Gameplay Videos.

While trying to imagine new content for this here Blog, I played a lot of video games. I played platformers, RPGs, Shoot-em-Ups, FPSs, Puzzle games, Strategy games, Hidden Objects games and even games about making games. The playing of the games took a long time and during that time, an upgrade appeared for my PC's Operating System. I  then upgraded my PC to Windows 10...

I really like Windows 10! but this post isn't about my feelings toward Microsoft's latest OS offering, it is aimed more specifically at one of its features. Namely, the "Gamebar".

Windows 10, as you may or may not know, supports (wired) Xbox360 controllers straight out-the-box. No poncing about with 3rd-party applications, just plug the pad in and away you go. A lot of new PC games support the use of Xbox360 pads natively too and it is undoubtedly one of the better features of Windows 10. I've been using an X360 pad ever since I upgraded my PC, but only recently discovered something else cool about this particular feature.

During gameplay, pressing the Xbox button on the controller (for the 1st time) will bring up a question, ("Is this a game?"). If you check the checkbox to confirm that the software you're running is a game, you'll be taken to the Gamebar. The Gamebar is a small filmstrip-style menu where you can take screenshots and record videos of your virtual adventures! Once you've opened the Gamebar, choose the appropriate icon and Windows will do its thing, either saving the screenshot or starting to record.

I always assumed that recording videos of gameplay on a PC would consume a lot of the PC's resources. I used a couple of PC applications in the past that have been made to record things like gameplay videos and they've always had a negative impact on the performance of the game/emulator I was trying to record. This little feature of Windows 10 seems to have no effect whatsoever on performance and it made me want to record small gameplay videos for no reason at all! And that's exactly what I did :-)

So, I am going to start a regular post about gameplay videos. Pretty much completely random game selection, but the vids will be used to demonstrate how a game looks or plays. I can also record sound, so there could even be some kind of commentary added to a few of the videos.

In the mean time, why don't you check out just how awesome I am at Cave Story!!