1.  What is the key progressive change in these objects? Audio Limitations

2.  Understand the key audio limitations of game platforms Learning Objectives

3. “The term ‘platform’ refers to the specific combination of electronic components or computer hardware which, in conjunction with software, allows a video game to operate.” Game Platforms Video game platforms fall under several broad categories, as follows.  PC – Windows, Mac, Linux  Home Console – Xbox One, PS4, Wii U  Handheld Console – PS Vita, 3DS  Mobile – Android, iOS, Blackberry

4. Audio quality (among other things) can be limited by the amount of storage available for the game.  Xbox 360 games are stored on DVDs – these have a memory capacity of 4.7GB which must store the entire game.  PS3 games are stored on Blu-Ray discs, which have a memory capacity of 25 or 50GB, allowing for much higher quality assets to be stored.  PC games are usually installed directly to a hard drive, which commonly range up to 2TB. Limitations Storage

5. Audio quality is seriously limited by the output device.  Fallout 3 is a game capable of outputting 7.1 surround sound, but this will obviously only be available for 7.1 setups.  5.1 setups (or even stereo) will have drastically reduced audio quality, through no fault of the game’s developers. Limitations Output

6. Limitations

7. An SPU is the device responsible for converting a digital audio file to an analogue signal.  Some SPUs are integrated (consoles, phones etc)  PCs have a range of SPUs available to them  Low end SPUs are capable of stereo output and usually some form of input  Higher end SPUs are often capable of 5.1 or even 7.1 surround sound, along with input. Limitations Sound Processing Unit (SPU)

8. These include, but are not limited to:  Storage capacity  Sound output device and available hardware  SPU / sound card  RAM  Sample rate Summary Audio quality is limited by a range of issues, based on the game platform.

9. PassMeritDistinction describe methods and principles of sound design and production using some subject terminology appropriately explain methods and principles of sound design and production with reference to detailed illustrative examples and with generally correct use of subject terminology comprehensively explain methods and principles of sound design and production with elucidated examples and consistently using subject terminology correctly Grading Criteria Unit 73: Sound for Computer Games P2 | M2 | D2