Technology has had a significant impact on interactive games. Video game consoles have always been the go-to choice for gamers, but with the advent of smartphones and tablets, they are no longer necessary to play video games.
Before the advent of technology, people had to use their imagination to play a game. However, advances in technology meant that people could play games without relying on their imaginations.
Nowadays, hundreds of millions of players enjoy playing interactive games all over the world.
Below are some technologies that have affected video games:
Computer
The computer has had a significant impact on how video games are played. It is now possible to play multiplayer games without consoles; people can connect their computers and play against each other.
For example, gamers can now sit playing two-player games such as fighting or puzzle games on the same screen. You can have a look at GameQuarium for more details about such kinds of games.
Furthermore, many computer-based video games are open-ended, which means that once you have completed a level or defeated an enemy, you can carry on playing to get better at playing. This all makes computer games less repetitive than console ones.
Internet
Playing online is becoming more popular with each passing year. There are many advantages to playing video games online, including playing with friends and family who live in different countries.
Furthermore, it is possible to set up a webserver to host your games and compete against people from all over the world. In this way, you do not have to pay for hosting, but you can still play with other gamers.
Console
The latest generation of consoles (Xbox 360, Wii, Playstation 3) are compelling, and they allow for many new ways to interact with them. For example, one game that has been released for the Xbox is Kinect Adventures, which makes extensive use of the Kinect peripheral.
In this game, the player interacts with the console by moving their body and limbs and, for example, tilting their body to steer a boat or jogging on the spot to run through a virtual jungle.
Graphics
Video games now feature very life-like graphics; however, some players prefer old-school games. Back in the 1980s, games looked very basic. For example, many video games were played on green screens, which meant that all backgrounds had to be painted onto a sheet.
Nowadays, people can use their imagination much more when playing computer-based video games because graphics are detailed.
Gameplay
In the 1980s, many video games were confined to a single screen. For example, Pong only had one environment and no scrolling or moving parts in a straightforward table tennis game. However, modern technology means that much more sophisticated games can be created – for example, take a look at World of Warcraft.
In this online multiplayer game, the player has to fight monsters and complete quests to earn experience points. Furthermore, there are several different races that the player can choose between; they all have different strengths and weaknesses. This makes gameplay much more fun because players will never get bored of replaying the game.
Mobile Phones
Nowadays, mobile phones are more powerful than computers were just ten years ago. For example, the Nintendo DSi has a built-in camera and an advanced processor to play video games. Mobile phone games are also very cheap to buy because companies want people to play them wherever they go; you do not need to carry around a dedicated console if you have your phone with you.
Social Media
Playing video games used to be a very solitary pastime; however, now it is very different because players can compete against each other worldwide via the internet. For example, some games that use social media are Farmville and Mafia Wars. Both of these online multiplayer games have more than 100 million players.
Players have to create a virtual farm or city in these games by planting crops and building houses. Players can then interact by giving gifts and joining alliances for protection from attacks from other players.
Intelligence
One website, called brain training games, has been set up to help improve your intelligence by showing you how to play video games. You will be asked to complete drawing shapes and solving math puzzles.
This will help improve your problem-solving skills and keep you mentally fit by engaging all of the different areas of your brain.
This new generation of consoles allows the users to interact with them in a way that has never been done before.
A video game can now be played online, and the player has to interact with the console by moving their body. It is even possible to play games on a mobile phone that would have been unimaginable just ten years ago.
Furthermore, social media allows millions of people worldwide to compete against each other in these multiplayer games.
Therefore, these modern consoles mean that you can play video games with people from all over the world, instead of having to play with your friends who are in the same room as you.
It is quite evident that technology has had a significant impact on the interactive media (video games) industry. The technology used in video games has undergone drastic changes over the years, and along with these changes, new genres of video games have been created.
While many people think that technology has made it possible for easier and better graphics, others say that although the graphics may be better than before, there are still problems such as poor gameplay and unrealistic scenarios.
From the earliest days of console gaming to today, we see how dramatic advancements in technology have changed video games for both developers and players. It has impacted all aspects of our lives, including the way that we play games.
New innovations in virtual reality and augmented reality are making it possible for us to explore new worlds without ever leaving home. We hope you now have an idea of the impact of technology in interactive games.
How else do you think technology has impacted interactive games? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.