Journey to the Evolution of Video Games

Key Takeaways:-

• In 1958, the first ever game called Tennis Game was introduced for players.
• Gaming consoles like Magnavox Odyssey and Nintendo laid the foundation stone for a massive console market, which Sony is also a part of.
• There are numerous gaming genres that are played. Open-world and shooter games are some of the most popular.

Blood-rushing, dopamine-filled, adrenaline-rushing games are loved all around the globe. From calm and relaxing mini-games to complex yet entertaining AAA games, there would hardly be anyone on this planet who has never played one of them in their life. Let it be a rookie or a professional gamer; these programs are celebrated with joy all over the world.

One of the most significant changes in recent times is the explosive popularity of multiplayer games. With the advent of high-speed internet and online gaming platforms, gaming has transformed into a social activity, bringing players together from all corners of the world. However, with online games comes the risk of data compromise. Therefore, encrypting your online activity on Windows or other operating systems is always advised to ensure a safe gaming experience.

But where do these captivating games come from, and how have they evolved so much to today’s generation? These are some questions that are of great value, but not everyone has curiosity in their mind. However, to answer these questions, today we are going to take a look at their evolution over the decades. 

History: The Birth

Unfortunately, the story starts from a dark side of history. Where computers and technologies were introduced to be used in wars against their rivals. During the period when computers and new technologies were being introduced, they were intended to gain the upper hand over their enemy territory. But thanks to some bright-minded developers and program engineers who figured out that battles are not the only thing where these machines can be used. 

With this thought, developers started building their own masterpieces and started putting their efforts into them. And luckily, it all blew up. People started loving this new way of entertainment to escape from their regular lifestyle. 

• 1958’s classic yet simple Tennis Game,
• 1962 release Space War,
• The 1970s released computer arcades like Space Wars

These are some of the first products released in history that created a revolutionary change in the use of computers and made people realize that both destruction and prosperity lie in the decisions we make. The computers and programs that were first invented to outperform geopolitical rivals are now being used for entertainment and social purposes. 

Did you know that the 1962 release of Space War was actually the first game to introduce the scoring system in a match?

Innovation: Moving on With the Mission

Once their development came into the limelight, there was no going back. Developers and gamers realized that this is the new big thing that is going to shape the future. With this thought, there were a number of rearrangements or remodeling done in various stages of their development. New technologies and ideas were flourishing in minds, which resulted in some great inventions like

1. Magnavox Odyssey: Magnavox Odyssey, invented in 1972, was the first gaming console that ever existed on this planet. There were 11 game cards made for this console, which gave a total of 28 games that could be run on this console. This was also the very first tech that enabled players to compete in matches on a television set.
   
2. Nintendo: Still a popular name in today’s generation, in 1983, Nintendo came into the market with a great solution. Packed with 5 brilliant products (Super Maria Bros., The Legends of Zelda, Donkey Kong, Pacman, and Final Fantasy), this product instantly blew up in sales.
   
3. BASIC Code: With time, when computers were getting more complex, Operating Systems like Macintosh and Atari were taken into use for development with the help of BASIC code. Despite being a programming language, this was getting popular among developers. And when integrated with the LAN technology, developers were finally able to build a 5v5 game. Where a whole team of 5 could fight against the other team.
   
   Some popular products made out of this technology include Doom and Quake. 

Just like this, with time, various technologies are getting introduced to the date to make them more efficient, interactive, responsive, and whatnot. Speaking of current demographics, animation in game development, multiplayer, cloud technology, outsourcing in development, and cross-platform gaming are some innovations happening in the industry.

Did you know that the gaming industry is finally getting more capable of turning people into billionaires and millionaires like Kenzo Tsujimoto? The current value of the gaming industry is valued at over $100 billion, under which an average game developer with decent skills can make up to $85,000 per year.

Types of Video Games: Exploring Genres

As of now, gaming has become a flourished industry. There are events organized focusing on various inaugurations and characters. Movies or animated shows are made by getting inspired by them. 

In fact, a complete storyline, costume design, and a whole movie-like direction are done to make an outstanding product. Along with this, various types and genres are set up to categorize different games. Following is a list of a few of those categories or genres.

Commonly categorized as a sub-genre of strategy games, MOBA are online games that consist of players of two teams that battle against each other on a decided battlefield. The sole purpose of winning the match can be achieved by eliminating all the players of the opponent team by creating an efficient and effective strategy.

Some nice products of this genre include: 

• League of Legends,
• Pokémon Unite,
• Arena of Valor, and many more.

Getting into a bit relaxed or calm genre, simulators are used for various purposes. Entertainment, training, prediction, analysis, and many more functions are served by simulators. In fact, training for pilots, ship captains, F1 car drivers, and many others are first provided via simulation. When it comes to games, various people around the globe love playing simulators.

Some famous simulators are:

• War Thunder,
• World of Tanks,
• Microsoft Flight Simulator, and many more.

Shooting games are a part of the subgenre of action video games. They are introduced with two points of view, that are first-person POV or third-person POV. Also, a large arsenal, equipped with many weapons, is offered for players, and various AAA’s even integrate storylines and missions in them to make the gaming experience more immersive.

Some excellent shooter games include:

• World War Z,
• Call of Duty series,
• Apex Legends, and many more.

As the name suggests, an open world includes a completely virtual world where you can either roam freely and explore the world or complete the game with missions and tasks assigned to you. To make them more interactive, developers often integrate various Easter eggs and mini-games that you can play your game to have some more fun. These are some of the most favored and celebrated gaming genres on the internet. 

A few examples of finely crafted open worlds are:

• Red Dead Redemption 2,
• GTA Series, 
• Hogwarts Legacy, and many more.

Last on the list, survival horror games are focused on triggering your inner fear of ugly faces, disgusting creatures, or sometimes even some ghosts or devilish energies. The player has to make their character survive throughout the game by performing various tasks as instructed. Elements like jumpscares, sound effects, creepy BGM, and noisy missions are primarily focused on building suspense and establishing a slow poison of fear in your body. 

Some extravagant survival horror games are:

• The Outlast Trials,
• Dead by Daylight,
• Resident Evil series, and many more.

Wrapping Up: Present and Future of Gaming

Speaking of the future, it can be predicted that nothing in the near future seems to hold the potential of dragging this industry down. It keeps adapting to the change in technology and trends, and with time, there is nothing that can hold the sector back.

Even in present demographics, various technologies like AR and VR are dominating the space and making their unbeatable presence in the market. These ever-evolving changes and adaptation is the biggest strong point that keeps this industry thriving. But this can be a curse also; as you get more involved in these programs, the developers and gaming companies will tend to penetrate more into your personal information. Therefore, keeping your browsing and online activities safe is always recommended.

Author: Abby Hill

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