Topics related to computer and video games are the focus of this category.

A video game is any electronic game in which a player interacts with a user interface to create visual feedback on a video display device, which may be a computer monitor, television screen, or virtual reality headset. Video games that are specifically designed to be played on a personal computer are known as computer games, PC games, or personal computer games. Although differentiations may be made, defining a PC as a reference specifically to systems compatible with the IBM personal computer, we will not make such a distinction. For the purpose of categorization, games made for Mac-compatible computers, or any other computer systems, will be included here, as well.

One of the first graphical computer games was a version of tic-tac-toe developed by A.S. Douglas as part of his Ph.D. thesis at the University of Cambridge in 1952. Programmed on an EDSAC vacuum-tube computer, which used a cathode ray tube display. The first video game was created by William Higinbotham in 1958. Known as Tennis for Two, the game was created and played on a Brookhaven National Laboratory oscilloscope. SpaceWar, the first game intended for computer use, was created by Steve Russell in 1962, using an MIT PDP-1 mainframe computer. The first video game played on a television set was designed by Ralph Baer in 1967. It was called Chase. In 1971, the first arcade game, Computer Space, was created by Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney, based on Steve Russell's Spacewar computer game.

A year later, Bushnell created Pong, and he and Dabney, along with Al Alcorn, went on to found Atari Computers in 1972. That same year, Magnavox released The Odyssey, the first commercial home video game console, designed by Baer. It came programmed with twelve games. A programmable home game console was released by Fairchild in 1976. Originally known as the Fairchild Video Entertainment System, it was later renamed Channel F.

Asteroids and Lunar Lander were the first two video games registered at the US Copyright Office when they were copyrighted in 1980. Nintendo came out with its Game Boy system in 1989.

Released in 1978, Space Invaders was the first fixed shooter game, beginning what became a popular genre in arcade gaming. It not only began an era of arcade video games, but it helped to expand the video game industry into a global market.

Today, and over the years, video games have been played on several platforms, and some games have been played on multiple platforms.

Personal computers are not dedicated game platforms, but games are available for almost every type of computer system, and most people have games on their computers. In recent years, mobile gaming has become a large industry, some of which utilize features not available in other platforms, such as global positioning and camera devices to enable augmented reality play.

Some games are designed to be played on a web browser, which allows the game to be played on a variety of operating systems. These include Miniclip games, as well as Java and Flash games.

Game consoles are electronic gaming devices that are used in conjunction with a television set or video monitor. Generally, game consoles will play only games that have been developed for it, but rarely games developed by a direct competitor. Nintendo, PlayStation, and Xbox are game consoles.

Virtual reality games require the use of a head-mounted unit that provides stereoscopic screens and motion tracking to immerse the player in the game, although virtual reality technology is changing rapidly.

Handheld gaming devices are small, self-contained electronic devices designed to be held in the player's hands. Generally, there is a console, a video screen, speakers, buttons, joystick, and other game controllers contained within a single unit. Some handheld games can play only one game, while others use cartridges that enable them to play multiple games.

Arcade games are electronic game devices that are encased in large cabinets, which include a built-in console, controllers, a CRT screen, audio amplifier, and speakers. Usually designed to play only one game, they are usually coin-operated. During the 1980s, video arcades were booming businesses offering several coin-operated arcade games. Today, they can still be found in movie theaters, family entertainment centers, and some other places, but they don't draw in the crowds that they used to.

Video games are also used for educational and training purpose, for people of all ages, from K-12 education to the US military, and to improve cognitive skills in seniors, and children with attention deficits.

Whatever the game, whatever the gaming device or purpose for which it is used, the purpose of this guide is to present resources relating to computer and video games.

Categories

Recommended Resources

Search for Computer & Video Games on Google or Bing