Introduction to Operating Systems - Assignment Example

INTRODUCTION TO OPERATING SYSTEMS Introduction to Operating Systems affiliation The selection of an appropriate operating system for the game development projects is really a tricky decision. In fact, it involves a great deal of analysis and investigation of some of the essential requirements and needs for the firm. This paper discusses the selection process in the context of a specific firm having 25 employees. These employees work on desktop PCs. Additionally, the games are developed to run on desktops PCs.

At the present, the firm wants to select an appropriate operating system that is easy to manage, upgrade, and maintain. At this point, we have only two choices of operating systems for the reason that staff members are familiar with Linux and Windows. Also, we need to keep in mind various other aspects such as cost, values speed, security, and compatibility while choosing an operating system. I have conducted a lot of research and found that the Windows platform is much better than Linux for the development of games.

It is an admitted fact that DirectX plays a significant role in the development of games. Additionally, the DirectX supports a wide variety of video games functional PIs, similar to the present advanced versions of game with 3D support. In this scenario, we need Direct3D that offers DirectXs 3D support API for game development and execution. Additionally, the Direct3D is developed by Microsoft and is available free of cost, same as its pervious DirectX APIs. In fact, the main advantage of Microsoft operating system is its support for the DirectX that is mostly used and required by game programmers to develop more interactive games (Loki Software, Inc., 2001). Beside this Microsoft offers support for an integrated authoring tool “Unity” that is commonly used for the development of 3D video games’ contents.

In this scenario, Unity offers an excellent support for game development with much more real-time 3D and architectural visualizations or simply animations support. The main reason for the selection of Microsoft for our gaming development platform is the Unitys development environment support for only Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows. However, we cannot choose Mac OS X for the reason that our team members are not familiar with this operating system. Thus, additional operating system training and support will increase the overall expenditures.

Another reason for not selecting Mac OS X is the overall cost increase due to purchase of new hardware systems to run this operating system. Thus, it is really feasible to select Microsoft Windows because it can be used on any hardware we currently have (Unity Technologies, 2012; Microsoft, 2012)Another main factor that forces us to choose Microsoft Windows is the support for finally developed game. The finely developed games developed under Microsoft Windows architecture can be easily compatible and supportive to a number of hardware architectures and as a result can run on Mac, Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii, iPhone, iPad, Linux and Android (Microsoft, 2012; Loki Software, Inc.

, 2001; Grabham, 2012). I have chosen Windows 8 for the game programming. Windows 8 is a very high quality operating system to create games. It offers an excellent opportunity to produce and deliver more and more interactive games. In addition, Windows 8 supports Unity architecture, CoreWindow, Windows Runtime support, DirectX 11.1, asynchronous execution, Process Lifetime Management and C++/Cx support. Thus, these features offer an excellent support for the effective game development (Microsoft, 2012; Loki Software, Inc.

, 2001; Grabham, 2012). Windows 8 can be purchased in $300. It is really cost effective with rapid updates and support services. It also includes excellent security features (Grabham, 2012). ReferencesGrabham, D. (2012, August 02). Windows 8 tablets release date, specs and prices. Retrieved August 04, 2012, from http://www.techradar.com/news/mobile-computing/tablets/windows-8-tablets-release-date-specs-and-prices-916134Loki Software, Inc. (2001). Programming Linux Games. San Francisco, CA: No Starch Press, Inc.Microsoft. (2012).

Which Game Development Site is Right For You? Retrieved August 04, 2012, from http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/centrum-xna.aspxUnity Technologies. (2012). Unity3D. Retrieved August 02, 2012, from http://www.unity3d.com/