HCI - Understanding hardware technologies for game platforms
Task 1:
What is HCI (Human Computer Interface)?How we interact with games (or electronics).
The following interface devices explained:
Mouse - Moving a computer mouse along a flat surface causes a cursor on screen to move. Right and left clicking cause interaction with the items on screen.
Joysticks - A hand held lever that pivots on one end and transmits its movement back to the computer. Often characters movement in video games are controlled by these.
Keyboard - A type writer style device with buttons showing letters used to input the information tagged on each button. This may be used for typing in a name or certain buttons could control movement. E.g. The button with a W = Forward, A = Left, S = Backward/down, D = Right.
Controllers - Controllers can be classed as keyboards, mice, joysticks etc. But they're normally thought of as gamepads. Gamepads are peripheral devices that are connected to a computer or games console, this could be with a wire or now they're more commonly wireless. In this current day and age they are known to have several buttons (including triggers at the back) and two joysticks.
Voice Controller - Often referred to as voice recognition, it is a hardware device or software program with the ability to decipher the human language and voice. Commonly used to control a device and perform actions without having to use anything other than a voice.
Wheel and Pedals - A controller used for racing games to control a cars movement, it normally includes a steering wheel, pedals for acceleration and braking and sometimes even a mechanism for shifting gears.
Motion Controllers - (Wii Remote / Playstation Move etc.) Allows a player to interact with a system through body movement. The movement is often controlled by a handheld remote tracked by a camera.
Motion Sensing Input - (Kinect / PlayStation Camera etc.) A device that detects physical movements with the ability to capture them in real time. They are used in games so a person can control what is happening on screen with their hands or body.
Task 2:
NES vs Now:
I don't think I would change much about modern day controllers as I do like the mechanics. My favourite controller has to be the PS4 one as I prefer the Joysticks next to each other and closer to me, so I would probably change that about the other controllers.
| Console Controller: | NES | Xbox One | PS4 | Wii U |
| Ergonomic Design (Comfort) | The NES may not have had the most comfortable design but at the time it was the best and served its function. Compared to current controllers it doesn't fit it two hands very comfortably however. |
The Xbox One has considerable more comfort than the NES as it’s built for more technical and complicated games. There are more buttons meaning you need to be able to move seamlessly from the d-pad to the joystick.
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The PS4 is again very comfortable to hold and is also made for seamless playing. Its slightly wider but its still just as easy to reach all the controls. | The Wii U is much more comfortable as it looks as long you don’t have to use the touchpad for an extended amount of time. Nintendo clearly kept the idea of rectangles. |
| Button Configurations (What they're used for) | It has a d-pad mainly for movement, A/B buttons for actions and a select and start button for selection purposes. | It has a much larger amount of buttons than the NES. It still has the d-pad but as well as A and B it also has X and Y buttons. It also has two joysticks, two triggers, two bumper buttons, xbox one guide, start and one to connect the controller. | Again has a larger amount buttons than the NES. It also has the d-pad but in a different position to the Xbox One and A, B, X and Y buttons but they have shapes instead of letters (a cross, a circle, a square and a triangle). It also has two joysticks, two triggers, two bumpers, an options button and a PS4 guide. Its differences are a share button and a touchpad. | A much larger amount of buttons than the NES again. It still has the d-pad but as well as A and B it also has X and Y buttons, it also has two joysticks like the Xbox One. Other controls include a home button, power, TV control and a touchscreen (there is a Wii U Pro controller as well which is pretty similar to the Xbox One and PS4). |
| User-Centered Design (Were needs always a focus in the making) | Throughout the process of creating the controller the needs were always kept in mind and were practical. This is probably helped by the fact that simple games only needed simple controls. | This controller was well thought out with all the needs being met. | This controller was well thought out with all the needs being met. | This controller was well thought out with all the needs being met. |
| Portability | The NES controller is very light and pretty small (4.3 oz and 12.5cm x 5.5cm x 1.7cm to be exact). The lead is around 91.5”. Although the lead is pretty long it still makes it have the lowest portability of the four. | The Xbox One is just under double of the weight of the NES (7.83 oz) and also much bigger in width and height (15cm x 11.5cm x 6.5cm). The Xbox One controller is however wireless unless being charged making it more portable. Because of it being the smallest and only a little heavier than the PS4 it is probably the most portable. | The PS4 weighs only a little less than the Xbox One ( 7.4 oz). Its length and width is slightly bigger than the Xbox One but its height is smaller (16.2cm x 9.8cm x 5.2cm). Probably the second most portable controller becuase of the size, however, the Xbox One has close competition. | The Wii U is well over double the weight of the PS4 and Xbox One controllers (17.32 oz). Its also much larger by length and width but smaller by height (25.9cm x 13.5cm x 2.3cm). Which out of the four has only a little more portability than that of the NES. |
References:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BzbZOgJcBPX7cTRkd19zN3BacGc/view
https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_mouse
http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/joystick
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_keyboard
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_controller
http://www.computerhope.com/jargon/g/gamepad.htm
http://www.computerhope.com/jargon/v/voicreco.htm
http://www.computerhope.com/jargon/s/steewhee.htm
https://www.techopedia.com/definition/30233/motion-sensor
http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/motion-gaming-motion-controlled-gaming
http://www.polygon.com/2016/11/4/13512918/mini-nes-classic-edition-comparison-controller-cable-length
https://www.boards.ie/b/thread/2055795993
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-PlayStation-DualShock-Controller-Black/dp/B00BF6D63Q
http://www.gamefaqs.com/boards/631516-wii-u/67530931
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wii_U_GamePad
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