PC
uPCs are one of the oldest gaming platform still in use today. PC (Personal Computers) normally consist of a monitor, keyboard, mouse and tower. Its upgradable possibilities make this one of the most successful platforms in my opinion. Before PCs, computers were too large for personal use. Computers have not always been used as a gaming platform one of there first uses were for banks and large businesses for economic calculations and were supplied by companies like IBM. When PCs became smaller they started getting implemented into home use this was due to several important technology advances like the microprocessor, I talked about this in the console slide, it was developed by Intel in 1971from an idea proposed to them by Japanese calculator manufacturer Busicom. It was a lot smaller than other processors at the time but just if not more powerful this lead to most of the computer parts being made smaller and overall computer size being reduced which lead to the computers we use today. Pcs are probably the most powerful gaming devices out now as they are easily upgradable and new parts come out every six months or so compared to new consoles which come out every couple of years.
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PC features and limitations
Some features of the PC are:
Interchangeable parts made by third party companies. These parts are interchangeable and can be integrated with other companies parts to make the best possible computer.
Comparing the pc to any other console it has a lot better graphics if built correctly and runs a lot smoother this is due to it having a lot higher frame rate.
The games visual settings can be changed so depending if the pc is of high or low quality it can still play the game at an appropriate graphical setting.
Another feature is the RAM (Random access memory) The pc has a lot more of this at its disposal so it can instantly access any files that are needed.
Some limitations of the PC are:
The pricing of different components. To create a gaming pc if you were going to do it yourself you would have to buy many different components, true some components can be cheap but to create a pc what can run graphics for high end games the pricing of all the components can be substantial. To create a reasonable gaming pc it would cost around £500-£600 which is twice the amount of other gaming consoles.
PC are not easily moved around due to all the cables and the size unlike some consoles and hand held games. The pc however makes up for this with its focus being on online games such as mmo’s (massive multiplayer online games) so there is no need to move the pc as there is a vast amount of people you can have a game with unlike the console that can only sustain up to 32 players.
Like I said new parts for PCs come out every 6 months meaning your PC will become outdated faster than other consoles. This on the plus side means that PCs are developing much faster than other consoles.
Interchangeable parts made by third party companies. These parts are interchangeable and can be integrated with other companies parts to make the best possible computer.
Comparing the pc to any other console it has a lot better graphics if built correctly and runs a lot smoother this is due to it having a lot higher frame rate.
The games visual settings can be changed so depending if the pc is of high or low quality it can still play the game at an appropriate graphical setting.
Another feature is the RAM (Random access memory) The pc has a lot more of this at its disposal so it can instantly access any files that are needed.
Some limitations of the PC are:
The pricing of different components. To create a gaming pc if you were going to do it yourself you would have to buy many different components, true some components can be cheap but to create a pc what can run graphics for high end games the pricing of all the components can be substantial. To create a reasonable gaming pc it would cost around £500-£600 which is twice the amount of other gaming consoles.
PC are not easily moved around due to all the cables and the size unlike some consoles and hand held games. The pc however makes up for this with its focus being on online games such as mmo’s (massive multiplayer online games) so there is no need to move the pc as there is a vast amount of people you can have a game with unlike the console that can only sustain up to 32 players.
Like I said new parts for PCs come out every 6 months meaning your PC will become outdated faster than other consoles. This on the plus side means that PCs are developing much faster than other consoles.
PC timeline
Between the 1930’s and 1940’s it is believed that the first electronic computer were created. It was created BY Konrad Zuse a German inventor and was known as the Z1 Computer. Other computers were created around this time like the ENIAC and the Harvard Mark 1.
In 1970 invented by John V Blakenbaker the Kenbak-1 was considered to be the worlds first personal computer according to the Computer History Museum.
In 1977 the apple 1 was created this was the first computer with a monitor. It was made by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak. Four years later the apple II was created and this lead to other competitors such as IBM who later dominated the market bringing out newer versions.
It wasn't until later pc gaming became a common thing through games like Doom and Quake. One of the big things that PCs did were to get rid of disks and make there games completely online. They did this through developments like steam and u-play, steam being the most popular. Steams initial release date was 12th September 2003.
In 1970 invented by John V Blakenbaker the Kenbak-1 was considered to be the worlds first personal computer according to the Computer History Museum.
In 1977 the apple 1 was created this was the first computer with a monitor. It was made by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak. Four years later the apple II was created and this lead to other competitors such as IBM who later dominated the market bringing out newer versions.
It wasn't until later pc gaming became a common thing through games like Doom and Quake. One of the big things that PCs did were to get rid of disks and make there games completely online. They did this through developments like steam and u-play, steam being the most popular. Steams initial release date was 12th September 2003.