Computer Game Technology Unit 17 Computer Game Technology

Computer Game Technology Unit 17

Computer Game Technology AO 1 – Compare and Contrast Major Console Platforms AO 2 – Analyse games related to PC Technologies AO 3 – Compare and Contrast Handheld Devices

Computer Game Technology AO 4 – Describe game development tools and technologies AO 5 – Explore current technological challenges for developers AO 6 – Investigate and Describe

Computer Game Technology Grade Barriers The majority must be at the grade you want, with the remaining being on the grade directly below

Computer Game Technology Folder Set up OCR NATIONALS LEVEL THREE 6 Subfolders (Unit 1 -4, 17, 23) 6 Subfolders in each of those (Units 1 -6)

Computer Game Technology AO 1 – Distinction Candidates describe all of the major console platforms Compare and Contrast at least three of them, identifying a wide range of differences.

Computer Game Technology AO 1 Compare and contrast major console platforms

Computer Game Technology Pass Candidates list some of the major console platforms They compare two, identifying the essential and more straightforward difference between the consoles.

Computer Game Technology Merit Candidates identify all the major console platforms. They compare at least three of these, identifying and comparing a range of differences between the consoles. They show some understanding of the underlying technical divergences.

Computer Game Technology Distinction Compare and Contrast the advantages of them to a high level of detail A near expert understanding of the technological divergences Always using the correct terminology

AO 1 Scenario Employed by a leading independent games studio to research the market for a game they are developing. Further Assessment Objectives will have a request from this game company.

AO 1 Sixth Gen Consoles Seventh Gen Consoles Generations move based on technological advances years apart.

AO 1 Xbox 360 / Xbox Live Wii / Miis Playstation 3 / Playstation Network

AO 1 1) Describe each console in terms of the following • Hardware • Games • Features • Online Facilities • Gaming Experience

AO 1 2) Overall compare and contrast, suggest who each point may benefit or impede 3) Suggest which console you believe the publisher should publish with and justify your advice.

Computer Game Technology AO 2 Analyse games-related PC technologies

Assessment Objective Two Pass Candidates reproduce information provided about the evolution of pc technologies with reasonable accurate and to a basic level of detail. They demonstrate an understanding of simple PC specifications and their relative implications on gaming capabilities of the machine.

Assessment Objective Two Merit Candidates explain in some depth the development of different aspects of home PC technology. These explanations are accurate and detailed. They demonstrate how this has been reflected in PC games releases.

Assessment Objective Two Distinction Candidates explain and decipher all relevant PC technical specifications. These explanations are comprehensive and accurate throughout. They fully understand their evolution and development and have detailed awareness of which features and specs will have affected game performance. They will always use correct terminology.

Assessment Objective Two Games have always been a driver of PC Tech Advances. Games become more demanding, so tech has to keep up, or even jump the gun

Graphics Cards Graphics drive development Now so powerful they have their own processors built into the card (GPU) Connected via PCI slots and typically come with HDMI slots Now need fans to cool them

Processor Speeds are higher than normal due to graphic rendering and constant processing. Dual Core Tri Core Quad Core

Memory Games now need at least 1 gb of dedicated RAM during plan to store all non-graphic data.

Hard Disk Capacity A strong consideration for Gaming. Large enough to store the game, and virtual memory during play. Speed of Access is also a huge consideration and is measured in hetrz (Hz, MHz, GHz)

Screen Res Measured in how many pixels it can hold. 1024 x 768 is standard now

Screen Res Also measured in Frame Rates Definition : The number of wholescreen images they can display per second. Standard : 30 fps

Controllers, Peripherals and Input PC Games are by mouse and keyboard Pads, Steering Wheels, Light guns and Joysticks are also used. Headsets are commonplace now.

Networked and Online Connectivity Increasing Broadband Speed has seen a rise in this. World of Warcraft has hugely exploited this and Modern Warfare has held its price by having such a focus in online gaming.

PC V Consoles One side of the class list 5 PC class list 5 advantages Console Technologies Which ever side can list the most wins

PC V Consoles Games are usually cheaper Individual Components can be upgraded individually Illegal Downloading Spec can be taliored

PC V Consoles Hardware Cheaper Compatibility Issues less so More socially focused Easier Set Up

Assessment Objective 2 1) Advise the independent games studio about current PC technology. Just the same way we have advised them about consoles and focus on trends. 2) Describe how a PC gaming experience is different from a console experience and highlight some points.

Assessment Objective 2 3) Describe the key points of our “Dream” Gaming PCS 4) Describe how games have pushed the development of technology, identifying specific features which affect game performance. Identify two specific games to highlight your points.

