At A-Level games are used as part of the coursework evaluation, with some of the marks specifically for creative use of technology. For both GCSE + A-Level they can be really useful to create your own revision tools, and help embed some of the details, terms, theories and debates raised through your exam CSPs.
WWTBAMillionaire is one good example - the trick is in carefully choosing the 3 WRONG answers so that they'll remind you, whether playing it yourself or with classmates (great tool for collaborative revision!!).
There are multiple Ppt templates - try searching 'gameshow name powerpoint template' yourself to find, experiment with others. You can DL the Millionaire template we'll use in lessons here - the same site has more gameshow templates like Jeopardy and The Weakest Link you could try too. The Excel template is linked in the Ppt.
There are similarities with your magazine cover star and film leads in what you need to consider and be prepared to write about:
AUDIENCE: Everything comes back to this in the end; all decisions need to be justifiable with reference to target audience. Remember you can split up and discuss the audience (type) in many ways:
primary (main; core), secondary
mainstream (eg a family audience!), niche
four quadrant (really a film term - say so if using it - but still a useful concept)
ABC1C2DE (socio-economic groups: high to low incomes, where ABC1s are targeted with complex, sophisticated media productions and C2DEs with simpler, less sophisticated productions; your range may be any range within this, eg C1C2DE for a gameshow with ANY element of sophistication or audience (intellectual) challenge
sophisticated, upmarket (ABC1) and tabloid, downmarket (C2DE) is another way of describing these
Uses and gratifications model!!! Also vital for...
your idea would be pitched to a digital channel, NOT a terrestrial or free-to-air channel
they've asked members of the public to pitch, perhaps further connoting low budget...
it must have a USP
you'll quickly see there are MANY competing game shows
what will make YOURS stand out?
it must appeal to all the family, younger, older, male, female (four quadrants)
look at how shows like Family Fortunes tried to appeal to a family audience
think carefully about Key Concepts Representation/Media Language: the presenter/s, set, contestants, task or competition - and difficulty level of any questions or challenges (can younger viewers engage, or (U+G theory!) identify?)
the programme title itself is very important - and, just like a magazine masthead, you need to plan the look of this: you could search for a specific font and mock this up, just be prepared to denote the font (serif, bubble, case, colour etc)
"the focus on the family audience must be clear from the opening title sequence"
be prepared to storyboard your title sequence
the slot is Saturday evening primetime, scheduled for autumn
research what shows currently hold these slots
a good sign of success is it coming back for more than one year or season!!!
viewers at home must be able to play along in some way: audience interactivity, engagement
social media/e-media are vital to promoting the show and brand + increase the audience
this could also be about monetising: SMS/premium rate phone voting or competition entry, but also (freemium?) apps, board games, DVD games etc
be prepared to draw a website, app or social media home page (or more)
research existing examples
your idea needs to be backed up with evidence from existing, successful game shows
SPORTS/PHYSICAL CHALLENGE GAME SHOWS
There have been many of these, from It's a Knockout to Channel 4's disastrous The Jump, a hybrid with reality TV in which contestants kept getting seriously injured (so it was axed).
GLADIATORS 1990s
This became a successful international format/franchise, and even saw international spin-offs, with various national champions facing off against each other.
THE KRYPTON FACTOR 1980/90s + SPECIALS
DATING SHOWS
A classic format, with Blind Datethe queen of the format, fuelled by 60s pop star Cilla Black's catchphrases delivered in a broad scouse accent. Take Me Outis a more modern version, losing all the gentleness of its predecessors and putting an unsubtle meat market on screen. Mr and Mrswas a long running, very old-fashioned show.
TAKE ME OUT 2010s
BLIND DATE 1980s
MR AND MRS 1970/80s + 2010s CELEBRITY REMAKE
KIDS/TEENS GAME SHOWS
The format is adopted not just for mainstream mass 'family' audiences (primetime, teatime and lunchtime slots, not to mention endless re-runs throughout the day on channels such as Dave or Challenge, with very occasional post-watershed 'adult' shows too), but also for younger niche audiences. Runaround and Crackerjack are two classic examples, combining quiz and physical competition elements, and Crackerjack being something of a hybrid, almost a variety or chat show with its special guests.
Blockbusters was a hugely popular quiz show in the 80s and 90s with school and uni students, featuring sixth formers (Year 12/13; age 16-19). Slightly older university level students have become a key part of the audience for other daytime quiz shows, not least Countdown.
At A-Level games are used as part of the coursework evaluation, with some of the marks specifically for creative use of technology. For both GCSE + A-Level they can be really useful to create your own revision tools, and help embed some of the details, terms, theories and debates raised through your exam CSPs.