GAMING
The ‘Then & Now’ Journey Of Gaming Tech
Evolving over the decades and everytime giving a new definition of interactive element, gaming & its technology peers are on a journey to provide advanced ‘therapeutic’ experience. Here, we take on a nostalgic trip from the1st video game to gaming on cloud, taking tech pitstops in the journey.
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rom being a casual form of entertainment to a booming industry, gaming has come a long way. As of 2020, the global gaming market was valued at $173.7 billion and is projected to reach $314.4 billion by 2026 (Mordor Intelligence). While the popularity of video and mobile games has fueled this growth, technology played an important role as well. Until the 1930s, the majority of people played board or card games. However, the advancements in computer technology paved the way for improvements we see today in the gaming sector. The starting point In 1958, the first video game called ‘Tennis for Two’ was created by Physicist William Higinbotham. While the concept was simple, it opened the door to more complex video games that we now play and love. As technology progressed even further, the world of gaming started to evolve as well. From bulky arcade-style games in the 1970s to introducing the more portable Nintendo console in the 1980s, it was clear that as time progressed, gaming technology was adapting quicker and more efficiently
By Donna Amo to the change. The entries of companies like Nintendo, Sega, Atari into the gaming market resulted in exciting new video games like Pong, Tetris, PacMan, Donkey Kong, Mario, etc. This brought along the equally thrilling tech like the Game Boy, Sega Mega Drive Console, Atari VCS, and the PLATO network system, which were among the first technological steps towards online multiplayer gaming. Going online While home consoles and arcades dominated most of the gaming market during the late 20th century, it was nothing compared to the internet’s impact. As the 90s rolled in, computer games were becoming increasingly better. Sony’s PlayStation or PS One, released in 1994, was among the new generation of video game consoles and quickly put Sony on the top of the list. With personal computers gradually making their way into every home, innovations in console gaming, the introduction of mobile phones, and the fast pace rise of the internet, the world of gaming was entering a new era. According to the
IIST World Forum, the dawn of the 21st century saw a boom in the global gaming market, which had estimated revenue of $36.17 billion ($48.23 billion with inflation). Microsoft, already a leader in manufacturing personal computers and software development, soon focused its attention on the gaming market. The year 2001 marked the company’s first venture into the gaming space with the Xbox, an electronic gaming console. Soon the Xbox 360 and the Xbox One followed, and Microsoft established itself in the gaming industry. Offering freemium services and a monthly subscription fee to play on the Xbox Live online gaming platform, Microsoft gave players a gaming experience that allowed them to connect. Mobile games apps make an entry Once mobile phones entered the market, the concept of portable gaming slowly changed. Among the first instances was the inclusion of GUTSHOT
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