Let me tell you in short what this is. This is a part of my Class Assignment and what you see is a 'PowerPoint Slide Show' of the first three Outcomes from UNIT 20 - 'Computer Game Platform & Technologies'. Here, at first, I've explained Game Platforms & their types in short and then moved on over to my 2D Platform Game - 'Tales Of Mushroom Land', by considering its Game Platform and the Hardware & Software requirements for the game. I've also showcased some performance tests for my game at the end which I had taken on different systems/machines. This is about the first three Outcomes - Game Platforms, Hardware & Software. The second-last slide hosts a reference about 'Outcome 4', which is a video in which I've showcased a playable demo of my game and a bit of support for common errors. (Of course, the video won't be present over there.) Now, in order to watch the video for 'Outcome 4' and to get more information and to know what is a 'UNIT', 'Outcomes' - please visit by log - ' phadkeakshay@wordpress.com '. the name of my blog is - ' The GameBuilder's Inn '.

1. Name : Akshay. M. Phadke Date : 14.08.13
Unit 20
Computer Game Platforms & Technologies
Outcomes 1,2,3 & 4 – Video Game Platforms, Hardware, Software &
‘Connect And Configure Platforms And Devices To Enable Game-play’

3. What Is A Gaming Platform?
“Specific combination of electronic components or computer hardware which in
conjunction with software, allows a video game to operate”
It means:
„PC Game - involves interaction of player with a Personal Computer connected to a
Video Monitor‟
„Consoles – Specialized Electronic Devices connected to Television Sets‟
Let‟s See Further----

4. Categories Of Game Platforms
• PC Gaming – Windows, MAC, Linux Or Any Other Systems
• Consoles – Microsoft‟s Xbox 360, Sony‟s PS3,…
• Arcades – PAC-MAN, Pong, Galaxy Game,…
• Hand-Held Devices – Nintendo‟s 3Ds,…
• Mobile Gaming – Android, iOS,…
• Online/Web – Facebook,…
• And Others…

5. Consider The Following Platforms:
• PC
• Console

6. PC Platform
„High Processing Power‟ as compared to other Gaming Systems
Better Hardware & Scope for „Upgradation‟
Apart from Gaming, it‟s more than a „Multitasking Machine‟
Supports Wide Range Of Peripheral Devices – „Touch-screens‟, „Motion-Controllers‟, …
Games On PC benefit from:
Higher Screen Resolutions – 1920*1080 or above
Higher Frame-Rate
Increased Draw Distance
EX : Games like „Crysis‟ & „Battlefield 3‟ literally fumed out the consoles due to their „Heavy & Immense
Graphics‟,
such Graphics Generation becomes only possible on a PC..
Crysis 2 Battlefield 3

7. Consoles
They are „Dedicated Video Game Machines‟ – „An Interactive Computer‟ – producing a Video Signal
– that can be used with a display device – Television, Monitor etc..
Simply „Plug n Play‟ Devices
Consists of Wired/Wireless „Gamepad/Controller‟
End-User does not require any Hardware Knowledge
Uses Specialized Hardware Architechure
Latest Consoles offer services like – „Internet, Optical Media, Screen Capture & Much More..‟
EX :
• Microsoft Xbox 720 offers players to capture their „Game-play Footage‟ which players can upload
and share with friends..
• Players can also watch videos of different „Video File Formats‟

8. History Of Video Game Consoles
Following sections show the different Generations of Video Game Consoles:
1st Generation (1972 – 1977)
2nd Generation (1976 – 1983)
3rd Generation (1983 – 1990)
4th Generation (1987 - 1995)
5th Generation (1993 – 2004)
6th Generation (1998 – 2005)
7th Generation (2005 – 2011)
8th Generation (2013..)

9. 8th Generation Consoles
Technological Advancements took place rapidly especially after 4th Generation
Today‟s devices are highly integrated with other Media and Increased Connectivity
EX : „Wii U‟ is the first of the 8th Generation Consoles currently available in the market.
OUYA, a Kickstarter-funded Android-based game console, which was released on June 25, 2013
Others include – Microsoft’s Xbox ONE, Sony’s PlayStation 4, Nvidia Shield…
OUYA
Nvidia Shield

10. Examples Of Games On Different Platforms
‘Call Of Duty’ &
‘Crysis 2’ On
PC
‘FIFA 13’ & ‘Gears Of
War’ On – ‘Xbox’ & ‘PS3’
Respectively
‘Sonic-The Hedgehog’ &
‘Angry Birds’ On ‘Nintendo
3DS’ & ‘Android Smart-
Phone’ Respectively

11. Now, let‟s see – „Tales Of Mushroom Land‟
• Game Info
• Game Platform

12. A Brief About Our 2D Game
Name – „Tales Of Mushroom Land‟
Genre – Casual Platformer
Team Size – 2 Persons : „1 Programmer & 1 Artist‟
Development Software – Game Maker : 8.1 Pro
Level Structure – 2 Levels With Main-Menu, Pause Menu, Storyboard Section Of 5 Screens,
Controls Screens, Credits Screen, Custom Options Screen
Scope For Expansion : YES
Deadline – 45 Days

13. Best Suitable Platform For The Game
Based On Above Game Facts & Game Structure:
We had considered Two Platforms:
• PC
• Consoles
However, best suitable platform for game : PC (Windows)
In-Game Screenshots:

14. Why – PC Platform
PC Games are comparatively cheaper
• More than 72% of the total Game-Players are PC Players above the age group of 18 years
• 62% of Players play Online PC Games or Downloadable Games
• Most of PC Players spend their time on „Casual & Social Games‟
Ex : Facebook & „Casual Free To Play‟ Games
Women account for a larger share of more than 45% of the total gaming population
There is always scope for up-gradation
Moreover,..
• „Our game is not graphically packed demanding many requirements‟
• It was fitting entirely within our – „Timelines‟ and „Scope‟.
• No Extra Manpower was needed

