Parents' Guide to Popular Games in Singapore
Game: Audition
Platform: PC based, free to download game
Publisher: Nexon & T3 entertainment
Game Genre: Online music, MMOG
ESRB Rating: No ratings found
MDA Rating: Acceptable rating based only on the audition portable
GENERAL GAMEPLAY
Audition is basically a dance game where you operate a character to dance based on
corresponding arrow keys on the keyboard. The feature of this game is it introduces the
concept of MMOGs where you can adopt a personalized character; develop its character level
by dancing to songs. While you level with other people and get better, you get den (game money)
so you could change the way your avatar looks depending on your tastes. There is also another
way you could dress your avatar and that is by buying top up cards using real money and loading
them into your account so you could gain ePoints.
There are many game modes in 3 different channels to choose from and players can go from entry level,
advance level to freestyle level of gameplay.
GAME MODES
- Individual Mode ()
In the individual game mode, players choose to battle with other online players with one person
hosting a room. They dance along to the song by pressing in the up, down, left, right arrows and
hitting the space bar according to the rhythm beat bar. This mode is most common and can be very
interactive because players can be in the same room playing continuously. It allows friends to come
together and dance in the same room where it is common for one to set a password to protect the
room such that only friends they know will be given the password to play with them.
- Beat Rush Mode ()
Players are supposed to follow the song beat, copying the movement as shown in a set of
4 moves that is moving in clockwise circular directions. Players will need to press and follow
the sequence in each set before the beat goes on to the next set. This mode is more challenging
and requires very fast hand eye coordination skills.
- One-Two Party Mode ()
This mode requires 6 players on the arena and one non playing character (NPC). The game play is the
same as the normal mode but instead of competing with players, they are supposed to follow the beat
and move of the NPC. The one with the best coordination with the NPC wins the game. This mode moves
from just being better then the other players, but it also allows players to play against the computer
which most games are incorporating and this is no exception.
- Beat Up Mode ()
In this mode, players move from the directional pad to using the number pad to play. Players will
use numbers 1,4,7 and 3,6,9 to hit the arrows on beat. This mode operates like the widely popular
normal mode but the additional button makes it even more challenging for the players. This is a
similar principle like in playing dynamic-8key mode or the choreography-8 key mode.
THINGS PARENTS SHOULD LOOK OUT FOR
- Time Spent ()
This game is realistically not as time consuming as other standard MMOG games like WOW or Maple
Story because the actual game play involves 3-10 minutes depending on the length of the song
chosen. However, it can become time consuming because players have the tendency to perfect their
moves and can keep repeating the same song over and over again just so as to master the beat,
rhythm and for some even trying to memorize the sequence of arrows. The other factor that pushes
the time usage is the need to practice together with friends, almost simulating a real life dance
practice where there is also high interaction involved.
- Developing BGR ()
The game is mostly dominated by female players and there have been instances of guys joining the
game for the purpose of flirting and getting to know more girls. As the platform is very open and
there is no means to stopping who you can play with, many players (especially girls) can easily get
to know strangers online and develop virtual relationships. The inbuilt couple mode further eases the
development because players can compete as a couple or even play against other couples in the
challenge mode.
WAYS IN WHICH THIS CAN WORK FOR GOOD
- Understanding youth culture ()
Most of the players will have a genuine interest in music and dance which can be a good bridge
between parent and child. There are a few categories of music in the game ranging from Chinese,
Korean, Japanese and English Pop.
- Developing Interest ()
For players who are involved in audition, it'll be good to explore music or dance related
activities to spur them into real life action. Dance or music clinics are great ways to engage
players in real life.
MY CHILD WANTS TO START PLAYING AUDITION… WHAT CAN I DO?
- Get him involved in other real life activity of a similar nature such as dance classes.
- Moderate your child’s usage by setting a mutual agreed time limit.
- Exercise flexibility during the game play. For e.g. although the time may be up but your child is still playing, you can get him/her to stop once the song is over instead of immediately.
GAMER MOTIVATION
Generally more girls than guys are attracted to this game, probably for the factor that they can
combine their cool desire to dance and a love for music together in a game. Some males supposedly play
audition in order to meet girls, flirt and start relationships.
- Achievement ()
For audition, the achievement factor kicks in usually when a player achieves a high level.
At different level, players have to play difficult level songs to attain a license before they
can advance their level. The license dance always proves to be a challenge for the players. For
guys this is one of the factors that drive them to keep playing audition so that they can prove
their competency and sometimes to vie for the top positions in the game.
- Social ()
This is highly common in audition where players have a lot of interactions, mostly in between
waiting for the next songs. In audition they have a feature where FAMs are created. Basically
FAMs are the short form for family and it functions like a guild or clan where people get together
and play together. The word already creates an associative effect among the players in the same
FAMs and they even share points and money earned in the game. The couple dance modes also encourages
more social interaction and therefore more virtual couples appearing in audition more then other games.
- Immersion ()
The unique feature where players can dress up their characters in any fancy wear or latest fashion
drives players to fantasies their own characters to be someone they sometimes cannot dress up as in
real life. However, most players will choose to dress themselves in relation to who they think
they are and associate themselves with the character more through the dressing.
Back
If you would like to comment about this review, please click here.
|
|
