Computer Game Platforms & Technologies

Week 1Introduction to Computer Games

The Module

• 12 Week Module– Theory & Practical Based

• Two Assignments–One Presentation–One Demonstration

• Key background for understanding the Games Industry

Computer Games

• What are Video Games?– Entertainment?– Educational?– Practical?

• Not always mass market

History of Games

• The origin of video games lies in early cathode ray tube-based missile defense systems in the late 1940s. These programs were later adapted into other simple games during the 1950s. By the late 1950s and through the 1960s, more computer games were developed (mostly on mainframe computers), gradually increasing in sophistication and complexity.[n 1] Following this period, video games diverged into different platforms: arcade, mainframe, console, personal computer and later handheld games.

• Text obtained from Wikipedia -http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_video_games

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• When was the first console ever made?• How many generations of consoles are there?

History

• The first commercially viable video game was Computer Space in 1971

• First generation consoles (1972–1976)• Second generation consoles (1977–1984)• Third generation consoles (1985–1989)• Fourth generation consoles (1990–1994)• Fifth generation consoles (1995–2000)• Sixth generation consoles (since 2001)• Seventh generation consoles (since 2005)

So it begins...

• Missile Defence, Draughts, Tic-tac-toe• Cathode Ray Tube• Oscilloscope• Analogue Computers• Mainframes

First Generation (1972–1976)

• The first home 'console' system was developed by Ralph Baer

• Magnavox Odyssey• The Odyssey used cartridges that mainly

consisted of jumpers• Odyssey system achieved sales of 2 million

units.• Mainframe games were being developed

Second Generation (1977–1984)

• Video Computer System (VCS) - Renamed Atari 2600

• 1979 saw the creation of Activision, comprising of disgruntled Atari programmers. First third party game developer – look where they are now!

Third Generation (1985–1989)

• 8 Bit• Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)• Sega Master System

Golden Age of Gaming

• Pac man (1980)• Defender (1980)• Mario Bros. (1983)• Elite (1984)• Metal Gear (1987)• Street Fighter (1987)• Megami Tensei (1987)

Fourth generation consoles (1990–1994)

• 16 Bit• Super Nintendo Entertainment System• Sega Mega drive

Fifth generation consoles (1995–2000)

• 32/64 bit• Jaguar• Sega Saturn• Sony Playstation• Nintendo N64

Sixth generation consoles (since 2001)

• Xbox• Playstation 2• GameCube• Dreamcast

Seventh generation consoles (since 2005)

• Wii• Xbox 360• PS3

What Next?