Why is consumerism a concept central to this unit?
It is a central concept because NMT's are driven by consumerism. Over the years, the average spending on NMTs has seen a dramatic rise. This may been seen in your own household, for instance, how many televisions are there altogether? How many mobile phones do you have as a family? How many games consoles do you have in total? Mobile phones, multi-channel TV, broadband subscriptions, and online gaming subscriptions are all products and services which 10 years ago either didn’t exist or were considered luxuries are now ‘essentials’ for modern existence. Time has gone on, and the level of expectation both of the consumer and manufacturers of aspirational products has gone sky high! So much so that there may be a divide of people that do have a certain product and those that dont. This may be the cause of the 'negative technological determinists' theory of social fragmentation.
How do we often 'unwittingly give up our privacy'?
A supposidly sinister aspect of NMT's is the power they offer to others to monitor our activities. For example, google has the power to remember every search you've ever made, and amazon remembers the items you've browsed on it's site. many institutions are concerned about the security implications of mobile phones and PDAs as they may be used to steal valuable information, given their excistence combined with their ability to be everywhere and improved features such as data storage and good quality camera functions. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags are another innovation that could have consequences for civil liberties. It would be useful to your studies to research possible media applications. RFID tags can be almost invisible to the naked eye, yet are capable of reporting on the exact location of the object to which they are attached. Retail makes biggest use of them at the moment, but who knows how else they could be employed.
How have NMT's criminalised audiences?
What health and invironmental issues do NMT's pose?
Monday 28 April 2008
Monday 21 April 2008
Leaps forward in technology from generation to generation of gaming consoles
Hypothesis: What is the real difference between the PS2 & PS3? and are the advances similar in the differences between the original Xbox and the 360?
Both Playstations, at the time of release, were and are at the leading front of gaming technology. The PS2 was the first games console to converge with the DVD player. It was also the first possible up-right console. It had a rotational emblem depending on whether it was laid flat or standing up. Then we get to the technical stuff. The game play and graphics had been greatly improved since the original Playstation. It had been given a fresh new look, a brand new colour (away from the dingy grey block that was it's predecessor) & a new edge.
The playstation 3, just released, is once again a huge leap forward in both technology and design. Instead of the PS2's matte black finish, Sony decided go with a style that was selling INCREDIBLY well in the television market. Samsung's R88 series of televisions with the piano black gloss finish are this years top sellers by a million miles. Seeing what the audience like, Sony follow, and are planning to do the same finish with a ceramic white, and stunning silver.
Once again, they change the shape of their latest console. Giving it was can only be described as veluptuous curves! They did however keep the winning idea of having a console that can stand or be laid down. Then we get to the actual game play. There has been an enormous step up in this technology. This has come around purely because of the new Blu-Ray disk. This new format of disk is massively advantagious in comparison to the bog-standard DVD. It os read by a Blue coloured lazer, hence the name. However the disks can store upto 10X more information than a DVD. Also, in comparison to their rivals, it can hold 4X more than that of an HDDVD used in the Xbox 360. This gives game designers and manufacturers much more room for incredibly intrecate games. Games like the new GTA IV released on the 27th of April will eventually be developed into the next GTA and the possiblility for a bigger game (more than 3 islands) and definately the possiblility of some mind blowing intrecacy in the detail used. All down to the stubble on a characters chin. The new GTA is the most comprehensive one yet. With content above and beyond any previous 'free roam' game before it. It has been reported than even though this has been said. There is still more room on the disk for yet more additional detail or islands with the next GTA. The possiblilities are endless.
The developments have been sensational, please watch the video to see just how much has changed in just one generation.
Both Playstations, at the time of release, were and are at the leading front of gaming technology. The PS2 was the first games console to converge with the DVD player. It was also the first possible up-right console. It had a rotational emblem depending on whether it was laid flat or standing up. Then we get to the technical stuff. The game play and graphics had been greatly improved since the original Playstation. It had been given a fresh new look, a brand new colour (away from the dingy grey block that was it's predecessor) & a new edge.
