1. Mr C Johnston Sidney Stringer Academy
BTEC NCF IT Unit 08 Computer Games Development Lesson 03 – Gaming Platforms & Hardware
Mr C Johnston
Sidney Stringer Academy

2. Learning Outcomes
Understand the benefits and limitations of different gaming platforms
Understand the function of different hardware components and how they alter the gaming experience

3. PC vs Console
Which is better?

4. Activity…
Book Link
Create a table which compares different platforms that can be used for game development
Include Windows PC, Mac, Playsation 4 and Xbox One, Nintendo Wii U, Apple IOS devices (phones and tablets), Android Devices (phones, tablets and notebooks), Adobe Flash, HTML 5
Platform
Type
Benefits
Limitations

5. Hardware Central Processing Unit (CPU) Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)
How to Pick Gaming PC Parts
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)
Memory (RAM, ROM)
Outputs (display, sound)
Inputs (keyboard, mouse, touch, kinetic, gamepad, joy stick, voice)
Storage (HDD, cloud)
Connections (internet, LAN, mobile network)

6. Activity…
Book Link
PC Parts Picker
Create a document which explains the role of key hardware that forms a gaming device. How does each affect the gaming experience?
Create a document which explains different input devices. For each explain how it works, what it inputs, what it looks like and how it affects the gaming experience
Expensive Accessories
Gaming Peripherals On A Budget

7. Review Produce a quick specification for:
PC Parts Picker
Produce a quick specification for:
a computer capable of running a 3D photorealistic game
a computer capable of running a 2D casual game
Justify each choice of hardware component
What are the main differences between the two specifications? WHY?
The main considerations are the CPU, GPU and memory but are there any other components which would make the gaming experience more complete?

8. Review