Archive: 38 posts

---

As part of my final module of my degree I have to do an assignment on Innovation and Change, so I thought I'd choose Games Consoles as that would pretty good topic! A lot of it will be on how they have changed and what were the key aspects/technologies that pushed the console on to the next level. Related to that, if a particular console flopped...why it flopped, what was it lacking to make this happen? The starting point I think will be Pong in 1975. So from there this is my timeline (I haven't really began researching it so what I've listed here is just going off my own (limited) knowledge, so as I said, correct away! I'm sure there will be a console or two that I've missed, and a few that aren't in the right order!) Pong- Atari- Spectrum- NES- Sega Megadrive SNES- Sega Saturn- Playstation- N64- Dreamcast- Playstation 2- Xbox- Gamecube- Xbox 360- Wii- PS3. Anyway, the purpose of this thread is to just get as much of a rounded view as possible so I was wondering what you guys thought were the main reasons for each/any of the developments of each product. Most of them are pretty straight forward, for example: Going from Pong to a multi-game system. Cartidge games to CD. SD to HD. etc etc. If there's anything you think could help or that I would want to consider, I'd love to hear it!

2010-02-03 23:34:00 Author: jackofcourse Posts: 1494

---

I made a chunky post on my blog earlier that has possible reasons why a lot of recent games seem to be lacking innovation, maybe that could help I'd attempt to help on specific consoles but i'm not sure i know enough about them to be much help ^^ I did hear that the NES standardised control schemes for a lot of games, and i think maybe the ps1 did as well with the whole x as jump thing. Don't take my word for it though, maybe something worth looking up.

2010-02-04 00:06:00 Author: Dexiro Posts: 2100

---

I don't know if it was on purpose, but there is any of the portable consoles. Just a little thing I've noticed. Other than that, I think it's a very large and interesting subject Seeing forward for the rest

2010-02-04 00:13:00 Author: Chump Posts: 1712

---

There's tons of stuff from the early 80's when things were first hitting their stride and a few from the early 90's that failed spectacularly.

2010-02-04 00:38:00 Author: Rabid-Coot Posts: 6728

---

You could cover the 'first' video games ever, from the 40's and 50's perhaps. It's debatable/subjective what really is the first ever videogame, but it's still interesting to learn about the origins of the earliest forms of electronic interactive entertainment. Such as: Tennis for Two, Spacewar!

2010-02-04 07:37:00 Author: TripleTremelo Posts: 490

---

you could talk about how certain gametypes evolved between systems. Like RPG's phatasy star on the mega drive compared to final phatasy 13

2010-02-04 14:33:00 Author: robotiod Posts: 2662

---

In terms of what I'm doing it on I know exactly what I want. It's got to be about innovation and development so discussing the change between certain games across genres wouldn't really work. I think the development of consoles is perfect, if anybody has any thoughts on what they think were the major innovations and changes between each consoles I would love to hear what they think! So for example going from ps2 to ps3, the big technological change being that it went from SD to HD. It's those kind of things that may be helpful. I have a good idea on most of them, but I thought asking you guys for your own opinions and ideas could only help!

2010-02-04 16:33:00 Author: jackofcourse Posts: 1494

---

A big change from older consoles to newer ones is the ability to play online with people all around the world if that helps.

2010-02-04 16:38:00 Author: Doopz Posts: 5592

---

Yep that's the kind of stuff! Basically, all I'm after is anything that was put on a new console, that wasn't on the previous one!

2010-02-04 16:39:00 Author: jackofcourse Posts: 1494

---

It might help to get into the specifics of hardware. As technology outside of the video game industry grew, it filtered over into the video game industry. Bah, I took a class 3 years that was a Technical Writing course about video games, but I can't remember the text we used. It went a lot into the history of gaming, and I think it may help you. I'll try and get back to you on that one.

