Video game
Definition and Overview
A video game is an electronic game that involves interaction with a user interface or input device – such as a joystick, controller, keyboard, or motion sensing devices – to generate visual feedback on a two- or three-dimensional video display device such as a TV screen, virtual reality headset, or computer monitor. Since the 1980s, video games have become an increasingly important part of the entertainment industry, and whether they are also a form of art is a matter of dispute.
The electronic systems used to play video games are called platforms. Video games are developed and released for one or several platforms and may not be available on others. Specialized platforms such as arcade games, which present the game in a large, typically coin-operated chassis, were common in the 1980s in video arcades, but declined in popularity as other, more affordable platforms became available. These include dedicated consoles, handheld devices, and PCs, which can be equipped with additional hardware and software to run games. There are also applications, also known as apps, designed to run on smartphones and tablets.
History
The history of video games goes as far back as the early 1950s, when academic computer scientists began designing simple games and simulations as part of their research or just for fun. At M.I.T. in the 1960s, professors and students played games such as 3D tic-tac-toe and Moon Landing. These games were played on computers such as the IBM 1560, and moves were made by means of punch cards. Video gaming did not reach mainstream popularity until the 1970s and 1980s, when video arcade games and gaming consoles using joysticks, buttons, and other controllers, along with graphics on computer screens and home computer games were introduced to the general public. Since then, video gaming has become a popular form of entertainment and a part of modern culture in most parts of the world.
Gameplay
Gameplay is the specific way in which players interact with a game, and in particular with video games. Gameplay is the pattern defined through the game rules, connection between player and the game, challenges and overcoming them, plot and player's connection with it. Video game gameplay is distinct from graphics and audio elements.
Genres
A video game genre is a specific category of games related by similar gameplay characteristics. Video game genres are used to categorize video games based on their gameplay interaction rather than visual or narrative differences. A video game genre is defined by a set of gameplay challenges and are classified independently of their setting or game-world content.
Impact on Society
Video games have had an impact on society since their inception, and this impact has evolved over time. The societal impact of video games is often viewed from a negative perspective, focusing on potential harm related to addiction, aggression, and lowered school performance. However, video games also have positive impacts on players, such as increased cognitive flexibility, improved problem-solving and strategic planning skills, and benefits to teamwork when played cooperatively.