The Gaming Industry
What exactly is gaming? Gaming is the practice of using electronic devices (usually handheld video games) to interact with a user interface that is totally computerized; often, but not always, including artificial intelligence. This type of interaction may be visual (such as in a first-person shooter or strategy game) or non-visual (as in an amusement park or a skill-based game). Video games are the most common form of interactive computer entertainment and are quickly gaining in popularity among younger Americans and Europeans. The rapid spread of the internet, which has made worldwide communication and market access fast and convenient, has also increased the reach and acceptance of video games.
One of the most recent developments in the world of gaming has been the development of handheld or “handheld” consoles. Console gaming is becoming increasingly popular not only among hardcore gamers, but also among casual console players who appreciate the simplicity and flexibility of these devices. Console gaming uses game pads that allow the player to control the game through hand movements and motions. They have revolutionized the video gaming market and are now enjoyed by millions of people around the world. Although games systems like the Wii and Xbox are the most popular and widely available console systems, there are now many other smaller-sized hand held consoles available on the market. These competing consoles have each proven to be an entertaining means of playing video games.
Handheld consoles allow the gamer to fully focus on the action while playing their favorite games. Unlike the more elaborate game controllers, these devices do not have all of the buttons and joysticks that gamers require to truly enjoy their games. They provide a more simplified way for players to play video games and have revolutionized the gaming industry.
When the gaming industry first began to develop video games, it was primarily designed for children. Because of this, many parents were opposed to the idea of their children playing video games. Video games were not exactly something that a child should be exposed to. It was not until the early 1980s that a parent would buy their child a gaming console system. The early releases of video games for this particular system were not exactly the sophisticated titles that parents were looking for. However, these early releases still managed to entice a massive amount of customers into buying them.
With the advances in technology that occurred with the release of the Nintendo Family Computer (known as the NES) and the Famicom console, gaming as we know it was changed forever. Video games became more complex and realistic, with the advent of the three major gaming platforms. The Nintendo Family Computer and the Famicom were both released within a short period of each other, paving the way for gaming to become one of the most lucrative businesses in the world. Even with the release of these two major gaming platforms, personal computers and handheld gaming devices were still not offering the type of interactive and highly realistic video games that they are today.
Mobile gaming is quickly becoming the next major trend in the mobile gaming industry. With the release of smartphones such as the iPhone and Android and iPad, gamers will have a new avenue to enjoy their favorite types of games. While many may question whether or not the gaming industry will suffer because of this, there is no doubting that there is a tremendous amount of potential in the mobile gaming industry. As the portable gaming device grows in size and scope, new titles will be released for these platforms that can easily compete with the quality of titles being offered by the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and Wii. With the amount of advancements that are occurring with the cell phone, it is not a wonder that this industry is experiencing a tremendous amount of growth.