1.
Analog stick
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An analog stick, sometimes called a control stick, joystick, or thumbstick is an input device for a controller that is used for two-dimensional input. An analog stick is a variation of a joystick, consisting of a protrusion from the controller, while digital sticks rely on single electrical connections for movement, analog sticks use continuous electrical activity running through potentiometers. The analog stick has greatly overtaken the D-pad in both prominence and usage in console video games, in a video game, an analog stick is often used to move some game object, usually the playable character. It may also be used to rotate the camera, usually around the character, the analog stick can serve a great variety of other functions, depending on the game. Today many analog sticks can also be pushed in like conventional face buttons of a controller and its use is prevalent in 3D games, where more than 8 directions are needed. Using a D-pad in a 3D game greatly limits the ability to move, for example, in a 3D platform game like Super Mario 64, using a D-pad would allow Mario to move forward, backwards, left and right, but nothing in between. With the prevalence of analog sticks, the limitations of the D-pad ceased to be an issue. Two analog sticks offer greater functionality than a single stick, on some modern game controllers, the left stick is positioned to the upper left of the D-pad while the right stick is positioned to the lower left of the face buttons. The Classic Controller for the Wii also uses this configuration, with genres such as action, adventure games, platforming, and shooting, the left stick normally controls the characters movement while the second stick controls the camera. The use of an analog stick alleviated problems in many earlier platform games. In Namcos Katamari Damacy and its sequels, both analog sticks are used at once to control the players character, Sonys PSP has been criticized for the lack of a second analog nub to accompany the left-hand one, a criticism that was later also leveled at Nintendos 3DS. Nintendo has since released an add-on for the 3DS that adds, among other things, the follow-up to the PSP, the PlayStation Vita, features dual analog sticks. It is the first handheld console to do so. The New Nintendo 3DS and New Nintendo 3DS XL added a second analog controller, the first consumer games console which had analog joysticks was the Prinztronic/Acetronic/Interton series, launched in 1976. This system was widely cloned throughout Europe and available under several brand names, the 2 sticks each used a pair of potentiometers, but were not self-centering. In 1982, Atari released a controller with an analog joystick for their Atari 5200 home console. However, its non-centering joystick design proved to be ungainly and unreliable, during that same year, General Consumer Electronics introduced the Vectrex, a vector graphics based system which used a self-centering analog joystick. In 1985, Segas third-person rail shooter game Space Harrier, released for the arcades, Segas analog Mission Stick was released for the Saturn console on September 29,1995
2.
Sony Interactive Entertainment
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Sony Interactive Entertainment is a multinational video game company and is an owned subsidiary and part of the Consumer Products and Services Group of Sony. The company was founded and established on November 16,1993, as Sony Computer Entertainment, since the successful launch of the original PlayStation console in 1994, the company has since been developing the PlayStation lineup of home video game consoles and accessories. Expanding upon North America and other countries, the company soon became Sonys main resource for research and development in video games, in 1994, Sony Computer Entertainment America, began to produce the original PlayStation console in North America. The starting price for this console was originally listed at $299.99, in April 2016, SCE and Sony Network Entertainment was restructured and reorganized into Sony Interactive Entertainment, carrying over the operations and primary objectives from both companies. Sony Interactive Entertainment handles the research and development, production, alongside, it is also a developer and publisher of video game titles and is composed of several subsidiaries of Sonys largest markets, North America, Europe and Asia. As of September 30,2016, the company has sold more than 486 million PlayStation consoles worldwide. Sony Computer Entertainment, Inc. was jointly established by Sony, the original PlayStation console was released on December 3,1994, in Japan. The companys North American operations, Sony Computer Entertainment of America, were established in May 1995 as a division of Sony Electronic Publishing. Located in Foster City, California, the North American office was headed by Steve Race. On August 7,1995, Race unexpectedly resigned and was named CEO of Spectrum HoloByte three days later and he was replaced by Sony Electronics veteran Martin Homlish. The PS console was released in the United States on September 9,1995, as part of a worldwide restructuring at the beginning of 1997, SCEA was re-established as a wholly owned subsidiary of SCEI. The launch of the second PS console, the PlayStation 2 was released in Japan on March 4,2000, on July 1,2002, chairman of SCEI, Shigeo Maruyama, was replaced by Tamotsu Iba as chairman. Jack Tretton and Phil Harrison were also promoted to vice presidents of SCE. The PlayStation Portable was SCEIs first foray into the handheld console market. Its development was first announced during SCEs E3 conference in 2003, the system was released in Japan on December 12,2004, in North America on March 24,2005, and in Europe and Australia on September 1,2005. On September 14,2005, SCEI formed Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios, shuhei Yoshida was named as President of SCE WWS on May 16,2008, replacing Kazuo Hirai, who was serving interim after Harrison left the company in early 2008. On December 8,2005, video game developer Guerrilla Games, on January 24,2006, video game developer Zipper Interactive, developers of the Socom series, was acquired by Sony Computer Entertainment as part of its SCE WWS. Sony also stated that the service would always be connected, free, the launch date for the PS3 was announced by Hirai at the pre-Electronic Entertainment Expo conference held at Sony Pictures Studios in Los Angeles, U. S. on May 8,2006
3.
Sony
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Sony Corporation is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation that is headquartered in Kōnan, Minato, Tokyo. Its diversified business includes consumer and professional electronics, gaming, entertainment, the company is one of the leading manufacturers of electronic products for the consumer and professional markets. Sony was ranked 116th on the 2015 list of Fortune Global 500 and these make Sony one of the most comprehensive entertainment companies in the world. The group consists of Sony Corporation, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Sony Interactive Entertainment, Sony Music Entertainment, Sony Financial Holdings and others. Sony is among the Semiconductor sales leaders by year and as of 2013, the companys current slogan is BE MOVED. Their former slogans were make. believe, like. no. other, Sony has a weak tie to the SMFG keiretsu, the successor to the Mitsui keiretsu. Sony began in the wake of World War II, in 1946, Masaru Ibuka started an electronics shop in a department store building in Tokyo. The company had $530 in capital and a total of eight employees, in the following year he was joined by his colleague, Akio Morita, and they founded a company called Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo 東京通信工業. The company built Japans first tape recorder, called the Type-G, in 1958 the company changed its name to Sony. When Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo was looking for a name to use to market themselves, they strongly considered using their initials. The primary reason they did not is that the railway company Tokyo Kyuko was known as TTK, the company occasionally used the acronym Totsuko in Japan, but during his visit to the United States, Morita discovered that Americans had trouble pronouncing that name. Another early name that was tried out for a while was Tokyo Teletech until Akio Morita discovered that there was an American company already using Teletech as a brand name, the name Sony was chosen for the brand as a mix of two words. One was the Latin word sonus, which is the root of sonic and sound, and the other was sonny, a common slang term used in 1950s America to call a boy. In the 1950s Japan sonny boys, was a word into Japanese which connoted smart and presentable young men. The first Sony-branded product, the TR-55 transistor radio, appeared in 1955, at the time of the change, it was extremely unusual for a Japanese company to use Roman letters to spell its name instead of writing it in kanji. The move was not without opposition, TTKs principal bank at the time and they pushed for a name such as Sony Electronic Industries, or Sony Teletech. Akio Morita was firm, however, as he did not want the company tied to any particular industry. Eventually, both Ibuka and Mitsui Banks chairman gave their approval, according to Schiffer, Sonys TR-63 radio cracked open the U. S. market and launched the new industry of consumer microelectronics
4.
