Electronic Games
Electronic games, often referred to as video games, are digital games that have evolved significantly since their inception in the early 1950s. The first electronic game, a computerized version of tic-tac-toe, was developed in 1952, sparking the creation of various game formats over the following decades. Major milestones in gaming include the introduction of arcade games like Pong in the 1970s and the release of home consoles such as the Atari 2600 and the Nintendo Entertainment System in the 1980s. The 1990s saw the emergence of online gaming and the introduction of advanced consoles like the PlayStation and the Nintendo 64, which supported more complex graphics and gameplay experiences.
Electronic games cover a wide range of genres, including action, simulation, sports, and role-playing games, each catering to different player interests. In recent years, the rise of esports has transformed gaming into a professional endeavor, with organized competitions attracting large audiences and sponsorships. As technology continues to progress, electronic games have become increasingly immersive, often featuring sophisticated graphics, narrative elements, and community-driven experiences. The gaming industry now represents a multibillion-dollar market, impacting culture and entertainment worldwide, while also fostering career opportunities for enthusiasts in programming, design, and game development.
Electronic Games
History
The first electronic game, a computerized version of tic-tac-toe, was created in 1952 by A. S. Douglas for the Electronic Delay Storage Automatic Calculator (EDSAC) computer at the University of Cambridge. In 1958, engineer William Higginbotham developed an electronic version of tennis for visitors to Brookhaven National Laboratory. Higginbotham's game inspired the first generation of video game developers.
In 1961, computer scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) developed "Spacewar," the first computer game to allow multiple users to share the same screen. In 1971, the first home gaming system was released by Magnavox under the name "Odyssey." The game featured simple graphics and was ultimately a commercial failure.
Nolan Bushnell, Ted Dabney, and Al Alcorn were part of the team that created the first arcade game, Pong. The game was an immediate success and led Atari to become the first multimillion-dollar gaming company. The arcade version of Pong was released in 1974, followed in 1976 by a home version that connected to standard television sets.
The first home computers with simple built-in games appeared in 1976. Fairchild Camera and Instrument released the Channel F home gaming system in late 1976, followed by Atari's Video Computer System (VCS) in 1977. Atari was the first company to license arcade games such as Space Invaders for use on a home console, which was renamed the Atari 2600.
By 1982, third-party game developers began to sell game designs to home computer manufacturers and console companies such as Atari and Mattel (maker of the Intellivision console). Microsoft entered the gaming market in 1982 with the release of the first flight simulator for the home computer.
The Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) was released in 1985, featuring 8-bit graphics with 2 kilobytes of RAM. The next generation of game consoles appeared in 1989, with the release of the Sega Genesis, the first home system to feature 16-bit graphics and 512 colors. That same year, Nintendo released the Gameboy, the first hand-held game system with the ability to play multiple games. Nintendo followed with the 16-bit Super Nintendo home console in 1990.
The 1992 release of the martial arts game Mortal Kombat caused a problem for video game manufacturers as groups began protesting the depiction of violence in video games. In response, the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB) was formed in 1994, along with the introduction of a software ratings system.
Sony released the Playstation in 1994, which sold over 100,000 units on the first day of release. The following year, Sega released the Saturn, the first CD-based, 32-bit system with a built-in modem. The Nintendo 64 was released in 1995 as the first 64-bit system.
As Internet technology became widely available, video game makers responded by creating online games. By 1995, hundreds of online games were available for home gamers. Online gaming continued to evolve leading to the development of massively multiplayer online games (MMOG), in which hundreds or thousands of players can play simultaneously.
Sega's Dreamcast, released in 1999, was the first console capable of online gaming. Sony's Playstation 2 (PS2), released in 2000, was the first console to feature high-speed Internet capability and graphics superior to home computers.
Microsoft launched the Xbox game system in 2001, featuring 128-bit graphics and a built-in hard drive larger than that of many home computers. The Xbox was also the first console to support an HDTV picture. Both the Xbox and the PS2 also featured the ability to play DVD movies through the system.
