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• USB Connections prominent– Serial connections outdated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