2010-02-04 16:40:00 Author: comphermc Posts: 5338

---

Other systems I can think of that might be worth mentioning, are the Virtual Boy, Gameboy (pocket,color,advance etc.), That 32x expansion for the Megadrive or whatever that was. That CD-i Nintendo made, I think there was some sort of mini-gameboy to attach to the dreamcast. Dang I can't remember some of this stuff Yeah all of that failed (except the Gameboy of course) but its definetly worth mentioning on attempts they tried to make to evolutionize the consoles

2010-02-04 18:16:00 Author: JKthree Posts: 1125

---

Thanks I think the 32bit and 64bit will be something to talk about (I will have to look it up though as I don't really know about it) In terms of handheld consoles, I'm just not getting into that side of things really

2010-02-04 18:18:00 Author: jackofcourse Posts: 1494

---

Well, besides specific technology changes, the styles of gaming is a massive thing that drove the market. I'm sure you know what I'm talking about when I say that the original Playstation and the Wii redefined the gaming market drastically within their own generations. The death of sega as a console manufacturer would fit in nicely with this too. Also, depending on what your degree is, the social drifts in gaming have changed massively over the timeline you are looking at, what was once considered to be a niche, geeky activity has become widely accepted as a mainstream pastime. This would likely link in with the online play, as a social as well as technological change.

2010-02-04 18:31:00 Author: rtm223 Posts: 6497

---

All of that is lovely! The Wii and the whole motion control thing will definitely be a big point. Why did Sega die out exactly? This could be very useful as I think mentioning what flopped and why would be a great opposite to just talking about how technology improved and everything got more awesome!

2010-02-04 18:34:00 Author: jackofcourse Posts: 1494

---

[...]Why did Sega die out exactly? This could be very useful as I think mentioning what flopped and why would be a great opposite to just talking about how technology improved and everything got more awesome! From what little I know, Sega's failure has a lot to do with their mishandling of the Sega CD/32X and Sega Saturn, which had a negative effect on their reputation to consumers and game developers alike.

2010-02-04 19:21:00 Author: Gilgamesh Posts: 2536

---

I think there were probably quite a few factors in the demise of sega, but it does fit into the timeline around the point that the PSX was growing strong. The psx did a similar thing to the Wii in terms of redefining what console gaming was about, who it was aimed at etc., as the Wii as far as I'm concerned. Maybe not in such a large scale and visible way, but it did. I think thePSX was certainly one of the nails in segas coffin, although I was too young to really appreciate exactly what was going on, I ust knew I needed a playstation!

2010-02-04 19:45:00 Author: rtm223 Posts: 6497

---

I think thePSX was certainly one of the nails in segas coffin, although I was too young to really appreciate exactly what was going on, I ust knew I needed a playstation! hahaha agreed!

2010-02-04 19:47:00 Author: jackofcourse Posts: 1494

---

Here's a few thoughts I had on the subject: A big change for me from PS2 to PS3 was online gaming. I know it was possible with the PS2, but not initially. Memory cards are now a thing of the past because of HD's. I remember thinking that the change from PS1 memory cards with the 'block' system to the 8MB PS2 memory cards were huge! Now we just save stuff on our HD, and some of us just plug a flash drive in the USB to back up saved games (was that possible on the PS2? I never tried it). PS1 - CD's (black backs) // PS2 - DVD's // PS3 Blu-ray's (disc cases changed respectively as well) PS1 and PS2 days I would get my demo's through magazines .. now I get them via the PSN PS1 and PS2 had standard controllers with wires - PS3 standard controllers are wireless, and incorporate motion control PS1 and PS2 you had to open a lid or a CD tray would come out - PS3 you just insert it I always thought the number of polygons per game character in each system was interesting - you'd have to look up those statistics. PS1, no voice acting (that I'm aware of). PS2, voice acting introduced. PS3, voice acting is standard. NES used MIDI-like sounds for music, PS1 used real music recorded in studios, PS2 introduced surround sound (I think?!), PS3 high quality recordings and surround sound capabilities are standard PS2 introduced wide screen capabilities. Disclaimer - I'd look some of these up before stating them in your report as facts, but I think I'm probably right about all of that. I only have an NES, PS1, PS2, PS3 background.

2010-02-04 19:52:00 Author: Powershifter Posts: 668

---

Thanks a lot that's really helpful! I only have to make a A1 poster for this specific assisgnment so it's not really going to be too text heavy (makes a change from normal!) but I think getting a well rounded view of all the different things will really help me decide what I should specifically pick up on and talk about more. There's been quite a few ideas so far that are really good and that I didn't really consider. Anyone who's a bit older and could shed some light on the changes and innovations on the earlier consoles in my timeline?

