online games

What the player gains

2009-07-08T21:06:00.000-07:00

Perhaps the most visible values of computer and video gaming are simply its artistic and entertainment values.

As a form of multimedia entertainment, modern video games contain a highly unique fusion of 3D art, CG effects, architecture, artificial intelligence, sound effects, dramatic performances, music, storytelling, and, most importantly, interactivity.

This interactivity enables the player to explore what amounts to a stylized, artistic depiction and simulation of some three-dimensional environment (something no other form of entertainment can allow) with the actions of the player operating as a single, irreducible variable.

In this respect, every game scenario will play out a slightly different way every time. Even if the game is highly scripted, this can still feel like a large amount of freedom to the person who is playing the game.

Consider, for example, a game such as Brothers in Arms: Earned in Blood, where the objective is often to eliminate Nazi squads by commanding a group of soldiers from a first-person perspective.

Many aspects of the game are highly controlled — the number of Nazis and the places they originate from do not vary, nor does the strength and armament of friendly or enemy troops. The maps are meticulously designed in such a way as to provide clear paths and cover at key locations.

And still, the overall strategy, the tactics, and the execution will vary every time. Within the rather broad boundaries of the game, the player is able to exercise far more freedom and control than in traditional forms of entertainment or art.

A related property is that of emergent behaviour. While many games including card games and sports rely on emergent principles, games are able to create simulated story worlds where emergent behaviour occurs within the context of this world.

This also is very appealing to players. In discussing the issue, game designer Warren Spector has used the term "emergent narrative" to describe how, in a simulated environment, storyline can be created simply by "what happens to the player."

In Steven Johnson's book, " Everything Bad Is Good For You," he argues that video games in fact demand far more from a player than traditional games like Monopoly.

In order to experience the game, the player must first determine the objectives, as well as how to complete them. They must then learn the game controls and how the human-machine interface works, including menus and HUDs.

Beyond such skills, which after some time become quite fundamental and are taken for granted by many gamers, video games are based upon the player navigating (and eventually mastering) a highly complex system with many variables. This requires a strong analytical ability, as well as flexibility and adaptability.

To emphasize the point, Johnson notes that the strategy guide for Grand Theft Auto III is 53,000 words long. He argues that the process of learning the boundaries, goals, and controls of a given game is often a highly demanding one that calls on many different areas of cognitive function. Indeed, most games require a great deal of patience and focus from the player, and, contrary to the popular perception that games provide instant gratification, games actually delay gratification far longer than other forms of entertainment such as film or even many books.

Some research suggests video games may even increase player's attention capacities.

Multiplayer games, which take advantage of the fact that computer games can use the internet, provide players with the opportunity to compete with other players from across the globe, something that is also unique to electronic gaming. MMORPG's take the concept much further with the establishment of vast, online communities existing in persistent, virtual worlds.

Millions of players around the globe are attracted to video gaming simply because it offers such unprecedented ability to interact with large numbers of people engaged simultaneously in a structured environment where they are all involved in the same activity (playing the game).

Even simple games offer potential benefits to the player. Games like Tetris and Pac-man are well-designed games that are easy to pick up but difficult to master, in ways not unlike chess or even poker. Despite their simplicity, simple games may also feature online capabilities or powerful AI. Depending on the game, players can develop and test their techniques against an advanced computer player or online against other human players.

More obvious benefits to the player can come in the form education on the game's subject matter. For example, a RTS set during the American Civil War may feature the use of period armies engaging in historical battles, and outwitting an opponent such as Robert E. Lee.

Popularity

2009-07-08T21:03:00.000-07:00

The popularity of computer and video games, as a whole, has been increasing steadily ever since the 1984-1987 drop-off caused by the video game crash of 1983, and the popularity appears to be continuing to increase.

The average age of the video game player is now 33, belying the myth that video games are largely a diversion for teenagers.

Sales

A typical retail display (in Geneva, Switzerland) with a large selection of games for several major consolesThe three largest markets for computer and video games are the United States (largest), Japan (2nd largest) and the United Kingdom (3rd) also in that order as the largest producers of video games .

Other significant markets include Australia, Canada, Spain, Germany, South Korea, Mexico, France and Italy. Both India and the China are considered emerging markets in the video game industry and sales are expected to rise significantly in the coming years.

Sales of different types of games vary widely between these markets due to local preferences. Japanese consumers avoid computer games and instead buy console games, with a strong preference for games catering to local tastes.

In South Korea, computer games are preferred, especially MMORPG games and real-time strategy games; there are over 20,000 PC bang Internet cafes where computer games can be played for an hourly charge.

The NPD Group tracks computer and video game sales in the United States. It reported that as of 2004:

Console and portable software sales: $6.2 billion, up 8% from 2003
Console and portable hardware and accessory sales: $3.7 billion, down 35% from 2003
PC game sales: $1.1 billion, down 15% from 2006
These figures are sales in dollars, not units; unit shipments for each category were higher than the dollar sales numbers indicate, as more software and hardware was sold at reduced prices compared to 2003.

Retail PC game sales have been declining slightly each year since about 1998, but this fact should be taken with a grain of salt: the retail sales numbers from NPD do not include sales from online downloads, nor subscription revenue for games like MMORPGs.

The game and film industries are also becoming increasingly intertwined, with companies like Sony having significant stakes in both. A large number of summer blockbuster films spawn a companion game, often launching at the same time in order to share the marketing costs.

Multiplayer video games

2009-07-08T21:01:00.000-07:00

Multiplayer video games are video games that can be played either competitively or cooperatively online or by using multiple controllers through the console.

