Call of Duty: Collection 1 Trailer

Media Forms: What codes and conventions does the trailer use to establish the text’s genre?


 This trailer uses various codes and conventions such as parallel non dietetic futuristic music which creates a sense of action. This music also creates anchorage of the visual montage of clips that are on the screen. This non diegetic music also creates engima codes, a theory suggested by Barthes because it is almost a cliche that has been used in action films such as Mission Impossible, therefore the audience begin to question what they are about to see. However, if we where to use Halls' theory of preferred and oppositional reading, then an oppositional reading could argue that this use of non dietetic music is a parody of the action genre and in fact arguing that there is no such thing as genres any more. There is also the use of various different camera shots such as the point of view shot which is seen at 0:52 of the trailer. This camera shot has been used to first excite the audience because of the fantastic opportunity this game allows, but also make them feel as if they are playing and enjoying the game already which is a typical convention of the gaming genre. This point of view shot also shows that some of the audience to socially interact online with friends which fufils the audiences' uses and gratifications according to the theoriest Katz and Blumler.


 Media Representations: How is war represented in the trailer?


 War has been represented as a playful and enjoyable action packed activity but realistically is not. The preferred reading is that war can be fun, however for those that don't want to die, this game is an exact simulation, however an oppositional reading could argue that this trailer is commercialising and globalizing (McQuail) war which is global issue that effects people around the world. 


Media Institutions: In what ways is the trailer typical of the video game industry? 


There is also the use of various different camera shots such as the point of view shot which is seen at 0:52 of the trailer. This camera shot has been used to first excite the audience because of the fantastic opportunity this game allows, but also make them feel as if they are playing and enjoying the game already which is a typical convention of the gaming genre. Also, the action music, dark negative colours and repetitive use of the COD ident for brand identity is also a typical convention. 


Media Audiences: Who does this text appeal to and what pleasures does it offer? 


This text appeals to wide audience. It offers the pleasures of social interaction which fufils the audiences' uses and gratifications. This is done by allowing the audience to play online and join 'the global village'. This also allows the audience to escape from there everyday normal lives and see how life as a solider is which is also fulfilling uses and gratifications. This text also offers schdenfrudian and machoistic pleasures because is shows people hurting and enjoying killing each other. Also this text has visual pleasures due to the explosions and realism of the characters.