The playstation 3, just released, is once again a huge leap forward in both technology and design. Instead of the PS2's matte black finish, Sony decided go with a style that was selling INCREDIBLY well in the television market. Samsung's R88 series of televisions with the piano black gloss finish are this years top sellers by a million miles. Seeing what the audience like, Sony follow, and are planning to do the same finish with a ceramic white, and stunning silver.
Once again, they change the shape of their latest console. Giving it was can only be described as veluptuous curves! They did however keep the winning idea of having a console that can stand or be laid down. Then we get to the actual game play. There has been an enormous step up in this technology. This has come around purely because of the new Blu-Ray disk. This new format of disk is massively advantagious in comparison to the bog-standard DVD. It os read by a Blue coloured lazer, hence the name. However the disks can store upto 10X more information than a DVD. Also, in comparison to their rivals, it can hold 4X more than that of an HDDVD used in the Xbox 360. This gives game designers and manufacturers much more room for incredibly intrecate games. Games like the new GTA IV released on the 27th of April will eventually be developed into the next GTA and the possiblility for a bigger game (more than 3 islands) and definately the possiblility of some mind blowing intrecacy in the detail used. All down to the stubble on a characters chin. The new GTA is the most comprehensive one yet. With content above and beyond any previous 'free roam' game before it. It has been reported than even though this has been said. There is still more room on the disk for yet more additional detail or islands with the next GTA. The possiblilities are endless.
The developments have been sensational, please watch the video to see just how much has changed in just one generation.
A quotation of an online revew @ itreviews.co.uk "To be fair to Sony, the actual hardware was never really going to be in much doubt. And after your first few hours in the company of the PlayStation 3, you're likely to be impressed."
He then followed with some key opinions "Several initial thoughts went through this reviewer's head. Firstly, the machine's really quite heavy. Secondly, aesthetically, it's really quite smart. And thirdly, and surprisingly, is that given the immense processing grunt under its glossy, buffed-up exterior, it's very quiet in operation. It certainly puts the Xbox 360 in the shade in that department."
He then talks about the new advances, talking about the DVD to Blu-Ray subject. With reference to the different media formats incorporated.
"Media support is well-rounded, too. That 60GB hard drive inside the machine can be filled with music files, for instance, and several codecs are supported. Likewise, there's Blu-ray and DVD playback. The former - the reason why the machine is so over deadline and so over budget - actually turns out to be a bit of a trump card. While we've not had the pleasure of many Blu-ray players, we're informed by colleagues who have that the PS3 is one of the finest, if not the very best, Blu-ray disc playback device on the market, to the point where many are picking up the PS3 for precisely that reason, rather than for its gaming prowess. It's aided - again, for the time being scoring a point over its Microsoft-produced rival - by the native inclusion of HDMI, meaning full 1080p output is well within the realms of the console (a new model of the Xbox 360 is expected to add this feature shortly)."
All in all, its not a bad review for the PS3.
So hows the PS2 doing coming up to its 7th birthday? Heres a quote from CNNMoney.com
"The PS2 is currently over 115 million units worldwide and there are still some incredible software experiences for it," said Harrison. (Phil Harrison, president of Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios)
"There's still a lot of life left in the system."
While it's no longer as sexy as it used to be in consumer eyes, the PS2 is a profit machine for Sony. The system, which still sells for $129 in the U.S. and €149 in Europe, is not sold at a loss (unlike the PS3, on which Sony reportedly loses more than $200 per unit). Additionally, since "God of War 2" was developed in-house, the company will pocket a larger percentage of each game sale. So it is still making sony A LOT of £££'s!
While it's no longer as sexy as it used to be in consumer eyes, the PS2 is a profit machine for Sony. The system, which still sells for $129 in the U.S. and €149 in Europe, is not sold at a loss (unlike the PS3, on which Sony reportedly loses more than $200 per unit). Additionally, since "God of War 2" was developed in-house, the company will pocket a larger percentage of each game sale. So it is still making sony A LOT of £££'s!
