The document defines and provides examples of several key hardware technologies that are important for game platforms, including the central processing unit (CPU), graphics processors, memory (RAM), displays, sound, game storage mediums, interface devices, connectivity, and power supplies. These components allow games to be processed, rendered, stored, and played across various computing and gaming devices. They are essential for enabling the gameplay experiences and virtual worlds that players interact with.

1. Salford City College
Eccles Sixth Form Centre
BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN
Unit 20: Computer Game Platforms and Technologies
Brief 1_Task 2
Name:
Nathan
Mather.
Researched Definition
(include URL link)
Explanation in your own
words
Imagery Why is this
important to
hardware
technologies for
game platforms?
Human
Comput
er
Interfa
ce
human-computer interface (HCI) The means
of communication between a human user and a
computer system, referringin particular to the
use of input/output devices with supporting
software. Devicesof increasing sophistication
are becoming available to mediate the human-
computer interaction. These include graphics
devices, touch-sensitive devices, and voice-
input devices. They have to be configured in a
way that will facilitate an efficient and
desirable interaction between a person and
the computer. Artificial
intelligence techniques of knowledge
representation may be used to model the user
of a computer system, and so offer the
opportunityto give personalized advice on its
use. The design of the machine interface may
incorporate expert-systemtechniques to offer
powerful knowledge-based computing to the
user.
http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O11-
humancomputerinterface.html
Human computerinterface putsimply
isthe interactionof ahumanto an
electronicdevicelikeacomputerof a
touch screenphone.
http://cervologix.com/wp-
content/uploads/2014/05/human
-computer-interaction.png
Thisis highlyimportant
as it allowsusersto
physicallyplaythe
game on the given
platform.Ialsoallows
for the manydifferent
methodsof interaction
to gamingproducts.
Thingslike the
NintendoDsandthe
Xbox one allowusers
to playdifferently.
Central
Process
ing Unit
(CPU)
Sometimes referred to simplyas
the central processor, but more commonly
called processor,the CPU is the brains of
the computer where mostcalculations take
place.In terms ofcomputing power,the
CPU is the mostimportant elementof
a computer system.
http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/
C/CPU.html
The CPU isthe maincomponentinany
computeras itprovidesaHUB for the
restof the computercomponents.
http://grephaxs.com/wp-
content/uploads/2015/07/cpu.jp
g
Thisis importantasit
allowsthe restof any
gamingmediumto
function,allowingthe
device toplaythe
gamesfor the users.

2. Salford City College
Eccles Sixth Form Centre
BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN
Unit 20: Computer Game Platforms and Technologies
Brief 1_Task 2
Graphic
Process
ors
A GPU, or graphics processing unit, is
used primarilyfor 3-D applications.It is a
single-chip processor thatcreates lighting
effects and transforms objects every time
a 3D scene is redrawn.These are
mathematically-intensive tasks,which
otherwise,would putquite a strain on
the CPU. Lifting this burden from the CPU
frees up cycles that can be used for other
jobs.
http://www.webopedia.com/TE
RM/G/GPU.html
The graphics processorsrender
differentlightingandtransforms
objectstorelieve stressfromthe rest
of the computerwhichallowsitto
maintainspeed.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wik
ipedia/commons/7/79/GPU_NVid
ia_NV40_6800GT_AGP.jpg
Graphicsprocessors
allowcomputersand
consolestorenderin
3D spaceswithoutthe
device beingslowed
downtoo dramatically
allowingforabetter
wayto play.
Memor
y
(RAM)
Alternatively referred to as main
memory, primary memory, or system
memory, Random Access
Memory (RAM) is a hardware device
that allows information to be stored and
retrieved on a computer. RAM is usually
associated with DRAM, which is a type
of memory module. Because information
is accessed randomly instead of
sequentially like it is on a CD orhard
drive, the computer can access the data
much faster. However, unlike ROM or the
hard drive, RAM is a volatile memory and
requires power to keep the data
accessible; if power is lost all data
contained in memory lost.
http://www.computerhope.com/jarg
on/r/ram.htm
Memory(RAM) allowsuserstostore
vast quantitiesof informationwhether
it’sa documentof an image to the
computer,the amountif information
that can be storedvariesdepending
on howmuch memorythe computer
can use.
http://www.laptopinventory.com
/uploads/parts/original/5468_Gat
eway_NV_SERIES_RAM-
Memory_1.JPG
Memoryallowsany
gamingmediatostore
informationforany
game.For example,a
game can be
downloadedfroma
marketplace and
storedon the
computeras well as
any game saves
screenshotsandDLC.

