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Platform
Operating
System
Driver
Application
Software
Sound API
Graphical
API
Windows, Linux,
Mac, Android,
iOS
DirectX,
OpenGL
Java Sound,
OpenAL
Java, C++, C#,
ActionScript
Soundcard,
GPU, HCI
Dependent /
Independent
U20
PMD3: Understand software technologies for game platforms
Date due: Friday 24/05/13
GC
3
Pass
Describe software technologies
for game platforms with some
appropriate use of subject
terminology
Merit
Explain software technologies for
game platforms with reference to
detailed illustrative examples and
with generally correct use of subject
terminology
Distinction
Comprehensively explain
software technologies for game
platforms with elucidated
examples and consistently using
subject terminology correctly
• The six key subcategories of this GC are:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Platform dependency
Operating systems
Drivers
Application software
Graphical API
Sound API
• Note that you must show evidence of understanding all of these
categories in order to achieve the GC.
If an application is platform dependent, it will only run on a
specific operating system, hardware setup or compiler.
• This can refer to games, but also to other things such as
programming languages
• An example of platform dependence is Windows, which will
only run on x86 hardware architecture.
• An example of platform independence is any application
written in Java, which is cross-platform.
At its basic level, an operating system is a collection of
software responsible for the management of hardware
resources. It also provides some background processes, such as
file storage and retrieval and system tools, such as disk
cleanups.
Notable examples include Windows, Linux, Mac OS, Android,
iOS, Windows Phone 8. The list goes on.
Device drivers are background programs which control a very
specific device attached to the computer. These can be either
internal or peripheral devices.
The driver serves as a translator between the device itself and
the operating system or program that it is interacting with.
Drivers are used for all devices, including mice, keyboards,
GPUs, SPUs and scanners.
API = Application Programming Interface
Graphical APIs are the software systems responsible for
rendering the images you see on screen.
The two main GAPIs in use today are DirectX and OpenGL.
DirectX is owned and developed by Microsoft, and is exclusive
to Windows and Xbox.
OpenGL is platform-independent and run by a non-profit
organisation.
Sound APIs are responsible for managing and playing sounds.
This may include dynamic manipulation, such as directional
sound or distortion.
Two commonly used SAPIs are OpenAL and Java Sound API.
OpenAL can currently run on 15 different OS, whereas Java
SAPI is platform-independent
Write-Up and examples
You need to write this up as a webzine or blog article, entitled
“Software Technologies for Game Platforms”.
This piece of extended writing should aim to have the same
written standard as that required by any other piece of
theory work, but remember the specific unit requirements.
Use the unit spec as a checklist to ensure you have covered
everything that you need to.
Write-Up and examples
The following are examples of the differences between Pass, Merit and Distinction
grade writing. Use them to inform your work.
Pass
Merit
‘To use a sound card, the operating system needs
driver software specially written for the card. The
card driver takes instructions for sounds from the
game program and outputs them in a form the sound
device can use.’
‘To use a sound card, the operating system needs driver
software specially written for the card. The card driver
takes instructions for sounds from the game program and
outputs them in a form the sound device can use. Driver
software is specially written for the target computer system,
it is ‘hardware dependent’ and also operating system
specific, meaning the driver works only with one processor
and operating system combination. The Sound Blaster series
of sound cards each had unique driver software but
recently the makers have updated the driver software for
all cards in the series to improve performance.’
Write-Up and examples
The following are examples of the differences between Pass, Merit and Distinction
grade writing. Use them to inform your work.
Distinction
‘To use a sound card, the operating system needs driver software specially written for the card.
The card driver takes instructions for sounds from the game program and outputs them in a form
the sound device can use. Driver software is specially written for the target computer system; it is
‘hardware dependent’ and also operating system specific, meaning the driver works only with
one processor and operating system combination. The driver software enables the operating
system or game program to interact transparently with the hardware device, providing the
necessary interrupt handling to permit the interfacing of the hardware components. The Sound
Blaster series of sound cards is popular with PC gamers. Each card in the series had unique driver
software but recently the makers have updated the driver software for all cards in the series to
improve performance, especially the EAX (environmental audio extensions) hardware acceleration
for games. EAX are digital signalling presets used to create better ambience within games by
more accurately simulating a real-world audio environment.’