COSC 106

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Cards (136)

  • Home computers
    Personal computers designed for everyday use by individuals and families in their homes. They come in various forms, such as desktops, laptops, tablets, and all-in-one systems. Home computers are versatile devices, allowing users to perform a wide range of tasks, including browsing the internet, creating and editing documents, playing games, streaming media, video calling, and more.
  • Commodore 64 (1982)

    • Powerful graphics chip and a SID sound chip, which made it popular for gaming. It had a vast library of games, including classics like "Pac-Man," "King's Quest," and "The Legend of Zelda."
  • Atari 2600 (1977)

    • One of the first consumer game consoles, but it was also a home computer. It had a simple design and limited capabilities but introduced many people to video gaming with titles like "Pong," "Adventure," and "Asteroids."
  • Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) (1985)

    • Although primarily a gaming console, the NES had a basic programming capability, making it a home computer. It was responsible for bringing many iconic games like "Super Mario Bros.," "The Legend of Zelda," and "Metroid" to living rooms around the world.
  • Sinclair ZX Spectrum (1982)

    • A popular home computer in the UK during the 1980s. It had a color display and a built-in cassette interface for loading games. Some popular games for the ZX Spectrum include "Manic Miner," "Jet Set Willy," and "Elite."
  • Apple II (1977)

    • One of the first successful mass-produced personal computers. It had color graphics, a built-in BASIC programming language, and a variety of games, including "King's Quest," "Lode Runner," and "Choplifter."
  • Game phenomenon
    A game that captures the public's imagination, garners widespread popularity, and significantly influences popular culture.
  • Engaging and Innovative Gameplay
    • A game phenomenon typically offers unique, engaging, and innovative gameplay that sets it apart from other games in the market. It often introduces new mechanics, concepts, or experiences that resonate with players and generate buzz.
  • Accessibility and Appeal
    • Phenomenal games often have broad appeal, catering to a diverse range of players with different backgrounds, ages, and interests. They are easy to learn and play, allowing people from all walks of life to enjoy them.
  • Social Interaction and Community
    • Games that foster strong social interactions and build a sense of community among players are more likely to become phenomena. These games encourage players to connect, share experiences, and engage with each other, both online and offline.
  • Marketing and Hype
    • A well-executed marketing campaign can create hype and anticipation around a game, leading to its rapid adoption and widespread popularity. This hype often leads to a snowball effect, with more people becoming interested in the game as they see others enjoying it.
  • Cultural Impact
    • A game phenomenon often has a significant impact on popular culture, influencing fashion, music, movies, television, and other aspects of society. It can also inspire spin-offs, merchandise, and other forms of media, further solidifying its status as a cultural phenomenon.
  • Long-lasting Appeal
    • Many game phenomena have staying power, maintaining their popularity over an extended period. They may evolve and adapt to changing trends while still retaining their core appeal, ensuring that they remain relevant and enjoyable for generations of players.
  • Space Invaders
    A fixed shooter game where players control a laser cannon to defend Earth against waves of descending aliens. It introduced several innovative features, such as the ability to move horizontally and vertically on the screen, multiple enemy types, and a scoring system that encouraged players to achieve high scores. The game's success led to numerous sequels, spin-offs, and adaptations, as well as inspiring the creation of many other shoot 'em up games. Space Invaders also played a crucial role in popularizing video games in the 1980s, contributing to the growth of the video game industry.
  • Space Invaders gameplay