Game controller
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A game controller is a device used with games or entertainment systems to provide input to a video game, typically to control an object or character in the game. A controller is connected to a game console or computer by means of a wire or cord, although, since the mid-2000s. Input devices that have been classified as game controllers include keyboards, mouses, gamepads, joysticks, special purpose devices, such as steering wheels for driving games and light guns for shooting games, are also game controllers. Game controllers have been designed and improved over the years to be as user friendly as possible, the Microsoft Xbox controller, with its shoulder triggers that mimic actual triggers such as those found on guns, has become popular for shooting games. Some controllers are designed to be deliberately best for one type of game, such as steering wheels for driving games, One of the first video game controllers was a simple dial and single button, used to control the game Tennis for Two. Controllers have since evolved to include directional pads, multiple buttons, analog sticks, joysticks, motion detection, touch screens, a gamepad, also known as a joypad, is held in both hands with thumbs and fingers used to provide input. Gamepads can have a number of action buttons combined with one or more omnidirectional control sticks or buttons, action buttons are generally handled with the digits on the right hand, and the directional input handled with the left. Gamepads are the means of input on most modern video game consoles. Most modern game controllers are a variation of a standard gamepad, common additions include shoulder buttons placed along the edges of the pad, centrally placed buttons labeled start, select, and mode, and an internal motor to provide haptic feedback. As modern game controllers advance, so to does their user ability qualities, typically, the controllers become smaller and more compact as to more easily, and comfortably, fit within the users hand. Modern examples can be drawn from such as Xbox, whose controller has transformed subtly, yet dramatically. A paddle is a controller that features a wheel and one or more fire buttons. The wheel is used to control movement of the player or of an object along one axis of the video screen. Paddle controllers were the first analog controllers and they lost popularity when paddle, a variation, the Atari driving controller, appeared on the Atari 2600. Designed specifically for the game Indy 500, it functioned almost identically in operation, the exceptions were that its wheel can be continuously rotated in either direction, and it was missing the extra paddle included on the previous model. Unlike a spinner, friction prevented the wheel from gaining momentum, a joystick is a peripheral that consists of a handheld stick that can be tilted around either of two axes and twisted around a third. The joystick is used for flight simulators. HOTAS controllers, composed of a joystick and throttle quadrant are a combination for flight simulation among its most fanatic devotees
5.
Fifth generation of video game consoles
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The fifth-generation era refers to computer and video games, video game consoles and video game handhelds from approximately 1993 to 2001. For home consoles, the console was the PlayStation by a wide margin, followed by the Nintendo 64. Both were discontinued before the other made their debut. The Neo Geo Pocket was released in 1998, but was dropped by SNK in favor of the fully backwards compatible Neo Geo Pocket Color just a year later, Nintendos Game Boy Color was the winner in handhelds by a large margin. There were also two updated versions of the original Game Boy, Game Boy Light and Game Boy Pocket, there was considerable overlap between this and the sixth generation of consoles, which began with the launch of the Dreamcast in Japan on November 27,1998. The fifth generation officially ended with the discontinuation of the PlayStation in March 2006, early efforts from then-industry leaders Sega and Nintendo saw the introduction of the 32X and Super FX, which provided rudimentary 3D capabilities to the 16-bit Genesis and Super NES. Prime examples of this trend include Virtua Fighter 2 on the Saturn, Tomb Raider on the PlayStation and Saturn, Tekken and Crash Bandicoot on the PlayStation, and Super Mario 64 on the N64. Their 3D environments were widely marketed and they steered the industrys focus away from side-scrolling and rail-style titles, as well as opening doors to more complex games and genres. 3D became the focus in this era as well as a slow decline of cartridges in favor of CDs, due to the ability to produce games less expensively. Publicly, Nintendo defended this decision on the grounds that it would give games shorter load times than a compact disc, however, it also had the dubious benefit of allowing Nintendo to charge higher licensing fees, as cartridge production was considerably more expensive than CD production. Many third-party developers like EA Sports viewed this as an attempt to raise more money for Nintendo. Nintendos decision to use a cartridge based system sparked a small scale war among gamers as to which was better, a Nintendo magazine ad placed a Space Shuttle next to a snail and dared consumers to decide which one was better. Almost every other system used the new CD-ROM technology. Consequent to the storage and cost advantages of the CD-ROM format, there was much confusion over which console was superior to the others. Also, console makers routinely boasted theoretical maximum limits of each systems 3D polygon rendering without accounting for real world in-game performance, the FM Towns Marty is considered the worlds first 32-bit console, being released in February 20,1993 by Japanese electronic company Fujitsu. Never released outside Japan, it was marketed as a console version of the FM Towns home computer. It failed to make an impact in the due to its expense relative to other consoles. While using a 32-bit word length, however, the Intel 80386SX CPU only supports 16-bit bus addressing, despite massive third party support and an unprecedented amount of hype for a first-time entrant into the industry, the 3DO Interactive Multiplayers $700 price tag hindered its success
6.
PlayStation Controller
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The PlayStation Controller is the first gamepad released by Sony Computer Entertainment for its PlayStation video game console. The original version was released alongside the PlayStation on December 3,1994, based on the basic button configuration established with Nintendos Super NES Controller, the PlayStation Controller added a second pair of shoulder buttons for the middle fingers. To compensate for the less stable grip from shifting the middle fingers placement to the shoulders, on April 2,1996, Sony released a revised version of the PlayStation Controller, featuring a longer cord with a ferrite bead. The PlayStation 2 is backward-compatible with the original PlayStation controller
7.
