Contextual Analysis

26/2/2019

Semiotics: The study of signs, indicators, likeness, metaphors, symbolism, communication and iconography.

Games set in or based off of London:

We took a look at the semiotics of games and how they bring across the London feel.

Devil May Cry 5 (Capcom) 2019

Devil May Cry 5 is not set in London, but in a fictional City, called Redgrave City, based off of it. Despite it not having any actual London places, it was able to capture the feel of London very well, by representing how Central London is a mix of the Old and the New

and also creating fictional landmarks that are very reminiscent of the real ones, such as the one seen below, which has been compared with its real-life inspiration:

 It didn't go over the top with typical London stereotypes, such as this Telephone box, here compared with a real one, that was only found once,

and instead captured what you would see when actually walking around streets in Central London. It paid attention to minuscule details that most people would think would be overlooked, but that truly add to the authentic London feel, like this road sign:

Other misc. notes

• Traditional shop buildings and tile-work, with sophisticated interior
• London Bins (golden trim and authentic font)
• Traditional, old, Victorian lampposts
• Huge advertising screen
• arched buildings with intricate details
• London's big red bus
• Road markings (cars would've driven on the left)
• London specific road signs
• London specific traffic-light design 
• London specific yellow ambulances
• Electrical boxes
• Fountain with statue outside of Hotel with flags
• traditional Victorian furnishing
• London standard barriers
• building renovation scaffolding
• old brickwork
• English telephone box
• Cathedral with bell tower

In summary, this game did a very good job at capturing Londons essence, without relying on stereotypes, or actual locations. What I can take away from this is, that it is not necessary to create an exact replica of London, to capture what I want from it. If you pay attention to the details, and take away the most important aspects of a place, you can create an entirely fictional place, with the same essence as you reference. 

Call of Duty MW3 (Sledgehammer games & Infinity ward) 2009

Call of Duty MW3 isn't entirely set in London, however it has a level that is.

This level is set in Westminster, as seen below, and showcases an Underground station, on the Jubilee line.

The Underground station is very detailed and accurate to the real life Westminster station, However the Game has taken some obvious creative liberties in the parts seen when leaving the station, which we can see in the picture below:

It has also added in too many Telephone boxes, as seen and compared below, and Mailboxes, to make it "more London",

however anyone who has actually been to London could tell, that this was not realistic. The Ethnic Makeup of the Civilian NPCs, seen below, was also not as diverse as you would actually see in London.

Other misc. notes

• In Westminster 
• Jubilee line
• Adverts above the seats, inside the Tube
• "Lean-seats"
• Westminster Tube sign (With authentic Helvetica font)
• Movie Posters like "The Gang" (Chav Film)
• Authentic high, tiled ceilings in the Underground
• "Accurate" underground map (but Jargon names)
• Wet Floor signs
• Emergency Phone box
• Accurate Escalators with yellow trims
• The Ceiling Pipes
• Time Magazine Posters
• Oyster Card barriers not quite accurate
• curved tile wall
• stairs with yellow trims
• Big Ben and London Eye geographically accurate
• Train-station entrance placed inaccurately
• Busses with real locations, serial numbers and licence plates
• Authentic police car design
• Unrealistic ethnic makeup
• Accurate policemen
• Authentic telephone box design, but unrealistic placement and quantity
• Authentic Mailbox design, but unrealistic placement and quantity

In summary, this game did well in recreating what London has, but relied too much on stereotypes and shortcuts. What I learnt from this is, that it is important to research the details of a place properly, and not to just stick to stereotypes. You will create a much more authentic environment, if you know what can actually be found there, instead of what is most known to be found there. 

ZombiU (Ubisoft Montpelier) 2012

This Game is set in 2012 London, after a Zombie Apocalypse has spread the Earth. Although it is technically based on a past London, its fairly modern, as it is only set ca. 7 years ago from 2019. Unlike most Games, or even Films, ZombiU is set in the lesser-known, non-touristy part of London. More specifically, in a Council Estate, a place, only a London resident would be familiar with.
Below here we can see a run-down telephone box in one of these estates, as well as its real-life comparison:

The Safe Base of the game, is set in a London Overground station, below we can see some oyster barriers found there,

more specifically, Shadwell station. This station is very detailed and incredibly accurate to how a real Under/Overground station would have looked back then. However compared to Shadwell station now, it is quite different, as we can see below:

It also Showcases a typical London Market street, littered with ghetto and cheap shops. Much like the Overground station, the Outside is also very detailed and accurate of a London Council Estate, see the graffiti below:

With exception of the Police cars, that are clearly more accurate to police cars from 2002, not 2012. It also does a fairly good job representing the diversity in London. It shows the different types of personalities you will find in London, however, much like other games, it isn't quite spot on with the ethnic diversity. For example: Much like Call of Duty MW3, the only black person to be found, seems to be a Police Officer.

