Parts of the Gaming “Computer”

Understanding the Parts of this Gaming “Computer”

User: A user is a person who uses a computer and will log on to start their turn. Players, or users, will interact with each other over a network if a challenge involves two or more people.

Central Processing Unit (CPU): Each time a user inputs data (typing, moving a cursor), opens a file, or executes a program, the CPU reads the code and returns a response. The game in its entirety represents the CPU, which is the “brains” of the computer.

Graphics User Interface (GUI): Pronounced “gooey”, the GUI is how the user communicates with the computer. The monitor displays graphics such as icons, buttons, and windows that the user interacts with to make the computer perform certain tasks. Players will use the game’s GUI by drawing or placing cards on the table and arranging the placemats. 

Random Access Memory (RAM): The RAM contains information while the computer is on and is represented by the cards in a user’s hand. Any information not saved to a computer’s hard drive is lost upon shut down. Activated single-use Task Cards and exchanged Hex Code Card strings are “lost” to the discard pile.

Hard Drive: This is a physical piece of hardware that stores digital data even when the computer is off. A player accesses the hard drive by drawing a card from its respective draw pile, retrieving crypto tokens from the .zip file, or storing earned tokens in their external hard drives (the players’ stashes). These items remain in these locations even when the user ends their turn by logging off. These items are always retrieved from these locations no matter what happens in the game.

External Hard Drive (USB Stick): External hard drives, like USB sticks, are great for backing up data outside of the computer. Use these to store your earned crypto tokens.

Video Card: This hardware is a computer device that provides the images seen on a monitor. Here, Video Cards are all the physical cards in the game and show the user(s) a given task, code, output, and/or file.

Motherboard: Receives power from the computer’s power supply and allows all the parts to communicate with each other. Contains circuit boards that help the operating system (software) work with the physical components (hardware). The motherboard is represented by the table on which the game is played.