DualShock
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The DualShock is a line of gamepads with vibration-feedback developed by Sony Interactive Entertainment for PlayStation consoles and devices. The DualShock was introduced in Japan in late 1997 and was launched in the North American market in May 1998, first introduced as a secondary peripheral for the original PlayStation, an updated version of the PlayStation console included the controller. Sony subsequently phased out the digital controller that was included with the console. As of 2008, over 28 million DualShock controllers have been sold under the brands name, the DualShock Analog Controller, a controller capable of providing vibration feedback, was based on the onscreen actions taking place in the game, as well as analog input through two analog sticks. Its derives from its use of two vibration motors and these motors are housed within the handles of the controller, with the left one being larger and more powerful than the one on the right, so as to allow for varying levels of vibration. The DualShock differs from the Nintendo 64s Rumble Pak in this respect as the Rumble Pak only uses a single motor, the Rumble Pak also uses batteries to power the vibration function while all corded varieties of the DualShock use power supplied by the PlayStation. The rumble feature of the DualShock is similar to the one featured on the first edition of the Japanese Dual Analog Controller, the DualShock, like its predecessor the Dual Analog controller, has two analog sticks. Unlike the earlier controller, the DualShocks sticks feature textured rubber grips other than the smooth plastic tips with recessed grooves found on the Dual Analog controller. The DualShock also features two additional buttons when compared to the Dual Analog, L3 and R3, which are triggered by depressing the analog sticks, other differences between Dual Analog and the DualShock include the longer grips/handles and slightly different L2/R2 buttons. Some games designed for the Dual Analogs vibration capability, such as Porsche Challenge and Crash Bandicoot 2, many games took advantage of the presence of two motors to provide vibration effects in stereo including Gran Turismo and the PlayStation port of Quake II. Released in 1999, the PlayStation hit Ape Escape became the first game to explicitly require DualShock/Dual-Analog-type controllers, the DualShock is also compatible with the PlayStation 2, as they use the same connector and protocol. However, certain PS2 games that utilize the DualShock 2s analog buttons, the DualShock is fully forwards compatible with the PlayStation 2 when that console is used to play PlayStation games. There were however a few cosmetic changes. It has different screw positioning and one fewer screw, a blue DualShock 2 logo was added to the top of the controller, the connector is more square than the DualShock, and both the cable and connector are black rather than grey. The standard controller is black, rather than grey as with the original DualShock, the analog sticks are also noticeably stiffer than on the original DualShock. Internally, the DualShock 2 was lighter and all of the buttons were readable as analog values. The DualShock 2 has been available in various colors, black, satin silver, ceramic white, slate grey, ocean blue, emerald green, crimson red. The original PlayStation is forward compatible with the DualShock 2, the PlayStation 3 is backward compatible with the DualShock 2 by the use of third party peripherals, which connect the controller to the console via a USB port
8.
PlayStation (console)
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The PlayStation is a home video game console developed and marketed by Sony Computer Entertainment. The console was released on 3 December 1994 in Japan,9 September 1995 in North America,29 September 1995 in Europe, the console was the first of the PlayStation lineup of home video game consoles. It primarily competed with the Nintendo 64 and the Sega Saturn as part of the generation of video game consoles. The PlayStation is the first computer entertainment platform to ship 100 million units, in 2000, a redesigned, slim version called the PSone was released, replacing the original grey console and named appropriately to avoid confusion with its successor, the PlayStation 2. In 1999, Sony announced the successor to the PlayStation, the PlayStation 2, which is compatible with the PlayStations DualShock controller and games. The last PSone units were sold in winter 2004 before it was discontinued in March 2005. The inception of what would become the released PlayStation dates back to 1986 with a joint venture between Nintendo and Sony, Nintendo approached Sony to develop a CD-ROM add-on, tentatively titled the Play Station or SNES-CD. A contract was signed, and work began, Kutaragi was nearly fired by Sony because he was originally working with Nintendo on the side without Sonys knowledge. It was then-CEO, Norio Ohga, who recognized the potential in Kutaragis chip, Ohga kept Kutaragi on at Sony, and it was not until Nintendo cancelled the project that Sony decided to develop its own console. This was also to be the used in SNES-CDs, giving a large degree of control to Sony despite Nintendos leading position in the video gaming market. The product, dubbed the Play Station was to be announced at the May 1991 Consumer Electronics Show, yamauchi decided that the contract was totally unacceptable and he secretly cancelled all plans for the joint Nintendo-Sony SNES CD attachment. After the collapse of the project, Sony briefly considered allying itself with Sega to produce a stand-alone console. The Sega CEO at the time, Tom Kalinske, took the proposal to Segas Board of Directors in Tokyo, Kalinske, in a 2013 interview recalled them saying that’s a stupid idea, Sony doesnt know how to make hardware. They don’t know how to make software either, why would we want to do this. The federal judge presiding over the case denied the injunction and, in October 1991, however, it is theorized that only 200 or so of these machines were ever produced. However, Sony decided in early 1993 to begin reworking the Play Station concept to target a new generation of hardware and software. As part of process the SNES cartridge port was dropped. Early advertising prior to the launch in North America referenced PSX
9.
PlayStation Analog Joystick
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The PlayStation Analog Joystick is Sonys first analog controller for the PlayStation, and is the precursor to the PlayStation Dual Analog Controller. It is often referred to as the Sony Flightstick. Announced to the public in August 1995, the Analog Joystick was released to the public in Japan in early April 1996. The stick also features a thumb-operated digital hat switch on the joystick, corresponding to the traditional D-pad. A compatibility mode for the Analog Joystick was included in the Dual Analog Controller, PS1 games that support the PS1 Analog Joystick have an Analog Joystick Compatible icon on the back cover. The Analog Joystick has a switch to select either Analog or Digital mode, when in the Digital mode, both sticks function as the gamepad on a regular PS1 controller. Older PS1 games that do not support the PS1 DualShock sticks can work with the Analog Joystick,4 Newman / Haas Racing Pilot Ni Narou. Metal Slug Anthology, Gradius III, Gradius IV Fukkatsu and other games that use just the Gamepad. XGIII, Extreme G Racing is the only PS2 game that utilizes true Analog with the Analog Joystick, the further the stick is pushed, the more the motorcycle will lean. GamePros The Rat Baron praised the controller for its comfort, tight control, button layout, and analog movement, though he expressed doubt that most gamers would go for it given the high price tag. The Analog Joystick can be connected to the PC via a USB adapter, the Allegro library provides the same functionality for developers
10.
