Week 10

The main piece of information that strikes me when comparing CPU to GPU usage, it is the GPU that causes the bottleneck of information. It seems wirth quad core technology we have the ability to push games to another level of graphics, we are just lacking the technology with the GPU to do so.
During the tests conducted for Aliens Vs Predators (AVP), 3GHz quad core and even the 4GHz are a definate inprovement to single or dual, however a single core runs the game well, but the GPU is running at almost full capacity.
Alpha Protocal is slightly different. Although the GPU is running at a high capacity, its not as high as AVP but the CPU usage is much higher (Single core in this case is not enough) Obviously this game has more game mechanics than AVP, but slightly less graphics.
Battlefield: Bad company 2 is different to the others, even with quad core CPU and GPU running almost at maximum, it is the GPU lacking for this example with poor framerates as a result.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 responds really well to CPU performance. There is a dramatic increase in framerate when we move from single core to dual-core. (Strangely quad-core lowers framerates very very slightly, possibly due to the data exchange lag between the cores).
GTA4 is by far the most demanding game trialed. It utilises almost all of the 4GHz CPU and GPU usage for less than 50 fps. Further testing shows upgrading the GPU did bump this up to 64.1 fps.
From this review I have learned its only really worth upgrading graphics card if your GPU is running at full potential with the CPU running with low usage. If CPU is running at full power and GPU isnt, its the cores than must be upgraded.

Week 9

Creative Commons Liscence (CCL) is very versatile and can be used for many formats digital or otherwise. It allows a liscencee to redistribute/edit material around the world for non commercil use.
GNU Public Liscence (GPL) is mainly used for Software. Again it allows liscencees to copy, edit and redistribute code, however the liscensee is allowed to charge for this service. This is soley on the basis the work is not greater than the requirements started in the GPL. Another difference is there can be no hidden aspects to the copyrighted code. It must be supplied with written copies of the source code, whereas with CCL, information can be witheld.

Atari 2600 VCS

Released in 1977 at the low price of $50, there are plenty of reasons why this console was a huge success.
Firstly the price, according to http://www.measuringworth.com/uscompare/ the value of $50 dollars, nowadays equates to $160 or just under £100 is a VERY low price compared to current console on the market. Considering many parents would be shelling out coins for theyre children to go to the arcade and play these games, naturally it would make sense to own them at home where they can be played for free.
The top selling toys of this time was "Slime" and Playmobile. Slime, although fun at first, is very restrictive as to what you can do. Playmobile had more options, but to change the experience, parents had to buy more sets leading to lack of space and funds. The beauty of computer games is each playthrough is varied.
Last of all, 1977 was the year of Starwars. Suddenly the world was thrown into a new galaxy, obsessed with computers and lazers, naturally the 2600 VCS would be highly saught after as it was the closest piece of technology to this!

Designer Notes

I have decided to scrap my previous idea of adding the fire globe that ignores the need to light braziers, I feel if anyone did stumble across this, it would greatly subtract from gameplay.
I have developed a character diamond for my games protagonist. Since he doesnt say anything himself, the main dialogue will come from the voice in his head, that will help/guide him, then slowly take his mind over.

Week 7

Character diamond for medievil non-fantasy npc.

A cut scene where the npc is sent to negotiate terms of surrender with the french. The NPC is both diplomatic (perfect choice) but can also be murderous. Ingame choices dictate if he settles the terms and you gain currency, or if he brutally slaughters them gaining notoriety.

The fact that the character is both loyal and impatient, it can lead to a point where your inaction/waiting for opertune moment will cause the npc to question his loyalty to you, and maybe even turn on you!

Week 6

The poem I wandered Lonely as a cloud is about a lonesome character, who is moved and cheered by the sight of a daffodil feild stretching of into the distance. The character comments that he often revisits this memory to inspire him.
Whilst reading the poem, instanly the green hills, daffodils and clouds remind me of Springtime and Wales. The clouds themselves also conjuor images of sheep. Spring moves across brittain at 4 miles per year.
How does this occur? Have there ever been any games where you controll the weather or a cloud?
Start with a peacful spring time soundtrack, give the player control of a cloud. It is up to this "lonely" cloud to bring about the cheer of springtime by locating patches of earth and precipitating upon it.
Bringing the cloud low to the earth (but still in the sky) will allow the player to rain upon patches of earth causing spring to sprung, creating daffodil fields in a set time limit. There will only be certain patches of ground that this can happen to.
The cloud will have limited amount of rain fall. After this runs out, they player must move the cloud higher into the sky to take on more liquid. From here the player will be able to see the stars (conjured image from the poem).
The player will have to micro manage moving low to locate the fields and going high to recharge the rainfall, within a set time limit.
For extra challenges they will have to fight against varying winds, and locate rarer daffodil patches in built up cities later in the game.