Computer Game Technology AO 1 – Compare and Contrast Major Console Platforms AO 2 – Analyse games related to PC Technologies AO 3 – Compare and Contrast Handheld Devices

AO 3 – Compare and Contrast Handheld Devices Criteria • Handheld (Dur) • Contained Power source, CPU, Memory, Graphics

AO 3 – Compare and Contrast Handheld Devices Merit Candidates identify

AO 3 – Compare and Contrast Handheld Devices

AO 3 – Compare and Contrast Handheld Devices 118 Million Units First multiplayer Immense battery life 1000+ titles

AO 3 – Compare and Contrast Handheld Devices Only sold 3 million units However first attempt at merging all your pocket devices

AO 3 – Compare and Contrast Handheld Devices Introduced new demographics to gaming

AO 3 – Compare and Contrast Handheld Devices Online APP store revolutionized how people brought games

AO 3 – Compare and Contrast Handheld Devices Playstation Vita

AO 3 – Compare and Contrast Handheld Devices Next lesson Compare and contrast!

AO 3 – Compare and Contrast Handheld Devices Lesson Objectives WALT Why features we need to compare in our products WILF A solid comparison all our handheld products

AO 3 – Compare and Contrast Handheld Devices All Will start evaluating our products Most Will have completed this Some Will make amendments on our previous products

AO 3 – Compare and Contrast Handheld Devices Apple Ipad S D 3 o d n e t Nin a t i V n o i t a t Plays e t i L S D o Nintend s m r o f t a l P e Phon

AO 3 – Compare and Contrast Handheld Devices Top Ten? Features we can use to compare our products on

AO 3 – Compare and Contrast Handheld Devices Memory Graphics CPU RAM Screen O/S Connectivity Bluetooth s le it T d n a s e m a G

AO 3 – Compare and Contrast Handheld Devices Console Memory Graphics CPU RAM Screen O/S Games and Titles At the bottom of your console list include a overall summary for each section, state points such as • Which ones are strong in this area • Which ones are weak Games and Titles needs a large focus in this area

AO 3 – Compare and Contrast Handheld Devices Games and Titles Each platform has a different demographic, a different game style and a different focus. Compare the different type of games on each platform, and attempt to compare the difference in-between one game across every platform.

AO 3 – Compare and Contrast Handheld Devices

AO 3 – Compare and Contrast Handheld Devices Overall Handins • Comparison Table • Products and Titles Comparison • Game Comparison

Assessment Objective Four Describe Game Development Tools and Technologies

Assessment Objective Four Merit Candidates show a good knowledge of the software tools used in different areas of the game development process, including modelling, animation and programming. They use a range of examples in their descriptions. They use the correct terminology most of the time.

Assessment Objective Four Distinction Candidates show a detailed knowledge of the software tools used in different areas of the game development process, including modelling, animation and programming. They use a wide range of examples in their descriptions. They use the correct terminology all of the time.

Assessment Objective Four Advise the independent games studio about current game development tools and technologies. At the design stage, they are able to incorporate this new expertise into their game. If it was left any later it would be difficult to append to the project and it would look like an addon rather than a integrated features that had been planned from the beginning.

Assessment Objective Four 1) Select FIVE current art and animation packages and explain their features, advantages and disadvantages. Compare their main attributes and give examples

Assessment Objective Four 2) Select five current software development tools and explain their features, advantages and disadvantages. Compare their main attributes and give examples

Assessment Objective Four Ao 1, Ao 2 and Ao 3 due in for 3: 30 pm Friday Ao 4 due in for end of Double Lesson next week. Next week Ao 4 time and Ao 1 -3 Amendments

Art and Animation Original 2 D Games

Art and Animation Current 3 D Games

Art and Animation Graphics are a huge marker a studio can lay down to quality of the games. Massive Evolution over the years due to processing power, memory and access speeds.

Art and Animation Characters, Vehicles and Objectives have to be created in 3 D and have to be realistic, interactive, affected by other factors and viewed from many angles to due “Sand. Box” Games

Art and Animation

Art and Animation Current Technologies create a series of Polygons and stitch them together to give the appearance of 3 d. More Polygons the smoother the appearance However more Polygons = More Processing Power

Art and Animation Firsts to use this tech!

