First Game Systems

From First to the Latest Video Game Systems: A Rundown Of The Evolution of Video Game Consoles

Playing with video game systems is one of the most popular forms of entertainment around today, and this has been the case ever since game consoles were first developed. With the advancement in graphics and sound technology, you will see that video games today can really take you inside the game itself and makes you feel as if you were actually the character you are playing.

Before all the state-of-the-art, realistic, 'real-time' graphics and sound effects that you see in today’s latest video game systems, games had much more basic, simple graphics. In its time, however, a game with sound and simple graphics was considered totally state-of-the-art! This basic stuff was too good to be true in its day, and was very exciting!

You should realize that the evolution of video game systems is actually quite amazing in that the differences and astounding improvements have taken place in a mere 30 years or so, from beginnings to where we are now. Thanks to the advancement in communications, graphics, and also sound technology, many video games today offer first class entertainment (not to mention education and other benefits).

The very first video games system that appeared on the market was a coin operated arcade video game created by Nutting Associates. This game was called Computer Space. It was invented in 1970 and is considered to be the very beginning of the evolution of video games.

The next company to release a video game system was Magnavox in 1972. Magnavox named their system, The Odyssey 100 Video Game System. Unlike the Computer Space arcade video game, the Odyssey 100 was playable from home! The system apparatus could be attached to a standard television, bringing gaming conveniently right into our living rooms. This feature allowed everyone to play video games right at home, amid the comforts of home and with various family members. Video games were suddently available as a family activity once The Odyssey 100 Video Game System became available. Consequently, almost 100,000 units of the system were sold for 100 dollars each.

During the same year that Magnavox released Odyssey 100 video game systems, Atari also released Pong coin-operated arcade video game system.

In 1976 Atari released the Breakout arcade video game. During its lifetime, 15,000 units of this arcade video game were sold. In this same year, Fairchild Camera and Instruments of California introduced Channel F home video game system. This was the very first system that used plug-in cartridges for games. Another feature of this game was that it utilized color and sound through a TV connection.

In 1977, Atari released the Atari Video Computer System (VCS). Later, this unit was named the Atari 2600. This video game system developed by Atari also used plug-in cartridges, had color graphics and sound through a TV connection.

In 1978, Taito introduced the Space Invaders arcade video game in Japan. This arcade video game sold over 350,000 units world-wide throughout its lifetime.

In 1981 Nintendo released the Donkey Kong arcade video game in the US. And, in 1985 Nintendo released their version of home video game console called the Nintendo Entertainment System. This video game console is still considered to be the best selling video game console of all time.

During this time, Nintendo slowly resurrected the video game industry and, very plainly, initiated a huge video game craze.

Between 1985 and 1995, a lot of video game systems were released. Between these years, Nintendo Game Boy video game systems, Sega Genesis, NEC Home Entertainment TurboGrafx, Lynx, Super Family Computer, Panasonic REAL 3DO, Sega Saturn, Super Nintendo, and Sony PlayStation were all released.

As you can see, the video game industry has evolved very fast. Graphics technology were becoming more and more real that violence, even during the late 80's. Blood and gore have been integrated into many games and this isn't always an attractive thing for many gamers, but luckily, the presence of unwanted gore also initiated a need for a censorship and ratings board. Because of blood and gore integrated with some of the games, the ESRB was created to rate the games that are being released.

Because of the competition in production and distribution of gamings systems, really, only 3 major video game companies have survived in the video game industry today. These 3 major players are Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo. These 3 companies are still developing the latest video game systems.

Starting out with crude and simple graphics and sounds, people have developed amazing video games in just a short period of time. If you try and imagine the future, you will see that the video game systems that you play with today will just even get better and better.

Video games today are even equipped with modems to let them connect to the internet and play with other people from all over the world. So, the next time you buy another latest video game system, try to imagine what it was like during the first release of the video game systems.

Above all else - just KEEP PLAYING!! Inevitably, more games are on the way, more consoles, systems, etc. The next games will be more real, harder, require more skill, gameplay will be faster, and boy, if you don't keep playing, you'll be left in the dust.

Evolution is still in progress!



The Evolution of Video Game Consoles

Famous Games Systems

An Introductory to the Famous Game Systems in the US and Around the World

This is obviously just an 'intro' to gaming systems, as there are literally too many to list in a short space, but here is an attempt to chat about some of the more important, notable, and current ones.

According to one survey of a major console manufacturer, 1 of every 4 household owns a product made by the former (Xbox). That number does not include the households that own other makes of video gaming systems (Play Station, Nintendo, etc).

