SOI Version2:
I intend to create a game magazine called “RGB”, I have chosen this name as it is an intertextual reference to pixel colours which will resonate with my niche target audience, it comes from the light on a computer screen where red, green, and blue are all mixed. it is also a highly used term within the gaming community. Because of this mixing of colour, it brings connotations of inclusivity, symbolizing the magazines mission. This magazine will target the psychographic audience category of the reformer, who seek enlightenment through the topics mentioned within RBG.
The RGB magazine will cover topics that combat the modern stereotypes and ideas, such as the male gaze in video games, the lack of female protagonists and the stereotypical portrayal of women when they do appear (18% of the time as stated by Statista). RGB will address these issues, but also give more exposure to videogames with female protagonists on the cover and inside pages. All of this should engage an active audience of 15–30-year-old females and males that are unhappy with the treatment of women within video games.
Although it is a financial risk to go against mainstream media, as said by Hesmondalgh in his cultural industries theory, I believe the audience for this issue is wide enough and active enough to make the magazine successful, as Statista states 41% of women within the UK define themselves as feminist, proving how this could be a commercially viable product.
I will be using a cross-media production by making an Instagram account to place prominently on the cover of the magazine, allowing the audience to stay updated with videogame news between magazines, the Instagram would also be used as a promotional tool for the magazine
The advertisements in RBG will target the ABC1(NRS Social Grade) demographic and be described as middle – upper end of the working market who can afford to spend considerable amounts of money on gaming consoles or accessories. The price points will be mid-market, £200-500 for accessories and £2500+ for full computers. The advertisements will be targeted to this group because people with less money will not be as inclined to buy new hardware for their games. The brands advertised will be luxury and include taglines to persuade people to purchase them. The use of dramatic lighting and contrasts will help to create the image of luxury within these advertisements, appealing to the target audiences purchasing power.
RGB will challenge stereotypes and dominant ideologies around gaming, this will be evident on the front cover of the magazine with a female protagonist from a AAA videogame. The cover will also feature 2 photos of new release games from the inside pages of the magazine. The cover lines of the magazine will combat damaging dominant ideologies with cover lines such as, “levelling the playing field: empowering women in the gaming world!” will directly confront damaging dominant ideologies and promote a more inclusive gaming culture.
