Computer Game Platforms & Technologies

Week 2Introduction to Game Platforms

Additional Material

So Far We Have..

• Briefly discussed the development of Arcade, Console & PC Games

• Touched upon the rise of the various platforms to enable game play to take place

But We Didn’t..

• Look at how peripherals have advanced over time• Look at how the console & PC have been

influenced by the Arcade• Look at the technologies that have advanced over

time

Arcade Stick

• Technical improvements– Analogue potentiometer’s• Signals required to be converted to Digital for the

machine to understand them

– Digital• Popular!

Console Pads

• Common place & Standardised• Adapted from the Arcade Design• Ergonomics & Aesthetics• Digital

PC Pads

• USB Connections prominent– Serial connections outdated

• Adapted or direct ports of arcade/console controllers

Additional Control

Advancements

• Ergonomics & Aesthetics have considerably improved

• Hardware/Software capabilities have improved to allow for additional response and control (haptic feedback)

• Faster reactions

Limitations

• Certain games require certain peripherals– i.e. Guitar Hero Games (recent) require that a

Guitar controller is attached to play the corresponding sections

• Not all peripherals work with a variety of platforms

So..

• Looked at the gamepads for the three platforms, ranging from stick to pad style

• Discussed the three platforms in more detail than in the previous session