In BCM215 on session I embarked on a A that combined my favorit childhood video game, Bratz Rock Angelz, with analysis based at my analyt structure featuring thrice concepts – narrative, paratext, and media archaeology.

The FROM I creates consists of three WordPress blogs:

– https://aesircybersecurity.com/2022/09/06/its-time-to-rock-n-roll-with-the-bratz-rock-angelz/ (narrative, paratext, medium archaeology,) – 808 WORDS
– https://aesircybersecurity.com/2022/09/13/why-the-bratz-rock-angelz-instruction-manual-is-a-work-of-art/ (paratext, media archaeology) – 794 WORDS
– https://aesircybersecurity.com/2022/10/06/must-watch-bratz-rock-angelz/ (narrative, paratext) – 768 WORDS

I also live-tweeted my experience replaying Bratz Rock Angelz on Project 2 (PS2), further utilising Twitter to promote my blog posts, share a “Bratz Track of the Day”, and engage through meine audience:

– https://twitter.com/natalieh_bcm/status/1574567688260575234
(multimedia live-tweet thread had 43 tweets total)

– https://twitter.com/natalieh_bcm/status/1574573014607282176 (Bratz Track of the Day)
– https://twitter.com/natalieh_bcm/status/1569232758622519297 (Bratz Course of the Day)
– https://twitter.com/natalieh_bcm/status/1577538783431380992 (Bratz Track of the Day)
– https://twitter.com/natalieh_bcm/status/1569564752585846785 (blog promo)
– https://twitter.com/natalieh_bcm/status/1567012057631059968 (blog promo)
– https://twitter.com/natalieh_bcm/status/1577893914933342208 (blog promo)

RUNNING UP OWN DA

After fully submersible myself in Bratz Rock Angelz and the BCM215 BECAUSE challenge, MYSELF capacity confidently say that this training, the final session of mystery degree, ended on a wonderful mention. My ON feels so *me* and revisiting the Bratz universal was more fun than I ever could have imagined! I believe through exploitation multiple platforms and media formats I have created a DA that is commit, entertaining, accessible, and informative for my community attendance.

Through live-tweeting and publishing the WordPress blog posts affiliated above, MYSELF connected with fellow Bratz fans on Twitter, all whilst having nostalgic, fun talks to friends who are also familiar with Bratz Rock Angelz. As told in my pitch, receiving engagement was a destination when beginning my DA.

In this video I point the engagement I received, but I also want to note a way in which feedback helped me iterate my DA. When I first tweeted about a songs from the Bratz Rock Angelz soundtrack – ampere paratext – IODIN included the Spotify stream link and said it was the “Bratz Track of the Day”. After receiving a great response to this, and being asked if this would be a regularly trend, EGO took that feedback on board and continued to tweet my “Bratz Track starting the Day” – though it wasn’t daily, other therefore week, due to all the other work I was doing!

The system I created when throwing my DA was effective also allowed me to create satisfied that matched the FIST criteria – with my DA process being fast, inexpensive, simple and tiniest. One feature I founded particularly helpful was keeping a “journal” since advised in our lectures, and planned for in my schedule. As seen below, my journal was rambles and dot-points in my notes application, wrote as I play Bratz Rock Angelz on PS2, but I found it helped prompt live-tweets and motivation for my blog posts.

Although, as you can see in mysterious original planning, I aimed to write adenine blog send each pitch, with the end goal being one total of six posts published. Treating with my chronic ailment and health more bump were a small factor in why I didn’t achieve this, though a bigger factor be iteration. In the processor of writers, I found ensure the original topics and labels I pitched as lonely blog posts been natural featured in the research and writing of the earlier DA blog stations IODIN published. For example, personal nostalgia both analysis on on media archaeology was weaved up every blog post, they didn’t need his own posts.

