducts interviews and meetings with game companies or game expos. Machinima is not as credited as IGN because their company is not as big or as easily recognizable as they are. Still, the audience viewing Machinima’s videos can watch them at ease knowing that the information on the videos are not false. People who view Machinima’s game reviews might also get mixed emotions such as happiness or anger depending on the outcome of the game reviews. Machinima is also a reliable way of viewing game reviews through media because it more interesting and fun to watch, unlike plain text.
Machinima is also a credited channel that conducts interviews and meetings with game companies or game expos. Machinima is not as credited as IGN because their company is not as big or as easily recognizable as they are. Still, the audience viewing Machinima’s videos can watch them at ease knowing that the information on the videos are not false. People who view Machinima’s game reviews might also get mixed emotions such as happiness or anger depending on the outcome of the game reviews. Machinima is also a reliable way of viewing game reviews through media because it more interesting and fun to watch, unlike plain text.
Structure
The layout of IGN’s webpage is astoundingly good to look at. There are a lot of links and even a search box where you can type in any game and the database will search it for you. There are advertisements shown on their website which means IGN may have sponsors or are sponsoring major companies; sponsors like HP™. The webpage changes its theme based on the seasons or on new and upcoming games. This different variety of themes and new content uploaded almost daily is a good structure that can keep people coming back to the website. IGN’s page is set in a neat, organized fashion that shows links, databases, and goodies. Each console has their own link along with other different types of games based on genres.
Machinima’s channel is also like its own website, except the channel is only accessible through youtube. Like its counterpart, Machinima also has a variety of themes that are based on many miscellaneous things, (weather, games, etc). Since Machinima is a channel and not a site, there only a few links that show the channel’s archive of videos, comments, and subscribers. This might make the viewer a little disappointed considering there are not that many shortcuts to view the specified video or game that he/she desires.
Machinima’s channel is also like its own website, except the channel is only accessible through youtube. Like its counterpart, Machinima also has a variety of themes that are based on many miscellaneous things, (weather, games, etc). Since Machinima is a channel and not a site, there only a few links that show the channel’s archive of videos, comments, and subscribers. This might make the viewer a little disappointed considering there are not that many shortcuts to view the specified video or game that he/she desires.
Style/Language
Both IGN’s and Machinima’s tone are formal. They both display the use of complex video game and technological terms such as RPG (Role Playing game), and wi-fi compatible. There is also a lot of slang because the video game industry is not supposed to be difficult to understand with advanced phrases and vocabulary. Instead, both genres use an easy tone of voice and language that is easy to understand among adults and kids alike.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both of these genres can meet audience’s expectations and then some. IGN is better because it displays video game reviews in full text but can be boring because of the long lines of paragraphs, but some of the games have their own video review. Machinima is still good, but not as good as IGN in terms of audience count and recognition. People can be informed about video game reviews by these two genres in their own perspectives, both in text and video.
References
Machinima channel. (February 6, 2010). © 2004-2010 Machinima, Inc. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/machinima/.
