What is the evolution of video games?
The history of video games began in the 1950s and 1960s as computer scientists began designing simple games and simulations on minicomputers and mainframes. Spacewar! was developed by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) student hobbyists in 1962 as one of the first such games on a video display.
The Evolution of Gaming: A Look Back at the Most Iconic Video Games of All Time
Early Video Games
Video games have been around since the 1950s, with some of the earliest being Tennis for Two and Spacewar!. But the world of gaming would really start to take off in the 1970s with the release of games like Atari’s Pong and the first-person shooter game, Battlezone. These early video games provided hours of entertainment for people and laid the foundation for the gaming industry as we know it today.
The Arcade Era
The 1980s saw the rise of the arcade. The proliferation of computer and video game arcades made them one of the most popular entertainment options for young people. Popular games like Pac-Man, Space Invaders, Centipede, and Q*bert made their mark during this era and quickly became some of the most iconic games of all time.
The Console Age
The next major revolution in gaming came with the release of the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in 1983. The console revolutionized the industry with games like Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, and Mega Man, which pushed the boundaries of what a video game could be.
The 16-Bit Era
The 16-bit era saw the release of Sega’s Genesis in 1989 and the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) in 1990. This era saw a focus on more complex graphics and sound, as well as improved gameplay. Popular games from the 16-bit era include Street Fighter II, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Super Mario World.
The 32/64-Bit Era
The 32/64-bit era began with the launch of the Sega Saturn in 1995 and the Sony PlayStation in 1994. This era saw the introduction of 3D graphics and enhanced, cinematic gameplay. The PlayStation was the dominate player in this era with games like Final Fantasy VII, Resident Evil, and Metal Gear Solid becoming iconic titles.
The Modern Age
The modern era of gaming began with the launch of the Microsoft Xbox in 2001 and the Nintendo GameCube in 2002. Enabled by increased computing power, the games of this era were more expansive and immersive than ever before. Games like Grand Theft Auto 3, Halo, and Super Smash Bros. Melee built the foundation for the current state of the video game industry.
High Definition and Mobile Gaming
The dawn of the 21st century ushered in an era of high-definition gaming with the release of the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Nintendo Wii. These consoles enabled higher resolution graphics, more complex gameplay, and online functionality, as well as motion-sensing controllers to bring players closer to the game. Mobile gaming began to gain mainstream popularity with the rise of smartphones, with games like Angry Birds and Candy Crush becoming casual gaming favorites.
The Future of Gaming
The future of gaming looks bright with the advent of gaming-focused PCs, virtual reality, and the new generation of consoles, such as the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. This new wave of hardware and software is pushing more realistic visuals as well as a focus on connectedness and community.
Conclusion
Video games have come a long way in a few short decades, from the days of simple 2D arcade games to the massive, immersive worlds available today. Video games have become one of the most popular forms of entertainment and have created a dedicated community of fans. As technology advances and the hardware and software capabilities continue to improve, we can only imagine what the games of the future will look like.
Recommendations
If you are looking for a great video game to play, here are some of our top recommendations.
For classic arcade gamers, we recommend Pac-Man and Space Invaders.
For action fans we suggest Metal Gear Solid, Grand Theft Auto 3, and Halo.
For puzzle gamers, we recommend Portal and Tetris.
For RPG gamers, we suggest the Final Fantasy series and The Witcher 3.
For narrative gamers, we recommend Life is Strange and The Last of Us.
For sports game fans, we suggest the Madden series and Fifa.
