Gaming Platforms
Gaming is one of the fastest growing hobbies in the world today. It is popular with people of all ages and for many different reasons. Gaming has become a multi-billion-dollar industry in just the past few years. Many people choose to play computer or console games because they provide a certain type of experience not found in other types of media. Most video games allow a player to interact with a computer or some sort of external device in order to make their virtual action possible.
A video game or electronic game is any electronic game that entails interaction with an external user interface apparatus or input device for the purpose of producing virtual feedback to the gamer. Video gaming takes this a step further and includes interaction not only with the computer or console itself, but also with other players or devices that are connected to the game. These devices can include wireless routers, keyboards, joysticks, trackballs, game pads, digital cameras, handheld cameras, speakers, infrared emitters, microphones, and other electronic devices.
Video gaming has definitely come a long way from the first primitive computer games, which involved typing messages into a terminal or sending information back and forth over a phone line. Advancements in technology have allowed for improvements in hardware, software, and methods for video game development. All these aspects have resulted in new and improved methods for creating video games that offer both great graphics and unique gameplay.
The advancements in video games have opened new doors in the world of electronic games and virtual reality technologies. Gamers can now experience an unlimited amount of virtual activities in every type of environment, from the comfort of their own home. New advances in modern technology have allowed for the development of highly sophisticated and technologically advanced electronic games that can be downloaded from a number of websites, which can then be used on any type of home console system.
Console gaming has always been accompanied by a vast selection of downloadable game media that can be used to extend the life of the system and improve the quality of performance. However, the emergence of the Internet as a major source for downloading game media has dramatically changed the landscape of the industry. Nowadays, game consoles and handheld games can be used to access online social communities that feature a multitude of different game servers. Players can engage in virtual reality experiences that span the breadth of the planet, using only their own portable devices.
Console game development is also taking advantage of the opportunities presented by the rise of open source development platforms such as Open Source Computer Game Technology (OSCT), and the Rapid Application Development Environment (RAID). These platforms allow game developers to utilize a variety of programming languages and hardware configurations to create a large library of code and test games on a wide variety of platforms. There are many benefits to using open source development platforms, which include cost savings, reduced technical support costs, and a focus on staying completely up to date with the most current industry trends. Rapid Application Development Environments, which allows programmers and designers to develop and test their software products on a number of platforms simultaneously, is another important factor in the increased popularity of video games and their portable formats. Many games developed for handheld consoles today are available for download from a wide variety of Internet sites. Many of these websites offer free trials of their software products that can be used as a viable alternative to traditional paid game downloads.