Computer Games Development Assignment 1
Contents
Introduction...........................................................................................................................................1
Social trends of computer games..........................................................................................................1
How Current and Emerging Technology Impact game’s design and development................................5
Discussing current and emerging technologies impact on how games are designed and developed to
meet requirements of the users and the larger computer games industry.........................................11
E valuate current and emerging technologies and their impact on games design and development to
meet user requirements and the larger game industry.......................................................................13
Introduction
Computer games and video games are expanding businesses, they are continuing sources of exciting
and creative jobs requiring IT skills all while having original ideas, different genres can be created
from simply a new game being made and creating entirely new fanbases for those gamers to enjoy
to their hearts content.
P.1
Social trends of computer games
Decades of computer games have made it easier for people to access and enjoy all types of different
games, from more casual games like Angry birds for people wanting a few minutes of distraction to
hardcore games playing competitive shooters like Counter Strike for hours on end.
Popular genres
Just like movies genres are types of games that appeal to different audiences, one of the most
popular genres like FPS (first person shooter) which depicts players in a role of a character usually
holding a weapon and needing to get to an end goal to progress the game further, genres can
change and allow for hybrid of two genres to join together an example of this would be Destiny 2
which is an FPSMMO (First Person Shooter, Massive Multiplayer Online) which allow for multiple
players to partake in first person shooter games with big worlds and customise their character
Going deeper, we have genres like RPG (Role Playing Games) which have been popular before
digital games even existed allow for players to create a character, grow that character, and make
them deadly in multiple skills or simply allow them to make them an expert in one thing, these
games often have intractable characters and usually are much more open than FPS games which are
often linear in design.
Action games is a genre that has an emphasis on physical challenges mainly using hand-eye
coordination and reaction-times, fighting games are action oriented like Mortal Kombat which have
buttons corresponding to kicks, punches, and special moves.
Adventure games drops players in a fantasy world that usually allows them to create and explore a
world, these are mainly cater to casual audiences, but passionate gamers can spend hours building,
creating, and surviving the worlds that developers have created, Minecraft is an example of an
, adventure game, it allows players to survive and gather resources to build houses and items that can
be used to attack and defend their homes
Puzzle Games test players problem solving skills, like pattern recognition and sequence solving,
these games usually picture players as a character or object that needs to reach an end goal of
beating the puzzle (level), games like Portal allow the player to place two portals which players can
use to manipulate the level design and for example use portals to reach an object to complete the
level/puzzle.
Sports games are based on simulating a sport which could be Football (FIFA), American Football
(NFL) and even table tennis (Rockstar games presents table tennis) with the main goal In all games to
score a goal and defeat the opponent, FIFA is the most popular sports game in the UK and allows
players to build their own team of players around the world to then compete in tournaments and
casual play, these games are often uses socially with a focus around multiplayer although single-
player is still present.
Platform games are games that require players to make precise movements to reach a end goal
consisting of beating the level, these are games like Super Mario Bros that include enemies that have
mushrooms for heads.
Strategy games has an emphasis on thinking critically and planning over direct action in order to
achieve victory (beating another opponent) these are games like XCOM which is turn based where
one player has a go and then the opponent has a go needing planning to win.
Lastly, Sandbox which is a genre that drops players in a map and lets them roam, build, and destroy
whatever they please, these are games like Garry’s mod in which the player can do as they please,
making an army or simply creating houses allowing them to experiment, these games can also
include strategy and stealth minigames which allow for a hybrid of genres, hiding from enemies or
making a plan to outlive or build better buildings with limited resources than the opponent in these
minigames.
Types of Players
As with genres there are also many different types of players which game studios need to consider
when creating computer games, it’s important to note that a game can’t please everyone because
players have different tastes and interests.
The table below shows the importance of Age ranges, Gender, Time Commitment and Theme
choices are used to determine the type of players that a game studio can target allowing for loyal
consumers and more profits.