2010-02-04 19:56:00 Author: jackofcourse Posts: 1494

---

[...]PS1, no voice acting (that I'm aware of).[...] Resident Evil and Castlevania : Symphony of the Night would like to have a word with you.

2010-02-04 19:57:00 Author: Gilgamesh Posts: 2536

---

Resident Evil and Castlevania : Symphony of the Night would like to have a word with you. Thanks for pointing that out! That's why I said "that I'm aware of" because obviously no one has played every game ever created

2010-02-04 19:58:00 Author: Powershifter Posts: 668

---

Thanks for pointing that out! That's why I said "that I'm aware of" because obviously no one has played every game ever created Haha true, I also just realized I forgot to mention the original Metal Gear Solid, and possibly many others.

2010-02-04 20:00:00 Author: Gilgamesh Posts: 2536

---

Saved games: NES - you played the game to beat it that same day .. or you just left your system on for a long time. PS1 - memory cards N64 - I believe you saved your game on the cartridge itself .. is that correct? Codes / Extra content: NES - I think every game I owned had codes that you could enter in .. remember konami games? up, down, left, right, A, Start Today - we've moved more towards a 'rewards' system rather than just punching in a code for extra content .. or we make you buy the extra content on the PSN shortly after the game is released! Sorry, I can't go back any further than NES.

2010-02-04 20:04:00 Author: Powershifter Posts: 668

---

Haha true, I also just realized I forgot to mention the original Metal Gear Solid, and possibly many others. oh wow - yeah I was way off base... how could I forget MGS???? Sorry about that! Another thought: Strategy Guides: Although still available, I think they're less popular today than they were years ago with PS1 and PS2.. due to the internet. Gaming Difficulty This is obviously an opinion, but I think it's widely shared. Games in general from the past were much more difficult than our "next gen" games today. Granted, most games have a difficulty selection, but still.... Either I'm smarter now that I'm older, or games overall are getting easier, or it's a combination of both.

2010-02-04 20:05:00 Author: Powershifter Posts: 668

---

On the topic of Voice Acting for PS1, I can think of a lot (sorry for making this go more off topic lol!). The Tales series (especially Destiny II/Eternia), Tomba 2, The Original Crash and Spyro Trilogy. Gex series, Blasto, Ape Escape,and I remember several games based on movies had VA too. But something you could mention is some of the really unique games that changed gaming. Things like Duck Hunt for the NES with the gun, The Eye Toy for the PS2, Mario Paint for the SNES. And even LBP with user generated content. Or even Playstation Home (I know this isn't much, but i wanted this post to be somewhat on topic lol!)

2010-02-04 23:39:00 Author: JKthree Posts: 1125

---

Ohh yes the gun with the NES is a great idea. Easily link to games becoming more interactive. Dance mat, Guitar Hero etc.

2010-02-04 23:56:00 Author: jackofcourse Posts: 1494

---

PS1, no voice acting (that I'm aware of). PS2, voice acting introduced. PS3, voice acting is standard. Soul Reaver has some of the best video game voice acting of all time... OF ALL TIME!!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFiLNc46jAM Ohhhh that video makes me feel good! Now I think about it, the original blood omen has kain self-narrating throughout and that's from '96. Also red alert and metal gear solid had voice acting. It wasn't "standard" as you put it, but it was reasonably common, certainly nothing you'd be surprised by.

2010-02-05 00:20:00 Author: rtm223 Posts: 6497

---

http://www.gametrailers.com/video/angry-video-screwattack/48329 The start of home consoles. Contains strong lamguage from the beginning.

2010-02-05 00:24:00 Author: Rabid-Coot Posts: 6728

---

That is awesome, a really good watch. Fascinating to see how far they have come! Some really funny bits in it too. Granted, there are some bits that try to be funny and fail miserably, but there are some giggles to be had in it!

