9th November, Research 2D and 3D platform games.

What is a platform game?

A platform game is a game that is 2D, where the gamer controls a characters movements such as jumping and climbing between solid platforms at different places on the screen.

When did they appear? 

Platform games started in the 1980's and 3D game plays started coming out in the beginning of 1982.

Why is the platform game one of the most popular game genres?

This is because the games are classical and easier than other genres. It was also popular with the whole reasons behind the game with the jumping and parkour features.


Do platform games have a specific target audience, what age range and demographics does the platformer appeal to?

They dont have a specific target audience but the audience that the demographic's platform appeals to the ages of 25-34. The audience I would say they are aimed at due to research is older generations that have grew up with playing the games whilst they were kids so then play them on when they have grew up. 

Name and analyse 3 of the most popular Platform games, why are they so popular and what is the unique selling point of these games?

The most popular game is  Super Mario world, and it is so popular because the world map was colorful and featured loads of alternative exits that would lead them into other parts of the game (if on the game, leads you into another world) in different ways. The game was enjoyable, playable and is still a good game today since 1990.


The second most popular platform game is Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy Kong's Quest. This game was popular because the features within the game where phenomenal. The music was described as hauntingly atmospheric and was known as one of the best sound tracks of all time created by David Wise. The graphics were sharper than number 1, the hidden secrets behind the game was made more clearer, and the level design made the players feel like the developers of the game was watching you discover the new game play with happiness. 


The third most popular platform game was Banjo Kazooie. This game was so popular because it was rare and one of the best rare games and in some ways was described as a clone to Super Mario 64. It was popular for the people who like to play mind games that makes you physically have to think about things and every move in the game they make is down to the gamers decisions. It was based on more exploring the game play and collecting things along the game play which interested most of the platform gamer's interests. The music again was described again as the best ever by Grant Kirkhope.


3 platform characters research

The first character I researched was Mario. In my opinion I would say that the most memorable thing about the character Mario would be his outfit and his Italian accent with his famous quotes, such as, 'its me Mario, lets a go' etc. I think that what makes Mario unique is the colors of his costume and how the costume is made/styled! I think it would be a main unique point for the color of the costume as the characters Luigi, Wario and Waluigi have the same costume but in a different colors so that doesn't make Mario's costume unique as Luigi as the same so Id come to the conclusion its the color and styled mashed together that is so unique about this character. What makes this character recognizable again is his color and style of costume with the red, blue, white and the splash of yellow. This character has normally a smile on his facial expression's to show he is a happy character and he has the big nose with the mustache underneath it that nearly hides the smile. The main features Mario would have in the game is the use of the main costume and the change of his costumes as a special ability is enabled.

The second character I have researched is Sonic the hedgehog. In my opinion the most memorable feature about Sonic would his special ability of super speed and being the blue hedgehog. I think that what makes Sonic unique is his ability to have super speed and his color scheme with him being blue. I think that what makes Sonic unique is his ability of super speed again, which his whole color scheme and red boots. Id say again the color is important as there is other characters on the game of Sonic, that some of the characters similarly look a like, for example, Amy and Knuckles are the same sort of form but they are different colors, Amy is pink and Knuckles is red. The feature that makes this character recognizable is his color scheme with the only piece of clothing he has with the red boots. This characters facial expressions normally has a smirk on his face as in to give the message that hes a good character and he knows hes good or that hes faster than any other character. The main features of Sonic would be his super speed which is the well known fact about Sonic.

The third character I have chosen to research is Spyro the dragon. In my opinion the most memorable thing about Spyro is that he is a purple little dragon character that is the hero in this game and is also displayed as mischievous but cute. I think that what makes spyro unique is that the character is meant to look mischievous but is also at the same time a cute looking courageous dragon. When I researched about Spyro it said that he is most known for his cocky attitude and stubbornness. The color scheme of Spyro is most noticeable which is Purple and the reason for him being purple is the fact that he can be seen on the green grass game play area's of the game as he was originally meant to be green. Spyro doesn't really have any facial expressions but I guess he does because when I look at his face I can see that he looks like hes up to mischief so I would say again its the use of the smirk to make him come across in that way. He also has horn's and spikes to show that he could be a threat to things which makes him look brave in some sort of way. I think the key item of Spyro would be his color and his ability to breathe fire which is expected because of stereotypes of dragons.