Sales of each unit are as follows:
(SPACE FOR SALES AS SCHOOL NETWORK WILL NOT ALLOW ME ACCESS TO INFO)
Conclusion
(Will be added after sales figures are aquired)
Sunday 20 April 2008
Whats the high definition gaming about? What is it doing for audiences?
Once again, advances in day-to-day technology are being pioneered and driven forward by the gaming industry and other converged and emerging companies. HD was originally intended to increase the quality of audience viewing, this enforces the concept of the entertainment. Which in turn is giving things like cinema and record companies, detremental damage.
Back to the technology. HD can only be viewed in full using an HDMI cable, these can vary in quality, the highest form should be able to support the new technology called 1080p. This is how fast a television scans the picture that it displays. At this moment in time there is no better viewing experience than a 1080p. HOWEVER <>OR a high def games console. Which is where the gaming industry comes in. The newest generation games consoles (the 360 & PS3) are those HD sources. Playing games, and films in HD. Being competing companies, and having such a cutting edge technological ability, Sony went with their own form if HD hardware & soft ware (Blu-ray) and microsoft opted to converge with toshiba to introduce HDDVD into their Xbox 360 games console. Both having their dis/advantages, the audience went crazy for the new HD technology. Xbox hit a sales boom releasing their HD console first, yet the consumers are unaware that the PS3's technology will eventually render the Xbox's obsolete. Also some consumers are blissfully unaware that to gain the promised HD gaming, and film viewing, they might just need a new HD ready tv... thats what i call forcing the technology forward. Attachements can be brought to connect an HDMI cable to a scart connection, but the picture quality will not be as good.
The PS3 was released at a perfect stage to boost sales. as manufacturers were doubting Blu-Ray's eligiblity to sell, with "stupidly high" prices, some set reaching 799 pounds. The PS3 was released at 425 pounds, so it was a no brainer for most potential blu ray buyers. Needless to say, sales shot up, with Blu-Ray beating toshiba's HDDVD. Toshiba withdrew and Xbox face a dilemma... they now, to keep up with the high definition revolution, have decided to release a Blu-Ray version for future models. Xbox have dented pride, but they keep on battling.
Additional and not really well known advantages to the PS3 is that it can be used as part of a home theatre kit (surround sound) with the cheapest reatiling Blu-Ray home theatre kit in stores for around 1000 pounds. Just an optical cable with a different kit can save people up to 600 pounds! (inc. a new ps3) 900 pounds excluding.
All Blu-Ray players up-scale all DVDs, so there is no need to scrap all the old'uns.
Now-a-days Xbox and Playstation have similar game titles, different exclusives and features. But one thing matters and stands alone above all others, opinion of the gaming audiences are paramount. Reputations of games and consoles matter, so there is supreme competition to win the hearts of audiences. So we get back round to profit driven, gadget packed consoles. Yet as audiences, we love it!
Back to the technology. HD can only be viewed in full using an HDMI cable, these can vary in quality, the highest form should be able to support the new technology called 1080p. This is how fast a television scans the picture that it displays. At this moment in time there is no better viewing experience than a 1080p. HOWEVER <>OR a high def games console. Which is where the gaming industry comes in. The newest generation games consoles (the 360 & PS3) are those HD sources. Playing games, and films in HD. Being competing companies, and having such a cutting edge technological ability, Sony went with their own form if HD hardware & soft ware (Blu-ray) and microsoft opted to converge with toshiba to introduce HDDVD into their Xbox 360 games console. Both having their dis/advantages, the audience went crazy for the new HD technology. Xbox hit a sales boom releasing their HD console first, yet the consumers are unaware that the PS3's technology will eventually render the Xbox's obsolete. Also some consumers are blissfully unaware that to gain the promised HD gaming, and film viewing, they might just need a new HD ready tv... thats what i call forcing the technology forward. Attachements can be brought to connect an HDMI cable to a scart connection, but the picture quality will not be as good.
