Game Technology-week 9

Right I'm going to start off by talking about how the gaming interface simply just wanted something that worked and played a game, the designers didn't consider how it looked or interacted with the player, hence simple box/cubed structure of consoles throughout the years like the 'Brown box' for instance created in 1967 all the way to 2001, where the xbox original came out and that was also a boxed design nothing special.

Only now designers consider new designs like the xbox 360/wii/ps3 all sleek different designs, for me this is a good thing improving how the console looks, as there are improvements in games themselves, why not improve the console!?
As design moves on, there has bin talks about ideas that don't consist of the original joystick controller that's bin improved over the years, but of using your own hands to control a character throughout a game.

However the wii controllers still have a joystick function and its mixed with the design for a motion controller. In my opinion the joystick controller will always be a part of the gaming World and used with many consoles too come, maybe in new weird fantasy designs but they will all carry an aspect of the joystick.

On the other hand, say in 10/15 years time there maybe a change to the way you control a game using just your bare hands, it will change the experience abit but surely they would create a joystick to go along side with it, as most probably gamers will find it rather annoying to scroll through menus, writing etc.

The Ps3 is a great sleek design compared to the ps2, there has been vast improvement, which it all comes down to how the industry and every aspect is gradually moving on! Don't get stuck in the past! For me personally i would rather have a sleek ps3 in my stylish modern house than a 'brown box' just sitting there would look totally odd!

I prefer the xbox 360 design, yes its based on a box/cube design a big rectangle, but its been tweaked polished nice and white instead of the black plastic, nice flashing lights apart from the red ring of death of course! Then Microsoft brought out the elite, hmmm.... mistake? no! Just typically some people might prefer the black version to match there black slim plasma on the wall.

I like some aspects of the ps3, like how you put the CD in and it eats it, the blue lights but the whole thing just looks like a chunk of burnt plastic its horrible! I think Sony got carried away with the design and try to rush movement, I'm sure after many reviews of it there next console will be way better no doubt. Considering they had to fit a blu-ray player on the ps3 i think they have done quite well and i cant wait to see Microsoft's attempt on there next console.

Moving on now to the controllers, cough!! Sony! what are you thinking?
Ive looked at the next gen ideas and the original concepts for the ps3 controllers, fucking weird if you ask me! Alien shaped, horrible, disgusting! I would rather hold a dead rat with the joysticks coming out of its ears than that! Ok a bit too drastic but yeah generally designers need to know when to stop or else we will end up with a lot of ugly looking consoles around.

For me, the best console looking wise is the xbox 360 simple, nicely polished original design love the controllers too such an improvement from the brick like of the original xbox. The easiest console Ive used is the ps1, pop the game in get started straight off.

The ps3 and also the xbox 360 have a dashboard function which is cool and still simple to use so it don't really bother me on how easy a console works as long as it plays the game, with added awesome functions is even better in my opinion.

Jake Fowell