Games & Virtual Worlds Series

Common Digital Gaming Platforms

Understanding Games: How Video Games & Board Games Work

Michael Filimowicz, PhD

Published in

Understanding Games

10 min readJan 3, 2023

Home Gaming Consoles

Home gaming consoles are dedicated devices that are designed for playing video games. Home consoles are a popular form of entertainment, and they offer a number of benefits and drawbacks.

One of the main benefits of home gaming consoles is that they are designed specifically for playing video games, which means that they are optimized for this purpose. Home consoles are generally more powerful than other types of gaming devices, such as smartphones or tablets, which allows them to run more complex and visually impressive games. In addition, home consoles often come with dedicated controllers that are designed to provide a more immersive and intuitive gaming experience.

Another benefit of home gaming consoles is that they are typically connected to a television or monitor, which allows for a larger, more immersive gaming experience. Many home consoles also support multiplayer gaming, either through local play or online play, which allows players to compete or cooperate with others.

Despite their many benefits, home gaming consoles do have some limitations. One limitation is that they are generally more expensive than other types of gaming devices, such as smartphones or tablets. In addition, home gaming consoles are generally not as portable as other types of gaming devices, which can make it more difficult to play games on the go. Finally, home gaming consoles typically require a separate display and audio system, which can add to the cost and complexity of setting up a gaming system.

Video game console manufacturers often require special approvals and licensing terms from video game developers in order to ensure that the games that are released for their platforms are of high quality and meet certain standards.

One way that console manufacturers achieve this is by requiring developers to obtain a license in order to create games for their platforms. These licenses often come with strict terms and conditions that developers must adhere to, and they may require developers to pay a fee in order to obtain the license.

In addition to licensing requirements, console manufacturers often require developers to use special software development kits (SDKs) in order to create games for their platforms. These SDKs are specialized software tools that allow developers to create games that are optimized for the specific hardware and software features of a particular console. SDKs can be expensive and may require developers to pay a fee in order to use them.

The reasons for these requirements vary, but they are often put in place in order to ensure that the games that are released for a particular console are of high quality and meet certain standards. By requiring developers to use specific tools and follow certain guidelines, console manufacturers can help to ensure that the games that are released for their platforms are enjoyable and stable.

Overall, home gaming consoles are very good at providing a powerful and immersive gaming experience, but they can be more expensive and less portable than other types of gaming devices.

Personal Computers

One of the main benefits of using PCs for video games is that they are generally more powerful than other types of gaming devices, such as console systems or handheld devices. This allows them to run more complex and visually impressive games, and it also allows for a higher level of customization and control over the gaming experience. For example, players can often adjust the graphics settings of a game on a PC in order to achieve the best performance and visual quality.

Another benefit of using PCs for video games is that they are generally well-suited for single player games. Many PC games are designed to be played by a single player, and they often offer a more immersive and engaging experience than other types of gaming platforms. In addition, PCs are often used for playing games that are available through online platforms such as Steam, which allows players to access a wide variety of games and connect with other players around the world.

Despite their many benefits, PCs do have some limitations when it comes to playing video games. One limitation is that they can be more expensive than other types of gaming devices, particularly if you are looking for a high-end system with powerful hardware. In addition, PCs are generally not as portable as other types of gaming devices, which can make it more difficult to play games on the go. Finally, PCs require a separate display and audio system, which can add to the cost and complexity of setting up a gaming system.

Unlike with gaming consoles, anyone can develop video games for PCs, and computer manufacturers do not have strict control over the content, so it is more open for anyone to develop video games on PCs.

PC games are either standalone or browser-based. Standalone PC video games are games that are designed to be played on a personal computer and are typically installed locally on the player’s computer. Standalone games are self-contained, which means that they do not require an internet connection to be played.

Browser-based PC video games, on the other hand, are games that are played through a web browser, such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Internet Explorer. These games do not need to be installed on the player’s computer, and they can be played from any device that has a web browser and an internet connection.

There are several key differences between standalone and browser-based PC video games. One difference is that standalone games are generally more powerful and sophisticated than browser-based games, as they are designed to run on a specific computer and do not need to be optimized for a wide range of devices. Standalone games also tend to have more advanced graphics and gameplay features, as they have access to the full capabilities of the player’s computer.

On the other hand, browser-based games are generally simpler and less resource-intensive than standalone games, as they are designed to run within a web browser and do not need to be installed on the player’s computer. Browser-based games are also more convenient, as they do not need to be downloaded or installed, and they can be played from any device with an internet connection.

PCs are very good at providing a powerful and customizable gaming experience, but they can be more expensive and less portable than other types of gaming devices. They are particularly well-suited for single player games and can offer high-detail graphics because players typically sit close to the monitor.

Portable Devices

There are several different kinds of portable devices that can be used for playing video games, including smartphones, tablets, handheld game consoles, and portable gaming laptops.

Smartphones are small, portable devices that are designed for making phone calls, sending texts, and accessing the internet. Many smartphones are also capable of playing video games, and there are a wide variety of games available for download from app stores and online marketplaces. Smartphones are convenient for playing games on the go, as they are small and lightweight, and they can be used to play games anytime and anywhere.

Tablets are larger than smartphones and are designed for accessing the internet, running apps, and performing other tasks. Like smartphones, tablets can be used for playing video games, and there are many games available for download from app stores and online marketplaces. Tablets are generally more powerful than smartphones and have larger screens, which makes them a good option for playing more complex games.

