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Unit 9: Characteristics and contexts in media and communication
Unit Aim: Provide students with an opportunity to develop a focused, in‐depth, understanding of the range, characteristics, complexity and contexts that define media and communication activity. It will require the student, through exploration and investigation to enter into a more formal dialogue of personal interrogation and understanding designed to confirm strengths, enthusiasms and ambitions.
What we're doing, how we're doing it and why we're doing it
What we're doing, how we're doing it and why we're doing it
Intent: Gain understanding of the importance of mascot design, the role of mascots in gaming, and how mascots reflect the culture and history of the gaming industry.
Implementation: Through discussion and research tasks
Impact: Deeper understanding of the significance of video game mascots and how they contribute to the gaming industry. Capacity to analyse and interpret design elements.
Soft skills: Research Skills, critical thinking, creativity, communication
Industry: Understanding the characteristics and context of mascots is essential for professionals involved in game development, marketing campaigns, and content creation within the gaming industry.
SMSC: Cultural impact and ethics of mascot design. Discussions about representation, inclusivity, and responsible marketing within the gaming industry. Social interaction and communication skills. Respect for cultural differences and heritage in the media and gaming industries.
Industry: Understanding the characteristics and context of mascots is essential for professionals involved in game development, marketing campaigns, and content creation within the gaming industry.
SMSC: Cultural impact and ethics of mascot design. Discussions about representation, inclusivity, and responsible marketing within the gaming industry. Social interaction and communication skills. Respect for cultural differences and heritage in the media and gaming industries.
Task 1 - Warm Up
Task 1 - Warm Up
What do I do?
On a post it note draw Pikachu from memory. You won't have long but try to draw the complete character. No cheating!
Context
Context
Task 2 - Do your own research! Part 1
Task 2 - Do your own research! Part 1
What do I do?
Gather research on video game mascots. 3 minimum. Analyse them!
On your google sites:
3 video game mascots analysed.
Going further:
This is secondary research, is their primary research you could also do here?
Analysing a mascot:
Who are they and what game are they from?
What do you like about their design?
What do you dislike about it?
Why do you feel they've been chosen to represent a brand?
Why do you think they were/are popular?
Remember:
Provide links to any research your doing and make sure the analysis is in your own words
Going further:
Character designer Stephen Silver, talks about the 'ingredients' of great character design. Look at the list below, familiarise yourself with them and use them in your analysis of character designs.
Task 2 - Do your own research! Part 2
Task 2 - Do your own research! Part 2
Good character design should be able to survive whatever medium, format or style it goes through.
What do I do?
Focus on one mascot and look at their evolution through history. Analyse it. What stays the same? What changes? What about the character do you think makes it iconic?
On your google sites:
Historical mascot analysed, evidence of research
Going further:
Do the same with another mascot!
Task 2 - Do your own research! Part 3
Task 2 - Do your own research! Part 3
What works in one country might not always work in another. Why do you think this is?
What do I do?
Find at least one mascot from around the world to analyse. They could be video game related but you're not limited!
On your google sites:
Mascots around the world analysed, evidence of research
Going further:
Do the same with another mascot!
Final thoughts - Next session we'll start making our own. Think about yourself and your values between now and then. Is there an area or niche you feel the mascots you're looking at are missing?
Final thoughts - Next session we'll start making our own. Think about yourself and your values between now and then. Is there an area or niche you feel the mascots you're looking at are missing?
Extended task:
Extended task:
What do I do?
Research the games that will be showcased in EGX's Rezzed Zone. Analyse their character design, select a few to prioritise on the trip to take a closer look at. Want to go a little further? Take a look at the Leftfield Collection. Where this information might not have been announced net can you investigate in other places? Have any devs announced they'll be there?
On your google sites:
Analysis of character design. Evidence of research into EGX. Can you find access to the games steam/itch pages? What can you find out about the studio that designed it?
RPS, will be covering a huge selection of indie games at the show with both written articles and videos. They will also be curating and hosting live panels and interviews on the EGX stages all four days.
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