revolutionized nothing in terms of gameplay save for proximity that is, until the incorporation – of the new microprocessor in 1976. The power of the microprocessor allowed for external memory devices to house separate games that could be plugged into the consoles. In essence, it meant that a single console could play multiple games, thus broadening the range of videogames played by one person. Fairchild Semiconductors first introduced such a console with its legendary Channel F, which housed its new F8 processor. The Channel F, released in 1976, and its cartridge based system was so revolutionary that at first, many consumers did not know how to operate it! These cartridges were the predecessors of modern day CD-ROMs. Following closely behind were consoles like and the famous Atari VCS 2600 (which RCA’s Studio II would go on to lead the gaming industry for years despite its increasing age). This expanded the experience considerably, allowing him to what he wanted to play. Eventually a choose gamer’s repertoire of games emerged ranging from shooters to driving simulators. The Atari 2600 console In addition, the microprocessor Magnavox Odyssey came with screen improved graphics. 1972’s overlays that supposedly enhanced the visuals, but the F8 processor did away with such encumbrances its power gave birth to improved visuals and color. As Tomohiro Nishikado, a – renowned Japanese video game the animation programmer, aptly puts it, “with microprocessors, is smoother and there are so many more complex physical movements that can be reproduced, so the category of games that [programmers] could now create was so much example, more.” For microprocessors encouraged the use of vector graphics (first used in 1978 by Cinematronics), which drastically improved textures and sharpness of visuals. Complementing the video game consoles were the new home computers such as the Apple II and Commodore 64. Beforehand, computers were reserved for large corporations, but
revolutionized nothing in terms of gameplay save for proximity – that is, until the incorporation of the new microprocessor in 1976. The power of the microprocessor allowed for external memory devices to house separate games that could be plugged into the consoles. In essence, it meant that a single console could play multiple games, thus broadening the range of videogames played by one person. Fairchild Semiconductors first introduced such a console with its legendary Channel F, which housed its new F8 processor. The Channel F, released in 1976, and its cartridge based system was so revolutionary that at first, many consumers did not know how to operate it! These cartridges were the predecessors of modern day CD-ROMs. Following closely behind were consoles like RCA’s Studio II and the famous Atari VCS 2600 (which would go on to lead the gaming industry for years despite its increasing age). This expanded the gamer’s experience considerably, allowing him to choose what he wanted to play. Eventually a repertoire of games emerged ranging from shooters to driving simulators. The Atari 2600 console In addition, the microprocessor improved graphics. 1972’s Magnavox Odyssey came with screen overlays that supposedly enhanced the visuals, but the F8 processor did away with such encumbrances – its power gave birth to improved visuals and color. As Tomohiro Nishikado, a renowned Japanese video game programmer, aptly puts it, “with microprocessors, the animation is smoother and there are so many more complex physical movements that can be reproduced, so the category of games that [programmers] could now create was so much more.” For example, microprocessors encouraged the use of vector graphics (first used in 1978 by Cinematronics), which drastically improved textures and sharpness of visuals. Complementing the video game consoles were the new home computers such as the Apple II and Commodore 64. Beforehand, computers were reserved for large corporations, but
IB-Extended-Essay.docx