The PS3 was released at a perfect stage to boost sales. as manufacturers were doubting Blu-Ray's eligiblity to sell, with "stupidly high" prices, some set reaching 799 pounds. The PS3 was released at 425 pounds, so it was a no brainer for most potential blu ray buyers. Needless to say, sales shot up, with Blu-Ray beating toshiba's HDDVD. Toshiba withdrew and Xbox face a dilemma... they now, to keep up with the high definition revolution, have decided to release a Blu-Ray version for future models. Xbox have dented pride, but they keep on battling.
Additional and not really well known advantages to the PS3 is that it can be used as part of a home theatre kit (surround sound) with the cheapest reatiling Blu-Ray home theatre kit in stores for around 1000 pounds. Just an optical cable with a different kit can save people up to 600 pounds! (inc. a new ps3) 900 pounds excluding.
All Blu-Ray players up-scale all DVDs, so there is no need to scrap all the old'uns.
Now-a-days Xbox and Playstation have similar game titles, different exclusives and features. But one thing matters and stands alone above all others, opinion of the gaming audiences are paramount. Reputations of games and consoles matter, so there is supreme competition to win the hearts of audiences. So we get back round to profit driven, gadget packed consoles. Yet as audiences, we love it!
Case study feedback #3
Adam - just cutting and pasting company info is not valuable research. You should be reading broadsheet articles, following specific research hypothesis and reflecting on how the industry is changing / audience experience is changing.
Remove all cut and pasted info from the blog
CF
Remove all cut and pasted info from the blog
CF
Advances in sport due to gaming technology
To see the formula one simulator in action, watch this!
http://freshf1.com/brundell-drives-williams-f1-simulator/2007/07/11/
Martin Brundell visits Williams F1 team in a pre race feature for ITV1. He, being a previous formula one driver, wanted to see for himself the advances and differences in the sport since he 'retired'.
Before he is trusted in one of their cars, he is fitted for comfort and safety, and then plunged into a simulator, which externally is identical to the actual car.
The simulator is connected up to the mock up chassis and electrics. All of the bumps in the track, sloping turns, apex, are all felt by the driver of the simulator.
The aspects of the simulator to car are exact on the inside of the simulator. All of this has come about from the first steering wheel-game link up available from playstation over 12 years ago.
Now, it is an innovation in the pinnacle sport of motor racing for testing and creation.
http://freshf1.com/brundell-drives-williams-f1-simulator/2007/07/11/
Martin Brundell visits Williams F1 team in a pre race feature for ITV1. He, being a previous formula one driver, wanted to see for himself the advances and differences in the sport since he 'retired'.
Before he is trusted in one of their cars, he is fitted for comfort and safety, and then plunged into a simulator, which externally is identical to the actual car.
The simulator is connected up to the mock up chassis and electrics. All of the bumps in the track, sloping turns, apex, are all felt by the driver of the simulator.
The aspects of the simulator to car are exact on the inside of the simulator. All of this has come about from the first steering wheel-game link up available from playstation over 12 years ago.
Now, it is an innovation in the pinnacle sport of motor racing for testing and creation.
Advances in sport due to gaming technology
It may not be realised, but the gaming industry has been used to make huge leaps in the performance in certain sports. One huge benefactor of the gaming industry has been Formula One. They can use fully race specification simulators to train drivers, and give them experience on different world circuits within the Formula One spectrum of destinations and races. It can also be used to feel the effects of changes on the car. Downforce increases and other aerodynamic adjustments can be simulated to give the team and the divers an idea of the differences it can make to the car's performance. As in this sport, every nano-second counts. However, there is no replacement for actually testing these changes out for real. The teams do not rely on the simulators, they simply use them for reference, and to test ideas. As crashing on the simulator does not drain funds and valuable time.
The centre picture is jeson button in the BAR team simulator.
