Case study: DVD for the government office for rating computer and console games (BuPP)

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Design and production of an information DVD

Tasks:

The BuPP, a service of the Austrian ministry responsible for youth issues, provides guidance for parents, teachers, guardians etc. by recommending good games. In the BuPP's view, a good game is one that is first and foremost fun to play and makes best possible use of the positive potential offered by computer games. By awarding recommendations to good computer and console games and by offering a range of other information sources and services, those with responsibility for minors are encouraged to take an active interest in the games their children play on the computer or game console in their spare time. At the same time, the opportunity is offered to children and young people to assume as much responsibility for organizing their own leisure time as their age permits.

In addition to the extensive information available on the website www.bupp.at a DVD was planned as an offline medium and an alternative to traditional printed brochures to provide information on and demos of some of the games.

Solutions:

The content and design of the information DVD mirror that of the BuPP website, thereby guaranteeing visual continuity. The package also includes a 34-page booklet in similar design.

The DVD can be played with no difficulty using the browser and navigation is as on a website. It is suitable for users of all age groups:
Children from 2 to 13
Teenagers from 14
Adults: parents, teachers, representatives of the media and business
Demos of current games run on the DVD’s start page.

The clearly laid-out menu provides access to information about the BuPP and its aims plus an index of the games (listed alphabetically and according to age group). A slide show explaining the nine steps of the rating process can be viewed. In addition, there is also a section especially for parents. Another chapter deals with frequently asked questions (FAQs).
Demo versions of the individual games can be downloaded, and images of the games’ covers are available, as are screenshots. In addition, detailed information on the publishers, genre, characteristics and game platform can be viewed. The reasons for the rating given to each game are given in detail and serve as a guide when choosing games.