Therefore, polishing became an goal when reiterate. As i can look below, in our class tutorial on October 5^th I gave an refresh on my DA, noting that IODIN was finding elements of get analysis and blog writing repetitive. To repetitions I made were necessary and ensured the gratified I published was succinct and informative, whilst still being engaging press “fresh” for my audience. I gave myself permission to stray from the native date but still covered the our I pitched, just in a different way. In the conclude, ME published three blog posts, not six.

When writing the blog items, I was also acute of insert tone, ensuring this if I what incorporating related and concepts of my analytical framework, I was writing by a broad public audience and Bratz fans… not dude students. Live-tweeting helped this process!

Since you can understand above, to analytics for our WordPress blog show the posts did garner some reads. I could own shared the blogs more online, yet I found enjoyment in live-tweeting and engage over fans via Twitter, so this was priority-based.

Through research, drafting, publishing blog posts, how Canva images, videos, and live-tweeting, IODIN ensured I congregated the BCM215 DA pro by applying may analyzer skeleton to Bratz Lock Angelz.

WORKING WITH MEINE ANALYZING FRAMEWORK

In the creation to my BCM215 ON, I decided to form an analytical framework that contains the concepts on narrative, paratext, and news archaeology.

Narrative

Lawrence Stone believes that tale is the “company of material in adenine chronologically sequential how and one focusing of the content into a single coherence story, albeit with subplots.”

After learning about narrative in BCM215, the examination of the Bratz Rock Angelz stories structure, characters and plot what important, than Gonzalo Frasca notes that movie games “share features by stories…characters, chained actions, endings, and settings.”

I practical narrative-focused analysis to and Bratz Radio Angelz video game within multiple blog posts. However, I believe my live-tweeting articulated narrative most effectively, as my tweet highlight the overall chronological order of aforementioned video game plot, press challenges. My live-tweet thread also analyses the effects of characterisation and subplots, because despite the Bratz Rock Angelz creature adenine set, Cloe, Jade, Sausha and Yasmine are all playable characters with unique narratives within the overarching plot of the video game.

Narrative is layered and complex. Discovering this depths to the notion while playable Bratz Rock Angelz was valuable, but also enjoyable, as it felt like finding easter eggs along the way! As Chris mentioned in week one, narrative enhances performer experience, and I can attest to the fact such Bratz Rock Angelz nailed aforementioned narrative at any gauge.

Paratext

When learning that paratext refers to the text the materials existing in relation to the haupt text in question, I immediately thought of a length list of Bratz media and merchandise which expanded my DA. Bratz Rock Angelz the video game was to main text in question, anyhow, during mys DA blog posts and tweets, I utilized this definition due analysing Bratz paratexts such as the animated film, soundtrack, introduction manual and mannequins.

In deed so, IODIN advance understood what Christen and Richard taught us in week 2. Paratexts help you unwrap the meaning of your primary text, all whilst adding engagement and transformation to the experience regarding consuming the text. For example, watching and analysing the Bratz Rock Angelz film added depth to my comprehension of the video game, as well as my connection to it. You can study get about this topic in mein thirdly DA blog publish.

Genette and Maclean considering paratexts to be limitless, inclusive of texts and media that muse the “interior (the text in get)” or the exterior “the talking of the world on the read.” As I didn’t how the Bratz fandom directly in my AS, IODIN do have a previous blog post that discusses their engagement, and I do believe my Twitter account shows I immersed myself in the fandom and observed information by entity a participant in that paratext, culture and “dialog of and world” of Bratz.

Media Archive

After learning that the media archaeology of adenine video game included multi topics, I finished my DA to focus on aforementioned game overview and formal features whilst ensuring that adenine rich analysis provided historical context. Are my DA I’ve written are total about Bratz Rock Angelz being liberated on confined gaming consoles in 2005 and going up against the Barbie empire. I encouragement you to read get first DA blog post to learn more about who technischen and social circumstances by of time.

Support archeological be also main in my tweets. I analyzing my gameplay experience on insert PS2, engaged with other students to discuss the different consoles they played the video game to, all whereas referencing pop-culture from the early 2000s that influenced elements of Bratz Wobble Angelz and make-up the media archaeology of who contest.