Video game systems are also called consoles. These gadgets are hardware where the video games are read and actually played. Consoles can be best described as the terminal where video games are converted into software and are actually transmitted to a monitor. Consoles are extraordinary boxes powered by alternating or direct current. These consoles come out in different sizes, forms and color depending on the manufacturer. There are consoles that are exclusively made for a certain game or game make. The controls, maybe a joystick or a gun, of a console is different from the other. This is why not all games can be played in a certain console.

Every console make and manufacturer can easily become famous especially if the said console make can read many games. Gamers would actually look for the gadget that can cater not just to one or three games but as many as possible. For a manufacturer, to be famous means to be innovative. People would normally grab things which are new to them. So to make the product sell, makers must put new features and other innovations in the product.

There are so many consoles available nowadays. And its manufacturers keep on developing new consoles every now and then to stay ahead in the market. The US is one of the world’s largest video game enthusiast countries and they are the fastest innovators. Here are three most famous video game systems in the US:

• MICROSOFT XBOX – this console is made by Microsoft Company. The first console Microsoft released is the Xbox. The Xbox is a desktop style console that has lower memory and specs as compared to its successor. Four years after, Microsoft then introduced Xbox 360 in the market. This is a tower console that can read even PC games. This contains a 3.2 GHz processor with a memory of 512MB. It has the highest hard drive memory for a video game console which is 20 GB. XBOX 360 can be used for online gaming. With the high technology and specifications Microsoft infused with their console, better graphics can be used by game developers to make the game more realistic.

• SONY PLAYSTATION – this console or videogame system was made by Sony Company. There are already many versions of consoles that Sony has made. It all Started with the PS 1. Originally, PS 1 is a console that reads computer games stored in a disc. PS also uses a memory card which stores level, scores etc. The most anticipated version of Play Station is the PS 2 in 2001. It is basically a remake of the PS 1 but with several improvements. The latest released console by Sony is the PSP, or the Play Station Portable. It is a hand held DC powered console. Sony has this new console ready to be released this year. This console is considered to be the seventh generation video game system that Sony has made. This will be released on November 11 in Japan and on 17 in North America. Basically, PS3 is the successor of PS2 that was hugely successful.

• NINTENDO GAMECUBE and WII– this is the latest release of Nintendo. Like its first video game systems, GameCube also uses its original game pad. After Family Computer, Nintendo never stopped improving their home consoles even when they arrived at an amazing console tagged as GameCube. Nintendo, like any other console maker, never stops discovering new things and making new consoles. This November, Nintendo is going to release their newest console; Nintendo Wii. It can comparably be leveled to Microsoft’s Xbox360 and Sony’s PS3. Nintendo Wii is only 8.5 inches long and 6 inches wide and the thickness of this console is only about 2 inches. One of its newedt innovations is a nunchuk looking wireless game pads.

There are still so many video game systems that are sprouting out and making their own name in the industry. As the demands of the gamers keep on leveling up, makers also strive hard to produce video game systems that does not just sell well but become famous with most gamers.



Famous Game Systems in the US and Around the World

Xbox, Emulators and Playing Xbox on Mac OSX

Xbox Game System Emulators for Playing Xbox Games in Your Mac OSX

It is a fact that the Xbox is one of the most popular game systems available in the market today. With stunning graphics quality and great sound effects, people have been purchasing the Xbox worldwide.

Developed by Microsoft, Xbox provides quality entertainment for everyone. It has different games for every kind of person. It has mature games filled with violence for adults, and it also has games for kids. Microsoft Xbox is really one great machine that you would want to include in your home entertainment system.

Considered as one of the best and the most popular gaming console in the market today, you certainly would want to own one. Besides, a game console that offers and delivers stunning graphics and sound technology, who wouldn’t want to own this game system? Xbox is known to really take you to another level of playing video games. With realistic characters, and realistic 3D environment, you will feel as if you are the character that you are playing and not just the person behind the TV playing the character.

When you own an Xbox, or you have played with the Xbox before, you know that this game system is one of a kind and is a must-have in your home.

However, not all people would want to purchase the Xbox for the reason of owning a home computer that can work just as well as any other game console. However, you should consider that some popular Xbox games are not available in your Mac OSX. So, the question is, how can you be able to play the many Xbox game titles that isn’t available for your Mac OSX?

In order for you to play Xbox games in your Mac OSX, you need a software emulator.

Specifically, you will need an Xbox software emulator for Mac OSX. The next question would be where to find such software.

The answer is simple, either you develop your own software if you have enough skills and knowledge about programming or you can download the many kinds of software emulators readily available in the internet.

However, before you download, you have to be sure that the emulator really works or is not a computer virus. In order for you to do this, you need to take a closer look at the reviews. If the review for the software emulator for Xbox to Mac OSX proves to be positive, you have a chance that the emulator you are going to download is authentic and are not riddled with viruses.
You should also consider installing an anti-virus program in your Mac OSX in order to make sure that your computer is safe from malicious software.

