The Future of Multimedia - Next Gen Games Consoles

The Future of Multimedia - Next Gen Games Consoles
In an industry estimated to be orth around $30 billion it is no surprise that each games console producer (Microsoft, Nintendo & Sony) are desperate to become the market leader. For many years a simple system has occurred the companies would release a new machine boasting improved graphics and games, it has now come to the point that graphics are almost life-like on all consoles except for one.

Nintendo's Wii console is nothing but a global phenomenon, instead of focusing on improved graphics Nintendo almost kept the same level of graphics from their previous console the Gamecube and instead gave gamers an entirely new level of interactivity by recording movement through the Wii remote. Not only has this console saved a company who always played second fiddle to Microsoft's Xbox and Sony's PlayStation 2 in the previous generation of consoles but it has also broadened the appeal of computer games. No longer exclusively made for teenagers, Nintendo has tapped into a rich vain of new gamers by appealing to a wider group of people that had previously been excluded from the market, the vast majority of girls for instance. Games such as Wii fit and Dr Kawasemas Brain Training again both projects of Nintendo both look at helping to improve a persons body or mind, again with an increased level of interactivity that you not only play but is supposed to become a part of your daily routine, other consoles just simply aren't looking at doing this. Because of this Sony's PlayStation 3 is looking shaky in the market sales while the Xbox 360 has made use of big game titles exclusively for the Xbox such as the Halo and Gears of War series to pull through this being said the Nintendo Wii is still selling at a rate of 3 to 1 on all other consoles.

The Nintendo Wii could therefore be seen as a sign of things to come, it is no longer an option to simply improve the graphics of a next gen console and an increased level of interactivity could be seen throughout all consoles in the future, graphics can only be improved to a certain point until they are entirely life-like and that stage is fast approaching. Not only that but both Microsoft and Sony make no profit from every console they sell while the Wii is sold for much cheaper and for a profit. It is therefore easy to assume that the future of gaming lies not with improved graphics but with unique ideas that place the player within the game and allows them to interact fully instead of pressing buttons while facing a TV screen. You only have to look at the success of the interactive games such as guitar hero and rock band to realise that the age of the controller is over.

Bibliography:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6960575.stm

Photos in the Park

Photos in the Park
As part of the pixelation task a group of 4 including me were sent off to take around 320 photos in a sequence that will eventually become around a 30 second clip. We managed to film a fight/comedy sequence that should be a good basis for my film. I now need to complete the hard part of editing every photo in photoshop which will be hard. However although I like all the photos we have taken depending on the time I would also like to try producing another set depending on the time I have available that makes better use of the pixelation process and the unique effects that can be produced.

What do I hope to get out of the Course?

What do I hope to get out of the Course?
I am most looking forward to trying out new things that I have not had the opportunity to look at before at college. Mainly game design looks interesting if I can ever get to grips with the software, but i'm going to keep an open mind throughout the course trying new things and I will hopefully find an area in which i'm interested and good at.

What did I do in my First Week?

What did I do in my First Week?
The best thing about moving into halls was that everybody was in the same boat, I live with 9 other people and they are all great and we get on better that I could have ever imagined.

So far this week I have been out every night and it has been fantastic everybodys a great laugh and I am proud to say that I remember most of it. I still need to sort out my room properly and stick some posters up when I've got chance but for the minuite everything is fine. I've also found a great few bars in Nottingham, bar 11 is really cool and I can't wait to try the indie music in Cookie Club. It's m,y turn to cook tonight so I'm doing chicken kebabs hopefully everybody won't have food poisoning after....