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1) What is the objective when playing the Kim Kardashian: Hollywood game?
In order to raise your fame and move from a Z to an A list celebrity. You do this by flirting and charming other celebs to gain fans.
2) What is an A-list celebrity? Why is it important in Kim Kardashian: Hollywood?
An A-list celeb is the best of the best, in other words "living the Kim K life". It's important as this is ultimately the objective of the game.
3) How do you download the Kim Kardashian: Hollywood game?
You can download it from the App store or Google play store.
4) What is the narrative or storyline of Kim Kardashian: Hollywood? Where is it set?
The aim of Kim Kardashian Hollywood is to work your way up the celebrity scale from Z-List to A-List. As you play you will interact with characters in the United States and around many of the world’s most glamourous and famous locations. As you progress, there are collectibles and missions that will allow you to develop the status of your customisable character. Your ranking is determined by your position on the Top Stars list in Hollywood. They are sorted into six different lists, Unlisted being the lowest rank to the A-list being the highest rank. You rise up in ranks by gaining fans. The goal of Kim Kardashian: Hollywood is to gain as many fans as possible by doing well on projects, getting attention from Starnews, and dating to get to the A-list.
5) What characters can you play as? What characters appear in the game?
You play as your own custom character which you can change by moving up in ranks and getting money. A range of characters appear some real and some fictional. For example, other Kardashian sisters appear in the game.
Audience
1) Who is the intended audience for the Kim Kardashian Hollywood game? Why do you think this?
I think that the intended audience of the game would be teenagers and young women as the game is predominately based on young female representatives.
2) What audience pleasures are provided by the game? Use Blumler & Katz's Uses and Gratifications theory.
-Relationships- "narrative- your own character/avatar" , "celebrity; playing with Kim Kardashian and friends"
-Diverson- "escapism- different/celebrity lifestyle" , "setting- LA/Hollywood" , "wealth and success- lifestyle"
-Surveillance/Information- "kardashians and other friends + lifestyle"
3) Why is the game so addictive for audiences?
I think it's addictive because of the fact that there are different levels/missions that you need to move up in rankings and it can be easily accessed because it's designed for mobiles. Furthermore, the sense of identity gives the player some sort of ambition to be like their character in the game.
4) Why does James Liu think Kim Kardashian: Hollywood is so successful?
-Branding. Kim is a major brand-name. Her star power gives the game a significant advantage.
-Publishing. Glu Mobile is a publishing titan in the mobile world. They have a very large network of quality users that play their games.
-Placement. Both Kim and Glu are powerful and trusted names. This gives them a significant advantage when approaching various store fronts like Apple or Google.
5) What does James Liu suggest is the reason players keep coming back to the game?
-Frustration over the lack of energy. Most events require 1 more energy than you're given to complete in a sitting.
-Avatar customization in the form of virtual goods. Clothes, Sofas, Chairs, and even a new apartment. It fits in well with the theme.
Representations
1) What representations of women can be found in Kim Kardashian: Hollywood?
-Modelling, dating, glamour and being successful.
2) What representations of race, ethnicity or sexuality can be found in the game?
-In the game there is a variety of different race/ethnicity. The players can customise their character according to how they want (skin colour, facial features and their own name)
3) How does the game both reinforce and subvert stereotypes in the media?
-It reinforces stereotypes by focusing on women's appearance, modelling and dating as a way to be successful. Similarly, celebrity is represented as something to aspire to even without an obvious talent or ability.
-It subverts stereotypes by including high status, female business representatives in the game
4) What does the game suggest regarding modern perceptions of celebrity and how to get famous?
-It suggests that in today's society you become famous simply by knowing the right people and constantly promoting/attending events.
5) How might someone criticise the representation of celebrity in Kim Kardashian: Hollywood?
She promotes women as characters who have to always look good, model and date.
Industries
1) How much does Kim Kardashian: Hollywood cost?
-The game is free to download however, it includes varies in-app purchases (monthly/weekly subscriptions)
2) How does the game make money?
The game is free to download but makes huge amounts of money from in-app purchases and subscriptions. Players need to buy energy to complete tasks (or wait 30 minutes for energy to replenish).
3) What subscriptions are available to Kim Kardashian: Hollywood?
- Gold: 49.99 USD / month
- Silver: 19.99 USD / month
- Bronze: 4.99 USD / month
4) How was Kim Kardashian: Hollywood marketed and promoted?
It was promoted by social media and influencer's associated with the Kim K brand. Also, there is advertising that takes place withing the game (Twitter, Facebook etc) which broadens the platform of the game. They made a 31 second tv advert to also promote the game.
5) How does Kim Kardashian: Hollywood use media convergence to cross-promote the game and the Kardashian brand?
"Advertising appears in this game and may permit users to interact with one another (e.g., chat rooms, player to player chat, messaging) depending on the availability of these features. Linking to social networking sites are not intended for persons in violation of the applicable rules of such social networking sites." This initially shows how there are cross-promoted brands incorporated within the game (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook)
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