1. Salford City College
Eccles Sixth Form Centre
BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN
Unit 20: Computer Game Platforms and Technologies
Brief 1_Task 2
Name:
Brienna Hick
Researched Definition (include
URL link)
Explanation in your own
words
Imagery Why is this
important to
hardware
technologies
for game
platforms?
Human
Computer
Interface
Human-computer interface (HCI) The
means of communication between a
human user and a computer system,
referring in particular to the use of
input/output devices with supporting
software.
http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1
O11-humancomputerinterface.html
Human computer interface is
the way that a user and a
computer system
communicate with one
another using specific devices
and their supporting software.
http://cervologix.com/revi
ew-use-
electroencephalography-
evaluation-method-human-
computer-interaction/
This allows the
user or player
to interact with
the pc allowing
the game to be
controlled
Central
Processin
g Unit
(CPU)
Sometimes referred to simply as the
central processor, but more commonly
called processor, the CPU is the brains of
the computer where most calculations
take place. In terms of computing power,
the CPU is the most important element of
a computer system.
http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/C
/CPU.html
The CPU is where most of the
work takes place and it is the
most important part of a
computer system.
http://i
mages.bi
t-
tech.net/
content_
images/2013/03/cpu-
coolers-new-
benchmarks/retest-7b.jpg
The central
processing unit
is very
important as it
is the main
processor that
works all the
aspects of the
device allowing
you to play the
game
Graphic
Processor
s
A GPU, or graphics processing unit, is
used primarily for 3-D applications. It is a
single-chip processor that creates lighting
effects and transforms objects every time
a 3D scene is redrawn. These are
A graphics processing unit is a
programmable logic chip that
renders images, animations
and video for your computer’s
screen. Although a GPU is
http://www.geeky-
gadgets.com/wp-
content/uploads/2010/0
3/NVIDIA-ION-
A GPU is
important for
game platforms
as it creates
2. Salford City College
Eccles Sixth Form Centre
BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN
Unit 20: Computer Game Platforms and Technologies
Brief 1_Task 2
mathematically-intensive tasks, which
otherwise, would put quite a strain on the
CPU. Lifting this burden from the CPU
frees up cycles that can be used for other
jobs.
http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/G
/GPU.html
used for 2D data it is also
essential for smooth decoding
and rendering of 3D
animations and video.
processor.jp and enhances
the visuals of
the game that
you are playing.
Memory
(RAM)
RAM (pronounced ram) is an acronym for
random access memory, a type of
computer memory that can be accessed
randomly; that is, any byte of memory
can be accessed without touching the
preceding bytes
http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/R
/RAM.html
random access memory (RAM)
can be accessed randomly
without needing to touch or
access any of its preceding
bytes.
http://cdn.eteknix.com/wp
-
content/uploads/2011/11/
RAM.jpg
Ram is used to
store the
information
needed to play
the game
Display A display is a computer output surface
and projecting mechanism that shows text
and often graphic images to the computer
user, using a cathode ray tube (CRT),
liquid crystal display (LCD), light-emitting
diode, gas plasma, or other image
projection technology.
http://whatis.techtarget.com/definiti
on/display
A projecting mechanism and
computer output surface that
displays text and images to
the user.
http:
//vin
tage
king.
com
/me
dia/c
atalog/product/cache/1/im
age/9df78eab33525d08d6
e5fb8d27136e95/a/p/apple
_led_cinema_display.jpg
A display is
important for
game platforms
as it displays
the visuals that
are vital for the
player to be
able to play the
game.
3. Salford City College
Eccles Sixth Form Centre
BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN
Unit 20: Computer Game Platforms and Technologies
Brief 1_Task 2
Sound In computers, audio is the sound system
that comes with or can be added to a
computer. An audio card contains a
special built-in processor and memory for
processing audio files and sending them to
speakers in the computer.
http://whatis.techtarget.com/definiti
on/audio
The audio or sound in a
computer is sent to the
speakers attached to the
computer via an audio card
which contains a special built-
in processor specially used to
process audio files.
http://news.softpedia.co
m/news/Cool-Stuff-The-
Axiom-Audiobyte-High-
end-Computer-Sound-
System-71298.shtml
The sound is
important as it
gives the player
the audio and
can help the
player to
understand the
surroundings of
the game
Game
Storage
Medium
In computers, a storage medium is any
technology (including devices and
materials) used to place, keep, and
retrieve data. A medium is an element
used in communicating a message; on a
storage medium, the "messages" - in the
form of data - are suspended for use
when needed.
http://searchstorage.techtarget.com
/definition/storage-medium
A storage medium is a place
used to keep and retrieve
data.
http://3.bp.blogspot.co
m/--
IA9GLJnvI8/T74MfzTLwF
I/AAAAAAAAAC0/S6Krs1
g4Yz0/s705/arm_a15_b
anner.png
Game storage
medium allows
you to keep
save data and
game data on
your Platform
Interface
Devices
An interface device (IDF) is a hardware
component or system of components that
allows a human being to interact with a
computer, a telephone system, or other
electronic information system.
http://whatis.techtarget.com/definiti
on/interface-device-IDF
The hardware or system of
components that means the
human user can interact with
the computer system.
http
://w
ww.
ohgi
zmo
.co
m/wp-
content/uploads/2009/0
6/combimouse.jpg
Interface
devices are also
vital as they
give the player
the means to
interact with the
game and
control the
actions.
4. Salford City College
Eccles Sixth Form Centre
BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN
Unit 20: Computer Game Platforms and Technologies
Brief 1_Task 2
Connectivi
ty
A computer buzzword that refers to a
program or device's ability to link with
other programs and devices. For example,
a program that can import data from a
wide variety of other programs and can
export data in many different formats is
said to have good connectivity.
http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/C
/connectivity.html
the ability to connect from the
computer to other devices and
aplications.
http://www.transitdata.c
om.au/it-connectivity
Connectivity in
game platforms
allows you to
play online with
other players
and also upload
your scores.
Power
Supply
A power supply unit or PSU, the
component that supplies power to a
computer. Most personal computers can
be plugged into standard electrical outlets.
The power supply then pulls the required
amount of electricity and converts the AC
current to DC current.
http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/P
/power_supply.html
A power supply unit pulls out
the right amount of electricity
for the device it is attached to
and converts the AC current to
DC Current, and also regulates
the voltage to eliminate spikes
and surges common in electrical
systems. http://core0.staticworld.ne
t/images/article/2013/01/s
tandard-psu-100021930-
gallery.jpg
The power
supply is
needed to
power the
platform which
you are using to
play your game.