Art and Animation 1. 2. 3. 4. 4 Windows needed to create a Polygon Image Wireframe Front Back Sides This allows the editor to edit accordingly

Art and Animation Popular Software includes 3 DS Max Blender Maya

Art and Animation We have the characters Now we need the world they inhabit Sandbox Games

Art and Animation

Art and Animation Specific Software to create these worlds Some allows totally new ground up designs for something new and original Some allows worlds and levels to be built using a game foundation (engine)

Art and Animation Hammer Editor uses a source engine to take the underlying base of the game system away from the editor allowing them to purely create. Forge Map in Halo 3 allows users to create their own maps, but in the Halo Universe

Software Development The opposite from the art and animation is programming the game itself. These are both as important as each other.

Software Development High and Low Level Programming Languages. 100101110101 Basic pulses of electricity known as Binary, the most pure form of programming.

Software Development Low Level Close to Binary with very little conversion needed. Difficult to be understood by user, but easy for a computer to understand. Machine Code and Assembly Language

Software Development High Level Closer to Human Language, easier to understand learn, but harder to be interpreted and compiled by a PC C++, Java and Dark. Basic are some examples

Software Development Direct. X, Open GL and Graphic APIs API = Application programming interface A transparent layer of code which allows other code or hardware to connect.

Software Development Direct. X A group of APIs created by Microsoft Allows other videos and music to go onto their browser You’ll frequently see “Requires Direct. X 10”

Software Development Open. GL Open Graphics Library. A Direct Competitor to Direct. X which will allow a range of functions from drawing lines to rendering 3 D objects.

Middleware and Tools Middleware in games development allows production to increase. Its a program for programmers. Ie offer them something basic such as Forza 4 programmers Trees so they can focus on the cars. Emergents Gamebyro is an excellent example.

Assessment Objective Four Merit Candidates show a good knowledge of the software tools used in different areas of the game development process, including modelling, animation and programming. They use a range of examples in their descriptions. They use the correct terminology most of the time.

Assessment Objective Four Distinction Candidates show a detailed knowledge of the software tools used in different areas of the game development process, including modelling, animation and programming. They use a wide range of examples in their descriptions. They use the correct terminology all of the time.

Assessment Objective Four Advise the independent games studio about current game development tools and technologies. At the design stage, they are able to incorporate this new expertise into their game. If it was left any later it would be difficult to append to the project and it would look like an addon rather than a integrated features that had been planned from the beginning.

Assessment Objective Four 1) Select FIVE current art and animation packages and explain their features, advantages and disadvantages. Compare their main attributes and give examples

Assessment Objective Four 2) Select five current software development tools and explain their features, advantages and disadvantages. Compare their main attributes and give examples

Assessment Objective Four Ao 1, Ao 2 and Ao 3 due in for 3: 30 pm Friday Ao 4 due in for end of Double Lesson next week. Next week Ao 4 time and Ao 1 -3 Amendments

Assessment Objective Five Explore current technical challenges for computer games

Assessment Objective Five Advise the independent studio about technical challenges in games development. By understanding the current field, the studio would be able to develop a contempory modern game.

Assessment Objective Five Advise the independent studio about technical challenges in games development. By understanding the current field, the studio would be able to develop a contempory modern game.

Assessment Objective Five A current challenge for example was the new AI in Go. W 2. Difficult, but attracted new gamers

Assessment Objective Five Starter Can we think of any outstanding features which may have attracted us to a game?

Assessment Objective Five Merit Candidates present a thorough analysis of at least two areas of technical challenge within the games industry. They back up their analysis with sound and pertinent examples. They use the correct terminology most of the time.

Assessment Objective Five Distinction Candidates coherently research and present a comprehensive analysis of at least three specialist areas of games technologies, demonstrating a very thorough understanding of all technical issues and creative challenges associated with the subject. They back up their analysis with an excellent use of examples. They use the correct terminology all of the time.

Assessment Objective Five Physics and Dynamics AI Advanced Character Animation Terrains and Landscapes Dynamic Lighting MMOs

Assessment Objective Five Physics at a basic level of the effects of forces on objects. As games develop the finer points of physics must be considered. What force has an effect on all of us right now?

Assessment Objective Five Gravity! Allows realistic running, walking, throwing, flying and jumping. Other elements involve • Light • Sound • Heat

Assessment Objective Five Ragdoll Physics has become a huge development recently. Considered the movement t of the body, and the way bone structure allows the body to move more realistically. Important future developments.

Assessment Objective Five

Assessment Objective Five AI AI is used in games for all NPCs?

Assessment Objective Five AI Early AI designed their NPCs with a set number of Movements, sometimes random and wouldn’t all any interaction

Assessment Objective Five AI Homework, actually play on Co. D tonight and make a list of the ways you interact with the AI and the AI interacts with you.

