Platforms & Hardware

Computer Games: Digital Games Design F1R2 11

© 2012 West Lothian College August 2012/Review date August 2015 Platforms & hardware

Platforms

Hardware environment for games Different platforms

Plusses & minusesNo overall best – depends on user

Platforms

XBox360 Nintendo Wii PC Mobile gaming

X Box 360

CPU: 3.2 GHz PPC Tri-Core Xenon

GPU: 500 MHz ATI Xenos Media: DVD, DVD-DL, CD Storage: 20 or 120 GB hard

drive; 64, 256 or 512 MB memory cards

Controller input: 4 maximum (wired, wireless or combo)

Connectivity: 3 × USB 2.0, IR port, 100 Mbit Ethernet

Online service: Xbox Live Backward compatibility: 465

original Xbox games (needs HD)

+Xbox 360

High power CPU High power GPU Fast, detailed images Good audio Plays DVDs Online multiplayer Gets latest games Seen as “hardcore”

- Chunky controller Multiple configs Some technical

problems Games expensive

Wii CPU: IBM PowerPC-based “Broadway” GPU: ATI "Hollywood" Media: 12cm Wii Optical Disc, 8cm

GameCube Game Disc Storage: 512 MB Internal flash memory,

SD card, GameCube Memory Card Controller input: Wii Remote, Wii

Balance Board, GameCube controller Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 2 × USB

2.0, LAN Adapter (via USB)

Online service: Nintendo Wi-Fi, WiiConnect24, Virtual Console, Wii Menu

Backward compatibility: Nintendo GameCube

Wii

+ - Adequate graphics Innovative controllers One set system Good audio Attracting non-gamers “Fun”

Graphics not “state of the art”

Seen as “for kids” Games expensive

Mobile Gaming - handheld

PSP/DS etc. CPU & graphics

better than phones Wide range of

software Connectivity Superseded by

phones & tablets?

Mobile gaming - phone

CPU: varied (low-med) GPU: varied (low-med) Media: downloaded only Storage: SD ram, SD card,

internal Controller: integrated

joypad/accelerometer/touchscreen

Connectivity: Infrared, Bluetooth, GPRS, 3or4G, WiFi, MMS, Wireless LAN

Multiple Oss: main=Android, iOS (Apple)

Java – cross-platform

Mobile gaming - tablets

iPad / Android / Windows

Specs similar to phones Slightly faster cpu Slightly more storage Bigger screen Less battery time

Mobile gaming

+ - Inexpensive Relatively Simple Not limited to location Wide range of games Innovative game types

(e.g. Geocaching) Large user base – but

seen as “non-gamers” Hardware evolving

quickly

Graphics & audio less detailed

Control systems sometimes limited

Networked games more rare

Hardware evolving quickly

PC

CPU: varied (med - v.high power) GPU: varied (med-v.high power) Media: DVD, DVD-DL, CD, SD

card, USB stick Storage: large capacity hard

drive; DVD/CD writer, Controller input: any USB

controller, keyboard, mouse Connectivity: 4 × USB 2.0, IR

port, 100 Mbit Ethernet, wireless ethernet

Online service: Internet Backward compatibility: via

windows and emulators

+ -PC

Med – v. high quality graphics

Excellent sound Ubiquitous, but seen as

“older person’s choice” Huge storage DirectX API useful Easily upgradeable

software Excellent connectivity Range of games

unmatched

Expensive hardware upgrade cycle

Viruses Extra hardware may be

needed Tablets catching up

Summary

Systems offer different capabilitiesProcessorGraphicsStorageConnectivity

Graphics important for hardcore games Playability more important than graphics for

new types of gamers Depends on users’ needs

Q:

What system best suits you?

Why?