Gaming Platforms
“Platforms decide the way in which we play games.”
A gaming platform is the system your game runs on — like a phone, console, or computer. Choosing the right platform is one of the most important decisions in game design.
What is a Platform?
A platform is where your game is played. Each platform has its own strengths, limitations, and control methods.
Platforms can be:
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Powerful computers
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Plug-and-play consoles
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Portable devices like phones
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Immersive virtual reality systems
Different Gaming Platforms
Game platforms are the systems we use to play games — like computers, consoles, or mobile devices. Each platform has its own strengths, controls, and design possibilities. When designing a game, it’s important to think about where the game will be played and how players will interact with it.
Below are the three most common platform groups.
There are four key benefits to developing for PC / Laptop.
- Highly versatile because of the Keyboard and Mouse input.
- Hardware of the computer means games can be high spec.
- Can use other peripherals like Steering Wheels and Xbox Controllers.
- Games can be significantly more complex than any other platform.
As Browser games run in a browser, the game can’t have the same graphics or complexity as a normal game that you would install on a computer.
Consoles are extremely popular and for good reason.
- Easy to set up and play.
- Has a huge market of people your game could be suitable for.
- Typically, only uses a controller.
- Games have a cap on how complex they can be.
- Can use peripherals like Steering Wheels.
Mobile games are extremely popular and is a great starting point for game developers.
- Games are cheaper and easier to make.
- Games at the most basic level are extremely simple.
- Games are limited in graphics and performance.
- Games rely on a touch-screen input – no controllers.
- Games can be launched easily.