Major Companies within the gaming industry
Founded : Standard Games (1940); Service Games (May 1952)
Headquarters : Ōta, Tokyo, JapanInternational: San Francisco, California, US Chiswick, London, UK Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Key people: Hajime Satomi, CEO Sega Corp, Naoya Tsurumi, CEO SOA and SE; Simon Jeffery, COO and President SOA; Mike Hayes, COO and President SE; Yu Suzuki, Yuji Naka notable game designers
Industry : Video games, former video game console manufacturer
Products : ( GAMES ) Sonic the Hedgehog, Total War, Virtua Fighter, Virtua Tennis, Shenmue, House of The Dead
( CONSOLES ) Master System, Genesis/Mega Drive, Game Gear, Sega 32x, Sega CD, Nomad, Sega Pico, Saturn, Dreamcast
Revenue : US$800.127 million (2004)
Employees : 10,760
Website : Sega Corporation (Japan)Sega of AmericaSega EuropeSega Mobile
Major Companies within the gaming industry
Founded : Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA (April 4, 1975)
Headquarters : Redmond, Washington, United States
Key people : Bill Gates, Co-founder and Executive Chairman; Paul Allen, Co-founder;Steve Ballmer, CEO;Ray Ozzie, Chief Software Architect
Industry : Computer softwarePublishingResearch and developmentComputer hardwareVideo games
Products: Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Servers, Developer Tools, Business Solutions, Games & Xbox, Windows Live, Windows Mobile, Zune
Revenue : ▲ US $51.12 billion (2007)
Operating income : ▲ US $18.25 billion (2007)
Net income : ▲ US $14.06 billion (2007)
Employees : 79,000 (2007)
Headquarters : Redmond, Washington, United States
Key people : Bill Gates, Co-founder and Executive Chairman; Paul Allen, Co-founder;Steve Ballmer, CEO;Ray Ozzie, Chief Software Architect
Industry : Computer softwarePublishingResearch and developmentComputer hardwareVideo games
Products: Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Servers, Developer Tools, Business Solutions, Games & Xbox, Windows Live, Windows Mobile, Zune
Revenue : ▲ US $51.12 billion (2007)
Operating income : ▲ US $18.25 billion (2007)
Net income : ▲ US $14.06 billion (2007)
Employees : 79,000 (2007)
Major Companies within the gaming industry
Founded :September 23, 1889[1]
Headquarters : KyotoInternational Offices: Redmond, Washington Richmond, British Columbia Großostheim, Germany Scoresby, Victoria Suzhou (as iQue, Ltd.) Seoul Costa del Este (as Latamel Inc.) Monrovia, Liberia
Key people : Satoru Iwata: President & CEOReggie Fils-Aime: President & COO of NOAShigeru Miyamoto: Game DesignerGunpei Yokoi (deceased): Creator of Game Boy, Game & Watch, and MetroidHiroshi Yamauchi: Former President & ChairmanMinoru Arakawa & Howard Lincoln: Former heads of NOASatoru Shibata: President of NOE
Industry : Card games (previously) Video games (now)
Products : Game Boy line, Color TV Game, NES, SNES, Nintendo 64, Nintendo GameCube, Nintendo DS, Wii, and various video game titles.
Revenue : ▲ USD$10.42 billion (2008)Forbes 2000 ranking: 620
Net income : ▲ USD$1.4 billion (2006)
Employees : 3,586 (2007)
Website : Nintendo JapanNintendo of AmericaNintendo EuropeNintendo Australia
Major Companies within the gaming industry
Sony - more specifically Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
Type
Subsidiary of Sony Corporation
Founded November 16, 1993 by Sony
HeadquartersMinami-Aoyama, Minato, Tokyo, Japan
Key people
Kazuo Hirai: President & Group CEO, SCEIJack Tretton: President & CEO, SCEADavid Reeves: President & CEO, SCEEKen Kutaragi: Honorary Chairman, SCEI
Industry: Video game consoles, Video games
Products: PocketStation, PlayStation, PlayStation 2, PSX, PSP, PlayStation 3
Revenue: ▲ ¥1,016.8 billion (FY2006) [4,912,367.495 pounds]
Operating income: ▼-¥232.3 billion (FY2006)
Owner: Sony Corporation
Website: scei.co.jp
Type
Subsidiary of Sony Corporation
Founded November 16, 1993 by Sony
HeadquartersMinami-Aoyama, Minato, Tokyo, Japan
