PC Game Cover Analysis

Analyse the front cover for how it uses technical codes to define and explore its genre and appeal to its target audience. You should also explain any relevant issues of representation (gender/ ethnicity/ national identity) or techniques such as celebrity endorsement.

Grand Theft Auto IV- It is an action-adventure game, which appeals to an audience of over-16 males due to the ESRB "Mature" rating. The genre is defined by the various serious facial expressions on the cover, one of them making a direct mode of address to the buyer. Also, there are props such as guns to highlight the crime-based storyline, as the story follows criminals and their efforts to commit heists while on the run. It appeals to the target audience as you can steal cars so you can choose fancy-looking ones, which plays on the audience's desire of getting luxurious cars. The most visible issue of representation is with the sexualisation of the only woman in the cover due to her gesture.