A4 - Technology Paper

   Technologies for everything have been improving at a rapid pace in the 21^st century, but nothing quite as fast as video games. Despite being a relatively new art form – and nearly being destroyed early in its conception – video games have taking inspiration from many other creative mediums. Even the newest gaming systems such as the PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch are leagues above their previous iterations that came out just a few years earlier. Of course, games are a broad and expansive topic that could be worked into a much longer and more in-depth paper. For the sake of simplicity, I figure it would be easiest for me to focus specifically on the Nintendo sector of games and gaming systems. Due to being one of the oldest, and still one of the most popular, I feel as though it has one of the most obvious and interesting developments of all.

    Nintendo began with its development in card games, making a logical leap into the realm of virtual games with the new creation of computers and code. Their games, along with all at the time, were relatively simple with only a few buttons and a handful of colors. Gaming consoles and cartridges held very little processing power, so the earliest iterations of Super Mario are practically microscopic in terms of game file sizes today. Their first two consoles, the NES and the SNES were relatively similar in terms of what could be run on them. The most noticeable difference was the jump in 8bit graphics to 16bit. Both are forms of pixelated, 2-dimensional art, but 16bit created more opportunity for new palettes of color and more detailed sprite work. The SNES also started working in what is called 2.5D, which is the illusion of a Z dimension in a structure with only an X and Y axis.

   After those two consoles, their most revolutionary was released, the Nintendo 64. This console was their first gateway into 3D games with open worlds. The graphics in these early games are by no means perfect, but they paved the way for more high definition modeling down the line. The next major home console was the GameCube, a similar console in structure that held larger and more detailed looking titles. Controllers also started becoming more complicated looking, adding rotating C-sticks to accommodate moving in diagonal directions or swinging the camera around a 3D space. This console was also their first home console release in the 21^st century, and not even 20 years after the release of their first. The Wii and WiiU were both released afterwards, with similar gimmicks implemented as a test. Wii remotes came equipped with motion sensors, while the bulky WiiU gamepad could also respond to movement and vibrations. These consoles were seen as more controversial within the more professional gaming communities, but their ability to track movement was revolutionary in the industry, causing other companies to quickly try and copy the idea.

   While home consoles were capable of more powerful hardware, Nintendo also released a series of handheld systems every few years. The Gameboy released in 1989, around the same time as the SNES. Although the visual quality of the games was on par with the NES, if not a bit worse, the idea of a console that could change games AND be portable was entirely new. It was rereleased as the Gameboy Color almost 10 years later – with the only main difference being the added 8-bit color palette – and the Gameboy Advance a few years after that. By far, however, their most impressive handheld console was their series of DS’s, including the DS, DS lite, DSI, 3DS, and 2DS. With a smattering of years between each release, they were updated in terms of graphics, game size, functionality, etc. The games released on them were also nearing the quality of the major games released on their home consoles, meaning long-term enjoyment and artistry could be appreciated on the go. All of these achievements lead up to their most recent console – and one that, at the time of writing this, is now 2 years old – the Nintendo Switch. The Switch combined all of their most popular console’s aspects: the portable console’s portability, the home console’s size and limitations, the Wii’s sensor movements, and the DS line’s touchscreen. It’s built to be used in practically every scenario, and even includes a new function of being able to save game progress even while deactivated. This console has already held some of Nintendo’s best-looking games in both atmosphere and sheer pixel count. It’s gained praise all over the board, which it’s more than deserved for its ability.

   Although their next console won’t come out for some time, I feel as though they’ll take advantage of the rising popularity of VR. They’ve already dabbled with it by using sensory motion in their controllers, and their refinement of 3D without glasses. However, VR might have adapted even further by the time Nintendo makes their next biggest release, and there might be something even more advanced. Perhaps someone will figure out how to fit a 4^th dimension into the virtual world, making it almost indistinguishable from real life. Whatever happens, I know that the game industry will fit to adapt in amazing ways. The types of new interactive art and stories companies like Nintendo have created are amazing, and I’m glad to be part of the generation that gets to watch them flourish.