Tobal 2
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Tobal 2 is a 3D fighting video game developed by Dream Factory and released by Square in Japan in 1997. It is the sequel to Tobal No.1, unlike the latter, Tobal 2 was not released in North America or PAL territories. The game was re-released in 2007 under Square Enixs Legendary Hits label, the fighting system in Tobal 2 is the same as in the previous game. The player can freely navigate 3D fighting arenas under the condition that he or she faces the opponent, high, medium, and low attacks can be executed using assigned buttons. 1, the grappling and blocking system offers the player a variety of offensive and defensive maneuvers, a new unblockable fireball attack has been added for each character. Tobal 2 was released on the day as Sonys Dual Analog Controller in Japan. Graphically, the game features Gouraud shaded and higher-resolution character models compared to Tobal No,1, but still runs at 60 frames per second. The Quest Mode from Tobal No.1 makes a return in Tobal 2, the game contains six dungeons to conquer. Unlike the dungeon-enclosed Quest Mode of the original, this incarnation also offers a fully explorable town that allows the player to eat, sleep, in each floor of the dungeons, the player will battle against a variety of monsters. When defeated, the monsters will drop either food, stones, potions, as the player progresses through the game, the character gains experience for each body part or type of attack. The higher the level of the arms and legs and throw. Similarly, the higher the level, attacks on the character will yield less damage. Both attack and defence levels can be increased/decreased by potions and stones, guard experience can also be accumulated by eating food when the stamina bar is full. By defeating monsters in the Quest Mode, the player has the option of capturing the monsters for use in the versus fighting mode, some monsters are unique, such as the chocobo, but many of them are just palette swaps with attributes raised for higher level monsters. Monsters can be captured by throwing a stone at them when they are nearly defeated. The progress of the Game can be saved using the buildings in the town. Tobal 2 was to be released in North America but the release was cancelled, according to a Square official, the game was not localized due to the disappointing sales of Tobal No. 1, and the assumption that most of the people who did buy it only did so for the playable demo of Final Fantasy VII
11.
Bushido Blade (video game)
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Bushido Blade is a 3D fighting video game developed by Light Weight and published by Square and Sony for the PlayStation. The game features one-on-one armed combat and its name refers to the Japanese warrior code of honor, Bushidō. Upon its release, the fighting engine in Bushido Blade was seen as innovative. A direct sequel, Bushido Blade 2, was released on the PlayStation a year later, another game with a related title and gameplay, Kengo, Master of Bushido, was also developed by Light Weight for the PlayStation 2. The bulk of the gameplay in Bushido Blade revolves around one-on-one third-person battles between two opponents, unlike most fighting games, however, no time limit or health gauge is present during combat. Most hits will cause instant death, while traditional fighting games require many hits to deplete an opponents health gauge and it is possible to wound an opponent without killing them. Notably, the North American release of Bushido Blade had one minor change, blood was added. The game features eight weapons to choose from in many of its modes, including katana, nodachi, long sword, saber, broadsword, naginata, rapier, and sledgehammer. Each weapon has a weight and length, giving each one fixed power, speed. A variety of attack combinations can be executed by the player using button sequences with the games Motion Shift System, where one swing of a weapon is followed through with another. Many of these attacks are available in one of three stances, switched using the shoulder buttons or axis controls depending on controller layout, high, neutral. The player also has a choice of one out of six playable characters, similar to the weapons, each one has a different level of strength and speed, and a number of unique special attacks. Some characters have a subweapon that can be thrown as well, all the characters have differing levels of proficiency with the selectable weapons and have a single preferred weapon. Characters in Bushido Blade also have the ability to run, jump, because battles are not limited to small arenas, the player is encouraged to freely explore during battle. The castle compound which most of the takes place in acts as a large hub area of interconnected smaller areas including a cherry blossom grove, a moat. Some areas, such as the bamboo thicket, allow some interaction, the story mode of Bushido Blade adds another gameplay mechanic, the Bushido code. Certain moves and tactics are considered dishonorable, such as striking a foe in the back, throwing dust in their eyes, acting dishonorably will abruptly end the players playthrough after a certain point in the story, displaying a message berating them on their behavior. In addition to the single player story mode, Bushido Blade contains a two-player versus mode
12.
United States
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Forty-eight of the fifty states and the federal district are contiguous and located in North America between Canada and Mexico. The state of Alaska is in the northwest corner of North America, bordered by Canada to the east, the state of Hawaii is an archipelago in the mid-Pacific Ocean. The U. S. territories are scattered about the Pacific Ocean, the geography, climate and wildlife of the country are extremely diverse. At 3.8 million square miles and with over 324 million people, the United States is the worlds third- or fourth-largest country by area, third-largest by land area. It is one of the worlds most ethnically diverse and multicultural nations, paleo-Indians migrated from Asia to the North American mainland at least 15,000 years ago. European colonization began in the 16th century, the United States emerged from 13 British colonies along the East Coast. Numerous disputes between Great Britain and the following the Seven Years War led to the American Revolution. On July 4,1776, during the course of the American Revolutionary War, the war ended in 1783 with recognition of the independence of the United States by Great Britain, representing the first successful war of independence against a European power. The current constitution was adopted in 1788, after the Articles of Confederation, the first ten amendments, collectively named the Bill of Rights, were ratified in 1791 and designed to guarantee many fundamental civil liberties. During the second half of the 19th century, the American Civil War led to the end of slavery in the country. By the end of century, the United States extended into the Pacific Ocean. The Spanish–American War and World War I confirmed the status as a global military power. The end of the Cold War and the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 left the United States as the sole superpower. The U. S. is a member of the United Nations, World Bank, International Monetary Fund, Organization of American States. The United States is a developed country, with the worlds largest economy by nominal GDP. It ranks highly in several measures of performance, including average wage, human development, per capita GDP. While the U. S. economy is considered post-industrial, characterized by the dominance of services and knowledge economy, the United States is a prominent political and cultural force internationally, and a leader in scientific research and technological innovations. In 1507, the German cartographer Martin Waldseemüller produced a map on which he named the lands of the Western Hemisphere America after the Italian explorer and cartographer Amerigo Vespucci
13.
Namco
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Namco Limited is a Japanese corporation best known as a video game developer and publisher. Following a merger with Bandai in September 2005, the two companies game production assets were spun off into Bandai Namco Games on March 31,2006, Namco was re-established to continue domestic operation of video arcades and amusement parks. Its headquarters are located in Ōta, Tokyo, the companys English name is often officially written as NAMCO. Namco was a front-runner during the age of arcade video games. Pac-Man went on to become the best-selling arcade game in history, Namco was also known for creating successful franchises such as Galaxian, Ridge Racer, Ace Combat, Tekken, as well as the Soul and Tales series. Masaya Nakamura founded the company as Nakamura Manufacturing in 1955, based in Tokyo, the company started out by running childrens rides on the roof of a department store in Yokohama. The business eventually expanded throughout the Tokyo area, Nakamura Manufacturing was reorganized in 1958 and later underwent a name change to Nakamura Manufacturing Company, which would be used to form the acronym NAMCO. In 1970, the company produced a coin-operated mechanical driving simulator called Racer, Atari Japan, the Tokyo-based subsidiary of Atari, was struggling financially by 1974. General manager Hide Nakajima was left in charge of the company after his boss had quit, Nakajima claims that employees had been stealing money and that he had contributed funds from his personal savings in order to pay creditors and stave off bankruptcy. Sega, then a manufacturer of machines, offered to acquire Atari Japan for $50,000. Nakamura put in a bid for $800,000 and shocked others out of competition, the deal was finalized at $500,000 and Bushnell was glad to take it. Debts inherited from Atari Japan would take Nakamura two years to pay off, but the deal had also secured for him a license to distribute Ataris games in Japan for ten years. Nakamura would follow up by opening video arcades featuring Atari games, everyone thought was mad when he paid so much for Atari, but it turned out to be a very wise investment. Nakajima was promoted to president in 1978, and on his recommendation Namco opened a subsidiary, Namco America. The location he chose was across the street from Ataris former headquarters in Sunnyvale, at the time, games were not released in the U. S. under the Namco label. Namco America existed mainly to license Namcos games to companies such as Atari, Galaxian revolutionized the industry as the first video game to use RGB color graphics. It was Pac-Man, however, that would become definitive of Namcos legacy, galaga, a follow-up to Galaxian, was one of the most successful sequels of the era. Dig Dug, Xevious, and Pole Position continued Namcos success in establishing iconic franchises during the Golden Age, during this period, Namco published video games for home consoles and personal computer under the Namcot brand name
14.
