Gaming

The gaming industry has seen some spectacular changes over the last few years with changes to laws and technology giving rise to an evolution from the one arm bandit to today’s multi-line video networked gaming AWPs and SWPs.

On 1st September, 2007 the Gaming Commission delivered further changes in the regulations affecting Sunday opening hours and minimum stakes. With the recent ban on smoking in enclosed public places together with new Gaming Commission regulations, the domestic gaming experience from their XBOX 360 will need to be transposed into the pubs and clubs arena – the combination of interactive gaming experiences running on a stable secure Windows Embedded platform will be the catalyst for the digital gaming era. The consumer today wants more for the same money and in the gaming industry it’s no different....

Gaming consoles have to be more colourful, more dynamic, more interactive, more exciting to play on your own, in groups or even against each other using on-line and networking technologies. Gaming devices are now part of the culture in pubs, bars, casinos, bingo halls, holiday parks and licensed betting offices. Casino games can and do employ very rich sound and video capabilities which is now the standard by which all successful digital gaming consoles are defined.

It is Microsoft’s Windows Embedded operating systems that are powering this metamorphosis of the gaming industry. Regardless of which operating system you choose in the Windows Embedded family; Windows Embedded operating systems have streamlined development tools to ensure greater productivity and faster time-to-market for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and developers addressing the demand for specialised embedded devices.

The value proposition whether you are considering Microsoft Windows XP Embedded, CE or a Classic Desktop OS for Embedded Systems permits the OEM greater flexibility for re-branding and deployment scenarios. Licensing costs are reduced - yet for more technology – embedded enabled features are unique only to the embedded operating system which differentiates the long term value of an embedded device, such as a gaming console that needs to be running constantly.

Windows XP Embedded is the de-facto recommendation for building a truly bespoke XP kernel driven operating system. Using the development tools the operating system is built specifically for the hardware platform and it is the developer who has the ability to include additional functionality.

Windows XP Professional for Embedded Systems is a CD installation process which is the most recognised method for installing Windows XP Professional. The embedded version differs only by the licensing terms which allows for more flexibility. The embedded version available through Abacus Embedded has some very distinct advantages:

• Available until 2016
• Free OPK (master CDs)
• Hardware independent
• Free Multi User Interface packs
• Access to Pre-Activation
• No minimum volume commitment
• Able to deploy into dedicated application