Elements Of Game Technology, Interaction Design

When game consoles where first being introduced the companies didn’t seem to put much effort into the way they looked. The casing and controller were just there to keep everything in place and allow the player to interact with it. The controllers were very simple and the consoles themselves where usually ugly looking shapes.

As video games became more popular and technology evolved over time, consoles started to get smaller and companies spent more time and money in making them look nicer and streamlined. It also started to matter how comfortable the controller was and how easy it was to use.

But through most of gaming history players either played on the PC using a keyboard and mouse or on a console using a controller. They have had many different designs and usability but have practically stayed the same. But quite recently companies have started introducing new ways to control games. The Wii started using motion controllers to detect where the player was holding the controller and use it in relation to the game. Microsoft made Kinect for the Xbox 360 which detects full body movements and the player’s voice. PlayStation also has the PlayStation move. I think at the moment these kind of game interactions are a bit gimmicky and are being advertised as something more amazing than what they actually are. They don’t seem to be too responsive or any better than using a controller. But they are aimed at a family’s and groups of people to play casually just for fun.

I think when this type of controlling is more advanced and responsive they will appeal to more gamers. But right now they aren’t actually any better than using a controller but just a different kind of gaming which will branch off in its own category. 

I also see 3D technology as a similar sort of thing. It feels more like a way for the console companies to make money on something which isn’t that great or any better than the standard way of controlling games. It’s also coming about the same time 3D films are a big thing, which makes people more interested. 3D glasses to me are more of another gimmick and a bit of a pain to deal with, they also don’t add much more to the experience. When the 3D technology gets better and game companies start making games with it in mind, it will probably become popular as long as it is affordable.