GAMING CONSOLES
Alongside the computer, there sits a range of other gaming devices available. Sony introduced the Playstation in 1994 which was eventually to be superseded by Playstations 2 (PS2) and 3 (PS3) – not forgetting the Playstation Portable (PSP). In 2002, Microsoft released the Xbox later to be replaced by the Xbox 360, whilst Nintendo produced the Gameboy, Gamecube, Nintendo DS and more recently the Wii.In general, strategy games that are available for the PC are also released for the Playstation and Xbox. The other gaming platforms tend to have their own individually crafted games, for the simple reason that they’re designed to play a different style of game. One advantage that these game platforms have over the computer is that you can guarantee they will play as they are designed to. By that I mean that as newer games are released (particularly strategy games – as these are the most complex), they require not only a fast PC but also a fast, high quality graphics card in order to run. Some slower PCs will play older games but you don’t stand a chance with the new ones. They may run but you’ll run into all manner of problems.
The later additions to the main players, namely PS3 and Xbox 360, were not only developed because of the technological advances in software and hardware but also to provide access to the internet allowing online gaming. As a consequence, gaming enthusiasts around the globe could compete with each other from the comfort of their armchair.