Video Game History

Features & Limitations of Technologies within the time-frame 1960-Present day.

Arcade Machines

Arcade Features:

  • Coin operation – The player has to put in some form of currency to start the game level
  • Buttons & joystick controls – These are the controls that were used for playing the games on the arcade, not many controllers
  • Standard screen with basic graphics – Limited graphics because they had limited hardware and sofware capabilities
  • Limited hardware and software capabilities
  • Co-op Support – Could play with one or more players as long as they are using the same arcade  (not online)
  • One machine = One game – Only one game per machine (expensive)
  • Range of different games from shooters to dancing – Large range of games that could be played on the arcades
  • Advancements have been made since the 1960’s – There are now arcades with higher end graphics for games such as Time Crisis but they are still limited compared to the consoles

Arcade Limitations:

  • No online support or Multiplayer – You can not play online with the arcades
  • Very large & hardware Dependant – They are not very portable so you cannot move it around as well as you could with modern consoles
  • Older hardware than whats used today – The arcade hardware is still old compared to the other consoles because there is not a big market anymore for hardware in arcades
  • Can crash a lot of the time – Can be unreliable because they still use old hardware
  • Rarely used anymore besides dedicated arcades – Not many arcade machines in homes anymore, mainly found in dedicated arcades
  • Not many games are created for them anymore unless they’re arcade based
  • Can’t save games
  • Basic Graphics (Low quality) – Due to the old hardware they cannot keep up with modern graphics that is being used by other consoles
  • Game cannot be changed, one machine per game – You can only have one game per machine

Arca

Console Gaming:

Features

  • Its supports music and DVD players.
  • They have Ethernet ports for wired connections.
  • Removable hard drive and storage devices.
  • Supports HDMI, SVGA and optical leads to connect to TV’s. 
  • Can support other input devices e.g. USB’s 
  • HD graphics due to new and improved hardware
  • Software updates online. 
  • Analogue controllers x4
  • wired, wireless and human controllers.
  • GPU’s and CPU’s to improve graphics and frame rates.
  • Portable so the consoles can be moved easily. 
  • Multiple games for people to play.

Limitation’s:

  • Wireless controllers need charging.
  • Need an internet connection to play online.
  • Controllers are to big or to small. 
  • Some consoles lack Blu-ray 
  • Old hardware and software in most consoles which aren’t compatible with newer updates
  • New consoles focus mainly on online game play and put no effort into single player. 
  • Consoles have faulty’s laser burn, red ring and data corruption. 
  • Games can be pirated.
  • Need a TV or some sort of visual output to operate them.

Mobile gaming:

Features

  • Multi-platform games can be played on the mobile phones.
  • Smooth graphics as some mobile phones have dedicated GPU’s and CPU’s
  • The games can be touch screen or standard buttons.
  • You can play online with the use of 3G or Wi-Fi
  • Better graphics compared to older models. 
  • Sound output

Limitation’s

  • Some games cost money to download off the app stores.
  • Have to download the game to be able to play it.
  • Lag and advertisements within the game with may cause irritation to the user.
  • Not all phones support flash e.g. some windows phones. 

PC Gaming:

Feature’s:

  • Support large games and discs.
  • Games can be downloaded off steam. 
  • The keyboard and mouse are the default controllers.
  • Joysticks and controllers are compatible with the PC.
  • Software can be updated to make a better gaming experience for the users. 
  • Hardware components can be switched out for better and improved versions. 
  • Games can be played online with the use of an internet connection.

Limitations:

  • Updates can’t be done without an internet connection.
  • Patches of games can’t be downloaded without internet.
  • Games can’t be downloaded without the internet. 
  • Some components may not be compatible with the game.
  • Help and support are limited to game manuals.
  • Viruses on the PC may affect the computer and the game play. 
  • Very Expensive for good Hardware
  • Frame Rate could be low unexpectedly during a game that you cant pause.