Handheld game consoles are dedicated devices that are designed specifically for playing video games. These devices are small and portable, and they often come with dedicated controllers and other gaming-specific features. Handheld game consoles are generally more powerful than smartphones and tablets, and they are well-suited for playing more complex games.

Finally, portable gaming laptops are laptop computers that are designed specifically for playing video games. These laptops are portable, as they can be carried around in a backpack or other bag, and they are generally more powerful than other portable devices. Portable gaming laptops are a good option for players who want to be able to play more complex games on the go, but they are generally more expensive than other portable options.

Other Devices

Video games can be played on a wide variety of other devices, including devices that are not traditionally thought of as gaming platforms. Some examples of these miscellaneous devices include:

In-flight entertainment systems: Many airplanes now have in-flight entertainment systems that allow passengers to watch movies, television shows, and play video games during their flights. These systems are often located on the back of airplane seats, and they can be controlled using a small touchscreen or a dedicated controller.

Casino games: Many casinos now offer a variety of video games that can be played for fun or for real money. These games are often based on popular video games or movies, and they are played using dedicated gaming machines or terminals.

Public/Internet kiosks: Video games can also be played on public kiosks often connected to the internet, which are self-service stations that are located in public places such as malls, airports, and other locations. These kiosks often have touch screens that allow users to play a variety of games, and they may also have other features such as internet access, printing, and more.

Smart watches: Some smart watches are capable of running simple games, and there are a number of games available for download from app stores and online marketplaces.

Smart TVs: Some modern television sets are equipped with smart features, which allow them to connect to the internet and run apps. Some of these TVs come with pre-installed games or allow players to download games from an app store.

Virtual reality arcades: Virtual reality (VR) arcades are physical locations where players can experience VR games and other immersive experiences using VR headsets and other equipment. VR arcades offer a variety of different VR systems and form factors, including stationary VR setups, VR treadmills, and VR motion simulators.

Bibliography & Further Reading

A Game Design Vocabulary: Exploring the Foundational Principles Behind Good Game Design by Anna Anthropy and Naomi Clark
A Theory of Fun for Game Design by Raph Koster
Advanced Game Design: A Systems Approach by Michael Sellers
An Introduction to Game Studies by Frans Mayra
Basics of Game Design by Michael Moore
Blood, Sweat, and Pixels: The Triumphant, Turbulent Stories Behind How Video Games Are Made Blood, Sweat, and Pixels: The Triumphant, Turbulent Stories Behind How Video Games Are Made by Jason Schreier
Board Game Design Advice: From the Best in the World vol 1 by Gabe Barrett
Building Blocks of Tabletop Game Design: an Encyclopedia Of Mechanisms by Geoffrey Engelstein and Isaac Shalev
Character Development and Storytelling for Games by Lee Sheldon
Chris Crawford on Game Design by Chris Crawford
Clockwork Game Design by Keith Burgun
Elements of Game Design by Robert Zubek
Fundamentals of Game Design by Ernest Adams
Fundamentals of Puzzle and Casual Game Design by Ernest Adams
Game Design Foundations by Brenda Romero
Game Design Workshop by Tracy Fullerton
Game Mechanics: Advanced Game Design by Ernest Adams and Joris Dormans
Game Writing: Narrative Skills for Videogames edited by Chris Bateman
Games, Design and Play: A detailed approach to iterative game design by Colleen Macklin and John Sharp
Introduction to Game Systems Design by Dax Gazaway
Kobold Guide to Board Game Design by Mike Selinker, David Howell, et al
Kobold’s Guide to Worldbuilding edited by Janna Silverstein
Level Up! The Guide to Great Video Game Design, 2nd Edition by Scott Rogers
Narrating Space / Spatializing Narrative: Where Narrative Theory and Geography Meet by Marie-Laure Ryan, Kenneth Foote, et al.
Narrative Theory: A Critical Introduction by Kent Puckett
Narrative Theory: Core Concepts and Critical Debates by David Herman, James Phelan, et al.
Narratology: Introduction to the Theory of Narrative, Fourth Edition by Mieke Bal
Practical Game Design by Adam Kramarzewski and Ennio De Nucci
Procedural Storytelling in Game Design by Tanya X. Short and Tarn Adams
Professional Techniques for Video Game Writing by Wendy Despain
Rules of Play by Salen and Zimmerman
Storyworlds Across Media: Toward a Media-Conscious Narratology (Frontiers of Narrative) by Marie-Laure Ryan, Jan-Noël Thon, et al
Tabletop Game Design for Video Game Designers by Ethan Ham
The Art of Game Design, 3rd Edition by Jesse Schell
The Board Game Designer’s Guide: The Easy 4 Step Process to Create Amazing Games That People Can’t Stop Playing by Joe Slack
The Cambridge Introduction to Narrative by H. Porter Abbott
The Grasshopper, by Bernard Suits
The Routledge Companion to Video Game Studies by Bernard Perron and Mark J.P. Wolf
The Routledge Encyclopedia of Narrative Theory by David Herman
The Ultimate Guide to Video Game Writing and Design by Flint Dille & John Zuur Platten
Unboxed: Board Game Experience and Design by Gordon Calleja
Video Game Storytelling: What Every Developer Needs to Know about Narrative Techniques by Evan Skolnick
Writing for Video Game Genres: From FPS to RPG edited by Wendy Despain
Writing for Video Games by Steve Ince
100 Principles of Game Design by DESPAIN