Unit 20: Computer Game Platforms & Technology

Unit Introduction Understand game platform types Understand hardware technologies for game platforms Understand software technologies for game platforms Be able to connect and configure platforms and devices to enable gameplay

What’s your first gaming machine? Mine was the NES(Nintendo Entertainment System) With Super Mario Bros

What’s your main gaming machine now? Mine’s an Xbox One

NES vs Xbox One NES Xbox One Resolution 256x250 1080p (1920x1080) Game Format Cartridge(0.5mb) Optical disc(Blu Ray), Downloadable Video Outputs Antenna / RF, RCA / composite HDMI Controller Type Wired Wireless Internet/Wifi No Yes(WIFI & Ethernet) CPU Speed 1.79Mhz 1.75GHz AMD 8-core GPU Speed 5.32Mhz 853 MHz System Ram 2KB 8GB(Shared with GPU) GPU Ram 8GB(Shared with System) Sound Mono 7.1 surround sound GHz & Mhz 1GHz = 1000MHz or 1MHz = 0.001GHz GB & MB & KB 1 MB = 1000 KB  1 GB = 1000 MB 

Blog about your games machines Title: My gaming machines – Then & Now Compare your first machine to your current. What can you do now that you couldn't then? List release dates. Why did you like them? List some positive & negatives What are/where some of your favourite games? Console hardware specs(think about my example) List any websites you use for help. Include pictures etc. Top 10 Nes games: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsSHpzzHBSs

What’s the difference between these gaming platforms? Arcade Console PC Mobile

Arcade Machines Features Coin Operated Controls are not universal One game per machine Co-op Support Wide range of machines with a variety of games Hard ware built for playing the one game Standalone Not Upgradable A self contained gaming machin

Console Features One off purchase charge One controller for all games Supports multiple games Supports multiple controllers/players Lot’s of different systems available Hardware built for playing multiple games Online Gaming Needs a TV to output video Not Upgradable

PC’s Features One off purchase charge(Or lots of small ones if building your own) Can be upgraded/Parts changed Keyboard & Mouse but can add extra peripherals/controllers Supports multiple games & applications Supports multiple controllers/players Lot’s of different systems/parts available Online Gaming Hardware built for general computing/windows & Gaming Needs a TV/Monitor to output video

Mobile Features Includes standalone gaming devices/Phones/tablets One off purchase charge Device includes screen, controller/touch screen and GPU,CPU etc Small & light, can be moved around Supports multiple games/apps Lot’s of different devices available 4G and Wifi in built. Online Gaming. Less CPU/GPU power then Arcade/Console & PC’s Not Upgradable

youtu.be/DdxH5rRFRbg Assignment: bit.ly/2g9rJQO Unit 20 Computer Game Platform Technology Assignment 1 – Interactive Game Platforms Assignment: bit.ly/2g9rJQO History of Video Game Consoles: youtu.be/DdxH5rRFRbg

NES vs Xbox One NES Xbox One Resolution 256x250 1080p (1920x1080) Game Format Cartridge(0.5mb) Optical disc(Blu Ray), Downloadable Video Outputs Antenna / RF, RCA / composite HDMI Controller Type Wired Wireless Internet/Wifi No Yes(WIFI & Ethernet) CPU Speed 1.79Mhz 1.75GHz AMD 8-core GPU Speed 5.32Mhz 853 MHz System Ram 2KB 8GB(Shared with GPU) GPU Ram 8GB(Shared with System) Sound Mono 7.1 surround sound GHz & Mhz 1GHz = 1000MHz or 1MHz = 0.001GHz GB & MB & KB 1 MB = 1000 KB  1 GB = 1000 MB 

Create a presentation/other media about the history of games platforms Key Hardware Pre-gen: Brown Box Gen 1: Magnavox Odyssey Gen 2: Atari 2600 Gen 3: NES/Master System Gen 4: SNES/Mega Drive Gen 5: PlayStation/N64 Gen 6: PS2/XBOX/DC Gen 7: X360/PS3 Gen 8: XBOX ONE/PS4 Create a presentation/other media about the history of games platforms Email your work: james.tedder@slcollege.ac.uk Title: History of gaming platforms The first home console is the Magnavox Odyssey. Start here(Gen 1) and work your way up to the present generation(Gen 8). Discuss changes in the hardware for playing games. We went from devices with minimal computing power, memory, and graphics to the consoles of today with special 3D graphics cards, blu-ray disks to store game data, and Internet connectivity. Also consider the way players interact with their consoles. https://www.wired.com/2014/05/arcade-history/ http://www.digitalspy.com/gaming/news/a313439/feature-the-history-of-mobile-gaming/ http://www.livescience.com/20718-computer-history.html This is part of your assignment available at: jamestedder.net

Create documentation discussing the different gaming machines available Title: Gaming Platforms Research and explain what arcade, console, pc and mobile gaming machines are. Use examples, pictures, videos etc. List your references. Discuss the features of each platform What can you do with them? What can you play? Are they standalone? Do they need any other to equipment to work? What do the look like? Don’t forget sound, image quality/size of screen, controllers, saving and additional features for non gaming. What’s the difference? Compare the different formats. Advantages & Limitations https://www.wired.com/2014/05/arcade-history/ http://www.digitalspy.com/gaming/news/a313439/feature-the-history-of-mobile-gaming/ http://www.livescience.com/20718-computer-history.html Help available at: jamestedder.net

Assignment 1 – Merit & Distinction criteria Merit: Explain game platform types with reference to detailed illustrative examples and with generally correct use of subject terminology. Link technology improvements to game advancements. Make sure you're using the correct technical terms whenever possible Distinction: Comprehensively explain game platform types with elucidated examples and consistently using subject terminology correctly

History of Video Games Series Part 1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdxH5rRFRbg Part 2 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6I6iP0RVCw Part 3 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvYFM6eUn-M

Evolution of… series Xbox https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0jQot4PEtM PlayStation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-eVnP-Om3s PC https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Y4sv27J6co