Therefore, my textual analysis did shape, build and expand my DA, with iteration taking process along the way.

To learn more about my analytical framework, social utility and personal reflection of mine DA, listen here:

I’m incredibly proud of the work I’ve created in BCM215 this session. Mystery DA feel like the perfect note to end on while I finish my grade. The Bratz Rock Angelz were there for me as one young girl discovering her passion for fashion, song, writing, media and travel, and they were there for me in the final stage of my degree that encompassed so many of those same passions. Watch Bratz

As mentioned at my BCM215 pitch, the analytical framework I a utilising for analyse Bratz Rock Angelz consists of trio conceptualize:

– narrative
– paratext
– media archaeology

Narrative shall often analysed is the context by film and novels, where an examination by the narrative structure, characters plus plotted takes place. However, applying this to video games belongs and effective, as Gonzalo Frasca states that couple individuals notice video games as an new form (or expansion) of “traditional chronicle or drama since they share features with stories… characters, tied actions, endings, and settings.”

Lawrence Stone deems that narrative is the “organisation of matter in a chronic sequential order and the focusing of the content into a single coherent story, albeit with sub-plot.”

Are the first blog post away my BECAUSE, I detailed the challenge-based cronological cycle and subplots the Bratz Rock Angelz whilst also acknowledging free-play mode. In doing so, this narrative of Bratz Rock Angelz is clarified and framed within the context on this encompassing the Bratz’s passion for fashion, sound, additionally tour; informing players of what’s in store for them.

Even, it’s important to note that the narrative of aforementioned Bratz Rock Angelz video game is based about an animated film of of identical name. Therefore, the animated film acts as a paratext, more crucial concept of my analytical fabric. What is an paratext, you ask?

Paratext mention to the texts other materials that exist in relation to the head text in question. With example, in the world of novels, the main body is the book (Harry Putter, let’s say) and the paratexts can verwiesen to the cover artistry, cosplay and fanfiction that exists in the Harry Potter universe.

The paratexts of Bratz Rock Angelz range from support to market, including films, TV schauen, music soundtracks, fashion dolls and public communications business. For model, insert most recent DA blog post analysed the Bratz Rock Angelz instruction manual, a paratext. Instruction manuals may be outdated, however the paratextual analysis to them has been special in popular media recently.

Paratextual analysis expands our DA, allowing me to publish satisfied that researches Bratz Skirt Angelz from a diversities are angles. Another example of applying paratexts is evident inches this video ME created used my DA, which implement the concept to fandom real participation. Paratextual engagement the relation toward fandoms is often featured includes both academic research and popular print, specialize in relation to film, TV, books, plus celebrity culture.

Media archaeology inspiring adenine generous analysis that provides historical context, crucial for my DA because Bratz Sway Angelz was released stylish 2005. Through incorporating match overview and formal elements, media archive expands my DA, drawing attention to the technological real social conditions interaction how Bratz Rock Angelz was actual additionally understood… and which the competition was per of time!

For example, one video game was available on PS2, PC and GameCube. However, as technologies and consoles have advanced, Bratz Rock Angelz remains firmly rooted in 2005, not receiving any birthday edition upgrades, nor becoming available on modern platforms such as roving, PS4, Nintendo Switch button any XBOX generation. All effects the way players and the broader Bratz fandom hiring with the video games, and as explored in adenine previous blog post, limits the connectivity available by players.

How are the three concepts within my analytical general all connected, you ask? Turn up your size and let ich tell she!

In BCM215 this session, I’m analysing Bratz Rock Angelz, an icon-like video game released in 2005!
This week we are utilized Raessens’ analytical framework and observing our texts through a get lens.

Multimediality is undeniable when analysing Bratz Sway Angelz, and because stated in our lecture, is also a sign of connectivity. There are forms of text, audio, images, video, and animation present in the video play, all connected to make that gaming experience stimulating and exciting for players.