NeGcon
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The neGcon is a third-party controller for the PlayStation manufactured by Namco. The neGcon was a design in that the left and right halves of the controller were connected by a swivel joint. The full extent of this twist was available to the console as an analogue measurement, also unusual for its time were the buttons. The neGcon removed the L2 and R2 buttons as well as the select button, the neGcon replaced the digital circle and triangle buttons with digital A and B buttons, and also replaced the R1 shoulder button with a digital R shoulder button. The neGcon featured the digital D-Pad as one area similar to competing consoles controllers, the remaining buttons received more elaborate treatment. The X and square buttons were replaced with analogue Ⅰ and Ⅱ buttons and these buttons were in a recessed well and had approximately 7mm of travel. The users thumb could be rested on the edge of the well and this allowed the tip of the thumb to be accurately pivoted to depress the Ⅰ and Ⅱ buttons varying distances. This allowed very precise control with little learning, the L shoulder button was also analogue, with about 5mm of travel. The R shoulder button had a 5mm throw like the L shoulder button, the neGcon worked by means of gears turning the shafts of potentiometers. The center pivot of the neGcon utilized a ring-gear driving a pinion on the shaft of the potentiometer, lack of space inside the unit precluded an analogue R shoulder button. However, extended use caused the swivel joint to wear, the neGcons design was prompted by Namcos desire to accurately replicate the dual-lever controls of their arcade game Cyber Sled on the PlayStation. The design of the neGcon, while initially seeming very unwieldy, was in very good for racing games. The analogue Ⅰ and Ⅱ buttons were used as the accelerator and brake. The neGcon could be gripped with the fists facing forward and the thumbs upwards, twisting the arms at the elbows would turn the hands around a circle, as well as twist the wrists relative to each other, producing steering input. Although this was the most natural way to use the controller, the WipEout series also supported the neGcon. The number of non-racing games which supported the neGcon was limited, Tempest X3, based on the rotary-controlled Tempest arcade game, is also supported. Although the neGcon was not strictly protocol-compatible with the standard PS1 controller, because of this, a neGcon could be used in most games that didnt require the use of R2, L2 or select buttons. It even worked in the built-in ROM memory card librarian and CD player programs, however, due to the long throw of the Ⅰ and Ⅱ buttons, the neGcon was not a top-quality substitute for a regular PS1 controller
15.
Wipeout (video game)
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Wipeout, The Music is a soundtrack album of various British electronica artists and other European producers from the video game of the same name, released in 1995. Wipeout, released for Sony PlayStation in 1995, was one of the first video games to incorporate electronic music by non-mainstream, alternative artists into the game. The artwork for the album was made by The Designers Republic in their typical style, in line with the artwork of the game. The cover features the katakana デザイナーズ・リパブリック, the soundtrack album had a different track list than the game itself, making use of only a few songs that were present in-game. Aside from tracks 1,2 and 5, no tracks from the album appear in the game. Wipeout was written and recorded specifically for the game, while Afro Ride, Wipeout, The Music at Discogs Wipeout at Discogs Wipeout at Last. fm
16.
Ridge Racer (video game)
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Ridge Racer is a 1993 racing video game developed and published by Namco. It was initially released on the Namco System 22 arcade system board and it is the first title in the Ridge Racer series released for arcades and home consoles. The objective is to finish in first place in a series of races, the PlayStation version supports Namcos NeGcon controller. Development took eight months, and the game is based on a trend among Japanese car enthusiasts, the first home version was released in Japan in 1994 as a launch title for the PlayStation, the versions for North America and Europe were released in 1995. It was re-released in Japan for the PlayStation The Best range in 1997, Ridge Racer played a major role in establishing the new system and giving it an early edge over its nearest competitor, the Sega Saturn, and was considered a rival to Segas Daytona USA. Ridge Racer received a positive reception. Reviewers praised the graphics, audio, drifting mechanics, and arcade-like gameplay, although some were critical of the lack of artificial intelligence. The soundtrack was remixed and released on the Namco Game Sound Express Vol.11 album, players choose a course, a car, a transmission, and a song. The cars vary in their specifications, some have a top speed, others excel at acceleration or turning. Certain cars are named after other Namco games such as Solvalou, Mappy, Bosconian, Nebulasray, the racetrack can be observed from the first-person perspective or, for the PlayStation version, from the third-person perspective. Namcos NeGcon controller can be used to play, because the game is an arcade-style racing game, collisions do no damage, and merely slow the player down. There is a limit, which ends the game if counted down to zero. A single course is featured, and it consists of four configurations of increasing difficulty, Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, the player races eleven opponents except in Time Trial, where there is only one. The higher the difficulty, the faster the cars run, with Time Trial being the fastest, each race consists of three laps. Checkpoints that grant additional time when passed through are present throughout, in the PlayStation version, after every race is won, reversed ones become available, and an additional opponent is encountered in Time Trial, the 13th Racing, the fastest car. On winning, the car is unlocked, the PlayStation version features hidden mirror version of the tracks. It becomes an image of itself, left turns become right turns and vice versa. In the arcade version, the players score is saved in action-replay highlights after finishing the game
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Need for Speed II
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Need for Speed II is a racing video game released in 1997. It is a part of the Need for Speed series and is the installment in the series, following Road & Track Presents. The tracks are based on fantasized or exaggerated race courses in real settings around the world. For example, one in one course cars race through a Hollywood film set while in another cars race along the edge of the Himalayan mountain range. Like its predecessor, Need for Speed II allows players to race cars, either against computer-controlled opponents or human opponents via a LAN. There are three distinct modes, Single Race mode in which a player simply chooses a car. In this mode, the player can customize both the number and type of opponents as well as the number of laps to be completed, tournament Mode in which the player must complete a series of races successfully to unlock a bonus car. The Knockout Mode consists of a series of 2-lap races with 8 opponents, the game features eight real life high-end sports cars and concept cars which the player can drive and race against. The Special Edition release of the game added four additional cars, in addition, the game features a showcase which provides photos, videos, and technical information about the cars as well as the history of each company and background of each cars development. The game also features new elements compared to the previous game in the form of customizable car paint and components of their car including gear ratios, tires. As in the original Need for Speed, the game features detailed specifications, history, the largest feature are several full motion video segments for each of the cars, several of them being the professionally-produced videos for the concept vehicles. Need for Speed II was developed by EA Canada, the lead programmer for the game was Laurent Ancessi with Wei Shoong Teh and Brad Gour as senior programmers. To ensure the physics of fast car handling and performance were as accurate as possible, need for Speed II was met with mixed reviews. Aggregating review websites GameRankings and Metacritic gave the PlayStation version 71. 39% and 71/100, a GameSpot reviewer liked the game but felt most of the roads were outrageous and that the cars would be unfamiliar to many. An Adrenaline Vault review described the game as a good overall driving experience with easy installation, realistic sound effects, another review like the crisper graphics, smoother animation, rich colors and increased detail compared to the original. Criticism of the game stemmed from its being easier to play, an IGN review felt the game was not as good as the original. Some reviewers felt the steering was a little jerky, and one went as far as to describe the details as poor. Another issue was that the game required a fast computer at the time, a reviewer for Computer and Video Games didnt appreciate the combination of super realist cars being driven on fantasy tracks and thought that the crashes look and feel wrong