Key people
Kazuo Hirai: President & Group CEO, SCEIJack Tretton: President & CEO, SCEADavid Reeves: President & CEO, SCEEKen Kutaragi: Honorary Chairman, SCEI
Industry: Video game consoles, Video games
Products: PocketStation, PlayStation, PlayStation 2, PSX, PSP, PlayStation 3
Revenue: ▲ ¥1,016.8 billion (FY2006) [4,912,367.495 pounds]
Operating income: ▼-¥232.3 billion (FY2006)
Owner: Sony Corporation
Website: scei.co.jp
Compact Portable Games Consoles and the near future developments
PSP Product Specifications
Product Name: PlayStation Portable (PSP)
Color: Black
Dimensions:170 mm (L) x 74 mm (W) x 23 mm (D)
Weight: 260 g (including battery)
Main Memory: (32MB card included)
Embedded DRAM: 4MB
Display: 4.3 inch, 16:9 widescreen TFT LCD, 480 x 272 pixel (16.77 million colors)
Speakers: Built-in stereo speakers
Main Input/Output: IEEE 802.11b (Wi-Fi), USB 2.0 (Target), Memory Stick™ PRO Duo, IrDA, IR Remote (SIRCS)
Disc Drive: UMD Drive (Playback only)
Profile: PSP Game, UMD Audio, UMD Video
Main Connectors: DC OUT 5V, Terminals for charging built-in battery, Headphone/Microphone/Control connector
Keys/Switches: Directional buttons (Up/Down/Right/Left)Analog pad, Enter keys (Triangle, Circle, Cross, Square), Left, Right keys START, SELECT, HOME, POWER On/Hold/Off switch, Brightness control, Sound Mode, Volume +/-, Wireless LAN On/Off switch, UMD Eject
Power: Built-in lithium-ion battery, AC adaptor
Access Control: Region Code, Parental Control
Available Accessories: Stand, Headphone with remote commander, Headphone with remote commander and microphone, External battery pack, Case, Strap
Product Name: PlayStation Portable (PSP)
Color: Black
Dimensions:170 mm (L) x 74 mm (W) x 23 mm (D)
Weight: 260 g (including battery)
Main Memory: (32MB card included)
Embedded DRAM: 4MB
Display: 4.3 inch, 16:9 widescreen TFT LCD, 480 x 272 pixel (16.77 million colors)
Speakers: Built-in stereo speakers
Main Input/Output: IEEE 802.11b (Wi-Fi), USB 2.0 (Target), Memory Stick™ PRO Duo, IrDA, IR Remote (SIRCS)
Disc Drive: UMD Drive (Playback only)
Profile: PSP Game, UMD Audio, UMD Video
Main Connectors: DC OUT 5V, Terminals for charging built-in battery, Headphone/Microphone/Control connector
Keys/Switches: Directional buttons (Up/Down/Right/Left)Analog pad, Enter keys (Triangle, Circle, Cross, Square), Left, Right keys START, SELECT, HOME, POWER On/Hold/Off switch, Brightness control, Sound Mode, Volume +/-, Wireless LAN On/Off switch, UMD Eject
Power: Built-in lithium-ion battery, AC adaptor
Access Control: Region Code, Parental Control
Available Accessories: Stand, Headphone with remote commander, Headphone with remote commander and microphone, External battery pack, Case, Strap
Nintendo DS Lite Specs
Dimensions/Weight
Type - Handheld
Weight - 0.217 kg
Dimensions - 133x72x21mm
Colour - Black or white
Memory - Game
Type - Handheld
Weight - 0.217 kg
Dimensions - 133x72x21mm
Colour - Black or white
Memory - Game
Media type - Cartridge
Sound
Sound
Sound Output Mode - Stereo
Input Device
Input device type - D-pad; four buttons plus shoulder buttons and select and start buttons; stylus on lower touch screen
Display
Display resolution - 256x192pixels
Power
Mains - Yes
Battery - Rechargeable
Communications
Wi-Fi - Yes
Input Device
Input device type - D-pad; four buttons plus shoulder buttons and select and start buttons; stylus on lower touch screen
Display
Display resolution - 256x192pixels
Power
Mains - Yes
Battery - Rechargeable
Communications
Wi-Fi - Yes
(My own written) Overview
The Psp's specifications, overall are better than that of the DS's. The screen resoultion, and therefore better quality graphics, has a far bigger screen. Which too, aids in the superior screen quality (picture, movie, & gaming aspects). Both consoles have independant media disks/cartridges. The psp's UMD (universal media disk) and the DS's cartridge.
