Zero Punctuation

(The video is widescreen so it doesn't quite fit on the blog, here is the link to the video, and here is a link to watch other episodes of Zero Punctuation)

The audio and visual characteristics of Zero Punctuation incorporate simplified, stick figure-like characters, simplistic and/or borrowed visuals, as well as text to convey meaning. Yahtzee, the show's creator, uses this style to review video games weekly in his own unique style. Yahtzee's distinct style of talking very quickly, simple animations, and witty criticism of games are his trademarks.

The style of the show is very dynamic, Yahtzee can throw whatever sort of image he likes onto the bright yellow backdrop to convey his opinion of a game. Yahtzee's use of simplistic figures and pictures allows him to create any picture he would like to illustrate his point. This particular quality of his show is not unlike that of comic books, in that in the simplicity of the image we can read into our own interpretation of the image. His style is very consistent, using a stick-figure like characters wearing a derby hat to represent himself, and a demon/imp-like creature to represent enemies in a game. He also uses recurring visuals that fans of the series will pick up on.

Zero Punctuation's style and content are different from normal TV in that Yahtzee has no censorship. His humor is more often than not brash and crude. The show often features violence and gore. Being an internet show, there is no FCC breathing down his neck. Also, if Yahtzee thinks a game sucks (he usually does) then he is free to say so. He is not biased, he will not get in any sort of trouble for ragging on a particular game. This is different than if he were to work for something like "Official Xbox Magazine" or some sort of company associated with a game developer; if Yahtzee was affiliated with a game company he may be less inclined to give a negative review of a game.

Yahtzee has invited fans to participate a few times during his show. During one episode he cryptically referred to his "Top 5 games" that he is a fan of, but did not directly name these games. He challenged his fans to figure out what these games were. He also occasionally addresses viewers directly, making fun of them for whining that he hates their favorite game.

Zero Punctuation is different from traditional media in that it is a sort of vlog. Although Yahtzee's mug does not appear in the show, a cartoon representation of him does. Yahtzee's voice is the only voice we ever hear in the show, and he is telling us his opinion of a game, very similar to vlog's featured on Youtube. Zero Punctuation can also be likened to a video version of a comic book due to it's visuals and juxtaposed images that Yahtzee uses to convey meaning.

Jaclyn Nix
Rosie Mendieta
Megan Gonzalez