Intro
in this document I will explain the 5 types of platform: Arcade, PC, Consoles, Mobile and TV and their features, advantages and disadvantages and their developmental histories. Since it will not be mentioned below the first ever home console was the Magnavox odyssey released in the 1980's .
Arcade
The arcade platform has been a huge impact on the gaming world,but it has advantages and disadvantages like all Gaming platforms.
Advantages of the arcade gaming platform is that it is a source of fun unlike any other platform.it also has given reason to advance such things as graphics chips and processors and software which are essential to things in our lives today. Disadvantages of the arcade cabinet is it costs a lot of money if you are playing for a long time. Secondly the consoles are not ergonomically fitted to everyone so playing
for a prolonged time can cause ache's and pains. 
The future of the arcade platform is evolving as different types of cabinets are being made as well of the original version as seen above, this includes golf, racing, shooting and dancing cabinets. The games inside the cabinets are also changing as the graphics are updated and game play is improved with things such as more than 2 players can now play at the same time in such games like Mario kart.
Features of the Arcade Platform normally include Joysticks and Buttons with a big screen in the monitor but this differs with the type of game you are playing, for example if you are playing space invaders you will have joysticks etc. but if you are playing Guitar Hero you will have a guitar controller.
The developmental history of the arcade platform has changed a lot since the original design as stated earlier, the normal cabinet as shown in the top right has changed into different layouts and setups changing the features of the platform.
The developmental history of the arcade platform has changed a lot since the original design as stated earlier, the normal cabinet as shown in the top right has changed into different layouts and setups changing the features of the platform.
The PC like the Arcade platform has also been a huge impact on the gaming world and like the Arcade platform it has advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages for the PC includes that you can customize your PC to your needs so you can play what game you want with what settings you want whereas with other platforms you are just stuck with what you are given. Another advantage of the PC platforms is that you can fix the problems you have a lot easier than other platforms as they have shops dedicated to your problems such as "PC World" disadvantages of the PC platform is that it cost a lot of money to get a fairly good PC that will run good games or applications. A second disadvantage is that-like the Arcade-it can cause strain injury as you are repeating the same action for a long time.
The future of the PC platform is improving as gaming is more in-depth and involving with games like Day-Z. The PC platform is also improving on a specification scale as companies are making better software and machinery so it can operate on a bigger scale compared to other platforms.
the Developmental history of the Pc has improved it in different ways, it has improved the hardware so it is a better experience and it has improved the look of the PC so it is more aesthetically pleasing.
Consoles
The Xbox has not been a huge impact in the gaming world like the Arcade or PC but it has been a contributing factor and like the PC and Arcade Platforms it has its advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages of the present Xbox Platform's are that they have improving game play elements so it is more fun to play than previous platforms. Another advantage is that the graphics are improving fast so it looks realistic. Disadvantage's of the Xbox is that you have to pay for their online services. Another disadvantage is that the Xbox can break easily, if you have it up the wrong way it can scratch your disk.
The future of the Xbox platforms is also improving as it has a wide range of entertainment and games that are in development.
PS3/4
Like the Xbox it has not had a huge impact on the gaming world or industry but it is a contributing factor, the PS3 also has Advantages and Disadvantages.
Advantages of the PS3/4 are that it has a blue-ray player what makes for better sounds and graphics for when watching films and playing games. Another advantage is that the PS3/4 has a low failure rate.
Disadvantages of the PS3/4 is that it is expensive and not all models have backwards compatibility for previous games. the Future of the PlayStation series is good as the company has many platforms to make more money and improve their consoles/mobile consoles.
Wii
Advantages of the Wii platform is it is a family platform of sorts and can bring the family together whereas other platforms where usually solo play or with friends. Disadvantages of the Wii is that it has a small range of genres and games to play.
The future of the Wii is changing as more products are being made such as the Wii U and other accessories that will make the Wii a better experience.
Mobile
Mobile platforms are like any other platform but they are smaller and less expensive but they have their advantages and
disadvantages. Advantages of the Mobile platform is that it is portable so you can play anywhere. Another advantage is that most of the games are relatively cheap or apps wise they are free or have a trial version. Disadvantages of mobile platforms is that you do not have a wide range of games or genres. The features of a mobile platform usually include some type of in-built speakers, buttons. 
