Video Games the New Frontier

Video games have advanced a lot from when they first appeared. Who could've envisioned the music, sound and realistic graphics? Or, who would have dreamed of the advanced game controllers or the ability to have multiple players. Video games were sure to be a favorite, but who could have predicted they'd grow into a multi-billion dollar industry?

The idea of a video game was entertained as far back as 1947. But, not until 1971 was the first commercially made video game available. Created by Ted Dabney and Nolan Bushnell it was named "Computer Space". On the heels of this was the Magnavox Odyssey in 1972 which was the first home gaming console.

30 years hence, video games have exploded into some of the most lucrative entertainment devices ever. A huge assortment of systems have appeared over the years and they are made better all the time apropos of Internet play, multiplayer capabilities, computing power, etc.

Video games can be played on various platforms. Among them are the PC game that is played on the computer, a console game which is a device connected to the television or monitor, a handheld which is gaming system that is portable and can be played nearly anywhere and the arcade game platform which is the standard, large electronic unit found in arcades the world over. Also, you can play video games on mobile phones, MP3 players, graphing calculators, GPS receivers, digital cameras, and watches however these do not offer nearly the same dimension and experience as the aforementioned platforms.

Originally, arcade games were meant to allow one person play a video game against the computer and in many cases against another human player. As time and technology kicked in, video game consoles allowed up to four different players to play at home. However, with the invention of the Wii system, up to 12 players can play at one time. The incredible part about this technology is that you can play simultaneously with local players and players around the world.

Some may ask how this is possible. And the answer is via the Internet. Nowadays Internet capabilities are being implemented into these video game console systems. Local area networks and the Internet allow up to 32 players if not more to play in a single game at once. These capabilities also allow one to talk via voice chat or instant messaging.

There has been enormous progress in video games since their early days. Video game technology is advancing rapidly. Manufacturers are continuously using new improvements in technology to make for a better, more stimulating gaming experience. As video games become ever more realistic the line between the virtual world and reality blurs.