Emulators are great software that you can use to play Xbox games right in your Mac OSX. With this software, you no longer have to purchase the Xbox itself. All you need to do is download the software from the internet, install it in your computer and play your favorite Xbox games through your Mac OSX computer.

However, there are drawbacks when you use Xbox emulators for your Mac OSX. One main drawback is the compatibility of the Xbox games to the emulator. Certain Xbox emulators can only play a limited amount of Xbox games in your Mac OSX. This means that you can never really play all the different game titles available in Xbox.

But, if you are only after one game or a few games available only in Xbox, you can consider using Xbox emulators. The only thing is that you have to make sure that the emulator you download can support the Xbox game you want to play in your Mac OSX. There are quite a few Xbox emulators available in the internet. All you have to do is search for one that is capable of playing the Xbox games you want to play in your Mac OSX.

So, if you want to play Xbox games but you don’t want to purchase Xbox for your own reasons, you can consider downloading Xbox emulators for your Mac OSX machine. However, if you want to play Xbox to the fullest and use all features available, you should consider purchasing the actual Xbox itself.

Always remember that before you download the different Xbox emulators available in the internet, you should consider to check the reviews first and know if it actually works and know what kind of Xbox games it can support.



Xbox Game System Emulators

Da Vinci Code Game

System Specifications needed for the Da Vinci Code Computer Game

System requirements are not just applicable to some games; these are part of every game. There is no game that exists today that does not have any system requirement for the computer to properly run the game. Aside from that, almost all game requirements are considerably on the part of the hardware device that a gamer must posses.

Video games have lesser system requirements or hardware device requirements because these games are preset to a certain device that is constantly made. Or it can be better said that game programmers adopts with the present hardware device or known as console that their game can play with.

Other video game makers make their own video game consoles which lessens the requirements of the system that is to needed to play the game. However, games cannot be regulated in the sense that only those game console makers are allowed to make game programs. There is no law that rules over the regulation of game production in that matter. There are plenty of independent game makers that are not connected, whether in part or in whole, with big game console producers. These game makers just depend on the mainstream hardware device that can be use for their game.

The most common hardware that is being used to play with certain games is the personal computer. However, there are plenty of versions and specifications that is present nowadays that a personal computer may have. You may find different makes and capacity of processors, video cards, sound cards, RAM, etc. in the market. These specifications are very helpful in thinking what your computer may do for you.

All games have their own system requirements. These specifications are required to attain a good sound, good video output and good playing output for the player. When one or several requirements are not met, chances are that the player will never enjoy the game to its fullest capacity. Just imagine playing a game with a choppy computer, or with a very poor sound, or even unrealistic display, surely one will never be happy with the game.

One of the games that may require special specification to the user is the Da Vinci Code. This game was inspired by the book and the movie that was shown early this year. This game is about Robert Langdon and Sophie Neveu’s quest for answers on the secrets of the Priory of Sion and other sects. Their quest was later situated in the game of death when they discover a very critical secret which can possibly ruin the Catholic faith.

The system requirement of the Da Vinci Code game is primarily applicable to personal computers. The basic system requirements are the ones being given ceiling.

Here are the system requirements for the game Da Vinci Code:

• Processor – the speed of the processor that is required to play this game is 1.8 GHz. The make is no longer important but the one made by Pentium is more advisable. The speed of the processor is the one that will determine how fast your computer will be able to execute any command from the game. This will be responsible in sending and accepting data coming from the user. The Da Vinci Code game requires speeds like this because visual display and other feature of this game are really high.

• Environment – this game can run in Windows 2000, Windows Xp or any higher environment available.

• RAM – the requirement of this game for RAM is as high as 512MB. This memory is used to temporarily store data that will be sent for the processor. The faster the RAM the faster the processor will execute.

• Disc Space – for a better gaming experience, the Da Vinci Cod Game requires 3GB hard disc space. Too large for a normal computer disc space but just perfect to play Da Vinci Code game.

• Video Card – for a good resolution of graphics, the game needs a 64MB DirectX 9c compatible graphic card.

• CD-ROM – the game require the average speed of the CD-ROM that equals to 6X. However, the game prefers the user to use a DVD-ROM instead.

In the game, there are places included that are not stated in the book nor in the movie. The player is going to solve meta puzzles and decipher codes from a cryptex. There are 90 levels that a player must finish. If your computer meets or exceeds the requirements, then you will have a better operation of the game allowing you to fully enjoy every aspect of it.



Specifications needed for Da Vinci Code