Choosing a medium to release a game on

 The desktop based system (PC or Mac):



This is the medium with which our game will be delivered on.

There are many advantages which are concerned with games being developed for desktop systems. Some of these include:

• Processing power and speed

When developing the game, you can decide to make it for high or low end PC's by deciding for example if the game will feature 2d sprites or 3d objects, particle effects and complex animations.

• Storage capacity

Generally storage in desktop systems range from 500GB to around 4TB, therefore there is abundant space for the game to be installed on.

• Controls

A desktop system usually uses a keyboard and mouse. Usually this would be enough for game developers to use for game play. 

• Feedback

When pushing a button down on the keyboard, you actually sense the key being pushed down with your own force, thus giving you feedback that you actually inputted the command.

• Sound

One can connect a variety of sound systems to his/her desktop system. These range from simple 2.0 systems to 7.1 surround systems.

• Screen size

TFT monitors range in size, usually from 19" to 27". TV's can also be used with a desktop system. These can range from 32" to around 64".


Mobile based systems (Android):




When it comes to releasing a game for Android devices such as Smartphones and tablets, certain limiting factors must be taken into consideration (when compared with desktop systems). Some include:

• Limited processing power:

Due to lack of physical space, the processor would have a very limited size.

• Limited screen size:

The size of android devices range from around 4" to 12".

• Limited feedback:

If the device is used as is and without external peripherals, the only input method is the touch screen.

• Limited storage space:

This is due to physical space constraint.

• Limited controls:

If the device is used as is, and without external peripherals, the only input method is the touch screen.

• Limited ergonomics:

Limited to a thin, rectangular shape.

• Limited sound quality:

Again, this is due to the limited physical space, which results in small speakers. 




As a final note, I would like to point out that whilst Desktop systems might have the edge when it comes to processing power and game play experience, Android devices are portable and easy to carry around and therefore can be used anywhere.

Next-Gen peripherals: Oculus Rift

 

Oculus Rift is a new virtual reality (VR) headset designed specifically for video games that will change the way you think about gaming forever. With an incredibly wide field of view, high resolution display, and ultra-low latency head tracking, the Rift provides a truly immersive experience that allows you to step inside your favorite game and explore new worlds like never before.

 

Upcoming technologies for gaming:

Nvidia G-Sync:

NVIDIA G-SYNC is groundbreaking new display technology that delivers the smoothest and fastest gaming experience ever.

G-SYNC’s revolutionary performance is achieved by synchronizing display refresh rates to the GPU thus eliminating screen tearing, input lag and stuttering.

With current monitors, the GPU has a feature (V-sync) which locks the frames to 60 to provide a stable image, but when the frame rate drops, V-sync would generate additional frames to compensate and this creates a lot of stress on the GPU and creates lag.

AMD Mantle:

Mantle is a driver within the AMD Catalyst™ software suite that lets applications speak directly to the Graphics Core Next architecture. 

Mantle reduces the CPU’s workload by giving developers a way to talk to the GPU directly with much less translation. With less work for the CPU to do, programmers can squeeze much more performance from a system, delivering the greatest benefits in gaming systems where the CPU can be the bottleneck.

By shifting work to the GPU, a mid-range or older CPU isn’t the same handicap it was before. With Mantle, the GPU becomes the critical part of the system, and GPU upgrades will have a bigger impact than before.

 

Various gaming peripherals:

Computer keyboard:

Keyboards allow the user to input letters, numbers, and other symbols into a computer that often function as commands.

The alphanumeric part is the primary portion of the keyboard that contains letters, numbers, punctuation and some of the symbol keys. Today most users utilize QWERTY style keyboards, as shown in the below graphic illustration.

 

The keypad is used for easy access to numbers and mathematical symbols for calculations.

The arrow keys enable the user to scroll through pages.

The function keys are often short cuts in programs (example F1 is help in many programs).

When playing a game, it would have been up to the programmer to decide which key does what, but usually the arrow keys are used in menu navigation and the WASD are used for character movement.
PS4 controller:
 
The DualShock 4 Wireless Controller for PlayStation 4 defines the next generation of play, combining revolutionary new features with intuitive, precision controls. Improved analog sticks and trigger buttons allow for unparalleled accuracy with every move while innovative new technologies such as the multi-touch, clickable touch pad, integrated light bar, and internal speaker offer exciting new ways to experience and interact with your games. 

 

Lost Ps2 peripheral : GameTrak

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nObCJFLvqrQ

 

Gametrak is a brand of 3-dimensional game control systems based on position tracking, designed for home video game platforms such as video game consoles and personal computers. The first Gametrak was invented in 2000 by Elliott Myers.

Gametrak uses a patented mechanical system for tracking position of physical elements in three-dimensional space in real time. The base unit features two identical mechanisms, each of which can determine the three-dimensional coordinates of an associated element relative to the mechanism. Each mechanism contains a retracting cable reel and a small tubular guide arm from which the cable passes out. The guide arm is articulated in a ball joint such that the arm and ball follow the angle at which the cable extends from the mechanism.

HDD vs SSD

Hard disk / Solid state drives

Hard Disk Drives:

A hard disk drive is mechanism that controls the positioning, reading, and writing of the hard disk.The hard disk drive uses the largest amount of data storage in a PC.The most common ways to connect the hard disk to a computer are IDE and SCSI. Many disk drives usually improve their performance through a technique called caching.The hard disk drive and the hard disk are not the same thing but they are grouped together so either term is sometimes used to refer to the whole unit.The hard disk drive is the most common storage device used nowadays. Hard disk drives are sometimes called Winchester drives,Winchester was the name of one of the first popular hard disk drive technologies developed by IBM in 1973.

