Video game
Electronic games with visual feedback from a display device.
A video game, also known as a computer game or simply game, is an electronic game that involves interaction with a user interface or input device to generate visual feedback from a display device. Most modern video games are audiovisual, with audio complement delivered through speakers or headphones, and sometimes also with other types of sensory feedback such as haptic technology. Video games are typically categorized according to their hardware platform, which traditionally includes arcade video games, console games, and computer games, and have expanded onto mobile gaming, virtual and augmented reality systems, and remote cloud gaming. By the 2000s, the landscape was dominated by the 'big three' console manufacturers of Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft, and the industry increasingly centered on 'AAA' games, while independent video game development gained prominence into the 2010s.
- Key early companies
- Atari, Mattel, Coleco
- Dominant console manufacturers (2000s)
- Nintendo, Sony, Microsoft
Lore & Background
Goldsmith Jr. and Estle Ray Mann filed a patent for a 'cathode-ray tube amusement device' that allowed a user to control the parabolic arc of a dot on a screen to simulate a missile being fired at targets. These inventions laid the foundation for modern video games. They then formed Atari, Inc. The success of the Odyssey and Pong launched the video game industry.
Reader's Guide
After the crash, the industry matured, with Japanese companies like Nintendo, Sega, and later Sony dominating consoles, while Microsoft Windows came to dominate computer gaming. The rise of high-speed Internet and digital distribution gave room for independent video game development to gain prominence into the 2010s. The emerging Asian markets and proliferation of smartphone games have altered player demographics towards casual and cozy gaming, and increasing monetization by incorporating games as a service. Video game development today requires numerous skills, vision, teamwork, and liaisons between developers, publishers, distributors, retailers, hardware manufacturers, and other marketers. The video game market is also a major influence behind the electronics industry, driving hardware design and innovation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a video game?
A video game is an electronic game in which a player interacts with an input device or user interface to produce visual output on a screen. Most modern titles also deliver sound through speakers or headphones, and some add haptic or other sensory feedback.
Who are the dominant video game console manufacturers?
Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft have led the console market since the 2000s. Earlier pioneers such as Atari, Mattel, and Coleco helped establish the industry during its formative years.
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