The DS has been designed primarily for gaming and this is apparent in it's set up and design. However, this has been Nintendo's only objective since they first started, with none of their consoles being able to play dvd's or cds.
The psp however, has been designed with the primary purpose of gaming. However Sony have taken into consideration current advances in technology, making it completely possible for newly released DVDs to be put onto their UMD's. Ironically, Sony are the pioneers of the DVD, the UMD and now the Blu-Ray. The 3 kings of home and media entertainment.
Sony Console Functions
Playstation One - Just games.
PS one (a developed lightweight version) - just games.
PS2 - Games, Cds & DVDs.
PS2 slim - Games, Cds, Dvds & mp3s.
Psp - Umd Games & movies, Pictures, Mp3, wireless internet & networking.
PS3 - Games, Blu-ray games, Dvds, Blu-ray Dvds, Cds, Mp3, Pictures, Wireless internet & networking, wireless controllers.
As you can see, over time, the games console has almost evolved. Things have been added to make the gaming experience wider. With internet acces now available, will the gaming industry start to challenge with computing? Will we eventually have just one object for our everyday needs? gaming, music, photos, the internet, film, news, will the pioneering gaming industry merge with other medias to make a super console, a handheld key to eveything we need? One vie for this possiblity has been made, but not from the gaming industry. From the music & computing giants Apple. The I- phone has been the first handheld to encorporate nearly EVERYTHING that can be thought of. Users can uses the internet wirelessly, take photos, use i-tunes for music, check out the weather, news, stock market shares, play games, watch films. This was clearly the first step towards the next generation of all-in-one media, will Sony and other gaming giants pick up the gauntlet thrown down by Apple?
Friday 18 April 2008
Sales figures of the Wii, 360 & PS3
Nintendo's Wii is nearing the Xbox 360's cumulative sales total, despite the year-long availability advantage enjoyed by the Microsoft games consoles. New figures put the Wii at 10.10m units sold to date worldwide, just behind the Xbox 360's 10.32m. The numbers come from new-to-us website VG Chartz, which claims to base its figures on over-the-counter sales data from a selection of retailers around the world, or when the latest numbers were taken. It doesn't say how many retailers it uses, or name them, but it claims its estimates are "very accurate projections of the latest console sell through figures worldwide". Whether you take the numbers with a pinch of salt or not, they have the 360's 10.32m sales made up of 430,000 in Japan, 6,64m in the US and 3.25m everywhere else. The equivalent Wii numbers are 3.32m, 4.07m and 2.71m, respectively. Not bad, given that the Wii hit store shelves around a year after the Xbox 360 did.
And the PS3? VG Chartz puts it on 4.11m units, 1.08m in Japan, 1.78m in the US and 1.25m elsewhere.
All three compare poorly to the 46.83m DS handhelds the site reckons have been bought globally and the 22.37m PSPs consumers have acquired from Sony. So this poses the question, is handheld the way tho go? Is that where the new market is? This is my next area to investigate.
The above information and statistics were siurced from registerhardware.co.uk
And the PS3? VG Chartz puts it on 4.11m units, 1.08m in Japan, 1.78m in the US and 1.25m elsewhere.
All three compare poorly to the 46.83m DS handhelds the site reckons have been bought globally and the 22.37m PSPs consumers have acquired from Sony. So this poses the question, is handheld the way tho go? Is that where the new market is? This is my next area to investigate.
The above information and statistics were siurced from registerhardware.co.uk
Case study feedback #2
Adam
This is a start - looking at what the technology does but you are not yet addressing any of the case study questions. You must significantly add to this blog before Monday.