TV
The TV Platform is different from the other platforms as they have
just started to get more things put into them, for example smart TV's with internet connections and you can stream game devices onto your TV. although they have just started to become integrated with more things they have advantages and disadvantages. Advantages of the TV platform is that it is connected to other platforms, for example you can play films on your mobile platform on your tv platform.
the future of the TV platform is beneficial, for example it is creating technology so people who could not use a normal tv can now use them (eye controlled tv's).
Developmental History and Comparisons
(Consoles and Mobile Platform)
Developmental
History
|
Name
|
Date of release
|
Description
|
Xbox Series
|
Xbox
|
Nov 15th
2001
|
This was the first
in the Xbox series.
|
Xbox 360(Arcade/Pro/Elite)
|
Nov 22nd
2005
|
This is the
First Xbox 360 and it comes in three versions Arcade, Pro and Elite, each
with different features. Arcade is just a generic white console, Pro is the
white console with a silver disk tray and the Elite console is Black.
|
|
Xbox 360 Slim
|
July 18th
2010
|
This is the Fourth
Model of the Xbox 360 and it is a Slim Version containing more memory (250GB)
|
|
Xbox 360 E
|
June 10th
2013
|
This is the last
model of the Xbox 360 to be made, it has distinct features of the Xbox One.
|
|
Xbox One
|
Nov 22nd
2013
|
The latest in
the Xbox series, this includes a Kinect sensor
|
Developmental
History
|
Name
|
Date of release
|
Description
|
Compare
(PS1-PS4)
|
PlayStation
Series
|
PS1
|
Dec 3rd
1994
|
This was the
first PlayStation console, with the disk tray being a small circular flap
|
The
PS1 has minimal graphics and everything and everyone looked like they were
made of blocks, but at its time was considered one of the best games
consoles, the PS4 has realistic graphics obviously beating PS1’s but they
both have the reputation on being one of the best during their time. Another
comparison to make is games. Both consoles have a wide amount of games to
choose from and a wide range of genres.
|
PS2
|
March 4th
2000
|
The second
PlayStation Console, it has got a bigger width and height than its
predecessor, but the disk tray now is layered between the console rather than
being on the top.
|
||
PS3
|
Nov 17th
2006
|
The Third
PlayStation Console, it has improved graphics more features (PS Eye, Blue Ray
Player) and more memory
|
||
PS3 super Slim
|
2012
|
Exactly like the
normal PS3 but Slim and more memory.
|
||
PS4
|
15th
November 2013
|
The latest PlayStation
with enhanced graphics and more features (controller touch pad, more memory)
|
Developmental
History
|
Name
|
Date of release
|
Description
|
Compare
(Nintendo 3DS-PSP Vita)
|
Nintendo
|
DS
|
Nov 21st
2004
|
The first hand
held Nintendo Console
|
These
two handheld consoles are considered the best right now of their brand. The
PSP Vita and 3DS are around about selling for the same price (£179.99), but
they both have a huge difference in graphics. The PSP Vita has graphics that
can compare to the latest consoles at some stages while playing whereas the
3DS can compare to consoles but it is a very steep difference. The 3DS and
the Vita also have a huge amount of games to choose from but Nintendo sticks
to what they know e.g. Mario, Pokémon whereas the Vita has a big variety of
titles.
|
DS Lite
|
March 2nd
2006
|
Re-design of the
DS console, slimmer
|
||
DSi
|
Nov 1st
2008
|
Another re-design
of the DS console, it has an in built camera and more memory
|
||
DSi XL
|
Nov 21st
2009
|
Re-design of the
DSi with a larger screen
|
||
3DS
|
Feb 26 2011
|
The 2nd
DS make with 3D graphics options
|
||
2DS
|
Aug 28th
2013
|
The 3rd
DS make with fewer features than the 3DS but can still use backwards compatibility.
|
||
PSP
|
PSP 1000
|
Dec 12th
2004
|
The first hand
held PlayStation console.
|
|
PSP 2000
|
Oct 30th
2007
|
The second
design of the PSP hand held console, smaller in all dimensions (w,h,d)
|
||
PSP 3000
|
Oct 1st 2008
|
Same as 2000 but
with an improved LCD screen and updated disk tray and logo.
|
||
PSP GO
|
May 30th
2009
|
Different casing
from the other PSP’s, it weighs lighter; it accepts memory up to 16GB and has
a sliding screen.
|
||
PSP Vita
|
The latest PSP model
, it has better quality and gameplay features compared to its predessecors.
|
