History, Evolution and Impact of Computer Games Week 1 Lecturer: David Nicol.

History, Evolution and Impact of Computer Games

Week 1Lecturer: David Nicol

Descriptor OverviewLecturer will provide a brief look

at Learning Outcomes – Assessments for this Unit – 10 mins.

Outcome 1

Describe the key historical developments relating to computer games

Knowledge and/or SkillsResearch skills Analysis Effective presentation techniques

What do I need to Research and provide evidence for in this unit ?The History and Development of

Computer Games from the advent of Personal Computers to the present day.

Identify key milestones in the evolution of computer games with regard to:

Technological advanceGenrePlatforms

Researching & Presenting Work

Outcome 1 looks at the history of computer games, how the timeline evolved as well as looking at the central figures in this development.

Candidates are encouraged to keep a blog of their work as an electronic portfolio.

300 word essay or electronic, verbal or signed presentation lasting for 3 minutes.

Video - A Brief History of Video Games Until 2013 We all have our own favourite games.Nostalgia can play a partThe author of the following video has

considered the included games as a brief history – it is not definitive (as he declares at the end) but covers the development of games in a short space of time and is a good place to start.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoyGlyrYb9c

Where Could I Source Information?Online/Websites – remembering to

cite/quote and declare sources (keep weblinks and other sources used for a bibliography).

Books NewspapersGaming Magazines Retro Gaming Sources

(Websites/Publications)Videos

Week 1 Introductory Research TaskWork in groups of 2-3 and

research some key games developed/technological developments in the following decades – completing the following slides.

Spend about 6-8 minutes on each slide and make a summary of key developments (considered by your group).

Web Sites To Get You StartedOnline Timelineshttp://www.museumofplay.org/ich

eg-game-history/timeline/

http://www.infoplease.com/spot/gamestimeline1.html

The Evolution of Gaminghttp://mashable.com/2015/01/08/

gaming-tech-ces/

1940’s to the 1960’s (Games/Developments)

1970’s (Games/Developments)

1980’s (Games/Developments)

1990’s (Games/Developments)

2000-2015 (Games/Developments)

Does the Group Believe that there was one defining era which really transformed gaming? Justify.

Can you think of two periods in time when computer/video games crashed/slumped and reasons why?

Discuss Findings With Class

Save and Distribute PresentationCreate a folder to store work for

the unit – can abbreviate as Game History – Your Name.

Save a copy of group presentation to your workspace.

Always keep a backup

Visit a site like below and play two popular classic retro games from different game genres. Complete the review tables on following slides.

http://game-oldies.com/http://

www.online-games-zone.com/pages/classic.php

http://neave.com/games/

Game 1Game Name

Game Genre

Who Created Original Version and Year Created

What do you think was/is the appeal of this game?

Are there sound effects used which are effective or memorable?

Did the game influence other games/create “copies”

Game 2Game Name

Game Genre

Who Created Original Version and Year Created

What do you think was/is the appeal of this game?

Are there sound effects used which are effective or memorable?

Did the game influence other games/create “copies”

Class Discussion/Feedback

Further Readingwww.retrogamer.net