Other misc. notes

• Set in Post-Apocalyptic London
• London Bus
• UK Traffic signs
• High-Vis Jackets
• Tube station as a base (Shadwell station)
• Cricket bat default weapon
• Service information boards
• Barriers
• Authentic tiling
• Ticket machines
• Newspaper trays (fake newspaper)
• Ticket Barriers
• Loading screen is tube lines map
• Female Zombies wearing trackies, tied up hair and trainers
• Graffiti is everywhere
• Trash on street
• Accurate Council Estate
• Telephone box (accurate quantity)
• Yellow ambulance
• Zombie Chavs
• Zombie Police Officers
• Reawaken as a new Survivor after death (Player could be Chav, Athletic, Police, etc.) (Old Player Character joins Zombies)
• Electrical boxes
• Inaccurate Police cars (more accurate to 2002 cars) 
• Generic cheap shop
• Giftshop
• Bakery
• Chicken/Burger/Kebab shop
• Garage
• Halal shop
• Accurate Lampposts
• More accurate police riot vans
• Sparce ethnic diversity
• No Landmarks in Gameplay (Only intro Cutscene)

In summary, this game did very well in capturing the Areas of London, usually untouched by the entertainment industry. From this I have discovered, that it pays off to showcase less popular or touristy areas, as it is much more authentic and original than just showing off the most glorified parts. 

Gran Turismo 5 (polyphony digital) 2012

Gran Turismo 5 has a track set in London,

with some iconic areas of London in it. here we can see some of the in-game billboards compared with the real ones:

It has typical shops that can be found around popular areas, such as trafalgar square, seen and compared below,

and picadilly circus, seen and compared below,

 

which can actually be found in the game. Being quite bad at geography, I am not sure whether the geography is correct or not, however since the game is meant for racing, not exploring, and the areas seem quite close together, I believe it could easily have been altered, to create a better racing experience. 

Other misc. notes

• Has a London Track
• Victorian style buildings
• Billboard
• Gap
• Mamma Mia Ad
• Scaffoldings
• Telephone box
• HSBC
• Subway
• Streetlights
• Underground
• Big Building (Cathedral)
• Trafalgar square
• Picadilly circus
• Lion King Ad
• London Bus
• Pret a manger

In summary, this game recreated these classic tourist spots quite accurately. This has taught me that putting in the time and effort to thoroughly research an Area you are planning to recreate, creates a much more authentic and real feeling, and looks much higher quality than a hastily made knock-off.

The Order 1886 (Ready at Dawn studios) 2015

The Order 1886 is a game set in London during 1886, but with magical creatures and steampunk technology.

It does a really good job at detailing the really ornate pieces of furniture and buildings, etc., as seen below, that 1886 London had to offer.

However it has the added advancements of technology that would not have been found during that time, such as these modern trash cans and beer bottles:

It also showcases the lack of ethnical diversity that is accurate to that of 1886. On top of that, there is a slight tone of misogynism to be heard toward the main female character, that ties in well to the female culture of 1886. here is one such example:

Other misc. notes

• Set in a fantasy, steampunk, 1886 London
• British Gun design
• Victorian London Clothing
• Grimy roof
• Posh doorhandle
• Old Vent
• Wall carving
• Industrial, fabric writing
• Flags
• Train
• Hotel
• Victorian Furnishing
• Fancy frames
• China Doll
• Corset
• Ornate railing
• Detailed Wallpaper
• Old Radiator
• Posh doors
• Detailed posh lights
• Coloured glass
• Cleaner
• Old Typewriter
• Olden Style bound books
• Newspaper
• Candle
• Clock (Grandfather clock & Big clock)
• Black&White picture with Victorian clothing
• No ethnical diversity
• Red curtains
• Light-switch is posh
• Fire Exit
• Brick walls
• Bins
• Mailbox
• Charles Dickens is Alive
• Victorian style Town square
• Butcher
• Police Officer
• Blue bench
• Bike
• Tea shop
• Engraved Flask
• Fountain
• Corset Shop
• Street sign
• Advertisement
• Street lamp
• Misogynism
• Shoe polish station
• Mayfair Underground

In summary, this game did well in keeping an authentic 1886 London intact, whilst still changing certain things for the context of the game. What I can take away from this is, that it is not necessary to follow true history exactly and that reality should not limit your ideas and creativity. it is possible to create something accurate to both reality and your fiction.

The Getaway (Team Soho) 2002

The Getaway is a gangster game similar to GTA but set in London. The Characters can be heard speaking in cockney accents during the cutscenes, such an example below,

and the streets are litttered with familiar shops and brands, like argos:

The occasional bus stop:

and red London buses, here compared with a real one,

can be spotted with the TFL symbol:

Although the graphics in the game are severely outdated, making some things almost unreadable, like this boots logo, here compared with a real-life boots store:

the game is quite accurate to an actual street in 2002 London. 

Other misc. notes

• Set in 2002 London (Chapters 3/4)
• Cockney Accents
• Argos
• Debenhams
• London Bus
• Bus stop with TFL sign
• HBSC
• FedEx
• KFC
• London Bin
• Boots
• The Bodyshop
• Pret a manger
• JD sports
• Traffic cones
• Underground
• Street light boxes
• Street lights
• Fences
• British flag
• NatWest

In summary, this game did quite well in authentically recreating the exact things you would find in London. This teaches me that researching popular brands and stores of your reference, will integrate the player into your world much more, and will help them feel like they are in a much more authentic environment.