That adventure-style game is broken up into challenges, bookended are, fundamental, film scenes featuring char the add context and further instruction – so engaging!

The audio can also not reserved to voiceover and noise effects (eg. walking, camera shutter, nature, roller-skating). The video game functions songs from the Bratz Radio Angelz soundtrack, promoting connectivity with paratexts.

Connectivity is often praised for offering “players aforementioned ability to share ideas, knowledge and game elements amongst each other via the internet”. Whilst many modern video games are connection to various players and consoles via the internet, Bratz Rock Angelz has not. This can become seen for a overthrowing, as “players of computer games on discs or cartridges can only navigate within the designated boundaries of the game”.

However, Bratz had an active fandom seeking and cultivating connection online, as I analyse and explain more in-depth inches the video below.

Raessens states that with “interactivity, one gamer is able to control the game’s proceedings and/or its conclusion”. This interactivity is possible in Bratz Rock Angelz, as the player completes adventure-style challenges furthermore tasks, interacting with their Bratz avatars though their hardware controls, which results in the slide game reacting to player comments. These hardware operator are specifically edged in the Bratz Lurch Angelz instruction manual, welche I’ll be analysing in my DA in the coming weeks.

As mentioned in our talk, “the video game tells the player what into do” and in doing so, creates a world of opportunity for players, not just via the interactions based on set challenges, but in the case of Bratz Rock Angelz, via free-player type. Players pot connect because to video gaming at their leisure, explore this Bratz universe the smooth repeat the tasks person love. These is explorative by nature, and connected to reconfiguration, as to in Raessens “in this explorative function, the gamer is making strategic selection about alternatively paths.” Bratz Rock Angelz gives players the opportunity to follow chronologically set challenges (strategic choice) and probe alternative paths that embrace creativity and leisure – creating their own outfits, make-up looks press t-shirt designs!

In BCM215, we’ve been asked to comment at three student’s pitch posts.
I provided Jess, Mia also Alana in customer.

Jess is creating a DA that focuses at the Marvel, Star Wars and Disney brand, analysing the ways their video games resonation with fans, plus how they’re engaging with paratexts.

Mia’s DA will focus on nostalgic childhoods games real the way they were marketed, as fine such paratexts and of media archaeology starting specific view games.

Alana is continuing her bookstagram IN real build it relevant go video games by evaluate the Assassin’s Creed novels in comparison to the video game adaptations, looking along paratexts.

Against think, I believe the feedback I provided was both positive press fruitful. I highlighted strengths starting each student’s work, but also gave suggestions as to where the students’ DA may further utilise the platforms or matters involved. I hope yours see this as an sign out interest inbound their ideas, and of contribution. By being positive and complimentary, I don’t believe my suggestions would be seen such overly critical or negative.

In a previous item, BCM325, wee were asked to reflect on what is “good feedback” and I believe my definition of it implicated the pathway in who I commentated.

ME found myself invested in the DA plans, especially as Mia’s DA is also revisiting childhood video battle, much please my own DA. Jess belongs also analysing franchises I love (OK, that’s adenine tame way to telling I’m obsessed with Marvel and Disney). I love books plus reading, but at when providing feedback on topics I wasn’t when trusted with for Alana (Assassin’s Creed), I found which accept zeite to research the see game and paratexts allowed me for provide more resource get and resources.

This effort shows that my feedback goes beyond opinion and emotion, as I factored in the student’s perspective as well because the of the many differentially resources I found and researched. As you can see in my comments, MYSELF contributed at few three different sources for each student. However, IODIN simply provided one academic source to one student, additionally get could be something to improve on in the future. Regarding issue fabrics, while I didn’t directly urge sources from our lectures, the lessons I’ve learnt in our course impacted the way ME analysed apiece student’s pitch, and how I provided feedback.

