Video Games

Video games are games that use the interaction with a user interface to generate visual feedback on a device like a phone, monitor, or TV. The input devices to play video games depend on the platforms, and the examples include keyboards, joysticks, touchscreens, etc.

The increased storage capacity and computing power allow game developers to create games with incredible graphics and complex interaction between the player and the game. Modern games also usually contain sounds, music, or even voice acting to increase the immersion.

Platforms

A platform or system is a set of specific hardware and software that allows for video games to operate. The most popular platforms are:

PC (personal computer)
Console (PlayStation, Xbox, Wii)
Handheld (Game Boy)
Arcade (device typically designed to play only one game)
Web browser
Mobile
Virtual reality

Preferred platforms in 2017:

32% – Mobile
31% – Console
23% – PC
10% – Tablet
4% – Browser

History

The history of video games dates back as far as the early 1950s when computer scientists began creating games and simulations as a part of their research.

The first commercial arcade video game was released in 1971, and it was Computer Space by Nutting Associates.

In 1972, Atari released Pong and it was a great success. It was a table tennis game featuring simple two-dimensional graphics.

The first home video game system was also released in 1972 by Magnavox, and it was called The Odyssey.

In 1977, Atari released the Video Computer System (VCS) which was later renamed to Atari 2600. It used removable cartridges, allowing multiple games to be played on the same device. It sold over 27 million units worldwide.

In 1978, an arcade game Space Invaders was made which began the golden age of arcade video games. The game inspired arcade machines to be placed in mainstream locations such as shopping centers. Space Invaders had over 60,000 machines all over the U.S.

In 1980, Pac-Man was created, and it ended up selling 350,000 arcade units, and the next year Mario was introduced.

The American video game industry experienced a major “crash” in 1983 due to low-quality games and other factors. It led to the bankruptcy of multiple video game companies

In 1985, Nintendo introduced the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). It’s sales eventually exceeded 61 million units. It used a pad controller and it had reproductions of arcade games. Nintendo priced the system cheaper than the competitors and made a profit from selling games for the NES.

In 1989, Nintendo released Game Boy, which was the first handheld gaming system. It’s worldwide sales reached 118 million units. The same year Sega released Sega Genesis console with Sonic the Hedgehog.

In the upcoming years, new consoles kept being released:

Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) – in 1991
Playstation – in 1995
Nintendo 64 – in 1996
PlayStation 2 – in 2000
Game Boy Advance – in 2001
Nintendo DS – in 2004
Xbox 360 – in 2005
PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii – in 2006
Nintendo 3DS – in 2011
Wii U – in 2012
Xbox One and PlayStation 4 – in 2013
Nintendo Switch – in 2017

In 2003, Valve introduced a digital game distribution platform for PC called Steam, allowing PC gamers to download and play many video game titles in the same place.

Genres

Video games can be classified in various genres depending on the differences in gameplay, and each individual game can belong to multiple genres at once.