The video games industry is absolutely enormous. Globally, it’s worth more than a hundred billion dollars – a figure which is projected to grow considerably over the years to come.
It wasn’t all that long ago that gaming was a relatively niche concern, and that games were a world away from the photorealistic experiences we enjoy today. Let’s take a look at how gaming has evolved from the pixelated arcade cabinets of yesteryear, and what developments have been most pivotal along the way.
The Rise of Classic Arcade and Console Games
The earliest games were, by modern standards, almost unrecognisably crude. The two blocky paddles of the classic Pong cabinet arrived in the early 1970s, but increases in computing power resulted in classics like Pac-Man, Defender, Asteroids and Donkey Kong.
It was the emergence of home video consoles that really made a difference, however. Rather than being forced into a video arcade, gamers could enjoy their favourite games from the comfort of their living rooms – all thanks to early offerings from Nintendo and Sega, and later ones from Sony and Microsoft.
The Growth of Online and Multiplayer Gaming
The proliferation of the internet opened up entirely new gaming possibilities. Gamers equipped with the right connection could collaborate and compete with one another in digital environments, and make use of built-in chat services. These features helped cement games like Counter-Strike, Quake and StarCraft in pop culture.
Mobile Games and On-the-Go Entertainment
Mobile gaming really got started in the 1990s, with LCD-bound monochromatic pixel games like Snake proving enormously popular. It wasn’t until after the turn of the century, with the launch of the iPhone and the modern app store, that mobile gaming became truly mainstream.
Nowadays, it’s possible to use a phone to play just about any kind of game. So, whether you’re looking for a high-octane shooter, a cerebral puzzler, or a round or two of jackpot slots, the chances are you can find it on your phone’s app store.
Casino-Style and Social Gaming Trends
Many of the more popular modern games are actually continuations of older, more traditional ones. You might think of casino-style games, which replicate the setting of a real-world gaming establishment. Or, you might look at pixel-art games, which deliberately veer away from the photorealistic approach of modern ‘AAA’ titles, in favour of something that’s deliberately retro, creative and nostalgic.
