Unit 20: Computer Game Platforms and Technology

Computer Game Platforms and Technology

Software Technology

What is an OS (Operating System)?

An OS is the most vital important program that runs on a computer. Every PC must have an OS to run programs. The OS performs simple tasks such as performing tasks such as recognising input from the keyboard, sending output to the display screen and etc.



Different Types of OS

Apple OS: is the OS for Apple’s iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Apple TV and similar devices. On iPhones and other Apple device, there is an application called GameCenter and is an online multiplayer social gaming app pre-installed on Apple devices. Update GameCenter was removed in iOS 10 and macOS Sierra, but it’s still available through compatible games.

Windows 10: is a unified OS interface supporting all Windows-powered devices from desktops and laptops to smartphones and tablets. To download games there is a pre-installed application called Store and you can buy games from that. There are other applications you can download for buying games for example Steam and Origin.
Linux OS: is a free cross-platform OS which can be installed on any PC, laptop, netbook, mobile, tablet, video game console, servers and supercomputers. Linux is easy for ethical hacking.
MAC OS: is the OS for Apple’s Macintosh. The desktop interface with some 3-D characteristics, it also runs UNIX applications.

Android OS: is a mobile OS developed by Google based on the Linux Kernel which was designed for touchscreen mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.


 Orbis OS: is the OS Sony uses for the PS4. It replaces the XrossMediaBar OS used in the PS3. Using the OS you can run all games


Xbox OS/OneCore: is the OS for the Xbox One. It is a Windows based OS which contains separate OS’s for games and applications that can run on a console.

What is a Device Driver: A driver is a piece of software that allows a piece of hardware to run.
Application Software:
Interpreted Languages
What is Java?
Java is free and allows you to play online games, chat with people around the world and view images in 3D. There are lots of applications and websites that won’t work without Java installed. Java is fast, secure and reliable, it’s used on laptops, supercomputers, game consoles, cell phones and many more devices. Some games were written in Java for example Brothers in Arms: Art of War and Asphalt 3: Street Rules. Many more games were written in Java and some games are still being made in Java to this day.
What is Python?
Python is a high-level general-purpose programming language which is built in data structures, combined with dynamic typing and dynamic binding. Python is simple and easy to learn and therefore reduces the cost of program maintenance. Some games are written in Python for example: Battlefield 2 uses Python for all of its add-ons and lots of its functionality. World of Tanks uses Python for most of its tasks.
Compiled Languages
What is C++?
C++ is an object orientated programming language and is an extension of C language. C++ is considered to be an intermediate level language and captures both high and low level language features. Here is a list of games and game engines that currently use C++ if you want to view the full list here’s the link http://www.stroustrup.com/GamesListOfCpp.pdf
Game engines that use C++: UE4 (Unreal Engine 4), CryEngine, FrostBite Engine, Source Engine and RAGE Engine.
Games that use C++: Unreal Tournament, Battlefield, Need for Speed and Left 4 Dead Series. 
What is DirectX?
DirectX provides access capabilities of your graphics and audio cards, which enables programs to provide realistic 3-D graphics, immersive music and audio effects. DirectX enables the program to easily determine the hardware capabilities of your computer and then sets the program parameters to match.
What is OpenGL (Open Graphics Library?)
OpenGL is a standard program interface for defining 2-D and 3-D graphic images.  There is no cost to developing an application using the OpenGL API. Microsoft offers free downloads of the OpenGL libraries for its Windows systems.


























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