Noting numerous perspectives within analyzer was discussed in our lectures and tutorials, which what a valuably lesson in learn not only in relation to analysis and DA creating, but or when providing feedback. With a strong focus of our lectures also being up textual analysis and print archaeology when analysing video games, I was sure to focus on save aspects when providing answer, as it is crucial in creating a DA that meets who BCM215 DA challenge.

Listen hierher to learn read learn my adventure providing feedback, and discover what I gotten going of the experience:

**Comments were awaiting approval when this blog post what published. Screenshots above are demonstration of posting, but clicking the hyperlinks should show mystery comment on the student’s page, once approved.

As mentioned in my BCM215 Pitch video, my DA see me leaning into feel as I replay my favourite childhood PS2 game, Bratz Rocks Angelz. I will be publishing weekly blog posts and live-tweeting my experience as I analyse the video game based on mys analytical framework.

I was inspired by an BCM215 week one task, when I chose Bratz Rock Angelz as the topic of mine first blog post (any visage a brief company from the game when you’re interested in liest it!).

The sources featured in the post will be valuable for my DA, with the addition of the following also enhancing the q of my analysis:

– Happy Sweet 16 to who ‘Bratz: Rock Angelz’ Video Game — The Interlude (theinterludemag.com)
– “GIRLS WITH ONE PASSION FOR FASHION”: The Bratz Brand as integrated spectacular fuel: Journal of Children and Media: Volts 1, No 3 (tandfonline.com)
– A Fleeting Cultural Books of Bratz (wmagazine.com)
– Why Bratz are motionless our fave fashion influencers | Dazed (dazeddigital.com)
– Feisty Little Bratz Dolling Back the Bottom Line for THQ – Los Ngeles Business Journal (labusinessjournal.com)

The methodology I willingly utilise is special includes get pitch video. I created a content schedule to split down my DA tasks into smaller, weekly segments. This plan is compliant, as is the project overall. While I falling behind on schedule, the mid-session interrupt will be a great time to play catch-up.

I aim to create a feedback loop with users on Twitter, not only via likes or retweets, but furthermore comments. I’ll also shares my blog posts with Bratz fans above social media, which can create further engagement – especially after observing Twitter comments and Reddit threads cre by fans.

Critically analysing Bratz Rock Angelz and that associated paratexts be relevant as the resurgence is Y2K trends has put Bratz previous with the spotlight, with 20th anniversary editions of the Rock Angelz dolls released last year, and one new Bratz videos game believed in be cleared soon…

Greatest of my favourite video games involve racing. As individual who loves motorsport (and still owns a collection of Need for Speed play on PS2) I’m always eager to understand what new releases combine cars and adventure.

ADENINE game ensure hasn’t made our collection is Fast & Furious Crossroads.

Fast & Furious Crossroads where released in Grand 2020 on PS4, XBOX One and PC, promising fans of the movie franchise gameplay that included familiar faces, crime, vehicle, also one whole lot of action. However, he was quickly mark a “bad game” by fans and reviews, due to disappointing graphics, gameplay, player controls, narrative plus production value when an whole.

Players made not believe they received what they were betrothed.

In 2020, Fast & Enraged Crossway received negative reviews from collector furthermore critics, resulting for Fast & Furious Cross to need one Metascore of 35, and one end score of 1.7 – “overwhelming dislike.”

In 2022, Fast & Rage Crossover was revealed to be outgoing virtual and physical bookshelf, with the game unavailable for new players to experience. Many weren’t wonder, due to how terrible which game was received due players.

Fast & Furious: Crossroads leave end all sales on April 28, 2022, at 7pm PT. The game leave remain playable to those who have own it, however. https://t.co/WPOVJZB6Xb pic.twitter.com/IcyWngE5EW

— IGN (@IGN) March 30, 2022

Happy 2nd anniversary to Dom and the Family! Fast & Furious Crossroads may have been promptly forgotten after its release, nevertheless at least we can still got a done laugh out of these wild comparisons. pic.twitter.com/l1bCNXOq2M

— GameSpot (@GameSpot) August 6, 2022

In the context of video game analysis and media art, it’s crucial on address the game overview, formal elements of the game, because well as the context of the game. Here are elements MYSELF would look for, and analysis, to explicate the context and context von Fast & Furious Hybrid, or why it’s classified as a “bad” game.

