History of GamesLesson 1

StarterGo to freepacman.org and play the PacMan game.

While you are playing try to think about the following: Controls Objectives Characters Enemies Graphics

What are the key features?Think of the main aspects of the video game…

Understand video game featuresBe able to play early video games

#gameplay#control

Know controls used in various video games

Understand key features of early arcade games

Be able to play a range of early video games

Lesson Goals

#gameplay#control

Understand video game featuresBe able to play early video games

#gameplay#control

Video Game History

How can we control games?Think about various game playing devices…

Understand video game featuresBe able to play early video games

#gameplay#control

Video games can be controlled using various different methods:

Controllers

Understand video game featuresBe able to play early video games

#gameplay#control

D-Pad

Joystick

1983 NES Controller

1977 Atari 2600

Paddle1977 Atari 2600

Some historic features are also used in current controllers:

Controllers

Understand video game featuresBe able to play early video games

#gameplay#control

Sensors

2006 Wiimote

2010 Kinect

2009 iPhone

D-Pad1997 PlayStation

Dual Shock

Rhythm2005 Guitar Hero

No matter what video game is being played, the controls for the game should be obvious.

Old style arcade games used simple controls, often making use of directional arrows to control player movement.

Modern consoles operate under similar principles but also aim for precision in movement and make use of other technologies like touch and motion sensors.

Controllers

Understand video game featuresBe able to play early video games

#gameplay#control

How can we review a game?Think about the key features of the starter game…

Understand video game featuresBe able to play early video games

#gameplay#control

When reviewing early video games you should think about: Aim e.g. main or secondary objectives Controls e.g. keyboard or mouse Graphics e.g. 2D/3D, colours, style Sound e.g. sound effects, music Characters e.g. players and enemies

You may also be able to find: Year – When were they released? Company – Who created the game? Platform – What console was the game for?

Early Video Games

Understand video game featuresBe able to play early video games

#gameplay#control

Those who invented games in the early days weren’t just making a video game, they were developing the entire industry:

Early Video Games

FirstThe early video games were the pioneers of the industry

GenreThey defined the genre that they belong to

SuccessWhen released they were an unprecedented success

PopularStill played by many people, young and old today

Understand video game featuresBe able to play early video games

#gameplay#control

Choose three of the following games: PacMan Breakout Space Invaders Galaxians Asteroids

Use the review template to describe the aim of the game, graphics, sound, gameplay and controls.

Extension: Find out the release year, platform and the company who made each game.

Your Task

Frogger Centipede Q*Bert Pong Missile Command

Understand video game featuresBe able to play early video games

#gameplay#control

Keywords

Game Play

Control

The features of a computer game such as the plot and how easy or not it is to play.

The way in which a video game is operated e.g. character movement.

Understand video game featuresBe able to play early video games

#gameplay#control