15. Why No To - Console
Consoles like Microsoft Xbox 360 are Very Expensive (approx. 25,000 INR)
They are Non Up-gradable
Ex :
At The Goldman Sachs Technology and Internet Conference, Feb 2013 ----
60% of Players REFUSED to buy or were AGAINST Consoles, Because….
• New Consoles Play Only Brand New Games
• There Is No Support For Old Games
Moreover,…
• Game for a Console requires Special/Extra Type Of Coding
• We would have to make use of development software like „XNA‟ by Microsoft which is very VAST
as compared to Game-Maker 8.1.
• An extra Programmer would have been required
• Developing a very short game for Consoles – spending so much resources – Increased Time -
Doesn’t sound a very nice deal (At least to me), …..

16. Extra Added Feature In The Game
A Candy for Gamepad Lovers:
• Extended Gamepad/Controller Support For The Game
• Game works with any USB „Plug & Play‟ Gamepad/Controller
Ex : Microsoft Xbox 360 USB Controller For PC,
Logitech Gamepad F710,
Enter E-GPV Gamepad,
And Others…
Logitech F710
Gamepad For PC
Microsoft Xbox 360
Controller For PC

17. Let‟s have a look at:
• Hardware & Software Requirements : Tales Of Mushroom Land

18. Hardware Requirements For Our Game
Minimum Hardware Requirements:
Processor : 500 MHz
Video Card : 256 MB OpenGL Compatible 3D Accelerated Graphics Card
RAM : 256MB
800x600 Screen Resolution
16 Bit Color Display
Keyboard + Mouse
Recommended Hardware Requirements:
Processor : 1 GHz
Video Card : 512 MB OpenGL Compatible 3D Accelerated Graphics Card
OR HIGHER.
RAM : 512MB
Sound Card
1024x768 Screen Resolution
24 Bit True Color Display
Keyboard + Mouse
Gamepad/Controller

19. Software Requirements For Our Game
Minimum Software Requirements:
Operating System : Win XP (SP2)
DirectX Version : 6.0
Microsoft Redistributable C++ Version : 2005
Microsoft .NET Version : 3.0
Recommended Software Requirements:
Operating System : Win Vista (SP2) OR HIGHER
DirectX Version : 9.0C
Microsoft Redistributable C++ Version : 2007 OR HIGHER
Microsoft .NET Version : 3.5 OR HIGHER
Updated Video & Audio Drivers From Manufacturer‟s Website

20. Now,
• Some Interesting Performance Tests

21. Test Taken On A Desktop – More Than 7 Years Old :
Processor : Intel Pentium 1.8 GHz Dual Core Audio : Realtek Audio
RAM : 512 MB DDR 553 MHz
Graphics Card : NO
Dedicated Graphics On Motherboard : ATI Raedon 200 Series – 256 MB
OS : Win XP (SP3)
DirectX : 6.14
1st Start-Up Time : 5 Minutes
Avg. Start-Up Time : 3-4 Minutes
FPS : 25 – 28 Frames
Game Playability State : Game made its way till Main-Menu.
STATUS : Game Crashes After Hitting Play Button!!!
GIVES------------------------------------------------
Test 1

22. Test Taken On A Desktop – Precisely 5 Years Old :
Processor : Intel Pentium 2.2 GHz ‘Core 2 Duo’ Audio : Realtek Audio
RAM : 1 GB DDR 800 MHz
Graphics Card : NO!
Dedicated Graphics On Motherboard : NO!
OS : Win XP (SP3)
DirectX : 9.0C
1st Start-Up Time : 10 Seconds
And Then……………….
GIVES------------------------------------------------
Test 2

23. Game Playability State : Game Crashed : Game Failed To Start!
STATUS : ‘d3d.CreateDevice() Error’. System Was Missing Graphics Card Or Dedicated Graphics On
Motherboard.

24. Test 3
Test Taken On A Lenovo Laptop – Just 3 Years Old :
Processor : Intel Pentium 2.0 GHz Dual Core Audio : Realtek Audio
RAM : 3 GB DDR2 667 MHz
Graphics Card : NO!
Dedicated Graphics On MOtherboard : Intel Mobile Express Chipset 4 Series – 1 GB
OS : Win Vista (SP2)
DirectX : 7.0
GIVES------------------------------------------------
1st Start-Up Time : 17 Seconds
Avg. Start-Up Time : 10-11 Seconds
FPS : 50+ Frames
Game Playability State : No Game-play Performance Issues, Video, Audio Or Any Other Errors.
STATUS : Game Runs Perfectly Fine!!

25. Test 4
Test Taken On A Desktop – Just 3 Years Old:
Processor : AMD Phenom II X4 3.4 GHz Audio : VIA HD Audio
RAM : 10 GB DDR3 1333 MHz
Graphics Card : ASUS Nvidia 630 GT GeForce 2 GB DDR3
Dedicated Graphics On Motherboard : Raedon 4070 Chipset 128 MB
OS : Win 7 Ultimate 64-Bit
DirectX : 11
GIVES------------------------------------------------
1st Start-Up Time : 2-3 Seconds
Avg. Start-Up Time : Just A Flip Second!!
FPS : 70+ Frames
Game Playability State : No Game-play Performance Issues, Video, Audio Or Any Other Errors.
STATUS : Runs Like A Charm!!

26. Its Time For,
• Playable Demonstration Of The Game
• Common Occurring Errors

27. THANK-YOU