Solid State Drives:

Solid state drives are based on the hard disk concept however are widely more efficient for the majority of uses. Most solid states utilise Nand-based flash memory which retain data even when power is not supplied. Unlike hard disks which use a magnetic reader , solid state drives use semiconductors and have no mechanical parts, which makes them virtually silent in operation. This also means that solid state drives can load and save data much faster than the traditional hard disk while maintaining a fair reliability aspect.

Use In Gaming Industry:

Storage devices ( HDD and SSD ) are used in current gaming systems. When speaking about consoles (PS3, PS4, Xbox360, XboxOne) and computer systems , The storage device is used to:

• Store game data (This is when part of the game is installed on the system)
• Store save files (These files contain the progression within a specific game)
• Storage and playback of music and video/photo files.

The most popular storage device is the HDD due to its high capacity and relatively cheap cost. On the other hand, the SSD is preferred when it comes to performance and reliability, but lacks the high storage capacity and is more expensive than HDDs.

Other Uses:

• Any type of computer system
• Media players/recorders
• Movie Industry
• Music Industry
• Mobile Devices

The Effect Of Storage Devices In Games:

The storage device won’t really affect the gameplay, but will affect the amount of time it takes to “load” a level or anything in the game.

Below is an example of an SSD vs an HDD when loading the game: Call of duty: modern warfare 3

In this case, the SSD loaded the level before the HDD.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zxv1LTbjNDA#t=29

Ps2 and Ps3 console comparison

Sony PlayStation 2:

The PS2 was the second console created by “Sony Computer Entertainment” in the year 2000 and is also the best-selling video game console in history, having sold 155 million units worldwide. The PS2 is a sixth-generation console and its competitors were the Xbox and Nintendo GameCube (which had similar specs). In 2004 Sony release a slimmer version of the PS2 which also had an IEEE 1394 port (Ethernet) to play online games.

The native PS2 resolution ranges from 480i to 480p which can display on SDTV or HDTV (standard definition and high definition). The PS2 also has a main menu which can be accessed by leaving the optical tray empty to access memory cards and define system settings.

 

Specifications:

·         Media: supports CD and DVD. Can also play DVD videos and music from optical media.

·         CPU: “Emotion Engine” clocked at 294.912 MHz (launch), 299 MHz (newer models)

·         Memory: 32MB of Direct RAMBUS or RDRAM

·         Storage: PlayStation2 Memory Card 8MB and PlayStation (1) memory Card (1Mb) and 40GB hard drive (add-on)

·         Display: Composite, SCART, Component video, S-Video

·         GPU: “Graphics Synthesiser” clocked at 147.456 MHz

·         Controller input: DualShock2, DualShock and EyeToy

·         Connectivity: USB port and IEEE 1394 Ethernet port

Sony PlayStation 3:

The PS3 was the third console created by “Sony Computer Entertainment” in 2006. The first PS3 had a 60GB HDD and was backward compatible with PS2 and PS1 games. A Slim model was released in 2009 and a super slim model was released in 2012. Its direct competitors were Microsoft’s Xbox 360 and the Nintendo Wii. PS3 games came on a Blu-ray disk.

The PS3 featured its own operating Graphical user Interface called XrossMediaBar (XMB). Through the XMB, the user can store/view music, pictures and video files as well as play games. The PS3 also has an internet browser and an online community called “PlayStation Network” with which one can register and be able to play games online as well as purchasing and downloading various media and/or games from the PlayStation Store.

The PS3 can handle resolutions from SD 480i to 1080p Full HD and 3D. Apart from the increase power and performance of this system, a significant change from the PS2 is that the controllers were now wirelessly connected to the system via Bluetooth (supports up to 7 devices at once).

 

 

Specifications:

·         Media: Blu-ray disk, CD, DVD, PS1 game disks and PS2 game disks (only 1^st and 2^nd generation models)

·         Operating System: XrossMediaBar

·         CPU: 3.2 GHz Cell Broadband Engine with 1 PPE & 7 SPE’s

·         Memory: 256MB system and 256MB video

·         Storage: 2.5” SATA HDD from 20GB to 500GB depending on model (upgradable)

·         Display: Composite, SCART, Component video, HDMI

·         GPU: “Reality Synthesiser” clocked at 550 MHz

·         Controller input: DualShock3, Sixaxis, DualShock4, PSEye

·         Connectivity: USB ports, IEEE 802.11b/g Wi-Fi, Wired Ethernet port

 

PS2 vs. PS3 Hardware and Game comparison:

The games I chose are Killzone (PS2) and Killzone 2 (PS3).

In the above pictures we can clearly see the difference with regards to graphics. On the PS2, there couldn’t be all that smoke and multitude of characters shown in the PS3 picture. Also, with regards to the weapon, the PS2 Killzone didn’t have too much detail and had rough edges. The same weapon presented in Killzone 2 is much more polished and its “round” parts are actually rounded well. Apart from that, the model textures on the ps3 are much more detailed and reflective. All these differences are due to the difference in hardware of the two systems. The PS2 and PS3 are six years apart and thus great improvements were made from the PS2 to the PS3.