[CRT08]
UNIVERSITY OF BOLTON
SCHOOL OF CREATIVE TECHNOLOGIES
GAMES PROGRAMMING
SEMESTER ONE EXAMINATIONS 2016/2017
GAMES HARDWARE ARCHITECTURE
AND PERIPHERALS
MODULE NO: GAP5001
Date: Monday 9th January 2017
Time: 14:00 – 16:00
___________________________________________________________________
INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES:
Section A: You MUST ANSWER ALL
THREE questions.
These are worth 20 marks each and are
technically-based questions.
Section B: You MUST ONLY ANSWER
ONE question.
This is worth 40 marks and is an essay
style question.
___________________________________________________________________
2 of 4
Creative Technologies
Games Programming
Semester One Examination 2016/2017
Games Hardware Architecture and Peripherals
Module No. GAP5001
SECTION A - You MUST ANSWER ALL THREE questions from this section
Question 1:
Virtual Reality Technology
a. For each category of Virtual Reality headsets commonly available, detail the
considerations for a developer in terms of pros and cons in relation to the
limitations and functionality of each category.
Examples of devices in different categories are expected.
[12 marks]
b. Explain how the HTC Vive, Oculus Rift Virtual Reality and Playstation VR
tracking systems work and how their respective tracking techniques differ
from one another.
Your answer should include explanations about how their core technology
functions. Diagrams to assist the explanation are highly encouraged.
[8 marks]
Question 2
PC Architecture
The Von Neumann architecture presents a logical view of a computer that still forms
the basis of most computers as we know them today.
a. Explain what the von Neumann architecture is and, with the help of an
example, explain how it processes data.
[10 marks]
b. Explain what is meant by “The Von Neumann Bottleneck”.
[6 marks]
c. What steps can be taken to alleviate the Von Neumann Bottleneck?
[4 marks]
PLEASE TURN THE PAGE...
3 of 4
Creative Technologies
Games Programming
Semester One Examination 2016/2017
Games Hardware Architecture and Peripherals
Module No. GAP5001
Question 3
Mobile Development
Mobile devices come in an ever-widening variety of configurations and functionality.
There are numerous considerations for a developer when working on programs
destined for mobile touchscreen devices in general.
a. Explain the core considerations, and what actions should be taken, by a
developer in relation to display configurations on mobile devices.
Your answer should give specific examples, and technical details, with
regards to display technology where appropriate.
[8 marks]
b. When compared to a PC, many mobile devices lack high-end processing and
graphical power. How should a developer approach developing an application
which is intended to support as many devices as possible?
Your answer should give examples of areas a developer would need to focus
on, and suggest development approaches to tackle these problem areas.
[8 marks]
c. The methods of user input are very different from the desktop to a mobile
device. Explain some of the nuances a developer would need to cater for
when implementing a menu system for a game that is intended to be used
with a touchscreen device, as well as a mouse and keyboard.
[4 marks]
PLEASE TURN THE PAGE....
4 of 4
Creative Technologies
Games Programming
Semester One Examination 2016/2017
Games Hardware Architecture and Peripherals
Module No. GAP5001
SECTION B - You MUST ONLY ANSWER ONE question from this section.
Question 1:
Cross Platform Development
1. Discuss the issues facing games studios for cross platform development of
games across Desktop (Windows, MacOS and Linux), Console (PS4 and
XBox One) and Mobile (Android and iOS) platforms.
Your answer should cover technical and design considerations for the
developers.
[40 marks]
OR
Question 2:
Game Engines
2. The Unity game Engine is widely used by developers, from individual
“bedroom coders” to large companies such as Blizzard, for many different
types of projects.
Discuss the pros and cons of using Unity for a small team involved in the
development of games apps for mobile devices (for both Android and iOS)
platforms, vs. that of “rolling your own” custom engine and pipelines.
[40 marks]
END OF QUESTIONS