The Sims FreePlay CSP - Language & Representations blog tasks

 The Sims FreePlay CSP - Language & Representations 

Create a new blogpost called 'The Sims FreePlay CSP - Language & Representations' and complete the following tasks.

Language / Gameplay analysis

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

1) What elements of gameplay are shown?

• Players control Sims’ daily routines: eating, sleeping, hygiene, social using 
• Players can design Sims’ appearance, clothing, gender, and personality traits.
• Sims can pursue jobs or careers, gaining promotions and income
• Weddings, birthdays, graduations, and having children are included.

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2) What audience is the trailer targeting?

Wide range of target audience: teen+

3) What audience pleasures are suggested by the trailer?

Entertainment: multiple levels to do/ variety of activites

Personal relationship- Sim community build on how you like it

Now watch this walk-through of the beginning of The Sims FreePlay and answer the following questions:

1) How is the game constructed?

Simple, straightforward. Daily/ weekly quests - reward for regular gameplay. Guide and tutorials to move to the next level.

2) What audience is this game targeting?

This game is targeted at teen+ both males and females. However, it leans towards a more female audience due to more variety of option available in aspects of costumes/dressing.

3) What audience pleasures does the game provide?

Entertainment: choice of activity to chose from

Personal relationship: building sim community to interact with 

Surveillance: Sims have needs : hunger, energy, hygeine 

 

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

There is a focus on buying items to progress your Sim. Adverts in return for free crystals. "Lets Play" crystal speeds up time and there is element of product placement.

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?

• Some DLCs introduce careers, adventures, and non-traditional lifestyles, allowing players to explore identities outside societal norms, including non-heterosexual relationships. 

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

• Gender stereotypes: Female Sims are often associated with domestic activities like cooking, cleaning, or childcare, while male Sims are more career and activity focused. 

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

• Stuart Hall’s Representation Theory: The game constructs meaning through character design, dialogue, and activities, shaping how players perceive gender, race, and class.

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?
 “We’re not really looking for realism, we’re looking more for believability,”

2) How has The Sims tried to create more realistic representations of ethnicity?
By creating an Asian character that does indeed appear less cartoonish

3) How has The Sims responded to racism and sexism in society?
 Our Sims will not discriminate based on gender preference whatsoever.

"From our perspective, the player could project that level of hatred or intolerance onto their Sim—it’s something we don’t allow, but it’s not something we disallow either"

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

 It allows players to create characters without enforcing strict gender norms. Players can choose physical traits,regardless of the Sim’s gender.

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

• It revolves around  wealth accumulation, home ownership, career and social status, reflecting the capitalist idea that success and happiness come from economic achievement and consumption.