Kieren Hiscock

Platforms and tech Assignment 3

On this section you will find information on platform dependency, operating
systems, Drivers, Application software, Graphical APIs, Sound APIs and
television connection. You will find explanations for software technologies for
game platforms.
Platform dependency
Every platform and games company has a specific way they produce their
content. For instance 343 industries and Bungie make Halo for Xbox only,
Guerrilla Games make kill zone only for Playstation and valve make games like
Counter Strike for PC only. When it comes to game platforms they are either
dependent or independent. Playstation/Sony are an independent platform
because they use they use a difficult type of Application software/ coding
system. They also only give out developer packages free to big development
companies. However this shows that Playstation care about getting their games
out to their audience in good quality E.G Graphics, gameplay etc.
Microsoft/Xbox is independent because they have arcade games that are use the
coding system XNA. Xbox also allow arcade games to be created and submitted
by new developers this is good because it shows off the work that the
community can make however the games never get updated. They stopped
submissions for the Xbox 360 because its reaching its life expectancy. PC is an
independent platform because they are the only platform that supports modding
and the biggest range of games out there. They can also play sprite 2D games
found on websites, they have the biggest online lobbies in any platform and they
can be taken apart and improved.
Mobile devices on the other hand are independent because they are the only
platform that is mobile.
Overall all platforms are independent and dependent. The Nintendo Wii and
every other Nintendo system have been independent because they make games
only for their systems and nothing else. Where Xbox and playstation use different
coding and sell games only for those consoles.
Operating system
All platforms have an operating system which deals with all the platforms basic
functions. Xbox one and Microsoft use the operating system Windows 10. This
operating system is used for PC gamers and console gamers. Microsofts
operating systems over the years have all been based on the previous one. Their
first operating system was Windows 1.0 but the first well known operating
system was windows XP, Windows vista and windows 7. These were all built off
the same model and looked very familiar. The operating system was then redesigned when it came to windows 8. Microsoft added a new operating system
menu which linked to the new Google cloud and then the new windows 10 which

is a combination of Windows 8 and 7. Most games now need windows 7, 8 and

10. Most games before these operating systems dont work on windows 10, for
example The Sims Complete Collection.
Apple Macs use operating systems that work well with things like editing
software and creative software. They dont work well with games and because of
that they dont produce many games for the Mac. The operating systems for
Macs are more complicated then the windows numbered system. Macs
operating systems names were snow leopard, apple OS X Lion etc.
Consoles and hand held devices use their own types of Operating system that
only work on small systems. These operating systems are not as powerful as a
computers and cant replace them
Overall when it comes to gaming, the operating system matters for the newer
games and the best type of operating systems are made by Microsoft. Old
operating systems no longer work on newer games. Windows 7 is now starting to
be out dated.
The Drivers
Drivers are important when it comes to all platforms because without them your
gaming experience wouldnt exist. The drivers come in the forms of hard drive,
sound drive, video adaptors, printers, mouse keyboard etc. These drivers all go
through the motherboard and then go to the user. A driver creates an interface
to the hardware device E.G sound card, printer mouse etc. The sound card is a
driver and has the mic in and headphone slots. This driver sends sound to
whatever is plugged into it, be it headphones or speakers. A driver is a support
for the computer to read the installed device.
The Drivers for platforms are important because without them there are no
games. This is because when it comes to the PC you wouldnt be able to use your
Mouse, Keyboard, headphones etc. You need drivers to have all these
components. Its the same with Xbox and Playstation.
The application software
The application software is just a big word for all the programs. All pieces of
software uses code and all platforms use different types of code and every type
of code is harder to use. Some examples of coding languages are objectoriented, C++, C#, Java, J2SE, J2ME, ActionScript, JavaScript, Xcode and XNA.
Consoles mainly use C++ coding, so this covers Xbox, Play station and the Wii.
This type of code is for large games and can handle the display and the
rendering the games need. For big console games this type of coding works well
because the games keep getting bigger and better. Mobile games use JavaScript.
This type of code is famous for being used to make Minecraft and games with
small needs. Also this type of coding is used to make apps rather than just
games.

PCs use all types of code for games because all types of games are on PC. You
can find games on the internet, on steam, origin and built into the computer.
These codes make the game what it is and without them the code wouldnt exist.
When it comes to the coding in games, the developers have to pick the best type
of coding that supports the type of game theyre making and supports the
platforms it will be on.
Graphical API OpenGL Direct X
OpenGL or Open Graphics Library is used for rendering 2D and 3D graphics. It
interacts with the graphics processing unit or GPU for short. It is a cross system,
multi language renderer. OpenGL is used outsource rendering calculations to the
GPU. The GPU is you devices Graphics card. OpenGL has been used in Virtual
reality, CAD, video games etc. OpenGL is used on Microsoft windows PCs and
Apple Mac OS.
Direct X is mainly used by Microsoft for game programming and video. These
were originally called Direct3D, DirectDraw, DirectMusic, DirectPlay, DirectSound
etc. So DirectX is the name of the group of programs inside it. This did the same
job as OpenGL. DirectX uses 3D graphical rendering, along with 2D. DirectX is
widely used for making video games for the Xbox, Xbox 360 and Xbox one. It was
used on the Sega Dreamcast too. All of your Xbox, Xbox 360 and Xbox one
games use this.
Overall graphical API/ Graphics card is probably one of the most important
components in your platform. Everything you see on your screen is created in
the GPU (Graphical Processing Unit) and without it you cant play your games.
Sound API OpenAL Java Sound API
OpenAL or Open Audio Library is used to render three-dimensional sound into
your game and it is a cross-platform application. It resembles OpenGL which is
for display. OpenGL purpose is encoded in source objects. OpenGL is used on
most Mobile platforms, like Android, BlackBerry, IOS etc. It is also used on
gaming platforms like, GameCube, Playstation 2, Playstation 3, Xbox, Xbox 360,
Wii and Playstation portable.
Java Sound API is the same as OpenGL but it is a low-level API (Application
programming interface). It effects and controls the input and output of sound.
The sound it controls and supports is musical instrument Digital interface (MIDI)
and audio.
Overall the sound card or sound software that is used in your platform is
important. Sound immures you into the game and informs you on what you have
to do. Without a decent sound card you cant really immures yourself in a game.
Television
Televisions have software that allows their customers to unlock the channels they
pay for. It used to be the customer would pay for the cannels and get a card that

they would insert into the box that would give the customer the channels they
paid for. However now the channels are sent to the box and are cancelled and
stopped if the customer stops paying the monthly bill.
ITV or interactive television is form of media box like Sky and Virgin TV. This box
included on-demand content (this is where films or episodes are streamed
straight to your box). This ability is now in Virgin boxes and Sky boxes. The
interactive Television has now extended to things like the Amazon Fire Stick, Now
TV, google Chrome cast and every big named companies.
Overall every box that you use now to watch TV that has every channel now has
the ability for you to buy and stream rented films. It also has the ability to record
films and shows so you can watch the things you missed.

Bibliography
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_C%2B%2B_Programming_Language
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_programming
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JavaScript
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OpenGL
https://www.opengl.org/documentation/implementations/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DirectX
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OpenAL
https://docs.oracle.com/javase/tutorial/sound/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conditional_access
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interactive_television