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Gran Turismo (video game)
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Gran Turismo is a sim racing video game designed by Kazunori Yamauchi. Gran Turismo was developed by Polys Entertainment and published by Sony Computer Entertainment in 1997 for the PlayStation video game console, the games development group was established as Polyphony Digital in 1998. The game has started a series, and has spawned over 10 spin-offs, Gran Turismo is a racing game. The player must maneuver a car to compete against artificially intelligent drivers on race tracks. The game uses two different modes, Arcade Mode and Simulation Mode, in the arcade mode, the player can freely choose the courses and vehicles they wish to use. Winning races unlocks additional cars and courses, however, simulation mode requires the player to earn different levels of drivers licenses in order to qualify for events, and earn credits, trophies and prize cars by winning race championships. Winning one particular championship also unlocks a video and a few additional demonstration tracks, credits can be used to purchase additional vehicles, and for parts and tuning. Gran Turismo features 140 cars and 11 race tracks, two Honda NSX cars from 1992 were included in the Japanese version, but were removed from the North American and European versions. There is also a 1967 Chevrolet Corvette and a 1998 Mazda Roadster exclusive to the Arcade mode, the game required five years to complete. During an interview with Kazunori Yamauchi, it was revealed that development of Gran Turismo started in the half of 1992. Yamauchi added that at different times there were seven to fifteen people assisting him. When asked how difficult it was to create Gran Turismo, Yamauchi remarked, in those five years, we could not see the end. I would wake up at work, go to sleep at work and it was getting cold, so I knew it must be winter. I estimate I was home only four days a year, sound design was one aspect that Yamauchi believed was compromised due to a lack of time. Although Kazunori considered the games artificial intelligence to be superior to its competitors, when Gran Turismo was released in Japan, Polyphony Digital was still a development group within Sony Computer Entertainment. The studio was established in April 1998, before the Western release of the game, Yamauchi estimated that Gran Turismo utilised around 75% of the PlayStations maximum performance. The opening song for the North American and PAL versions is a Chemical Brothers remix of the Manic Street Preachers song Everything Must Go, the opening song for the Japanese version is Moon Over the Castle, composed by Masahiro Andoh. The Japanese version, however, used an original score
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Gran Turismo 2
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Gran Turismo 2 is a racing game for the Sony PlayStation. Gran Turismo 2 was developed by Polyphony Digital and published by Sony Computer Entertainment in 1999 and it is the sequel to Gran Turismo. The title received an average of 93% in Metacritics aggregate, Gran Turismo 2 was also the first PS1 game to be emulated on the Dreamcast via Bleemcast. Gran Turismo 2 is fundamentally based on the game genre. The player must maneuver an automobile to compete against artificially intelligent drivers on race tracks. The game uses two different modes, Arcade Mode and Simulation Mode, in the arcade mode, the player can freely choose vehicles they wish to use, and can enable damage. However, the simulation mode requires the player to earn drivers licenses, pay for vehicles, Gran Turismo 2 features nearly 650 automobiles and 27 racing tracks, including rally tracks. The major changes are the vastly expanded number of cars, tracks, other differences include that the player can race events separately, if he/she does not want to enter the whole tournament. The player is no longer able to qualify for each race entered, after the unexpected success of Gran Turismo, lead developer Kazunori Yamauchi planned to make Gran Turismo 2 an even better product. Jack Tretton had similar enthusiasm, expecting Gran Turismo 2 to fly off the faster than the original. Upon the games release, players shortly found various errors and glitches, SCEA did not ignore the outcry, and offered a replacement if any problems occurred. For example, the maximum attainable completion percentage was 98. 2%, the other glitch was that no matter what, even if a player saves the game, cars can disappear from their garage. At the time of its release, GT2 featured one of the largest lists of new and historic cars available in a single computer game. GT2 contained 36 manufacturers, ranging from Acura, BMW, Peugeot to Venturi, in comparison, the original Gran Turismo and GT3 A-Spec had less than 200 each. Certain notable manufacturers, such as Ferrari and Porsche, were not featured since the required licenses could not be obtained, ruf, included in GT2 and in later installments, was added as an alternative to Porsche. However, the two are not to be mistaken as one entity, ruf is a separate manufacturer from Porsche under U. S. and German law. Gran Turismo 2 was the first game of the series to feature the Vauxhall/Opel brands, the PAL version has the Faithless Remix of the song. In some introductions of the North American releases, the song was cut such that it played differently after one minute, the opening song for the Japanese version is Moon Over the Castle
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LED
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A light-emitting diode is a two-lead semiconductor light source. It is a p–n junction diode, which emits light when activated, when a suitable voltage is applied to the leads, electrons are able to recombine with electron holes within the device, releasing energy in the form of photons. This effect is called electroluminescence, and the color of the light is determined by the band gap of the semiconductor. LEDs are typically small and integrated optical components may be used to shape the radiation pattern, appearing as practical electronic components in 1962, the earliest LEDs emitted low-intensity infrared light. Infrared LEDs are still used as transmitting elements in remote-control circuits. The first visible-light LEDs were also of low intensity and limited to red, modern LEDs are available across the visible, ultraviolet, and infrared wavelengths, with very high brightness. Early LEDs were often used as indicator lamps for electronic devices and they were soon packaged into numeric readouts in the form of seven-segment displays and were commonly seen in digital clocks. Recent developments in LEDs permit them to be used in environmental, LEDs have allowed new displays and sensors to be developed, while their high switching rates are also used in advanced communications technology. LEDs have many advantages over incandescent light sources including lower energy consumption, longer lifetime, improved physical robustness, smaller size, and faster switching. Light-emitting diodes are now used in applications as diverse as aviation lighting, automotive headlamps, advertising, general lighting, traffic signals, camera flashes, as of 2017, LED lights home room lighting are as cheap or cheaper than compact fluorescent lamp sources of comparable