– “bits” as in 8-bit, 16-bit art and gaming systems
In: Technology
a bit is a digital information, and can have 2 state: 0 and 1.
This is the smallest unit of data in computing.
When we talk about 8, 16, 32 or 64 bits system, we are talking about the ability of a cpu core to process information in 1 cycle, 1 operation.
Obviously, the more bits that can be processed in 1 operation means more room for more details.
This as become a way to indicate a type of computer generated images.
8 bit computer where often limited to 4,8 or 16 colors. Some could handle 32 with dedicated chipset and the resolution of picture was pretty low (usually between 240 and 320 lines on the screen).
The number of objects (sprites) on the screen was limited as well.
16 bits upped the resolution (often to 640 lines), the quantity of memory that could be handled by the system and increased the number of colors that could be present, pictures became less blurry and more detailed, but still not a photo.
You could still se a blockiness to the pictures.
That and nostalgia made 16 bit pixel art a style in itself today.
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