Historically video games have gone up to four players, but since the release of Xbox and Xbox Live it is possible to play with up to 16 players either online or with linked Xbox consoles.

Sega's Dreamcast video game system did a great job of providing games for multiple players either competitively or cooperatively. Multiplayer gaming can turn video games into a social experience as well as an entertaining one.

History of Multiplayer video games

The Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) allowed for 2 controllers to be plugged in simultaneously. Most games on this system used a "take turns" approach.

Where player 1 (usually blue) would play until a life was lost and then player 2 (usually red) would play until the life was lost. Contra for NES was a game that allowed simultaneous cooperative multiplayer video gaming. The Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) allowed for 2 controllers to be plugged in as well and used a variety of multiplayer inclusion.

The Super Multitap could be purchased separately which allowed up to 8 players. The Sony Playstation console itself provided for only 2 controller inputs.

The "Multi-Tap" adapter could be purchased separately and allowed for an additional 4 players, with two "Multi-Tap"s bringing the total number of players to 8. The Nintendo 64 console provided 4 controller inputs off the bat.

This in many people's opinions played a great role in the popularity of the James Bond game Goldeneye 007, as no extraneous adapters need be purchased. The Sega Dreamcast console provided 4 controller inputs. The Microsoft Xbox console provided 4 controller inputs. The Sony Playstation 2 followed the format of the original if you wanted more than 2 player gaming you would need to purchase "Multi-Tap" adapters.

While many consoles in recent years have allowed four controllers to be used simultaneously, the number of games that take advantage of this capability has been somewhat limited. Even games that lend themselves to a multiplayer experience often don't take advantage of multiplayer capabilities.

Systems that allow for multiplayer gaming

The Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)
The Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) [8 with adapters]
The Sony PlayStation (PS1 or PSone) [5 with one adapter, 8 with two adapters]
The Nintendo 64 (N64)
The Sony PlayStation 2 (PS2) [5 with one adapter, 8 with two adapters]
The Microsoft Xbox (Xbox)
The Nintendo GameCube (GCN)
The Microsoft Xbox 360 (Xbox 360)
The Sony PlayStation 3 (PS3)
The Nintendo Wii (Wii)
The Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP)
The Nintendo DS (NDS)
The Nintendo Game Boy line (GB, GBC, GBA)

Introduction to video games

2009-07-08T20:55:00.000-07:00

A computer game is a computer-controlled game where players interact with objects displayed on a screen for the sake of entertainment.

A video game is essentially the same form of entertainment, but refers not only to games played on a personal computer, but also to games run by a console or arcade machine. The term "computer game" also includes games which display only text (and which can therefore theoretically be played on a teletypewriter) or which use other methods, such as sound or vibration, as their primary feedback device, or a controller ( console games), or a combination of any of the above. Also, more esoteric devices have been used for input (see also Game controller).

Usually there are rules and goals, but in more open-ended games the player may be free to do whatever they like within the confines of the virtual universe.

The phrase interactive entertainment is the formal reference to computer and video games. To avoid ambiguity, game software is referred to as "computer and video games" throughout this article, which explores properties common to both types of game.

In common usage, a "computer game" or a " PC game" refers to a game that is played on a personal computer. " Console game" refers to one that is played on a device specifically designed for the use of such, while interfacing with a standard television set. "Video game" (or "videogame"), in places where the term is used, has evolved into a catchall phrase that encompasses the aforementioned along with any game made for any other device, including, but not limited to, mobile phones, PDAs, advanced calculators, etc.

Gameplay

In computer and video gaming, gameplay is a general term that describes player interaction with a game. It includes direct interaction, such as controls and interface, but also design aspects of the game, such as levels and graphics, it also has various game difficulties in which the game gets harder or easier.

Although the use of this term is often disputed, as it is considered too vague for the range of concepts it describes, it is currently the most commonly used and accepted term for this purpose when describing video games.

Genres

Games, like most other forms of media, may be categorized into genres based on gameplay, atmosphere, and various other factors.

In fact, games are often much easier to classify by genre than films, music, or books. Due to gaming's relatively short history, technical limitations, and the commercial pressures currently affecting the North American and Japanese markets, electronic games are ensconced in a period of extreme formalism.

Recently, video games have begun to explode in popularity, a rise which coincides with an increase in production value, and thus, development cost. As gamers come to expect talented voice acting, enormous, meticulously-constructed worlds and Hollywood-quality sound effects, production costs rise, and owing to the tremendous investment required by publishers (who want to maximize profits), most choose to make games based upon "tried-and-true" ideas, borrowing heavily from previous games and concepts.

This is most evident in the fact that publishers' tend to establish "franchises", which often recycle the same characters, situations, conflicts, gameplay mechanics, and themes for any number of sequels.

Therefore, though many games may combine genres, very few exist outside the paradigm of previously established genres, with notable exceptions.

The most common genres in use today include:

Platformer
Adventure
Role-playing game (RPG)
MMORPG
MMOSG
Sports
Racing
Action
Fighting
Shooting
First person shooter (FPS)
Third person shooter
Puzzle
Simulation
Strategy game
Turn-based
Real-time (RTS)
Stealth-based game

Most games nowadays are a combination of two or more genres; an action role-playing game, for example. There are also number of genres, which are mostly unpopular today, that were hybrid forms of other media, such as books or movies; the most familiar being interactive fiction and interactive movies.

The increase in the popularity of online gaming has also resulted in sub-genres being formed, such as massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG).