History of Computer Games - Pt 3

Game development Costs 1982 - 2007

In comparison to previous years – for example the Atari port of Pacman in 1982, the production of video games has grown in length. Pacman was programmed by a single developer over the space of a month costing $100,000 – whereas Halo 2, released in 2004, had 190 people listed in its credits, a 3 month production period and a $40 million development cost. In the period of 22 years the cost of developing a high profile game has rocketed, and will no doubt continue to increase. However this also means an increase in developers and designers needed – as competitive as this may be I guess it poses a good sign for employability trusting the market doesn’t suddenly drop due to pirating games, or a sudden lack of interest.

Nokia N-Gage 2003

The year 2000 saw gaming become more readily available to everyone, with introduction of mobile games. In 2003 simulation games in the form of virtual pets, as well as puzzles had been developed to not only use the phones accessories such as cameras, but utilised 3D graphics seen on the Playstation. When Nokia released its N-Gage phone and handheld gaming platform in the same year, more interest was brought to mobile gaming – its revenue passing 5 billion dollars in 2007. By the time the IPhone was released, by 2008 more than half of apps sold for the phone were games.

Throughout the 21^st century graphics within video games improved greatly – focusing on higher definition, realism and immersion within an environment. The development of High Dynamic Range Imaging – or HDRI – allows the accurate representation of intensity levels found in real life, for example direct sunlight and shadows. This means that we will have a feeling of being even better immersed in the game action with all good and bad consequences of this unprecedented experience.

2004 saw the introduction of seventh generation consoles – the era being started with Nintento introducing the Nintento DS and Playstation the PSP. The competition of the consoles continued – with Playstation setting the standards for graphics and power whilst Nintendo experimented with a novel control interface of dual screens and a touch interface. Whilst the PSP attracted more veteran gamers, the DS maintained dominance in handheld gaming – updating in 2006 (DS Lite), 2008/9 (DSi).

In 2005 Microsoft bring forward the Xbox 360, soon followed by the PS3 in 2006. Both set high standards for high-definition graphics, large hard disk-based secondary storage, integrated networking and online gameplay and stores. Upon launch both systems challenged personal computers power output and remained relatively cheaper, however the PS3 being the more expensive out of the two due to its blu-ray disc and wifi.

However, not long after the PS3s release Nintento re-entered the competition of the consoles with the Wii – its motion sensor control system being hyped caused it to sell out Christmas on the year of its release, as well as the following 18 months. The motion control allowed a focus on gameplay, making games such as Wii sport and Wii fit to become hits, alongside these Nintento ported their classing franchise – bridging their well-known characters into new games such as Super Mario Galaxy, which became a success despite its standard-resolution graphics. However, whilst the infrared-based pointing system has been widely praised, its reliability was sub-par . These claims of unreliable motion detection lead to the release of the Wii MotionPlus in 2008. The motion sensor control is now seen throughout all three consoles – the Xbox 360 with ‘Kinect’  was the first motion control system capable of tracking the player in 3D space without the need for a controller, using a sensor and dual-camera device to track the motion of the players themselves, and PS3s Playstation Move, both surfacing in in 2010.

In the world of PC gaming, casual gaming rose – simulators like the Sims becoming incredibly popular, alongside puzzle games like bejewelled. In 2008, social networking sites began to gain a more mainstream popularity with the release of Happy Farm – a take on ‘Harvest Moon’ – followed by a rise of copies or similar simulator games, the appeal of which being from them being free to play with in game items being at an expense.

In 2011 Nintento released the Wii U – a new console with a 6.2 inch touch screen built-in to the controller, allowing some games to be played without the need of a TV whilst it can additionally be used as a secondary screen providing extra info and interactivity.