HCI - Human Computer Interface

What is HCI?
HCI stands for Human Computer Interface or Human Computer Interaction. HCI is the technology used to produce a game on either a console or a computer. HCI is what is needed to get the game to the player. This could come in many forms of consoles or devices.

Different Ways For a Player To Interact With a Game:
There are multiple platforms of which games can be played upon, all using different size screens, graphics and mechanics. This is where HCI comes in, you either create a game for all, or some platforms or you make it exclusively for one device.

Console:
There are hundreds, if not thousands of different consoles out there. Some a lot older than others. However there is a more common range in this day and age. The top five consoles at this point in time are:
- PlayStation 4
- PlayStation 3
- Xbox One
- Xbox 360
- Wii U
Even with the latter being a lot more uncommon than the other four it provides a different market. Some games for the Wii U are made just for that console, and maybe for other Nintendo consoles such as 3DS. This is due to certain games, such as the Mario series as well as the Zelda series, being exclusive to Nintendo.
Most console games are released on multiple platforms however some are just for a specific machine. Take 'The Last of Us' for example, developed by Naughty Dog and published by Sony, it was made exclusively for PlayStation 3, however it was made for PlayStation 4 in a remastered version with enhanced graphics and sounds.
An example of a multi-platform game is the Call of Duty series, there are several games within the series that are all released on the available consoles, usually both PlayStations, both Xbox's, both Wii games and even handheld consoles and smartphone devices.

It goes without saying that all of the above consoles use controllers, which is where HCI comes into play. Without the controllers it would be impossible to play the game. Each console tends to have a different controller. The Wii is one of the most different controllers to be produced, it is a completely different shape and comes with add ons to make it bigger. Comparing this the basic analog controller of the PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360. Another controller that was completely different to all of those before is the Wii U, there are in fact two controllers. The Wii U Pro controller is your basic analog control system, however the gamepad has analog sticks, buttons as well as it's own screen.

Console is one of my preferred HCI's, I currently own a PlayStation 1, PlayStation 3, Nintendo GameCube and an Xbox 360. I play mostly on PlayStation 3. I prefer this because I can sit further away from the screen, having poor eyesight makes it harder to stare at a screen close range for so long. I also find the controller for my PS3 very comfortable to hold. 

 

Computer:
The good old fashioned mouse and keyboard are still quite popular with PC Gamers. With resources like Steam, a huge computer game library, the games for gamers are still quite popular. As well as downloading games there are still some games that come on disc for PC such as The Sims games. However most are downloaded in this day and age.
The HCI in the computing ways of gaming is most commonly a keyboard and mouse, there are multiple different keyboards with different controls on. There is also a lot of different mice with accessories like heat control and extra sensitive movement.

Handheld Consoles:
There are various ways to play your favorite games whilst on the move, you can often find me playing Mario or Zelda on the bus or in the car. Handheld gaming is a much more flexible way to play your favorite games. The HCI is the console itself, taking a Nintendo DS for example, you have the main screen showing you what to do, you have buttons to do it as well as an interactive touchscreen.

The most common handheld consoles these days are PSVita, PlayStations handheld console and Nintendo 3DS/2DS. There are however previous versions of these,

- PSP (PlayStation Portable)
- Nintendo DS, Nintendo DS Lite, Nintendo DSi/DSiXL

- Gameboy, advance, colour, SP

These are just some of the consoles that allow you to play games without being connecting to a TV or computer monitor. Most handhelds have your basic, a,b,y,x buttons, or square, triangle, circle and cross, with l1,r1 buttons as well as a cross pad, some newer versions have a small analog stick too, and at least one screen, sometimes touchscreen, sometimes not.

 

I own a Nintendo DSi XL and it is one of my favorite possessions. It allows me to play Mario and Zelda at will, however I have to keep it on charge due to dodgy wiring and no more warranty, however I can take it to any room on the house providing there is a plug socket.

 

Smartphones & Tablets:

In today's society 9 out of 10 people have a smart phone or mobile device. There are multiple applications to buy or download for free, most commonly being Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. However there is also a large range of games for smartphones out there. The two major Smartphone stores are Google Play Store, supplying games and apps to people with phone brands such as HTC, Nokia and Samsung. Where as the Apple iStore is there for apple devices like the iPhone.  This is the same with tablets, the only difference being a bigger screen. The HCI with this is the phone itself, using touchscreen technology you often get a faster gaming experience, however the screen is much smaller.

 

I am a mild fan of smartphone gaming, however the only downsides are the lack of game choice, small screen and it drains the battery on the phone quicker. I have a HTC One M8 so I have a relatively big screen compared to other smartphones which makes it slightly easier.

 

Multi-Platform Games:

There are many games that are available on multiple different platforms. Some games, like Grand Theft Auto V for example, where released onto PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 before being redeveloped to enhance graphics and audio to the release it a few months later on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. It is also soon to be released onto PC.

 

Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare:

Call of Duty is a worldwide phenomenon with multiple games in the series. The lastest version, Advanced Warfare, is available on noth PlayStation consoles as well as both of the Xbox consoles. It is also available for PC, there is a smartphone app. However the app isn't of the game it is a companion app that goes with the game.

Dungeon Defenders:

Dungeon Defenders is a downloadable game for PC, Xbox, PlayStation, Android and iOS.

 

 

HCI Prototype

 

Gun, Knife, Controller Prototype

What could be better than a standard controller than can be manipulated into the shape of a gun as well as a knife/sword.

 PlayStation's Gun Controller

Sword Controller

Standard PlayStation 3 Controller

My HCI would consist of all of these in one controller, the controller would have lockable sections that can be manipulated when unlocked.

 

Motion Censored Gloves

The gloves would look like normal gloves but, would have a few buttons within it. The main button would be to power them up and sync them to the console and the sensor bar that would need to be near the screen. The gloves would be used in games where you are fighting, so maybe WWE, UFC or Boxing games. As well as classics like Street fighter and Tekken.