Assessment Objective Five AI Challenges To have more and more baddies think for themselves. The level of game play in a Xbox Live Game However there is one huge AI Issue

Assessment Objective Five

Assessment Objective Five Advanced Character Animation We expect each version of a game to improve graphically. Very difficult to create something organic with digital methods however.

Assessment Objective Five Increases in Processor Speeds have drastically improved this as rendering of images can be done on the “fly” However 100+ different characters performing 1000+ combinations of movement is always going to be a problem

Assessment Objective Five Motion Capture

Assessment Objective Five Terrains and Landscapes. Modern Games have Massive Environments now, especially “Sandbox” Games

Assessment Objective Five Popular method is one using real photographs over a wireframe mesh. The main challenge is going to be a pay off in-between high-quality textures and processing power. Backdrop does essential pay second fiddle to characters

Assessment Objective Five Dynamic Lighting Light was never considered in very early games as realism wasn’t something they where aiming for. Quickfire count, how many light sources are going to iluminate you today?

Assessment Objective Five MMOs Massively Multiplayer Online Games Takes place across the internet involving high numbers of geeks living with their mothers. Involves taking the role of another

Assessment Objective Five How to spot and MMORPG player

Assessment Objective Five Not Developed very often due to strong brand loyalties amongst current players. Also as every character is a real person many are needed. And the large amount of time needed to be invested means they are likely to stick to what they know.

Assessment Objective Five Technical Challenges such as getting the large servers to run them is an issue. Can typically hold 10, 000 accounts with roughly 50% active at once. If they fail, and people have paid a subscription they will go elsewhere.

Assessment Objective Five Replica Servers are then needed Maintenance Costs are then doubled. World of Warcraft roughly has 10, 000 accounts.

Assessment Objective Six Investigate and Describe Future Developments. Starter – On the Whiteboards write down the one piece of tech that you’ve found amazing in the last five years.

Assessment Objective Six Games can take years and years to develop and our studio needs to be aware of any possible developments so they can take advantage of them with their designs. Ie Upcoming Hardware, Xbox Live. Everyone wants the “New Thing” and a incompatible game will sell less if it isn’t part of the new movement.

Assessment Objective Six 1) Research possible future developments in game development

Assessment Objective Six 1) Give at least one possible future development for each ofg these areas 1) Hardware 2) Software 3) New Tech 4) New places and Ways to play 5) Virtual Communities

Assessment Objective Six 1) For each development describe the advantages and disadvantages to the industry as a whole, developers, gamers and anyone else involved

Assessment Objective Six Merit Candidates give a detailed explanation of some possible future developments in this field, explaining how they would alter the overall experience. They identify a range of advantages / disadvantages associated with these developments.

Assessment Objective Six Distinction Candidates give a detailed explanation of some valid future developments in this field, justifying how they would improve the overall experience. They identify a wide range of advantages / disadvantages associated with these developments.

Assessment Objective Six The whole gaming industry is one of the fastest growing, and fastest changing. With billions and billions being spent each year a new and unique development could take a huge slice of the market.

Assessment Objective Six INSERT WII

Assessment Objective Six Hardware Developments Processors, Graphics, Sound and Memory are constantly improving. Input methods such as the Wii, Wii. U, Kinect and Playstation Move have opend up casual gaming to the masses.

Assessment Objective Six Virtual Reality was always deemed the zenith of gaming but after many false starts it is becoming more and more closer. Being able to not only interact, but feel a virtual object, a virtual breeze, virtual heat etc is the holy grail of immersive gaming!

Assessment Objective Six 3 D 25% of TVs sold this year have been 3 D capable BBC are going to launch services next year Olympics are going to be in 3 D They are now sub £ 500 And now glasses-free

Assessment Objective Six Projections

Assessment Objective Six Augmented Reality Games.

Assessment Objective Six Software Developments The aim is always to reach a new level of realism or immersion Can you give me an example of realism and immersion?

Assessment Objective Six As previously discussed AI developments have lead to what? As this develops it is going to provide better opponents who can think and act like humans.

Assessment Objective Six New Tech Microsoft has finally opened itself up to Homebrew Apps. Its giving hobbyists a platform to get their product out there.

Assessment Objective Six Xbox as homehub

Assessment Objective Six New Places and Ways to Play Cafes, Trains and Whole Cities (Milton Keans) offer free Wi-Fi which allows this to take place now. Ipads have put much better games into the bags of people

Assessment Objective Six Virtual Communities Second Life

Assessment Objective Six Plenary Go over feedback in your folders and e-mail me a list of what you need to do to complete this unit to your target grade.