Analysing Magazine Front Cover

Masthead

Strapline

Barcode

Banner

Direct mode of address

Coverlines

Main Cover Line

Written Codes• This magazine front cover displays the use of a masterhead, strapline an main cover line. Their

initial purpose is to attract the audience. This is achieved through its utilisation of clashing colours. For instance the main cover line ‘Max Payne 2’ is red ,which is contrasted against the black images. It makes the text that much more eye-catching and vibrant, appealing to its target audience. Also words such as ‘exclusive preview’ provoke its audience into a sense of excitement. Again, this sense of excitement is enhanced by the chosen colour scheme, red and white

• Headlines such as ‘Vice City Secrets Revealed’ and ’17 Reviews’ give implications as to what they want the readers to be focusing on. They are in large font and are subsequently proceeded by text giving further details in a smaller font size and colour. This cover is especially effectively as it is easy to indentify its contents after a single glance. The word ‘Gaming’ in a large bold font, instantly give us a clue as to its genre. The size of the main text and image also enable it to be reed and recognised from a distance. This factor, along with the variations of the colour scheme red, white and black, will help it standout on a shelf. There is the manipulation of exclamation marks to convey excitement. This is evident in the sentence ‘Vice City secrets revealed!’ and ‘…PlanetSide, and more!’

Language

• The words ‘Max Payne 2’ in a bold red font, is the largest typeface on the page, slightly bigger than the masterhead. It is placed in the centre of the page. The address is informal, and the fact that it is in bold effect letter bestows it with the effect of sometime shouting those words at you. There are also a few other short puffs, each restricted in length, but placed frequently. They provide a brief insight as to other aspects of the magazines content. They fascinate the reader with words such us ‘revealed’ and ‘plus’ to let them know that there is more to follow, avoiding entering great detail.

• There are also a select few language techniques that have been incorporated into the text. There are many instances of short sentences to slicken the pace of reading. An example of this would be ‘He’s back. He’s pissed’. This extract also exhibits the use of repetition, with the personal pronoun ‘He’s’ featuring in both sentences. In addition, the is an illustration of alliteration at the bottom of the cover where it says ‘Gaming Gear’, and also at the top, within the banner, in the game title ‘Final Fantasy’.

Colour• Colour can have varying associations or connotations, that we are all generally in consensus.

These different colours are likely to represent various aspects of the content. There is a consistent colour scheme in the sense that the only colours that feature are red, black and white. This has been intentionally crafted to formulate a sense of regularity and make it recognisable on the annual basis. In my opinion the main purpose of the red used is to disrupt the flow of the black and white text and images. It predominantly features at separate points of the front cover; right at the top (the banner), at the bottom, across the middle (the main typeface) and one in between both halves of the page. The regular interval of the inclusion, balance out the pattern of the front page. Also the connotations of red and usually and or danger, especially in games. This subliminally provides us with a clue as to what the genre of the featured game ‘Max Payne 2.’The background is mainly white, and therefore rather bland. This is so that it is contrasted against any text or image that is placed onto it, making it appear more vivid and striking. The black is also used regularly for the text under the sub-heading, the magazine name and the strapline. As the majority of the text we read everyday is in black against a white background, like newspaper articles. The magazine cover doesn’t disrupt this pattern, so naturally our eyes are drawn towards them. It provides us with an indication as it its significance, as its is used for vital components like the magazine name.

Images

• Usually, the image on the cover represents the target reader, or the ideal that the target reader would like to aspire to. On the cover of ‘Computer Gaming World’, the main image is of two characters in the main game featured on the cover. It almost creates the impression that the game is unfolding in front of your very eyes. It captivates the reader, especially as the characters are in a stance of action. This type of cover is conventional in a gaming magazine. This fact that it is in black and white entails an aura of mystery and suspense. It is enhanced by the lack of clarity as to their clothing and the fact that one of them is pointing their gun at something, but we cannot see that target. Behind him there is a women merely lurking in the distance. Why? You would have to read it to find out.

Image

Pose, Style, hair make-up Mode of address

• Both of the characters are standing sideways, not fully revealing themselves to the reader. This adds to the sense of mystery, as if they have something to hide. The style, hair and make-up are all a part of this mystery as the image does not disclose them in any great detail. However one character, the woman slightly behind the man is display a direct mode of address, she is looking straight at us. Nonetheless, the man in front of her almost seems to be avoiding our gaze, despite the fact he id looking forward. Also having a man and a women generates a whole new mindset. How do they know each other ? What are their agendas. Or perhaps, are they romantically involved? They qill automatically start scanning the page for clues or hints, but are unlikely to find any.

Direct Mode of Address

Composition and framing

• The main image appears to be a medium shot. This again restrains some details from is, to coincide with the notion of mystery. Or another alternative it the they have been simply cropped from waist down. One thing is sure, they have been digitally manipulated. The characters were extracted from the actual game, before being made black and white. What’s more they appear hidden behind the name of the game that is strapped, in bright red, right across the image. It stands out against the black figures. This is particularly effective in distinction to the plain white background. It allows the red to initially catch your eye, at first glance. You then spot the other placements of read scattered across the page, which results in the reader looking at the full cover.

Design

• The text on the front cover are usually proceeded by one of a colour and font size. This endows each segment of words with their own individual importance as the are different from those directly around it. There is also at least a minute amount of space between each set of words, making the overall layout equally distributed. The main image cover a small part of the magazine name. This aids in linking illustrations and words, so that they are all in sync. The main texts like the masthead and featured game are all in capital letters, exemplifying their pivotal role. All other like the puffs appear to conform to the laws of grammar.

Cover lines

Overall impression • Overall, this magazine cover provides more than enough information as the actual content. It

does through its frequent use of shorts sentences to quicken the pace of reading, choice of main cover line and image and discreet use of puffs and strapline. It is appeal to anyone interested in PC gaming, subsequently the strapline is ‘THE BEST PC GAMING MAGAZINE’. The confidence of the line reassures the reader that it is the best for the job. Also there is an image of another game character, this time in colour, with the caption ‘Return Of The King.’ It is contrasted against the darker picture, making it more eye catching. The puff is directed exclusively at those who follow or own that particular game, as only they may be able to comprehend its meaning. The same can be said for the puff ‘Gaming Gear’ which contains terms ,that only people who own or aspire to have the item, will be aware of its definition. This includes words such as ‘ABS Ultimate M5’ and ‘GeForce FX 5900’. By do this it is personalising the cover, making it seem to the individual reading it the it is speaking to them and catering to their needs. It does not however address other forms of gaming of the nature of Playstation 3 and Xbox 360, as they are not in their audience. It may also be wary bout mentioning agencies that provide it with their sternest competition. It also doesn’t state and alternatives as to the topics they are dealing with to those that may not be interested. This tactic would be likely to confuse regular readers, and my eventually cause them to stray.