VIDEO GAMESVIDEO GAMES

Evolution, Development, Sales Evolution, Development, Sales and Controversy. and Controversy.

Video game:Video game:

According to Wikipedia: A video game is According to Wikipedia: A video game is a game that typically involves user/player a game that typically involves user/player interaction with a controller interface to interaction with a controller interface to generate visual feedback on a video generate visual feedback on a video screen.screen.

It also generally has some system of It also generally has some system of reward presented to the user in return for reward presented to the user in return for meeting certain accomplishments within meeting certain accomplishments within the framework of a given rule set.the framework of a given rule set.

HistoryHistory

A.S. Douglas created the first video game A.S. Douglas created the first video game in 1952 titled in 1952 titled OXOOXO..

OXOOXO was a graphical version of tic-tac-toe was a graphical version of tic-tac-toe but was never introduced to the public.but was never introduced to the public.

The game introduced to the public was The game introduced to the public was created six years later in 1958 by William created six years later in 1958 by William Higinbotham.Higinbotham.

This game was called This game was called Tennis for TwoTennis for Two..

History continued…History continued…

It is ironic that the It is ironic that the Japanese company Japanese company Sega was started by Sega was started by an American.an American.

Also, Nintendo is the Also, Nintendo is the company that made company that made these games popular these games popular again.again.

EvolutionEvolution

Today, video games are seen as a source Today, video games are seen as a source for teenage violence, which is an arguable for teenage violence, which is an arguable topic.topic.

It’s interesting that the first home console It’s interesting that the first home console also had a light rifle as an optional also had a light rifle as an optional peripheral.peripheral.

The world of video games are The world of video games are continuously evolving and the violence continuously evolving and the violence factor is an endless argument.factor is an endless argument.

GenresGenres

According to Wikipedia, video games are According to Wikipedia, video games are categorized into genres that are based on categorized into genres that are based on many factors, such as method of game many factors, such as method of game play, types of goals and many others.play, types of goals and many others.

Combinations of genres such as with Combinations of genres such as with massively multiplayer online role-playing massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG).game (MMORPG).

Common Genres:Common Genres:

ActionAction AdventureAdventure CasualCasual FightingFighting PlatformPlatform PuzzlePuzzle RacingRacing

SimulationSimulation SportsSports Strategy gameStrategy game ShootersShooters MultiplayerMultiplayer OnlineOnline Role-playingRole-playing

DevelopmentDevelopment

Video games are Video games are made by developers, made by developers, which require a team which require a team which is managed by which is managed by a producer.a producer.

The team consists of:The team consists of:- designers- designers- graphic designers- graphic designers- artists- artists- programmers - programmers - sound designers- sound designers- musicians- musicians- technicians- technicians

Development continued…Development continued…

Video games are developing in all areas.Video games are developing in all areas.The problem is cost and how developers The problem is cost and how developers

intend to keep cost low to attract publisher intend to keep cost low to attract publisher investment. investment.

The average team size and average The average team size and average development time of a game have grown development time of a game have grown with the size of the industry and the with the size of the industry and the technology involved in creating games.technology involved in creating games.

Game ModificationsGame Modifications

Games running on a PC are made with Games running on a PC are made with end-user modifications in mind.end-user modifications in mind.

This allows modern computer games to be This allows modern computer games to be modified by gamers without difficulty.modified by gamers without difficulty.

SalesSales

Three largest markets Three largest markets for games:for games: U.S. (largest)U.S. (largest) JapanJapan United KingdomUnited Kingdom

(This is also the same (This is also the same order for the top three order for the top three largest producers of largest producers of video games.)video games.)

Sales continued…Sales continued…

Other significant markets:Other significant markets:Australia, Canada, Spain, Germany, South Australia, Canada, Spain, Germany, South

Korea, Mexico, France and Italy.Korea, Mexico, France and Italy.

India and China are emerging markets in the India and China are emerging markets in the industry.industry.

Benefits Benefits

Multimedia Multimedia EntertainmentEntertainment

Simulated story Simulated story worldsworlds

Emergent narrativeEmergent narrative Many are educational Many are educational

and not to mention, and not to mention, fun to play. fun to play.

ControversyControversy

Video games fallen victim to censorship.Video games fallen victim to censorship.This is due to violence, sexual themes, This is due to violence, sexual themes,

advertising within the games such as advertising within the games such as drugs and alcohol and profanity.drugs and alcohol and profanity.

Critics of these games include: Critics of these games include: parents, politicians, organized religion groups, parents, politicians, organized religion groups,

special interest groups, ect.special interest groups, ect.

Controversy continued…Controversy continued…

Some of the attempts Some of the attempts at censorship in the at censorship in the U.S. were turned U.S. were turned down due to a down due to a violation of First violation of First Amendment rights.Amendment rights.

PresentPresent

Currently, video games are not only aimed Currently, video games are not only aimed toward young males.toward young males.

The age range in males has expanded to The age range in males has expanded to 25-40 age group.25-40 age group.

Females are more frequently playing video Females are more frequently playing video games. Most commonly the online multi-games. Most commonly the online multi-user.user.

SourcesSources

www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/viwww.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/hov/p10_01.htmldeo/hov/p10_01.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_gameshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_gameshttp://www.gamespot.com/http://www.gamespot.com/