Game Development Reference
In-Depth Information
handheld
This section focuses on handheld devices designed specifically for gaming, such
as the Game Boy.
Games for handheld devices may come preloaded or can be installed by insert-
ing cartridges or accessing the Web.
The Nintendo DS and Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP) are excellent examples
of handheld devices. These devices can play all of the gameplay styles discussed
in this topic, including adventure, arcade, board and card games, sports-related
games, RPGs, and strategy. Not only are all gameplay types represented on
handheld games, but the variety of games available is extensive.
Figure 10.2 shows the Sony PSP portable handheld unit that can be purchased
with Sony's game God of War already loaded. The unit has a portable charger, so
it can be powered up from any outlet. It also comes loaded with what is known as
firmware . Firmware and software are similar; the only difference is that firmware
(which is a combination of software and hardware, also referred to as the system
software ) is the term used for software that comes preloaded onto a device and
has been written onto read-only memory (ROM).
Mobile phones
can fall into the
handheld category,
but they're better
classified as mobile
platforms (dis-
cussed next).
the first handheld
game was auto
Race , released by
Mattel. the first to
use interchange-
able cartridges was
Milton Bradley's
MicroVision.
FiGuRe 10.2 PSP units are highly portable, lightweight,
and durable. The version shown here is the Deep Red unit.
These units can connect wirelessly to the Internet, and in addition to games,
they're able to play movies (in the MP4 or AVI format) and music and display
images.
Handheld devices appeal to people who travel a great deal or who simply like
their portability. Handhelds (and mobile devices) also appeal to consumers
because of the other features they come with, such as the ability to access email,
online conferencing, Internet access, and many applications that let users man-
age their calendars.
As on mobile devices, the screens are somewhat small, so game makers need
to handle real estate carefully by using simple graphics and large type.
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