A computer game (video game) is an entertainment program that requires a device with a central processing unit to participate in the game process.
The development of computer games
The first video game – a rocket simulator, was created in 1947 and wore a teaching character. Since that time, technology has been improved, and the creation of video games has been conditionally divided into three categories: devices, training simulators and video games. While the first two use special equipment, which is most prevalent in medicine and technically difficult professions (pilot, cosmonaut), others only require a personal computer, home or portable set-top box.
The development of the gaming industry has grown dramatically over the past decade: in 2011, computer games in the USA were recognized as a full-fledged art, and budgets for creating such ones are already catching up with the present-day film industry indicators. Some modern games also contain a deep and narrative plot, and the development of graphic technologies has almost come close to the quality of the film industry today.
The popularity of video games began to acquire at the end of the last century, with the advent of tetris and similar devices, as well as home consoles, better known by their brands (Dendy, SEGA, Sony PlayStation).
Gaming platforms
Today, the central platforms for video games are:
- Personal computers, laptops
- Home and portable consoles (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii)
- Mobile communication devices and smartphones
- Tablet computers
Having a huge number of platforms automatically implies the fact that developers can produce both products for a single platform, and for several, classifying video games into single-platform and multiplatform.
The creation of single-platform games today are engaged in:
- Small studios and independent developers who do not have the time and money to develop their project on several platforms at the same time.
- The largest manufacturers of home and portable consoles (Nintendo, Sony, Microsoft), which with the help of exclusive products increase the intellectual value of their product.
- Authoritative developers (Blizzard, The Creative Assembly), who do not see an opportunity to implement the most complex elements of mechanics and gameplay on platforms other than PCs.
Game audience
Since not every developer can afford to release a full-fledged project on the PC and even more so on home consoles, many start-up studios today are looking for stability in other directions. Accordingly, video games can also be divided into several categories in accordance with the platforms and their audience:
- Hardcore games, the difference of which is the elaboration of the classic elements of the game (story, game universe, gameplay mechanics)
- Casual games, the purpose of which is developer development or profit through transactions
- Social games that have an element of mutual help and / or communication between players
- Mobile games designed for mobile platforms (tablets, smartphones)
- Multiplayer games designed to jointly participate in game events of several players at the same time, having the opportunity to perform the task set by the gameplay only together.