3. Salford City College
Eccles Sixth Form Centre
BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN
Unit 20: Computer Game Platforms and Technologies
Brief 1_Task 2
Display A display is a computeroutputsurfaceand
projecting mechanismthatshows text andoften
graphic images to the computeruser,using a
cathoderaytube( CRT ), liquid crystaldisplay (LCD),
light-emitting diode, gas plasma,or otherimage
projection technology. Thedisplay is usually
considered to includethe screenor projection
surface andthedevice that produces the
information onthescreen. In some computers,the
display is packaged ina separateunit called
a monitor . Inother computers,thedisplay is
integratedinto a unitwith the processor andother
parts ofthecomputer. (Somesources make the
distinction that themonitorincludes other signal-
handling devices thatfeedand control thedisplay or
projection device. However, this distinction
disappears whenall theseparts becomeintegrated
into a total unit, as in thecaseofnotebook
computers.) Displays (andmonitors) arealso
sometimes called videodisplay terminals (VDTs) .
The terms display andmonitorareoftenused
interchangably.
http://whatis.techtarget.com/definit
ion/display
Displayissimplyanythingthatallows
the userto perceive information,this
isanythingthat wouldclassasa
screenor multiple screenswhich
allowsthe usertohave evenmore
displaycapabilities.
http://www.fujitsu.com/sg/Imag
es/x-line-display-3-views-
580x224_tcm115-301767.png
Displayletsplayers
physicallysee the
game theyare doing
on theircomputersor
consoles.Italsoallows
for the game
companiestocreate
vast worldsof colour
and detail forplayers
to enjoyattheir
leasure.
Sound Audio is sound withintheacousticrangeavailableto
humans.An audiofrequency (AF) is an electrical
alternating current within the 20 to
20,000 hertz (cycles per second) range that can be
used to produce acoustic sound.In computers,
audio is thesoundsystemthat comes with or canbe
added to a computer. An audio cardcontains a
special built-in processor and memory for
processing audio files and sending them
to speakers in the computer. An audio fileis a
record ofcapturedsoundthat canbe played back.
Sound is a sequence ofnaturally analog signals that
are converted todigitalsignals by theaudiocard,
using a microchip called an analog-to-digital
converter (ADC). When sound is played, the digital
signals are sent tothespeakers where they are
converted back toanalog signals thatgenerate
Applicationof soundallowsanyuser
to perceive the soundswhichwould
be usedfor anyapplicationwhich
wouldrequire it.Itamplifiesthe
effectivenessof certainmediassuch
as videogames.
http://www.logitech.com/assets/
20147/20147.png
Withthe applicationof
soundplayercan
become more
immersedinthe world
whichtheyare playing
in.It alsoallowsthem
to have an
understandingof the
environmentsand
eventswhichare
happening.

