Video games are interactive entertainment that can be played alone or with other people. They are primarily done on a personal computer (PC), console, or mobile device. While most games are designed to provide commercial appeal, some are developed with artistic expression in mind. Some are educational, or teach about real-world topics such as science or history.
There are many different kinds of video games, ranging from simple casual games to massively multiplayer online games. They may be free to play or be paid for. Free-to-play games don’t charge money from players, but instead artificially limit their playtime and sell cosmetic items to pay for other features. In addition, some have microtransactions, which allow players to buy and sell in-game rewards for real money.
Many games feature elements such as sound, which are tied to player actions and background music. In addition, haptic technology is commonly built into game controllers. This helps the player to feel the environment and physical objects in a game, and can simulate earthquakes and other real-world events.
Gaming has been a controversial topic for several years. It has been criticized for a number of reasons, including the possible addictive nature of playing games. Also, a number of medical experts have raised concerns that games may have negative consequences for the players. Parents have questioned the effects of violent content on young children. Other issues include the mischaracterization of minority groups and the potential for discrimination.
One of the most widely used definitions of a video game is “an interactive, often competitive, digital form of entertainment involving a substantial degree of social interaction.” Among other things, it involves a challenge and requires the player to make good decisions. Games can also have rules that can lead to a player having to multitask, which could enhance cognitive development.
Another definition is “a game that is interactive and goal-oriented.” Games have been defined by a number of other people, however, and it’s unclear how much they relate to the definition of a game created by Bartle. The definition was devised by Erwin Andreasen and Brandon Downey, and is based on binary answers to questions about the types of people who play certain games.
The Bartle taxonomy of player types was compiled in 1996 by Bartle, a British writer and professor. The taxonomy was initially meant for MUD players, or text-based MMORPGs. However, it applies to other kinds of games, too.
Many people who play games say that they are an enjoyable way to escape from the real world, as well as a means to stimulate mental activity. Playing games can help develop spatial reasoning and mental map-making, and can also enhance the player’s ability to navigate in 3D space.
The word gaming itself came into use in the late 19th century to describe recreational board and pen-and-paper role-playing games. Later, it was applied to recreational gambling. But as of the early 21st century, the term has been mostly associated with video games.
