Horizon Forbidden West: Audience and Industry

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Audience

Look at this YouGov blog on the console gaming audience and answer the following questions:

1) What statistics can you find for the number of male / female players for the major consoles?

PS5 - 71/29 (M/F)

XBOX SERIES X/S - 68/32 (M/F)

PC - 61/39 (M/F)

NINTENDO SWITCH - 54/46 (M/F)

2) What is the difference between 'hardcore' and 'casual' gamers - and which do you think would play Horizon Forbidden West?

Hardcore - people who take video games seriously or play competitively

Casual - people who like video games, but it isn't one of their top interests

Hardcore gamers would be more likely to play HFW as it requires a dedicated PlayStation gaming console or a powerful PC to play

3) What are the different reasons YouGov researched for why players play games? Which of these would apply to Horizon Forbidden West? 

There are many different reasons why players play games, such as to relax and wind down, to pass the time, and to complete challenges and puzzles

The following would apply to HFW:

To relax and wind down
To pass the time
To escape from reality for a while
To challenge myself
To have an emotional connection to the story

Look at the PlayStation website page for Horizon Forbidden West. Complete the following tasks: 

1) How is the game promoted to an audience?

Descriptions of the game are shown, such as:

"Explore distant lands, fight bigger and more awe-inspiring machines, and encounter astonishing new tribes as you return to the far-future, post-apocalyptic world of Horizon.

The land is dying. Vicious storms and an unstoppable blight ravage the scattered remnants of humanity, while fearsome new machines prowl their borders. Life on Earth is hurtling towards another extinction, and no one knows why.

It's up to Aloy to uncover the secrets behind these threats and restore order and balance to the world. Along the way, she must reunite with old friends, forge alliances with warring new factions and unravel the legacy of the ancient past – all the while trying to stay one step ahead of a seemingly undefeatable new enemy."

2) What are the key features for the game listed on the site?

Brave an expansive open world

Discover distant lands, new enemies, rich cultures and striking characters.


A majestic frontier

Explore the lush forests, sunken cities and towering mountains of a far-future America.


Confront new dangers

Engage in strategic battles against enormous machines and mounted human enemies by using weapons, gear and traps crafted from salvaged parts.


Unravel startling mysteries

Uncover the secret behind Earth's imminent collapse and unlock a hidden chapter in the ancient past... one that will change Aloy forever.


3) What information does the website offer players about the game world and characters? Give a few examples.

Game world:

It’s easy to get wrapped up in Aloy’s story and find yourself racing towards the next quest marker. Take time between key events to explore the world around you. Follow your curiosity even if that means scaling a mountain or diving into a sunken ruin. If you’re looking to get a better vantage point, keep an ear open for the boom of wandering Tallnecks – scale these mighty machines and you’ll be able to harness their powerful radar censors to uncover additional information about the surrounding area. Not only will you discover great new locations, interesting side stories and new characters, but you’ll also discover Hunting Grounds to hone your skills, and local rumour merchants with secrets and wisdom to impart.


Aloy's character:


Aloy is the greatest machine hunter in the world of Horizon. Strong, independent, clever and compassionate, she started off as a motherless outcast and rose up to be a champion for all humankind. Along with all that, she's got a powerful drive to unravel the mysteries of the Forbidden West, stop the blight and save the planet.


4) What spin-offs and additional content are available as part of the Horizon franchise? 

Horizon Forbidden West - Burning Shores DLC (includes homosexual kiss scene - perhaps an example of commodification?)

Horizon Forbidden West cosplay guides

Horizon Forbidden West papercraft guides

Horizon Forbidden West official soundtrack

Horizon Forbidden West wallpapers

5) Applying Henry Jenkins's work on fandom, what aspects of the website (you may need to scroll down) encourage fan activity and engagement with online Horizon communities?

There are previews of blogs about HFW news
The cosplay guides encourage fans to interact with the game further by becoming the characters


1) Why did the writer enjoy Horizon Forbidden West?

The writer enjoyed Horizon Forbidden West because it tackled the concept of an open world incredibly well. The game, developed by Guerrilla Games as a follow-up to Horizon Zero Dawn, engaged the player with a structured approach in the initial hours, pulling them into the narrative before allowing exploration. The world crafted in Horizon Forbidden West was described as deliciously crafted, and despite completing the main story, the writer remained eager to spend time in its immersive environment.

2) How is Horizon Forbidden West structured for players when they first start the game?

Horizon Forbidden West is structured for players in a way that, during the first five to 10 hours, it keeps them on a narrative path, gradually introducing them to the game's world. The structured approach creates a sense of goals for gameplay, providing an ideal introduction to a game built around vast open spaces. This initial guidance helps players become invested in the world before being released to explore, striking a balance between narrative engagement and the freedom to explore.

