I Love Gaming by Mahbub Ahsan Rashid.
There is no doubt about it; gaming represents one of largest, if not the largest entertainment business in 2015. The growth in this market has been underpinned by innovation and technological advancement, as new hardware is developed to refine the gaming experience across multiple platforms. With modern-day hardware also enabling cross-platform gaming experiences, this sector is set for even further growth in the next decade.
Software is also a key component of the modern gaming experience, and there are several must-have programs for aspiring designers and developers. Here are five of what I believe are the most important tools you need for flawless gameplay:
Graphic Drivers
Nvidia is known for its GeForce Experience software, which automatically updates drivers and profiles. Alternatively, you can always download just the driver pack.
Graphic drivers are arguably the most important pieces of gaming software, as they dictate performance and the level of realism offered by a particular title. In order to enjoy smooth gameplay on your selected hardware, you should regularly check for new drivers and see do they bring improvements to your selected title. Nvidia graphics cards are the market leaders at present, with approximately 75% of the market (according to Jon Peddie Research). The drivers are updated regularly and accessible across multiple platforms, and you can use either GeForce Experience or download them separately. There is also a huge range of Nvidia software on the market, which in turn covers the full spectrum of gaming titles.
If you use AMD hardware your gaming needs, you should look for their Catalyst drivers.
Screen Capture and Recording Software
PicPick is gaining popularity over its ease of use and capabilities.
With Amazon-owned Twitch, the company enables gamers to stream live experiences to a network of fellow players, as broadcasting of eSports is set to become a large component of the market. As a result of this, there is an increasingly diverse range of software packages that enable screen capture and recording functionality for gamers. PicPick is one of the best examples, as it can capture screenshots in variety of formats and save them automatically on your hard drive.
Game Video Recording Software
EZ Vid works very nice on 1080p screens, but is not so happy with 3K/4K.
On a similar note, players can also access software that enables them to record real-time gameplay and convert this into video format on-screen. Recently achieving v1.0 and leaving beta status, EZ Vid is a free software that performs this function. The videos captured through this utility can be easily uploaded through YouTube or stored on a PC. This is similar to the Twitch app in some respects, although it does not enable players to broadcast their recordings online. This might be your best call to record a high quality video in single player games with low CPU overhead, provided that you don’t game in resolutions with too high of a resolution (4K etc.).
HUD Software
If you are into 3D games, selecting a customized HUD (Heads-up Display) or custom UI depends on a game you play, such as IceHUD for World of Warcraft. If you are a gamer that plays casual and virtual / fantasy games, selection is reduced to just a few good tools. Given the prevalence for online gaming and virtual casino gameplay, it stands to reason that we should include some associated software on the list. With this in mind, what is the best poker software? HUD software is arguably the most useful, as it enables players to analyze the performance of others and develop an insight into their strategy, philosophy and underlying appetite for risk. So while online poker players cannot read their rivals body language, they can at least begin to understand their behaviour through statistical analysis.
Voice Communication Software
Voice communication is now increasingly viable through the Internet, with numerous gamers using this technology to interact with their guide mates and friends in real-time. TeamSpeak is perhaps the most effective and popular voice communication software, as it delivers a reliable service and incredibly rapid response times. This is crucial, especially when you consider the increasingly quick and live nature of modern-day gaming.
What is your favorite software tool for gaming? Let us know in the comments section.