As the popularity of game consoles increased, arcade games and home computer games began to wane in popularity. Arcade manufacturers responded by re-releasing classic arcade games to appeal to nostalgic gaming fans.
In 2005, Microsoft released the Xbox 360, the first in the "seventh generation" of gaming consoles. The Xbox 360 features 256-bit graphics with a built-in 3.2 Ghz processor. Other seventh-generation consoles set for release in 2006 and 2007 include Sony's Playstation 3 and the Nintendo Wii.
Types of Games
Adaptation games focus on simulating real-life scenarios in an electronic game format. Flight simulators, gambling simulators, and driving games are among the most popular of these games. Other simulation games allow gamers to build and manage complex projects such as cities, roller coasters, theme parks, zoos, and space stations.
Action/combat games generally feature a first-person or third-person viewpoint, or allow gamers to switch the "camera" between perspectives. Subgenres include shooting games, melee combat games, and hybrid games that blend combat with puzzles or strategy.
There are a variety of puzzle and strategy games available, from simple graphic puzzles like Tetris to complex military simulators. The development of real-time strategy (RTS) games allowed multiple players to compete in strategic simulations in an online environment.
Sports games were among the earliest computer games and continue to be a major genre for game manufacturers. Developments in graphics technology now allow players to control realistic depictions of contemporary sports stars.
Role-playing games are the electronic version of the strategy/character development games, such as Dungeons & Dragons, first popularized in the 1970s. The player changes the attributes of game characters based on choices made during gaming sequences. Role-playing games have become popular with the development of online gaming communities.
Trends
Atari's E.T. video game, released in 1982, was one of the first video games based on a feature film (although the game was considered a failure). Modern games feature the voice talents of well-known movie actors, and feature animations based on graphic scans of celebrities. Recently, directors of movie and television productions have begun to write and direct video games.
Most games follow a scripted sequence of events, which leads to a repetitive experience during game play. In recent years, manufacturers have begun creating computer-controlled characters that react to the player's actions based on a series of behavioral rules. These modifications allow for gaming sequences that are unique each time the game is played. Games with advanced behavioral sequences are a major feature in seventh-generation console gaming.
Online gaming has continued to grow in popularity, and is now a multibillion-dollar industry. In many cities, dedicated businesses have appeared that allow customers to buy time on a console or computer system to engage in online gaming.
Electronic Gaming for Fun vs. Profit
By the late 2000s, organized video game competitions were acquiring the status of a professional endeavor, known as "esports," with some companies such as Blizzard Entertainment and EA Sports creating leagues to organize tournaments in the manner of other professional sports. This has created an avenue for avid gamers to possibly become professional.
Many amateur gamers have gone on to work in the gaming industry by becoming computer programmers and graphic artists, or by writing dialogue or screenplays for video game producers. Alternatively, some gaming enthusiasts attempt to profit by engaging in online gambling games. Some states prohibit online gaming for profit.
Working as a technician or engineer in the gaming industry often requires higher education or training at a technical college. Due to the rapid advancement of gaming technology, those wanting to become involved in the technical production of games should seek advanced degrees in programming, animation, or computer science.
Learning More
Organizations
Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB) <www.esrb.org>
Entertainment Software Association <www.theesa.com>
International Game Developers Association (IGDA) <www.igda.org>
World Esports Association <www.wesa.gg>
Books
Baer, Ralph H., and Mark J. P. Wolf. The Medium of the Video Game. University of Texas Press, 2002.
Hansen, Dustin. Game On!: Video Game History from Pong and Pac-Man to Mario, Minecraft, and More. Feiwel and Friends, 2016.
Kent, Steven. The Ultimate History of Video Games: From Pong to Pokemon. Three Rivers Press, 2001.
Wolf, Mark J. P. The Video Game Theory Reader. Routledge Press, 2003.