3) Why does the writer feel HFW created a more successful open world game than The Witcher 3?

The writer feels that Horizon Forbidden West created a more successful open-world game than The Witcher 3 due to its structured style. In contrast to The Witcher 3, which was described as overwhelming and feral in its gameplay, Horizon Forbidden West provided a more accessible and inviting experience. The Witcher 3 encouraged players to explore extensively before tackling main story quests, which the writer found exhausting. Horizon Forbidden West, on the other hand, struck a balance by immersing the player in its world initially and later allowing them to explore at their own pace, creating a more enjoyable and less overwhelming open-world experience for the writer.

Industries

Industry research

1) Research Sony PlayStation Studios. 

(Done)

2) What studios are part of Sony PlayStation Studios?

Bend Studio

Guerrilla

Bluepoint

Firesprite

Firewalk

Housemarque

Insomniac Games

3) What notable games have they produced? 

Guerrilla - Horizon Forbidden West

Housemarque - Returnal

Insomniac Games - Spider-Man

4) Now research Guerrilla Games. Look at the 'Explore' page in particular. Who owns Guerrilla Games and how does it reflect the modern videogames industry? 

Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe owns Guerrilla Games - It reflects the vertically integrated nature of the modern videogames industry

5) Choose one of the 'Guerrilla Spotlight' features and write three things you learn about the videogames industry and/or Guerrilla Games from the interview.

At Guerrilla Games, a Technical Designer prototypes, implements, and shapes systems and tools that are crucial for designing modular, efficient, and scalable game content.

Dav's journey to Guerrilla Games involves experiences at different studios, including working on Dead Island 2 at Dambuster Studios in the UK. This highlights the dynamic nature of careers within the gaming industry, with professionals often moving between studios and gaining diverse experiences.

In terms of advice for those interested in technical design for games, Dav provides industry-specific guidance. He emphasises the collaborative nature of the gaming industry and the importance of considering systems over features.

Read this USA Today feature on Guerrilla Games. Answer the following questions: 

1) Which three companies merged to become Guerrilla Games?

Orange Games

Digital Infinity

Formula Game Development.

2) What other games and franchises were created by Guerrilla Games?

Guerrilla Games is known for the Killzone franchise, which includes titles such as: 

Killzone

Killzone: Liberation

Killzone: Mercenary

Killzone: Shadow Fall. 

Apart from Killzone, they developed Horizon Zero Dawn and its sequel, Horizon: Forbidden West.

3) How did Guerrilla maximise the Killzone franchise?

Guerrilla Games maximised the Killzone franchise by creating various titles that showcased the capabilities of different PlayStation hardware. For example, Killzone: Liberation adapted the shooter into an isometric dungeon crawler for the PSP, Killzone: Mercenary utilised the touch panels of the PlayStation Vita, and Killzone: Shadow Fall demonstrated the technical capabilities of the PS4 with large levels filled with high-fidelity assets.

4) What did Sony sign with Guerrilla in 2004?

In 2004, Sony signed a first-party contract with Guerrilla Games. This agreement ensured that all the titles developed by Guerrilla Games from 2004 onwards would appear exclusively on PlayStation consoles.

5) How is Horizon Forbidden West described in the article, and what is the next stage for the franchise?

Horizon: Forbidden West is described in the article as one of the biggest games of 2022, building on the success of its predecessor, Horizon: Zero Dawn. The article highlights the game's unique setting, impressive visuals, and the anticipation of surpassing the achievements of the first instalment.

The next stage for the franchise is mentioned as "Horizon: Call of the Mountain," a VR title co-developed with Firesprite. This project is seen as a continuation of Guerrilla Games' expertise in deepening the universe they created, leveraging Sony hardware platforms, and exploring new dimensions within the Horizon universe.

Regulation and PEGI

1) What is HFW's PEGI rating and what age rating do you feel would be appropriate? Why?

HFW's PEGI rating is 16

I feel that an age rating of 12 would be more appropriate as most of the violence is fantasy violence. The most violent part of the game is when blood is shown. However, there are no serious injuries displayed in-game.

2) Why is regulating videogames difficult in the digital age?

Most kids ignore age ratings and play whatever they want

User-generated content within games such as Roblox cannot be monitored as easily

The videogames industry operates globally, so trying to regulate games across different countries' laws is complex

3) Are attitudes towards media content and regulation changing as a result of the internet? Explain your answer.

Yes. The internet has empowered individuals to create and share content on various platforms. This shift challenges traditional notions of centralised media control and raises questions about who should regulate user-generated content and how.

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