Arcade Games: Everything About Its Evolution with Time

Arcade games have revolutionised the concept of video games since it’s launch in the 1970s. The actual rising period for these games began in the era of 1980. Back then, the seaside amusement Hall was full of video game enthusiasts who always looked forward to better user experience. These games were also the favourite of people who had a thing for video game consoles and other progressive video games. This game is also the product of the home computer revolution that began in the year 1980. 

These games have always been under strict speculation by the game developers. They worked hard to match pace with the changes in technology and bring to you the best video game you could ever have. They have changed the operating system of the video games to provide us with the topnotch gaming experience. Now let’s have a look at how the OS of these games evolved with time in terms of technology. 

Evolution of Arcade Games: the Beginning

Initially, even before the first video games were invented, developers aimed at controlling the hardware setup. Therefore, the first video game employed a cut down form of the BIOS or the Basic Input Output System. This structure resulted in the initiation of the system and a basic level of functionality in the game. 

In contrast to the old games, modern games tend to be in direct touch with the hardware components. There is no need for an abstraction layer as described in the video games initially. Also, the modern games’ operating system used arcade system boards. These boards encompass plenty of logic circuits that are used to run the whole game with ease. 

The First Stage of Arcade Game Evolution

A few years later, technology advanced a little bit more in the gaming industry. The game developers incorporated the gaming software and the gaming code into the ROM of the computer system directly. With the advent of even more advanced technology, the software and the game could be separated from the motherboard and the operating system of the machine. That means the players had the liberty of changing the game whenever they wanted to. Isn’t that is what the video game consoles provide us with? The ability to change games at our convenience. 

Sega brought forth it’s new System 16 gaming board in 1985. This 16-bit system was an integral part of the Sega arcade machine. Over 49 games were released on this platform in the next decade. High-end games such as the Shinobi and Golden Axe were also released during this time. Some of the most interesting specifications of this game during that time period were:

• Cutting-edge gaming technology

• 16kb memory chip 

• Motorola 68000 CPU or central processing unit 

• Yamaha sound chip display

These specifications may seem too basic for most of you now. But, this infrastructure formed the basis of the modern arcade games. In fact, this is what led to the development of the Megadrive home console systems. 

Sega Redefined the Arcade System Development

Sega redefined the arcade system development with the release of several new advances in gaming technology. It introduced the world to the sprite-handling abilities along with its release of Sega X and Sega Y boards. The new feature helped in facilitating early forerunner to 3D graphics. Sega brought forth system 32 in the year 1991, and it encompassed plenty of new features such as 32-bit processor and 30000+ colour graphic capability.

The year 1993 saw even more advancements in the arcade gaming system. Some of the most interesting features of the Sega Model 2 include:

• Texture mapping

• Enhanced sound chips 

• Improved graphics system

These features made the arcade gaming system even more attractive to people. Besides the feature mentioned above, Intel CPU tends to underpin the system at 25 megahertz. Sega did not stop here. It brought forth faster operating core components along with the capacity to display tons of polygons per second. 

Other Competitors Apart From Sega in the Arcade Gaming Industry

Sega is one of the most amazing arcade gaming companies. You can also enjoy impeccable gaming opportunities due to companies such as Capcom, Konaki, Gaelco, and Atari. These companies also made it easier for players to experience unmatched quality Arcade games. These companies introduced shading, 3D polygons, texture mapping, and transparency. All in all, people still tend to play the arcade system due to these features in this world of Xbox, home gaming consoles, etc. It is only through these innovations that the arcade system still exists among millennials.