    The aliens begin as five rows of eleven that move left and right as a group, shifting downward (advancing on the shooter) each time they reach a screen edge. The goal is to eliminate all the aliens by shooting them. While the player has three lives, the game ends immediately if the invaders reach the bottom of the screen. The aliens attempt to destroy the player's cannon by firing projectiles. The laser cannon is partially protected by stationary defense bunkers which are gradually destroyed from the top by the aliens and, if the player fires when beneath one, the bottom gets destroyed. As aliens are defeated, their movement and the music both speed up. Defeating all the aliens brings another wave which starts lower, a loop which can continue endlessly. A special "mystery ship" will occasionally move across the top of the screen and award bonus points if destroyed.
  • Pac-Man
    A game where players control the yellow character Pac-Man as he navigates a maze, eating dots while avoiding four colored ghosts. The objective is to consume all the dots on the screen without being caught by the ghosts. Pac-Man introduced a unique gameplay style, appealing visuals, and an addictive scoring system that captivated players worldwide. Pac-Man's success led to various spin-offs, sequels, and adaptations, including the popular Ms. Pac-Man, which was released in 1981. The game's influence can be seen in numerous other maze-based games and the broader gaming landscape. Pac-Man has also been featured in various forms of media, such as television shows, movies, and merchandise, further solidifying its status as a cultural phenomenon.
  • Tetris
    A puzzle game where players must manipulate falling blocks, called tetrominos, to fit them together in complete horizontal lines without gaps. As lines are cleared, they disappear, and the game continues with more tetrominos falling. The game's objective is to avoid the screen filling up, which results in the player losing the game. Tetris's simple yet challenging gameplay, combined with its catchy music and addictive nature, made it an instant hit. The game was ported to various platforms, including computers, gaming consoles, and even mobile devices, further expanding its reach and popularity. Tetris's influence can be seen in countless other puzzle games and its widespread use in educational and therapeutic settings, such as treating attention deficit disorders and improving cognitive abilities. Its timeless design and engaging gameplay have made it a beloved classic that continues to captivate players worldwide.
  • Resident Evil
    A pioneering video game series that has left a significant impact on the survival horror genre and popular culture. The Resident Evil series is set in a world where a mysterious virus has caused the dead to reanimate as zombies and other monstrous creatures. Players assume the roles of various characters, primarily members of the elite S.T.A.R.S. (Special Tactics and Rescue Service) team, as they navigate through haunting environments, solve puzzles, and fight off these horrifying creatures. Resident Evil introduced several key elements that defined the survival horror genre, such as limited resources, inventory management, and tense, atmospheric gameplay. The series' success led to numerous sequels, spin-offs, and adaptations across various platforms, including movies, television shows, and merchandise.
  • Final Fantasy
    A legendary and influential role-playing video game series created by Hironobu Sakaguchi and developed by Square Enix (formerly Square). The first game in the series, Final Fantasy, was released in 1987 for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES).
  • Resident Evil
    Survival horror video game series that has left a significant impact on the genre and popular culture
  • Resident Evil
    • Created by Shinji Mikami and developed by Capcom
    • First game released in 1996 for PlayStation
    • Set in a world where a mysterious virus has caused the dead to reanimate as zombies and other monstrous creatures
    • Players assume roles of characters, primarily S.T.A.R.S. team members, navigating haunting environments, solving puzzles, and fighting off creatures
  • Resident Evil
    Introduced key elements that defined the survival horror genre, such as limited resources, inventory management, and tense, atmospheric gameplay
  • Resident Evil's success led to numerous sequels, spin-offs, and adaptations across various platforms, including movies, television shows, and merchandise
  • Resident Evil's influence can be seen in numerous other survival horror games, as well as the broader gaming landscape
  • Resident Evil has been recognized for its groundbreaking storytelling, memorable characters, and innovative gameplay mechanics
  • Final Fantasy
    Legendary and influential role-playing video game series created by Hironobu Sakaguchi and developed by Square Enix
  • The first Final Fantasy game was released in 1987 for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)
  • Final Fantasy games

    • Immersive worlds, captivating stories, and diverse casts of characters
    • Typically feature unique settings, storylines, and gameplay mechanics, while retaining core elements like turn-based battles, magical spells, and character development
  • Final Fantasy games have spanned multiple platforms, including consoles, computers, and mobile devices, and have been adapted into various forms of media, such as movies, anime, and merchandise
  • Final Fantasy games
    • Central conflict often focuses on a group of characters battling an evil, and sometimes ancient, antagonist that dominates the game's world
    • Stories frequently involve a sovereign state in rebellion, with the protagonists taking part in the rebellion
    • Heroes are often destined to defeat the evil, and occasionally gather as a direct result of the antagonist's malicious actions
  • Final Fantasy games
    • Existence of two villains, where the main villain is not always who it appears to be, as the primary antagonist may be subservient to another character or entity
    • The main antagonist introduced at the beginning of the game is not always the final enemy, and the characters must continue their quest beyond what appears to be the final fight
  • Final Fantasy games
    • Stories frequently emphasize the internal struggles, passions, and tragedies of the characters, and the main plot often recedes into the background as the focus shifts to their personal lives
    • Explore relationships between characters, ranging from love to rivalry
  • Final Fantasy games
    • Recurring situations that drive the plot include amnesia, a hero corrupted by an evil force, mistaken identity, and self-sacrifice
    • Magical orbs and crystals are recurring in-game items that are frequently connected to the themes of the games' plots, often playing a central role in the creation of the world and linked to the planet's life force
    • The classical elements are also a recurring theme in the series related to the heroes, villains, and items
  • Pokemon
    Popular media franchise created by Satoshi Tajiri in Japan, primarily consisting of video games, animated television shows, movies, trading card games, and other merchandise
  • Pokemon
    • Revolves around the concept of capturing and training various species of creatures called Pokémon, which can then be used to battle other trainers
    • Pokémon universe is filled with a vast array of creatures, each with unique abilities, appearances, and personalities, categorized into 18 different types
    • Goal of trainers is to assemble a team of Pokémon, develop strong bonds with them, and participate in battles to become the very best
  • The Pokemon franchise began with the release of the first Pokémon video games, "Pokémon Red" and "Pokémon Green" (later released as "Pokémon Blue" outside of Japan) in 1996 for the Game Boy
  • Numerous sequels, spin-offs, and remakes have been released across various platforms, including the latest main series games, "Pokémon Sword" and "Pokémon Shield" for the Nintendo Switch
  • The Pokémon anime series, which first aired in 1997, follows the adventures of various protagonists, such as Ash Ketchum, who embark on journeys to become the greatest Pokémon Master
  • Pokemon games
    • Consistent aspect is the choice of one of three different Pokémon at the start of the player's adventures, often labeled "starter Pokémon"
    • Players can choose a Pokémon type — Grass-type, Fire-type, or Water-type Pokémon indigenous to that region
    • The player's rival will always choose the type that has a type advantage over the player's chosen Pokémon as their starter Pokémon (excluding Sun and Moon and Sword and Shield)
  • The exception to the rival choosing the type with an advantage is Pokémon Yellow, where the rival picks Eevee, a Normal-type Pokémon with multiple evolutions