Case Study- Retro Gamer

Cover page analysis

The title sums up the magazine telling the audience the genre of the magazine, Being large on the front page shows that the theme is significant throughout the content. The image is illustrated covering the entire background in an heightened style and colour with fiction images. Most games are fiction based in alternate realities. Excluding the left bottom corner which appears to be burnt, peeling from the corner. This eventuates the contrast with the photo of a keyboard in the corner with plain subtle colours. The subtitles informs about games, consoles, software and interviews of celebs. Targeting the new information for the audience to portray on the front page. The language is informal so that the audience is comfortable reading it as a leisure activity rather a compulsory text. Making the subtitles abbreviated and bullet pointed so the information is quick and easy to read. The bar-code is placed center bottom of the page with the amount to pay on top so the audience are confirmed of the price. The audience are gamers who prefer older games hence the title ‘Retro’  and the old illustrative style including 8- bit images

Contents page analysis

The contents start from the top left corner and end in the bottom right corner following the western layout compared to the eastern layout as the front page had some Japanese writing on. Special, Revivals, Classics and Essentials are headings that entice the readers, although the text is not essential they claim it for information that should peak the audiences interests. Special makes the content appear more than it is, even if it is a keyboard. The advertisements portray it to be more interesting by using the image placement and use of language in the tagline. Achieved by placing the keyboard over the dark background; knocking over boundaries, placed next to the featured lists of games and interviews. Classics make the contents old but gold, a list of must play games. With content that will stand with other popular games through new consoles and games. There is a large amount of images 7 small, 3 doubled and 1 large image spreading between the two pages. The images are photos as well as illustrations and screen shots showing the variety of recording in the gaming industry this includes the wide use of colour both neon heightened colours and realistic earthy tones. As the large image is placed on both pages, it connects them; displaying the contents as a singular page contrasted to two completely different pages. Using the same image as the cover image explores the importance of "Space Harrier" including two large images on close pages. That has been slightly altered by cropping but the same image.

Double page analysis

The double page article is based upon the death of Satoru Iwata, talking about his legacy. With Iwata’s birthday and the day of deceased above the heading. Words such as memories and sadness  appear conveying the motif of mourning throughout the text. The colour scheme also explores this, black is the main colour on the pages. Dominating the background. This is because black represents death and mourning.The double page article uses colloquial language. Instead of writing formally about the death of Satoru Iwata the magazine the writer has used informal language to make the magazine more friendly to empathize with the audience. The text does not use much punctuation, relaying how much information is needed to be conveyed quickly. Under the title ‘Iwata helps’ is some information on some games he has worked on making contributions showing off his works and achievements. The double page spread includes a large amount of text all based around the images of Iwata to show that the information is also based around him and the games that he has created. Giving information about all of his work and his career.