2010-02-05 00:37:00 Author: jackofcourse Posts: 1494

---

The biggest tech jump was probably Super NES/Megadrive era to the PS1/Saturn/N64, it was proper 3D, and put consoles more or less on par with what was happening in the arcades for the first time. The Sony advertising/PR in that gen was also pretty much solely responsible for making gaming more mainstream too, they advertised in the trendy magazines, handed out flyers at the rock festivals, put Playstations in nightclubs etc By the way you missed out a generation of consoles in your OP. Google "Colecovision' and 'Intellivision' and 'Vectrex', all early 80's.

2010-02-05 03:28:00 Author: julesyjules Posts: 1156

---

On the topic of Voice Acting for PS1, I can think of a lot (sorry for making this go more off topic lol!). The Tales series (especially Destiny II/Eternia), Tomba 2, The Original Crash and Spyro Trilogy. Gex series, Blasto, Ape Escape,and I remember several games based on movies had VA too. Soul Reaver has some of the best video game voice acting of all time... OF ALL TIME!!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFiLNc46jAM Ohhhh that video makes me feel good! Now I think about it, the original blood omen has kain self-narrating throughout and that's from '96. Also red alert and metal gear solid had voice acting. It wasn't "standard" as you put it, but it was reasonably common, certainly nothing you'd be surprised by. http://www.gametrailers.com/video/angry-video-screwattack/48329 The start of home consoles. Contains strong lamguage from the beginning. I think it's been noted that my voice acting point was just wrong lol No need to keep listing games since it was clearly my mistake

2010-02-05 03:55:00 Author: Powershifter Posts: 668

---

If you end the paper about the innovation in controls (Wii, the PS3 wand) you could speculate on the future of that topic. Such as: will there be a time where gaming doesn't have an actual controller (I think no) and cite stuff such as Project Natal and virtual reality as possible advances.

2010-02-05 08:40:00 Author: TripleTremelo Posts: 490

---

I think it's been noted that my voice acting point was just wrong lol No need to keep listing games since it was clearly my mistake Lol, I know, I was more pointing out that it was quite widespread, rather than just the occasional game. There certainly isn't a need to list all the games with voice acting, but I'm pretty sure the playstation tomb raider titles did as well

2010-02-05 10:45:00 Author: rtm223 Posts: 6497

---

Resident Evil It had voices but there's no way you could call it acting.

2010-02-05 12:48:00 Author: Rabid-Coot Posts: 6728

---

If you end the paper about the innovation in controls (Wii, the PS3 wand) you could speculate on the future of that topic. Such as: will there be a time where gaming doesn't have an actual controller (I think no) and cite stuff such as Project Natal and virtual reality as possible advances. Yeah definitely, that's along the lines of what I'm thinking too Thanks for all the stuff so far everyone!

2010-02-05 19:44:00 Author: jackofcourse Posts: 1494

---

http://consollection.de/ That'll help

2010-02-05 20:47:00 Author: ryryryan Posts: 3767

---

Thanks! That's a lot of consoles!

2010-02-05 21:09:00 Author: jackofcourse Posts: 1494

---

The biggest advancements from the atari to nes were the light gun, and the robot for peripherals. Also the games had much more depth, and better graphics than the atari. I think zelda had the first battery backup for saving games. You could also use pass codes in some games to continue where you left off. Like metroid or kid icarus. Also from the same era was the sega master system. It had similar capabilities to nes, but had slightly better graphics, and some of the games came on these cards that kind of resembled credit cards. Also had phantasy star which was awesome for it's time. When the genesis came out it blew nes out of the water in graphics. Later on they came out with the sega -cd, an add on peripheral with cd games. Most of them were crap, but they did make dragons lair, and space ace for it. Also don't forget the turbographix-16. It was the genisis' nemesis. It also had a cd add on. In the end turbographix lost out though. I don't think the snes brought much new to the table, accept built in zoom, and rotation capabilities. I think everyone else has from there on covered.

2010-02-07 02:35:00 Author: smasher Posts: 641

Posts: 1077139    Threads: 69970    Members: 9661    Archive-Date: 2019-01-19

Aus dem Archiv wurden alle persönlichen Daten wie Name, Anschrift, Email etc. - aber auch sämtliche Inhalte wie z.B. persönliche Nachrichten - entfernt.
Die Nutzung dieser Webseite erfolgt ohne Speicherung personenbezogener Daten. Es werden keinerlei Cookies, Logs, 3rd-Party-Plugins etc. verwendet.