你是不是曾經(jīng)一度為了創(chuàng)下俄羅斯方塊得分新高而點燈熬夜？一提到在80、90年代盛行的 Gameboy 游戲機，是不是勾起了你許多童年的記憶？盡管電子科技在近年來發(fā)展飛速，但讓我們感到意外的是曾經(jīng)陪伴我們度過無數(shù)童年假期的那些經(jīng)典游戲再度回歸。本期《隨身英語》討論老技術(shù)和產(chǎn)品再度興起的原因。

課文內(nèi)容

Vocabulary: gaming 詞匯: 電子游戲

There's no doubt that in today's digital world, computer games are extremely sophisticated and capable of creating virtual reality experiences that were unimaginable only a few years ago. So I am interested to see that the simplistic games that I grew up with, are making a revival. But why?

In the 1970s, the original place to play a computer game was at an arcade. Here, you and your mates could try out the new big names in games such as Space Invaders and Pacman. It was the only affordable way to play them and because of the technology involved, the gaming machines were too big to fit in to your house.

But in the 1980s and 90s, gaming arrived in our homes and people like me were addicted. The sound of beeping became a familiar sound emanating from bedrooms across the land! Names such as Tetris, Sonic and Street Fighter became popular language in the playground – and now they are being talked about – and played – again. One of the reasons is the low cost. The BBC spoke to gamer, Gemma Wood, who says that: "Newer consoles and their games are incredibly expensive. I understand that a lot of hard work has gone into the design etc, but how can anyone justify ￡50 to ￡60 for a game that you might not even enjoy?" 

Simplicity might be another reason. The graphics on old games may not compare with the detail and definition of modern games but they are fun and easy to use by children and adults alike. And of course, nostalgia plays its part. Some people want to relive their childhood while for others, it is a chance to show their children the computer games they grew up with.

Technology journalist, KG Orphanides, says we should have admiration for this old technology. He says "it's important to recognise how well-designed many of those classic games are... the developers had so little space to work with – your average Sega Mega Drive or SNES cartridge had a maximum capacity of just 4MB – and limited graphics and sound capabilities." This compares to an average capacity of 40G in today's games. 

This craze for using retro hardware and grabbing an old joystick is ceratinly catching on. And to persuade those of us who are not sure about downgrading the gaming experience, manufacturers such as Nintendo, are bringing back some of their older consoles in new style casing. So it seems like it's not 'game over' for old-school technology!

詞匯表

sophisticated 精密復(fù)雜的
virtual reality 虛擬現(xiàn)實
unimaginable 難以想象的
simplistic 過分簡單化的
arcade 游樂中心
console （游戲）主機，控制臺
graphics 圖像
definition 清晰度
nostalgia 懷舊，對往事的懷念
admiration 欽佩
classic 經(jīng)典的，有代表性的
cartridge 游戲卡
capability 能力，力量
hardware 硬件
joystick 操縱桿
downgrade 降低
old-school 舊時的

測驗與練習

1. 閱讀課文并回答問題。

1. Why did people originally play computer games in an arcade?

2. What do the graphics on modern games have that old games did not?

3. Which words used in the article means 'coming from a particular place'?

4. Why are some manufacturers bringing back old games in new style casing?

5. True or false: Developers of the old games only had small offices to work in.

2. 請你在不參考課文的情況下完成下列練習。選擇一個意思合適的單詞填入句子的空格處 。

1. I spent all my money at the ______ so I didn't have any left for the bus fare home.

graphics       consoles       arcade       old school

2. The airline has been showing off its new inflight entertainment system with wireless headphones, voice control and 4K high ______ screens.

defining       definition       defined       definite

3. The new high-speed train has the ______ to reach speeds of over 200 miles per hour.

admiration       graphics       capability       joystick

4. The party was great because the DJ played lots of ______ favourites!

old-school       out of school       old boy       old class

5. Campaigners are claiming the ______ of hospital services is putting more lives at risk.

capabilities       simplistic       nostalgia       downgrading

答案

1. 閱讀課文并回答問題。

1. Why did people originally play computer games in an arcade?
It was the only affordable way to play them and because of the technology involved, the gaming machines were too big to fit in to your home.

2. What do the graphics on modern games have that old games did not?
Modern games have graphics detail and definition.

3. Which words used in the article means 'coming from a particular place'?
Emanating.

4. Why are some manufacturers bringing back old games in new style casing?
To persuade those unsure about using older games, to give them a try.

5. True or false: Developers of the old games only had small offices to work in.
False. We don't know about the size of their office but we know that developers had so little processing and storage space to work with – a maximum of 4MB on some games.

2. 請你在不參考課文的情況下完成下列練習。選擇一個意思合適的單詞填入句子的空格處 。

1. I spent all my money at the arcade so I didn't have any left for the bus fare home.

2. The airline has been showing off its new inflight entertainment system with wireless headphones, voice control and 4K high definition screens.

3. The new high-speed train has the capability to reach speeds of over 200 miles per hour.4. The party was great because the DJ played lots of old-school favourites!

5. Campaigners are claiming the downgrading of hospital services is putting more lives at risk.