4. Salford City College
Eccles Sixth Form Centre
BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN
Unit 20: Computer Game Platforms and Technologies
Brief 1_Task 2
varied sound.
http://whatis.techtarget.com/definit
ion/audio
Game
Storage
Medium
In computers, a storage medium is any
technology (including devices and materials)
used to place, keep, and retrieve data.
A medium is an element used in communicating
a message; on a storage medium, the
"messages" - in the formof data - are
suspended for use when needed. The plural
formof this term is storage media. Although the
term storage includes both primary storage
(memory), a storage medium usually means a
place to hold secondary storage such as that on
a hard disk or tape.
http://searchstorage.techtarget.com
/definition/storage-medium
Game storage mediumisanydevice
whichallowssaveddatato be
transferredbetweendevices.This
rangesfromfloppy disks;CDsand USB
drives.Itallowsthe computerto
operate smoothlyandhave more
memory(RAM) available forlateruse.
http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multime
dia/archive/01739/dvds_1739548
c.jpg
Game storage medium
ishighlyuseful asit
allowsplayersto
transferanydata from
one computeror
console toanother.
Withthese devices
theyare able tomove
theirgame saves;
screenshotse.t.cto
any othercomputer/
device forif theyare
on the go or simply
needtocreate space
withoutlosingall of
theirprogression.
Interfa
ce
Devices
An interfacedevice(IDF) is a hardwarecomponent
or systemofcomponents that allows a human being
to interactwitha computer,a telephone system,or
other electronicinformationsystem. The termis
often encountered in themobilecommunication
industry where designers arechallengedto build
the propercombination ofportability, capability,
and ease ofuseinto theinterfacedevice.The
overallset ofcharacteristics providedby an
interfacedeviceis often referredto as the user
interface (and,for computers -at least, inmore
academicdiscussions - the human-computer
interfaceor HCI ). Today's desktop and notebook
computers havewhathas cometo becalled a
graphical user interface( GUI ) to distinguish itfrom
earlier, morelimited interfaces such as the
Interface devisesare componentsthat
allowanyuserto interactwitha
computersystem.Commonlya
keyboardanda mouse are used.
These twocomponentsallowthe
complete interactionwithany
computer.Until touchscreenwas
devisedthesetwocomponents were
necessaryforthe vast majorityof
computerstobe used.
http://blog.wolfram.com/images/
lou/gamepad.gif
Interface deviceslike
keyboardandmouse
or controllersallow
playerstointeractand
control sectionsof the
world,whichtheyplay
in.It alsoallows
playerstoeasily
control the character
ingameswithmany
differentmovements
and mechanicsbeing

5. Salford City College
Eccles Sixth Form Centre
BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN
Unit 20: Computer Game Platforms and Technologies
Brief 1_Task 2
command line interface( CLI).
http://whatis.techtarget.com/de
finition/interface-device-IDF
integrated.
Connec
tivity
Computers. the ability to link to a
nd communicate with other comp
uter
systems, electronic devices, soft
ware, or the Internet:
http://dictionary.reference.com/
browse/connectivity
Connectivityismore orlesswhatit
says.It’s the interactionbetween
multiple usersonmultipledevicesora
single device.The internetisthe main
componentinthisinthe moderntime
as it allowsforsocial mediaandalso
multiplayergamingtotake hold. http://www.totalteam.co.nz/pack
ages/totalteam/website/img/3T/
Connectivity.png
Withthe use of the
internetplayerare
able to playgames
online togetherfrom
theirhomeswithout
havingto use multiple
controllersona single
console.Italsoallows
playerstosocially
interactwithmany
differentplayers
playingthe same game
as theyare.
Power
Supply
A power supply is a hardware
component that supplies power to
an electrical device. It receives
power from an electrical outlet and
converts the current from AC
(alternating current) to DC (direct
current), which is what the
computer requires. It also
regulates the voltage to an
adequate amount, which allows
the computer to run smoothly
without overheating. The power
supply an integral part of any
A powersupplyisacomputer
componentwhichprovidespowerto
the maincomputersystem.These
come witha transformerswhich
lowersorraisesthe amountof power
whichissuppliedtothe device to
avoideitheroverloadingthe systemor
simplynotprovidingenoughpowerto
it.
http://core0.staticworld.net/imag
es/article/2013/01/standard-psu-
100021930-gallery.jpg
A powersupplyisvital
to all playersas
withoutitthere would
be nothingto power
the computeror
console,andthus
wouldn’tbe able to
playany gameson
theirgivenmedium.

6. Salford City College
Eccles Sixth Form Centre
BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN
Unit 20: Computer Game Platforms and Technologies
Brief 1_Task 2
computer and must function
correctly for the rest of the
components to work.
http://techterms.com/defi
nition/powersupply