CF
This is a start - looking at what the technology does but you are not yet addressing any of the case study questions. You must significantly add to this blog before Monday.
CF
Thursday 10 April 2008
Online Gaming (Networked via the consoles)
Xbox Live is an online multiplayer gaming and digital media delivery service created and operated by Microsoft Corporation. It was first made available to the Xbox video game console. An updated version of the service became available for the Xbox 360 console at that system's launch. Games for Windows - Live makes certain aspects of the system available on Windows Vista PCs, with plans to extend Live to other platforms such as handhelds and mobile phones as part of the Live Anywhere initiative.
basically... its a neworking system that can allow all owners of Xbox 360s and an internet connection to play anyone else in the world on the same game. (For a small fee annually)
basically... its a neworking system that can allow all owners of Xbox 360s and an internet connection to play anyone else in the world on the same game. (For a small fee annually)
PlayStation Network, often abbreviated to PSN in the gaming community, is Sony's free online service provided for use with their PlayStation 3 (PS3) and PlayStation Portable (PSP) video game consoles. As of February 14, 2008, there are over 2.9 million registered PlayStation Network accounts in North America.
The Wii console is able to connect to the Internet through its built-in 802.11b/g Wi-Fi or through a USB-to-Ethernet adapter, with both methods allowing players to access the established Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service. Wireless encryption by WEP, WPA (TKIP/RC4) and WPA2 (CCMP/AES) are supported. AOSS support was discreetly added in firmware update 3.0. Just as for the Nintendo DS, Nintendo does not charge fees for playing via the service and the 12 digit Friend Code system controls how players connect to one another. Each Wii also has its own unique 16 digit Wii Code for use with Wii's non-game features. This system also implements console-based software including the Wii Message Board. One can also connect to the internet with third-party devices.
The service has several features for the console including the Virtual Console, WiiConnect24, Internet Channel, Forecast Channel, Everybody Votes Channel, News Channel and the Check Mii Out Channel. The console can also communicate and connect with other Wii systems through a self-generated wireless LAN, enabling local wireless multiplayer on different television sets. Battalion Wars 2 first demonstrated this feature for non-split screen multiplayer between two or more televisions.
So in simple terms... wii users can connect to the internet. As with the PS3 the service is free, and users can play and compete against other same console users for highest ranks or just for fun!
Wireless online networking has revolutionised the gaming world. Connecting gamers with same interests and influences all over the world. Multiplayer no longer means forcing your (bored and unenthusiastic) relatives to play against you. It is now combining with the online instant messaging too. Players can use company constructed (eg. EA sports messenger) instant messaging services similar to the world renouned windows live messenger (MSN messenger).
Thursday 3 April 2008
PS3 Vs. Xbox 360
When it comes to games consoles, there are only 3 contenders, Nintendo, Xbox and Playstation.
Nintendo are now self proscribed 'family' consoles, leaving the 'serious' gaming to Microsoft and Sony. There are so many biased views and opinions...so one can only let others decided for themselves. Which is what im going to do, just have a look at the videos below and let me know you opinion... lets run a poll! Leave me a comment after watching the videos which one looks better overall ps3 or 360? :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fd0f_1JY-EE&feature=related (fair comparison)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXKnhAFnwXw (diffeence between ps3 and ps2 gameplay)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRaYXHHCgxo (facts and stats of the two)
DO the poll! leave a comment!
much love xxx
Nintendo are now self proscribed 'family' consoles, leaving the 'serious' gaming to Microsoft and Sony. There are so many biased views and opinions...so one can only let others decided for themselves. Which is what im going to do, just have a look at the videos below and let me know you opinion... lets run a poll! Leave me a comment after watching the videos which one looks better overall ps3 or 360? :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fd0f_1JY-EE&feature=related (fair comparison)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXKnhAFnwXw (diffeence between ps3 and ps2 gameplay)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRaYXHHCgxo (facts and stats of the two)
DO the poll! leave a comment!
much love xxx
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