Table of Contents
Introduction
When it comes to the technology of video games, it has evolved rapidly in every decade. From the forties video games technology has come a long way. For instance, in the beginning, the visuals were evident in pixel form.
From there, in the new millennium, games come with high-definition audio-visuals. In this article, we trace milestones of that journey. That is, we list the revolutionary moments in the video games business that helped shape the current state. Also, since technology is ever e is ever-evolving, we see the possibilities which the gaming industry will embrace.
Origin of Video Games
If we look at the early years of video gaming, it goes back to the fifties. Around this time computer science was embracing interactive simulation in computers. Also, pixelated displays were being developed for computer programs. One of the earliest instances of video games is Spacewar. This software became popular in the early part of the sixties.
It was in the seventies that video games started to gain popularity among people, especially in the US. Many video game parlours as well as restaurants started to stock up on arcade game machines.
Pong was one of the early commercial arcade games to become popular. In the same decade, the Atari 2600 came in. This ushered in the era of game consoles for home use.
When it comes to technology features, the initial decades saw games with 2D capabilities only. Also, they needed considerable processing power.
Hence, they could be run only on expensive computers. By the seventies, the transition had begun to three-dimensional pixelation in games. They were evident in the games of Nintendo or Sony PlayStation.
Rise of Home Gaming Consoles
By the eighties gaming consoles for homes were in vogue. Many reputed companies started to get into this business. The premier players were brands such as Nintendo, Atari and Sega which dominated this segment. Their games introduced iconic characters and game series. For instance, Legend of Zelda or Super Mario Bros were titles launched in this decade.
Even Sonic the Hedgehog was launched around this time. Even today there are spinoffs and movies created on these brands. They were responsible for bringing home gaming as a mainstream entertainment mode.
The Advent of 3D Graphics and Multimedia
By the nineties, video gaming technology had advanced even further. This was the time when three-dimensional features and multimedia capabilities came in. All such aspects made video games more engaging. Some highlights of advancements in the nineties are as follows:
- CD-ROMs were introduced.
- Developers incorporated cinematic effects and screenplays; also developed detailed storytelling.
- Orchestral soundtracks and voice acting were incorporated into video games.
- Games that set the trend in innovation were titles like Final Fantasy VII, Tomb Raider, Metal Gear Solid and others.
- Online games also came into vogue.
At such a time online casinos started to get attention. The slot games or bingo games incorporated video game-like technology. However, in the nineties, they required players to download software to play them. However, by the new millennium online casino games moved onto HTML5 technology. That allowed games on all Buton casinos and other sites to stream smoothly. Also, gamblers could play them on the go. They could do so on their mobile devices as well.
Hence, video games and similar online games improved by leaps and bounds in the new millennium. Today many websites allow gamblers and gamers to try games for free. They can stream them live on mobile as well as desktop browsers. To monetise the games one can pay for streaming or gambling on secure sites.
Emergence of Online Gaming and Virtual Reality
By the end of the 20th century, multiplayer games had come into vogue. Some popular titles in this genre are Counter-Strike and World of Warcraft. Such games have a single system being shared among multiple players.
Virtual reality is the other advancement in gaming technology. Such a platform gives players an immersive gaming experience. That is, players get to enter the world of a game, feel its environment and so forth. Hence, even three-dimensional games got a new look and feel on such a platform. The platform provides users with feedback with less lag. Hence, users can take action and see outcomes of the same more engagingly.
The Future of Gaming
Today there are even more innovations that are part of the new video game software. For instance, one can game in real time using cloud technology. Also, augmented reality provides a more real-life gaming experience. At the same time, it is more accessible than VR. Then again, AI augmentation has also become a reality for video games.
As evident from the above timeline, video game technology has come a long way. The medium has pushed technology to be more innovative and creative. Even today game developers seek out feedback and input from gamers. All such feedback helps them to realise what kind of advancements they can provide in the games of the future.