1.
CODES &
CONVENTIONSSECTION 1 A

2.
Lesson Aims
◼ To introduce the 5 areas that might be covered in the
question
◼To be clear on evaluative words and have a range of
different ones I can use
◼To look at how I used codes and conventions in my AS & A2
work
LQ: HOW DO I EVALUATE MY SKILLS
DEVELOPMENT FOR CODES AND CONVENTIONS

3.
1. CODES AND CONVENTION
2. DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY
3. RESEARCH AND PLANNING
4. POST PRODUCTION
5. CREATIVITY
NB Creativity will not be a question on its own. In others words
it might be -
THE 5 AREAS THAT MIGHT BE ASKED ABOUT IN
SECTION 1A OF G325

4.
THE HISTORY OF MINECRAFT & THE
GAME’S OWNERSHIP
• Who created the game?
• Who developed (develops) the game?
• Who owns the game?
Have you been
paying attention?!
TASK
1. Look through your notes that you have made so far regarding the ownership of
Minecraft
2. In pairs, create a timeline that documents all the key changes and developments with
the Minecraft brand since it began in 2009
To recap all the following information, and to add some more
about the ownership Minecraft, you will complete the
following:

5.
THE PRODUCTION, DISTRIBUTION &
CIRCULATION OF THE GAME
TASK
1. Working in pairs at your table
2. You will be given a focus
1. Production
2. Impact of technology &
production
3. Distribution
4. Circulation
3. What sorts of things do you think
your focus includes or covers?
4. Note them down
Let’s have a
look at some
things you need
to know…

6.
◼Production refers to designing, developing and making a
media product
◼Traditionally, media production has been “top down” -
produced by experts and professionals for a passive
audience
◼Persson directly borrowed elements from other games such
as Dwarf Fortress and Dungeon Keeper to introduce the
idea of collaboration between industry and audience in
producing the game
◼Minecraft is continually shaped by this 2-way feedback.
PRODUCTION

7.
◼The spread of computer technology has allowed for a more
“bottom up” approach– audiences can shape production, and
can directly feedback to producers
◼The programming language Minecraft was originally created
in, Java, makes this approach easier as it allows for players
to easily create modifications (“mods”)
◼Java also allowed the game to be easily shared across
platforms – it could run on Mac OS X, Windows and Linux
◼Java is “open source” software – meaning the code is freely
shared (rather than sold) and programmers are encouraged
to modify it and share their results, thus collectively evolving
the language
HOW CHOICE OF TECHNOLOGY
IMPACTS PRODUCTION

8.
◼Minecraft was originally just a PC game – but is now available
on gaming consoles and mobiles, all of which open up new
markets for distribution
◼Originally, a player simply logged in to play. This meant the
gameplay was run principally on a few private servers.
◼Players on computers and mobiles are now encouraged to
download the game in via cloud servers which keeps costs down
for the company
◼ Physical copies of the game came into circulation with its take
up on consoles.
◼Many early players hacked the game and created their own
servers to play it on which were perpetually online.
◼Mojang’s response to this has been the creation of “Realms” –
private servers for the exclusive use of groups of players
DISTRIBUTION

9.
◼Circulation refers to the sales of the game and how it is
‘circulated’or shared amongst audiences
◼Audiences have been part of the feedback process for the
game since its creation
◼The ability to create and customize the game has been part
of its appeal
◼Different versions of Minecraft can be understood as
appealing to different types of audience – moving away from
creation only narratives, to the inclusion of story and
spectator modes
◼These offer a range of selling points / USPs to encourage
circulation of the game
CIRCULATION & APPEAL TO
AUDIENCES

10.
SUCCESSES OF MINECRAFT
Give me one reason
why you think
Minecraft is so
successful…?
Give me another
reason why you think
Minecraft is so
successful…?!
TASK
• We are going to recap on
why Minecraft is so
successful
• Watch the short clip
• Note down the 6 reasons
they give for the game’s
success
Watch the video on the website
again if you need to be clear

11.
GROUP RESEARCH ACTIVITY
TASK
• We have found out about Minecraft’s creation, development, ownership,
how these changed since its inception in 2009 and the reasons for its
success.
• We now need to found out some more information that will help us to
understand the game in relation to INDUSTRY

12.
PRESENTATIONS
Group 1 – tell me 1
thing you have
found out about the
different versions of
Minecraft available
Group 4 – tell me 1
thing you have
found out about
Twitch TV
Group 3 – tell me 1
thing you have
found out about the
Minecraft
Marketplace
Group 2 – tell me 1
thing you have
found out about
Realms & how this
enhances gameplay
Group 5 – tell me 1
thing you have
found out about the
regulation of
Minecraft
TASK
Present back your research findings…

13.
◼Write an introductory essay to Minecraft.
◼Explain what it is, give an outline of the game’s history and
explain why it has been a commercial and critical success
(700 words)
◼Look through your class notes & read the introduction
handout to help you.
◼Due in next lesson
HOMEWORK