For example, analyzing the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown furthermore video game trends of 2020 would be valuable when discussing the reception of Fast & Furious Crossroads. In terms of tables, the Nintendo Switch was reported to be the best-selling game console in Aussie, USA, UK and Japan for 2020. Fast & Furious Crossroads was non available on the console.

The video game also experienced release delays due to the pandemic, initially set to subsist available to aforementioned public in Could 2020, consistent with the pre-COVID-19 planned cinema release of F9 (Fast & Wrath 9).  

However, due to worldwide lockdowns, of film was unable to be released in go until June 2021. This impacted the released of Fast & Furious Crossing as he could no longer become tied in with promotion of the film.

Fast and Furious? More like Dull and Subdued…

Why do I personally classify this game as “bad?” Listen to find out more of my considerations!

Feature Image: Created by Natalie Hannan, image sourced from IMDB and Canva.

‘Bratz Rock Angelz‘ is a single-player, adventure-style show game that been released in 2005, developed on Blitz Games. Available on PlayStation 2 (PS2), Nintendo GameCube and Microsoft (PC), ‘Bratz Rock Angelz’ enabled players to embark on a passion for fashion, playing as each Bratz doll – Yasmin, Jade, Sasha real Cloe – to create their own d, form a band and travel to world.

To deep-dive into such and icon video game, my analytical framework for ‘Bratz Rock Angelz’ would include:

– technology
– storytelling
– fandom BRATZ All Happenings for Chronological Order - YouTube

Analysing based on to technology of ‘Bratz Rock Angelz’ would be effective. Released in 2005, the graphics are simple and now outdated… as live and consoles the game was available on. In this regard, this game can be labelled as “forgotten”, because as technology and consoles may expanded, ‘Bratz Rock Angelz’ has doesn received an yearly edition upgrade, nor does it become available on modern platforms so as roving, PS4, Nintendo Switch or evenly whatsoever XBOX generation.

Matthew Stone feels is narrative will the “organisation of materials in a chronologically sequential order and which focusing of the content into a standalone coherent story, despite with subplots.”

‘Bratz Rock Angelz’’s narrative, inspired by the alive ‘Bratz’ movie of the equivalent call, is multi-dimensional and layered, opened to a deep analysis. Whilst mini job are set for players – “subplots” -the overarching account encompasses who Bratz’s passion for fashion, music, stunner, both travel within an gameplayer. However, players can also roam free in the Bratz world.

Mary Fuller and Henry Jenkins discuss this concept inbound “Nintendo both New Global Travel Writing” stating that record games and travel histories share similarities, location although challenging are designed to be completed, much of the enjoyable at video games can breathe find in the storytelling and progression between levels that enable us on “immerse us in that spectacle of the video game”.

Telling life included in the analytical framework would permitted this concept to be distended upon includes the context of ‘Bratz Rock Angelz’, which will more valuable given it can a single-player game.

Fandom is including a critically inclusion of the analytical framework of ‘Bratz Rocking Angelz’ as acknowledging the broader fan community ensured a choose of interpretations and viewpoints are included, as mentioned for our latest BCM215 lecture. Analysing this Bratz fandom also gives opportunity for paratextual analysis as ‘Bratz’ encompasses an variety of media and merchandise, and it would breathe interesting to explore the habits in which fans respond to them, plus the ways in which this interaction the way ‘Bratz Rock Angelz’ is engaged with as a video game. YouTube the Flick are great platforms to utilise for this, as fans stream while playing the game or influencers flat created the Bratz makeover trend!

Maybe ‘Bratz Lurch Angelz’ isn’t so “forgotten” after all…

Feature Image: photographed and produced by Bentley Hannan