Assasins creed

• The assasins creed franchise is published by ubisoft and encompasses 12 incarnations of the game plus spin offs
• It is an action adventure, open world game played from a third person perspective
• Each game is set in a historical setting with a new story and time period
• In 2021 the franchise recorded sales of 155 million units since its introduction of 2007. This was helped by the launch of assasins creed valhalla in 2020 which sold more units in its first week than any other game in the series. However game in the back catalogue of the franchise continue to be popular
• Video games are a relatively new media form. The exponential growth of this form since 1970s the rapid technological development, the construction of the gamer and the difficulty of regulating or monitoring the impact of such a fast paced industry
• Video games are culturally and financially significant across three major territories Japan Europe and USA
• The release of new technology or games from popular franchise can be major economic events.
• In 2021 the value of the global video games market was estimated to be 138.4 billion increasing from 52.8 billion in 2012. Mobile gaming is the fastest growing area
• Other strategies in addition to game sales are employed to increase revenue including production and distributing model. Ownership is another significant element related to the financial success of a games franchise
• Video games production technique have evolved and become increasingly innovative as the industry has become more competitive and the demand for games has increased
• Being part of a franchise is a production model that both increases economic viability and establishes a brand identity for the audience
• Advances in technology have shaped video games by the inclusion of more complex gameplay highly developed graphics and advanced CGI
• In term of production the games in the franchise are part of a multinational development which is typical of game production in larger studios such as ubisoft
• Video games develop and expand to reflect advances in technology. The decision to release assassin creed 111 libertation on ps vita was to tap into the increasing popularity of mobile gaming smart phones, tablets
• The ps vita was designed with many features usually associated with smart phones touchscreen as well as WiFi, 3g and Bluetooth capability
• This release of this game as part of a well known and popular franchise may be seen as an attempt to bring high production values to the burgeoning new mobile game arena
• The game was originally exclusive to the ps vita but was later 2014 released on a modified Hd version across a large range of consoles and platforms including ps3, xbox 360, and Microsoft Windows
• Other games in the franchise have also adapted to technological development for Examole assassin creed valhalla was released in 2020 to coincide with the launch of new consoles including PlayStation 5 and xbox series x
• Newer games in the franchise have introduced cross generational gaming enabling data to be transferred from earlier generation consoles and cross play and progression carrying progress between different platform
• The opportunities to distribute and circulate games and to distribute additional content have expanded leading to increased revenue for franchise
• The games themselves have also developed in line with changes in technology for example assasins creed odsey offered a more immersive experience for players than previous games  
• In 2021 it was announced that the new game to be released in the franchise assasins creed infinity would be a fully live service game. This would expand the franchise and enable the game to time jump and include multiple historical settings rather than single setting of existing game. This would also ensure the longevity of the franchise and the ability to add new content   rather than launching a new completely new game
• Video game regulation differs around the world but is becoming standardised across many European countries
• In the uk until July 2012 video games had been largely regulated by the the bbfc. They are now largely regulated by the the video standard Council applying the PEGI system
• The PEGI system provides age ratings as well as visual descriptors of content
• Assasins creed 111 libertation a handheld game could be linked to the full ps3 console version of the game owning both versions would unlock additional content
• The use of convergence has developed further across the most recent game in the franchise. This is significance in terms of promotion marketing and circulation and facilitates the development and re-release of games incorporating more complex elements
• The convergence between social media platforms promotes gamer engagement and identification with the game across across the fan community
• Digital convergence is important to ubisoft as an individual producer in a competitive market it also benefits fans as individual producers of game content for example through gameplay videos. However there are some possible risks including piracy and leaked content
• Livingstone and lunt, impact of convergence and diversification of media on regulatory pratice. New technology opens up new opportunities and arguably new risks that complicate regulation.
• Underlying struggle in UK regulation policy interests of citizens regulation from harmful content vs interests of consumers choice, value for money etc
• Power of global media and concergent media technologies production distribution and marketing have placed traditional approaches to the media at risk
• New technology opens up new opportunities and new risks that complicate regulation
• David hesmondhalgh - minimise risk and maximise audiences. The video game industry is designed to make a profit they operate in a competitive market. One way they minimise risk is through gene formatting. This is evident in assassins creed franchise.
• Hesmondhalgh the marketing of a new game uses audience recognition of the game and brand as part of the franchise. Audiences therefore know to expect
• Hesmondhalgh - the sequel formula of the franchise model gives audiences clues of what to expect but enough differences through themes and setting to ensure anticipation and buzz around launch of new game
• Hesmondhalgh the largest companies operate across a number of different cultural industries. Ubisoft is the 5th largest video game company but is now in competition with tech companies including Facebook Google and Amazon who have recently become major players in the game industry backed by huge financial reserves