The Sims FreePlay CSP - Language & Representations

 Language / Gameplay analysis

Watch The Sims: FreePlay trailer and answer the following questions:

https://youtu.be/A7QINFi8ZKM 

1) What elements of gameplay are shown?

Finding love and creating your own family 

2) What audience is the trailer targeting?

Although it seems to target a younger audience from 9-12, the content can appeal to a range of ages

3) What audience pleasures are suggested by the trailer?

diversion/entertainment, escapism and personal identity 

Now watch this walk-through of the beginning of The Sims FreePlay and answer the following questions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8XHnQk0V_c

1) How is the game constructed?

Each level you go up, you unlock certain things you need to live 

2) What audience is this game targeting?

Although it seems to target a younger audience from 9-12, the content can appeal to a range of ages

3) What audience pleasures does the game provide?

diversion/entertainment, escapism and personal identity 

4) How does the game encourage in-app purchases?

It suggests a bunch of add-ons that make you better or level up the game play

Representations

Re-watch some of the expansion pack trailers and answer the following questions:

1) How do the expansion pack (DLC) trailers reinforce or challenge dominant ideologies?

It reinforces the stereotypical alternative teenage boy ie. spiky mohawk and plays guitar 

2) What stereotypes have you identified in The Sims FreePlay?

The stereotype of women loving shopping and fashion 

3) What media theories can you apply to representations in The Sims FreePlay?

Butler's gender as a performance -  

‘Gender Trouble’ argues that gender is culturally and socially constructed – not ‘natural’. 

Representation reading

Read this Forbes article on gender and racism in The Sims franchise and answer the following questions:

1) How realistic does The Sims intend to be?

It is not intended to be hyper-realistic but have a sense of realism 

2) How has The Sims tried to create more realistic representations of ethnicity?

By including different races and ethnicities in characters

3) How has The Sims responded to racism and sexism in society?

It has allowed people to do as they please, and not police their views because the game is constructed for the player to create the game they want to engage in - not the other way around - so they are tolerant in regards to racism and sexism. 

4) What is The Sims perspective on gender fluidity and identity?

They are seemingly inflexible towards identity as that reflects the world we live in and in America - however they haven't got as far as letting payers pick neither gender option suggesting a non-binary character. 

5) How does The Sims reinforce the dominant capitalist ideologies of American culture?

It follows this cycle of buy and build - reflecting capitalist American culture - with the cycle being the only way to level up in the game, this reflects in the world.