Electronic game,device or computer program that provides entertainment by challenging a person's eye-hand coordination or mental abilities. Made possible by the development of the microprocessor, electronic games are marketed in various formats, such as hand-held one-player models, cartridges or compact discs that are inserted in modules attached to television sets, computer programs run on personal or network computers, and freestanding arcade versions. Most of their appeal comes from the computer program that synchronizes flashing lights and a variety of sounds with the movielike animated action portrayed on a graphic display (see computer graphics). As the technology has advanced from 8-bit to faster 16-bit to still faster 64-bit microprocessors with greater graphic and sound capabilities, the programming has kept pace. For example, the newest games have so many levels and twists that they may take more than 100 hours to complete, and the graphic capabilities allow the game player to alter the visual perspective from narrow to panoramic. The games may be contested among several players, or an individual may engage in a test of skill against the computer. Some Internet-based games involve thousands of individuals interacting with each other in ongoing, open-ended play. Game subjects include sports (e.g., baseball and football); action warfare, often space-oriented, adventure, and role-playing; casino gambling (e.g., as roulette, poker, and simulated slot machines); and such classics as contract bridge, chess, and backgammon. See also virtual reality.
computer and video games
Formally, a computer game is a game composed of a computer-controlled virtual universe that players may interact with in order to achieve a goal (or set of goals). A video game is a computer game where a video display is the primary feedback device.
However, in common usage "computer game" refers to games played on a personal computer, while "video game" (or "videogame") refers to games played on a video game console. Both "computer games" and "video games" are frequently used as umbrella terms for interactive game software. To avoid ambiguity, this game software is referred to as "computer and video games".
For specific information regarding "computer games", see personal computer game.
For specific information regarding "video games", see console game.
Game
Game may refer to either the virtual universe and all of its governing rules ("Nethack is a game"), or a particular instance of that game ("my game ended in yet another annoying death", "game over"). Typically, a new instance of a game's universe is created by selection of a "new game" option, while previous instances and player states are retrieved with "load game" or "continue".
A game is composed of a computer-controlled virtual universe that players interact with. Player input is taken through various types of controls, and output is usually given through a screen and sound devices. Video game consoles usually utilize an input device called a controller, which contains a number of buttons and one or two analog sticks. Games played upon home computers may utilize an keyboard, mouse, or joystick (usually in some combination). The input is proccessed by the game and output is presented, usually on a television or computer monitor.
Gameplay
Gameplay includes all player experiences during the interaction with game systems, especially formal games. Proper use is coupled with reference to "what the player does" and how well they enjoy that experience.
Main article: Game play
Genres
Games, like most other forms of media, may be categorized into genres based on gameplay, atmosphere, and various other factors.
Main article: Computer and video game genres
Personal computer game For information on this form of gaming in general, see computer and video games.
An Alienware PCPersonal computer games are games played on a personal computer. These games usually require a specific operating system such as Microsoft Windows. Mac versions of popular games are common and Linux versions are emerging.
Overview. A typical PC has a mouse, keyboard, speakers, and a display screenMost setups will include a keyboard and mouse. Computer games can employ dozens of keys to perform actions in a single stroke.
Games that require keyboard input favor PC implementations, including MUDs and other text-based games. Some games are more workable with a mouse, such as real-time strategy games and first-person shooters. Many mouse-driven games will still retain use of the keyboard with the free hand to take advantage of the large number of keys available for individual functions and shortcuts. But the keyboard and mouse are less suitable for other game types, such as fighting games.
Some players use additional input devices, such as joysticks and microphones (for voice chat). Computer games are usually playable with just keyboard and mouse so that the game is at least usable for those without other peripherals.
Computer monitors are intended to be viewed by one person at close range. As a result, most PC games are made for single-player or networked multiplayer play.
Virtual world A virtual world is a computer-simulated environment intended for its users to inhabit and interact with via avatars. This habitation usually is represented in the form of two or three-dimensional graphical representations of humanoids (or other graphical or text-based avatars). Some, but not all, virtual worlds allow for multiple users.
Overview Active Worlds evolved from WebWorld, the first large scale virtual world.The world being simulated typically appears similar to the real world, with real world rules such as gravity, topography, locomotion, real-time actions, and communication. Communication has been in the form of text in current examples of an online world. This type of virtual world is now most common in massively multiplayer online games (Second Life, The Sims Online, There), particularly massively multiplayer online role-playing games such as EverQuest, Star Wars Galaxies, Ultima Online or Lineage. The first large scale virtual world was WebWorld, which later evolved into Active Worlds.
One perception of virtual worlds requires an online persistent world, active and available 24 hours a day and seven days a week, to qualify as a true virtual world. Although this is possible with smaller virtual worlds, especially those that are not actually online, no massively multiplayer game runs all day, every day. All the online games listed above include downtime for maintenance that is not included as time passing in the virtual world. While the interaction with other participants is done in real-time, time consistency is not always maintained in online virtual worlds. For example, EverQuest time passes faster than real-time despite using the same calendar and time units to present game time.
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