output. They are also more energy efficient and, arguably, have fewer environmental concerns linked to their disposal. Electroluminescence as a phenomenon was discovered in 1907 by the British experimenter H. J. Round of Marconi Labs, using a crystal of silicon carbide, russian inventor Oleg Losev reported creation of the first LED in 1927. His research was distributed in Soviet, German and British scientific journals, rubin Braunstein of the Radio Corporation of America reported on infrared emission from gallium arsenide and other semiconductor alloys in 1955. Braunstein observed infrared emission generated by simple diode structures using gallium antimonide, GaAs, indium phosphide, in 1957, Braunstein further demonstrated that the rudimentary devices could be used for non-radio communication across a short distance. As noted by Kroemer Braunstein …had set up a simple optical communications link, the emitted light was detected by a PbS diode some distance away. This signal was fed into an amplifier and played back by a loudspeaker. Intercepting the beam stopped the music and we had a great deal of fun playing with this setup. This setup presaged the use of LEDs for optical communication applications, by October 1961, they had demonstrated efficient light emission and signal coupling between a GaAs p-n junction light emitter and an electrically-isolated semiconductor photodetector
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Nintendo 64 controller
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The Nintendo 64 controller is the standard game controller included with the Nintendo 64. Released by Nintendo in late 1996 in Japan and North America, and 1997 in Europe, it features ten buttons, one digital Control Stick and a directional pad, all laid out in an M shape. The controller was designed by Nintendo R&D3, who were directed to try out new ideas that would break from the mold of gaming controllers. Thats why the A and B Buttons are placed for easiest access on the new controller, theyre the buttons that get high traffic. The controller was designed to be held in three different positions, first, it can be held by the two outer grips, allowing use of the D-pad, right-hand face buttons and the L and R shoulder buttons. This style was intended to play in 2D games by emulating the setup on the Super NES controller. It can be held by the center and right-hand grip, allowing the use of the single control stick, the right hand-buttons, the R shoulder button. This style was intended for 3D games, finally, the controller can be held by the center and left-hand grip, allowing for a combination of the D-pad, L-shoulder, analog stick and Z button. This was implemented in GoldenEye 007, additionally, though the controller was not designed with this setup in mind, one controller can be held in each hand with a thumb on each analog stick and index fingers on the Z trigger. This setup allows dual-analog control on some first-person shooters such as Perfect Dark, the analog stick and right-hand face and shoulder buttons are usually used in games. In some games such as Mortal Kombat Trilogy, the control stick, very few games use the directional pad exclusively, two examples are the 3D puzzle game Tetrisphere and the side-scrolling platformer Kirby 64, The Crystal Shards. This layout would become dominant in design, and several third-party manufacturers would produce aftermarket N64 controllers with more conventional layouts, such as the MakoPad. The controller also includes four C buttons, which were intended to control the camera in the N64s three-dimensional environments. However, since the pad only contains three face buttons, the C-buttons often became assigned to ulterior functions. An example of this is The Legend of Zelda, Ocarina of Time, one game, Robotron 64, allows one player to use two controllers to control an avatar. This way, the plays like its predecessor, Robotron 2084. Star Wars Episode 1, Racer, GoldenEye 007 and Perfect Dark also use this set up for different gameplay experiences compared to the standard single controller option. The controller initially came in six colors but other colors were released later, when the Nintendo 64 is switched on, the joystick on each controller is automatically calibrated by recording the current position as the center position
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MechWarrior 2: 31st Century Combat
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MechWarrior 2, 31st Century Combat is a vehicle simulation game developed and released by Activision in 1995, as part of the MechWarrior series of video games in the BattleTech franchise. Originally developed for DOS, it was ported to a variety of platforms including Windows, Apple Macintosh, a number of enhanced versions were released to take advantage of the 3D graphics accelerator cards at the time. MechWarrior 2 features a soundtrack composed by Jeehun Hwang, and an intro sequence by Digital Domain. At the start of the game, the player must choose to side with one of the two Clans involved in the Refusal War, Clan Wolf or Clan Jade Falcon. The battles in the game take place on planets named in the various BattleTech source books on the war, each battle has a specific goal such as search-and-destroy, reconnaissance or a base strike. Initially, the controls one Mech, but in later missions has access to squad commands. Between missions, a mech lab allows players to customize the weapon, armor, engine, MechWarrior 2 is played as a tactical simulation, incorporating aspects of both real-time first-person combat and the physical simulation of the players mech. The player can choose between several modes, from a basic point and shoot mode, to an advanced mode that allows the player to manage the legs. The mechs on-board computer provides feedback to the player, ranging from the proximity of friendly and enemy forces to system damage, a version for Windows 95 include NetMech software for player vs. player battles over a network or direct connection. MechWarrior 2 is a game re-creation of the Refusal War, the player can choose to be a member of one of two clans, either Clan Jade Falcon or Clan Wolf, while engaging in a total of 32 missions in the year 3057 time frame. Set shortly after the Battle of Tukayyid between the Inner Sphere and invading armies, the plot revolves around an ideological conflict inside the clans. It focuses only on clans Jade Falcon and Wolf, both of which represent a different side in the struggle — Crusaders and Wardens, respectively. These forces eventually splintered and formed 20 separate groups, called the Clans, creating a society based around warfare. Over the years of isolation, two schools of thought divided the clans, Crusader clans wished to return to the Inner Sphere as conquerors, forcing the nations to unite and recreating the Star League. The Warden clans, on the hand, believed that the clans should act as protectors of the Inner Sphere. The invasion force consisted of both Crusader and Warden clans, the Wardens participated in an attempt to mitigate the damage caused by the Crusader clans. The invasion continued until the clans were challenged by the ComStar organization to a fight on the planet Tukayyid. If the Clans won, they would gain control of Terra, the battle was lost by the Clans and their invasion was halted for 15 years
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Ace Combat 2
