Technology has been an ever-present force, driven by constant innovation; however, as the digital era is well underway, it has reached new heights. Technology has transformed numerous industries and driven change, with some of the most memorable being the shift from landlines to smartphones. The digital era has been imperative for gaming, enabling the creation of devices that can play video games of all kinds and massively expanding the industry.
The digital gaming industry also dates back many years, albeit not as many as technology, having been first invented in the 1950s. Technology has had a significant impact on gaming, from the development of real money slots to the creation of VR devices and more. In this article, we will analyse the notable changes technology has made and the impacts it has had on the industry.
The Early Years of Gaming
As mentioned, the early years of digital gaming date back to the mid-20th century, when computers were in their experimental phase and video games were still a concept rather than a viable product. Despite the early games being extremely basic, they were the foundations for what was to follow and have played a large part in the industry’s growth today. After numerous failed attempts at creating video games, Sandy Douglas created OXO in 1952, allowing individuals to play tic-tac-toe on a screen, making one of the first video games.
Many developers experimented with new games, though most were unsuccessful, until William Higinbotham created Tennis for Two. The Tennis for Two game would run on an oscilloscope, originally designed to display voltage signals. As the title suggests, the Tennis for Two game was based around the popular sport of tennis and was designed to entertain visitors at Brookhaven National Laboratory. Both of these pioneering games were not sold on a wider scale like modern video games and were instead experiments on lab hardware.
The Birth of the Video Game Industry
After years of innovation, failed attempts, and effort, the first commercial arcade game, Computer Space, was created in the 1970s. Noah Bushnell and Ted Dabney created the game, and despite not being a tremendous success, it laid the foundations for subsequent arcade games. With Computer Space setting the stage for arcade games, Atari released Pong, which quickly became popular and paved the way for the first successful video game. Pong was an arcade video game that recreated gameplay similar to table tennis, also known as ping pong. In the Pong game itself, two paddles could be controlled, one by the gamer and the other by an opposing player or an automated mechanic to hit a ball back and forth across the screen. Following the success of Pong, arcades exploded with numerous games attempting to replicate it, including Space Invaders and Asteroids.
The Arcades Golden Ages
With multiple successful arcade games emerging from technological evolution, game developers continued to release new and innovative games. The arcade industry was in its golden age in the 1980s, when numerous major video game titles were released, many of which remain popular in the industry today. In 1980, Pac-Man was released by Namco, becoming a global phenomenon and helping shape the evolution of video games. Pac-Man is a chase-based video game in which players control a character through an enclosed maze, attempting to eat dots while avoiding ghosts. Also during these times, the first-ever Mario game was created, with the release of Donkey Kong in 1981. Nintendo released Donkey Kong to arcades, which involved players running and jumping on platforms to ascend a construction site.
Video Games’ Console Domination
The 2000s were a transformative decade for video games, dominated by new console innovations such as the PlayStation 2, Xbox 360, and Nintendo DS. With the advancements in technology and the widespread internet access, online gaming consoles have become incredibly popular devices and hubs for online gaming. Additionally, these game consoles were released following the implementation of 3D computer graphics in video games, elevating the industry. During these times, online and multiplayer gaming were introduced, and the industry shifted to prioritise these games.
The dominance of game consoles remains to this day, heightened by technological advancements. Many game developers created successful franchises on these game consoles, with the likes of Grand Theft Auto and Call of Duty releasing numerous titles. Game consoles continued to evolve, with new and innovative devices introduced that added features that enhanced gameplay.
Console dominance has been driven by a range of major game trends, starting with first-person shooters that became dominant in the 2000s. As we mentioned, the Call of Duty franchise rose to dominance during this period, focusing on creating advanced first-person shooters. Additionally, the trend of open-world games has been a popular feature in console video games, with numerous new games implementing advanced gameplay.
