A gaming console is an electronic device specifically made with the sole purpose of allowing the user to play video games with accessibility. A gamer will need an output device (usually a computer monitor or television set) and an input device (controller) to be able to play games. In the present day, gaming consoles can achieve a variety of different tasks with some not even related to gaming. We are able to access all these convenient features today, but game consoles have come a long way since they were initially created. How have they been altered or changed over time? What major innovations have led us to this?
It all starts back in 1966, when an engineer known as Ralph H. Baer formulated the idea of being able to play video games on a television screen. Games such as “Pong” were created to be played in this manner, inspired by the invention of Baer, the Magnavox Odyssey. Most consoles around this time were already pre-programmed with certain games, known as “but game cartridges were developed to allow people to program their own consoles with other games.
Consoles can be classified into several generations based on the type of technology available in the console and the time at which this technology became available. Today, we are in the ninth generation of consoles, with a broad range of features available. So, what kinds of refinements have been introduced to these original gaming consoles?
The original generation of gaming consoles includes the previously mentioned Magnavox Odyssey as well as a few dedicated consoles. Not much innovation was made during this period due to the fact that consoles were a brand new idea.
More consoles slowly began to pop up as the concept began to pick up speed. These consoles delivered the new idea of using game cartridges to program different games onto a console rather than only being able to pick from pre-programmed games. These initial cartridges were quite basic, however, and did not have the capacity to save progress.
The third generation of gaming consoles fixed problems from the previous one. Cartridges became more advanced and now had the ability to display improved graphics, play better sound, and most importantly be able to save a player’s progress in a game.
Like the preceding generations, more advancements were made to game cartridges. Unique video game cartridges were made to not just change the game, but to increase the capabilities of the console itself. Some companies also began to test the use of CD-ROMs as an alternative to current cartridges.
The fifth wave of consoles brought along with it the major shift of using CD-ROMs instead of cartridges. This change allowed for higher definition graphics and the ability to render different elements in a game. Unlike the rest, the game developer Nintendo didn’t embrace this trend and continued to create consoles that utilized cartridges.
CD-ROMs were an acceptable solution when it came to fixing the deficits presented by game cartridges, but even they had their own problems. Just like how CD-ROM replaced the cartridge, now DVD became the peak format for storing video games.
Although DVDs were still an option, now an alternative became available: digital downloads. This meant that players did not have to buy a physical disc to program their consoles anymore, but could instead directly download the game into the console.
Although DVDs were still an option, now an alternative became available: digital downloads. This meant that players did not have to buy a physical disc to program their consoles anymore, but could instead directly download the game into the console.
We are currently in the ninth generation of consoles. There is more reliance on games in a digital download format now than ever before mainly due to the massive size of the information stored in video games.
Today, we have a variety of different ways to play video games besides consoles and can access those games on our devices in different ways and can now play aforementioned video games with others via an online connection. Gaming consoles can now hold games with large storage capacity and run them with high definition graphics. What new improvements will we see added to game consoles next?
Bibliography: Wikipedia, Copetti Site, XDA
Image Credit: Public Domain Pictures, Wikimedia Commons