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Ace Combat 2 is a semi-realistic combat flight simulation game made by Namco for the PlayStation game console. It is the second console offering in the Ace Combat series and continues the arcade style gameplay of the first game Air Combat. In 2005 Namco re-released Ace Combat 2 as part of the NamCollection for the PlayStation 2 to celebrate the publishers 50th anniversary, players complete missions by destroying various air and surface targets to obtain credits for their airforce. A mission briefing details the players expected route of attack and the opposition in a 3D map display. The player can also choose Novice or Expert control settings, the latter enables the player to execute realistic aircraft maneuvers such as rolls, certain aircraft will be arrayed depending on the wingmens mission assignments. Operation time will be dictated through a fuel gauge, the game mostly proceeds in a linear fashion, but later on, the player will have a choice of two branching mission paths. Certain targets in missions can also unlock secret missions and alternative endings, Ace Combat 2 features many of the flyable aircraft seen in the first game, as well as new real-life aircraft. The game also introduces to the franchise the concept of superfighters, or jets that are unique from existing aircraft in design, two superfighters are introduced - the ADF-01 and the XF/A-27, players can only access the latter. A bar graph also indicates how many times the aircraft have been used, the planes also sport actual military color schemes, dispensing of the phoenix-style scheme found in the first game. Ace Combat 2 introduces the concept of aces, elite pilots that have better performance than standard enemy pilots. They are identifiable by their planes unique color schemes and their callsigns, some of the aces fly together as a squadron. Shooting down a legendary pilot or squadron will earn a medal in the players record, a group of rebel military forces launch a massive insurrection all over the Usean continent. The takeover occurs just as political leaders attend a peace summit in a faraway location. The speed of the coup enables the rebels to acquire special strategic weapons, the danger of such a threat prompts the deployment of Scarface, an elite mercenary air force, to quell it. The above plot is fleshed out in the 3DS remake, Assault Horizon Legacy, however, countries in southern Usea consider joining the Osean Federation after it offers to sign a military treaty with them. The other countries in Usea object to move, but the southern nations press ahead with the treaty. Conservative military personnel in these countries engineer a coup on the day of the treaty signing, in danger of total collapse, the Usean government executes an offensive codenamed Operation Fighters Honor, with the Special Tactical Fighter Squadron Scarface leading the attack. A Nintendo 3DS remake was released as Ace Combat, Assault Horizon Legacy in North America on November 15,2011, the Japanese version, titled Ace Combat 3D, Cross Rumble, was released on January 12,2012
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Descent II
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Descent II is a 1996 first-person shooter video game developed by Parallax Software and published by Interplay Productions. It is the game in the Descent video game series. Unlike standard first-person shooters, the player must control a ship that has a six degrees of freedom movement scheme. The original soundtrack features industrial metal contributed by notable musicians such as Type O Negative, Ogre and Mark Walk of Skinny Puppy, the game received very positive reviews from video game critics. A sequel, Descent 3, was released in 1999, as of December 2015, Descent II had been withdrawn from sale via Good Old Games and Steam due to a dispute between Parallax Software and publisher Interplay. Like its predecessor Descent, Descent II is a six degrees of freedom shooter wherein the player controls a ship from a first-person perspective in zero-gravity. It is differentiated from standard first-person shooters in that it allows the player to move, specifically, the player is free to move forward/backward, up/down, left/right, and rotate in three perpendicular axes, often termed pitch, yaw, and roll. Aboard the ship, the player can shoot enemies and fire flares to explore darkened areas, in the games single-player mode, the player must complete 24 levels where different types of AI-controlled robots will try to hinder the players progress. In each level, the player must find and either destroy a reactor or defeat a boss, depending upon on which level the player is, each level is composed of a set of rooms separated by white, blue, yellow, or red doors. White doors can be opened by simply firing weapons at them or bumping into them, along the way, the player may also find and free a Guide-Bot, an assistant that shows the player the way to a specific target. Within each level, the player may collect power-ups that enhance the ships weaponry, weapons are categorized into two different types, primary weapons and secondary weapons. Primary weapons range from a variety of weapons to the Plasma Cannon. Most primary weapons consume energy in different rate, but some, such as the Vulcan Cannon, in contrast, all secondary weapons require their own ammunition suppliers. The player can also collect equipment items which grant special powers, additionally, there may be human hostages hidden away in many of the stages, which can give an additional point bonus after completing a level if they are rescued. The players ship is protected by a shield which decreases when incurring damage from enemies, its own weapons, If the shield is fully depleted, the player loses one life, all rescued hostages, and starts at the beginning of the level without any collected power-ups. Nevertheless, the player can reclaim the missing power-ups from the ruins of the destroyed ship, If a player loses all life points, the game will be over. The players score can be increased by killing enemies or rescuing hidden human hostages. Descent II also features a multiplayer mode wherein two to eight players can compete against each other in several game types
25.
Colony Wars
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Colony Wars is a space combat simulator video game for the PlayStation developed and released by Psygnosis in 1997. In it, players complete space missions using preselected starfighters equipped with various weapons. The game features multiple paths of missions and outcomes, depending on the players performance and it was later followed by Colony Wars, Vengeance in 1998, and Colony Wars, Red Sun in 2000. Players fight in space combat missions using one of seven pre-selected League of Free Worlds starfighters. The selection is due to the League High Commands decisions for efficiency in every given mission, each starfighter carries a certain combination of energy weapons, missiles or torpedoes, and a number of units are equipped with nonlethal EMP cannons. The player can also use countermeasures to shake off inbound enemy missiles or use a gun to capture targets of importance. The stages are divided into several Acts with three missions each, multiple paths and outcomes are available throughout the game, depending on the players performance. Completing or failing missions does not always define the ultimate success or failure of the campaign, players can view their combat records in the game. They can also access a database of planets and ships, with full voiceovers, the Earth is fully stripped of natural resources by the fifth millennium. As a result, the Earth Empire sends out expeditionary sleeper ships to distant planets found to have abundant natural resources, the discovery of hyperspace technology accelerates the Empires interstellar expansion. As the colonies become more prosperous, the inhabitants bceome discontent as most of their resources are used to benefit Earth. A peaceful insurrection in the 47th century only results in the Earth Empires leader, stunned by the carnage, the other colonies band together as the League of Free Worlds, with a man known as the Father leading the fight. The Empires Colonial Navy sends a fleet to attack League forces in the Gallonigher system, when the Navy overextends its forces for the assault on Bennay, the League lures them into a trap inside a nearby asteroid belt, where the Navy strike fleet is destroyed. The game picks up months after what is now known as the Battle of Bennay. If the player succeeds in Gallonigher, the League will proceed to the Draco system, if the player is defeated in Gallonigher, the League will survive, but will retreat to resupply bases in the Diomedes system before launching an attack on Alpha Centauri. It is also possible to be sent to Alpha Centauri by performing poorly during the Draco campaign, the Tsars personal flagship, the Super Titan-class dreadnought Tsunami, appears to destroy the League remnants. If defeated in Alpha Centauri, a group of League soldiers discontented with the war, called The Faction, the colonies are then enslaved and strip-mined by the Empire, who fully supported the Faction. If victorious in Alpha Centauri, the League and the Empire reach a tactical stalemate, with both sides realising that neither could ever truly destroy the other, they make peace after The Factions destruction