Age range Gender Time commitment Theme Choice
In the UK, PEGI is the Gamers are split One of the most The style, content and
rating board, they between male and important factors to features all tie
decide what is female, although consider is how much together to create a
appropriate for males take up a good time a person can play games theme, people
different age groups. portion of audiences. a game for, which can can choose games
affect the design of solely based on the
For younger players When companies are the game, casual theme, whether that’s
bright colours are designing a game, gamers for example a cartoon based or
usually used and they usually target a usually only want a more puzzle
cartoony visuals. specific gender for few minutes of based/military based
Contents
Introduction...........................................................................................................................................1
Social trends of computer games..........................................................................................................1
How Current and Emerging Technology Impact game’s design and development................................5
Discussing current and emerging technologies impact on how games are designed and developed to
meet requirements of the users and the larger computer games industry.........................................11
E valuate current and emerging technologies and their impact on games design and development to
meet user requirements and the larger game industry.......................................................................13
Introduction
Computer games and video games are expanding businesses, they are continuing sources of exciting
and creative jobs requiring IT skills all while having original ideas, different genres can be created
from simply a new game being made and creating entirely new fanbases for those gamers to enjoy
to their hearts content.
P.1
Social trends of computer games
Decades of computer games have made it easier for people to access and enjoy all types of different
games, from more casual games like Angry birds for people wanting a few minutes of distraction to
hardcore games playing competitive shooters like Counter Strike for hours on end.
Popular genres
Just like movies genres are types of games that appeal to different audiences, one of the most
popular genres like FPS (first person shooter) which depicts players in a role of a character usually
holding a weapon and needing to get to an end goal to progress the game further, genres can
change and allow for hybrid of two genres to join together an example of this would be Destiny 2
which is an FPSMMO (First Person Shooter, Massive Multiplayer Online) which allow for multiple
players to partake in first person shooter games with big worlds and customise their character
Going deeper, we have genres like RPG (Role Playing Games) which have been popular before
digital games even existed allow for players to create a character, grow that character, and make
them deadly in multiple skills or simply allow them to make them an expert in one thing, these
games often have intractable characters and usually are much more open than FPS games which are
often linear in design.
Action games is a genre that has an emphasis on physical challenges mainly using hand-eye
coordination and reaction-times, fighting games are action oriented like Mortal Kombat which have
buttons corresponding to kicks, punches, and special moves.
Adventure games drops players in a fantasy world that usually allows them to create and explore a
world, these are mainly cater to casual audiences, but passionate gamers can spend hours building,
creating, and surviving the worlds that developers have created, Minecraft is an example of an
, adventure game, it allows players to survive and gather resources to build houses and items that can
be used to attack and defend their homes
Puzzle Games test players problem solving skills, like pattern recognition and sequence solving,
these games usually picture players as a character or object that needs to reach an end goal of
beating the puzzle (level), games like Portal allow the player to place two portals which players can
use to manipulate the level design and for example use portals to reach an object to complete the
level/puzzle.
Sports games are based on simulating a sport which could be Football (FIFA), American Football
(NFL) and even table tennis (Rockstar games presents table tennis) with the main goal In all games to
score a goal and defeat the opponent, FIFA is the most popular sports game in the UK and allows
players to build their own team of players around the world to then compete in tournaments and
casual play, these games are often uses socially with a focus around multiplayer although single-
player is still present.
Platform games are games that require players to make precise movements to reach a end goal
consisting of beating the level, these are games like Super Mario Bros that include enemies that have
mushrooms for heads.
Strategy games has an emphasis on thinking critically and planning over direct action in order to
achieve victory (beating another opponent) these are games like XCOM which is turn based where
one player has a go and then the opponent has a go needing planning to win.
Lastly, Sandbox which is a genre that drops players in a map and lets them roam, build, and destroy
whatever they please, these are games like Garry’s mod in which the player can do as they please,
making an army or simply creating houses allowing them to experiment, these games can also
include strategy and stealth minigames which allow for a hybrid of genres, hiding from enemies or
making a plan to outlive or build better buildings with limited resources than the opponent in these
minigames.
Types of Players
As with genres there are also many different types of players which game studios need to consider
when creating computer games, it’s important to note that a game can’t please everyone because
players have different tastes and interests.
The table below shows the importance of Age ranges, Gender, Time Commitment and Theme
choices are used to determine the type of players that a game studio can target allowing for loyal
consumers and more profits.
Age range Gender Time commitment Theme Choice
In the UK, PEGI is the Gamers are split One of the most The style, content and
rating board, they between male and important factors to features all tie
decide what is female, although consider is how much together to create a
appropriate for males take up a good time a person can play games theme, people
different age groups. portion of audiences. a game for, which can can choose games
affect the design of solely based on the
For younger players When companies are the game, casual theme, whether that’s
bright colours are designing a game, gamers for example a cartoon based or
usually used and they usually target a usually only want a more puzzle
cartoony visuals. specific gender for few minutes of based/military based
