What is gaming? Computer games are designed to provide relaxation and amusement while removing the need for physical activity or physical exertion. A computer or video game is an electronically programmed computer game that involves interaction by a user with an input device or interface, including a keyboard, mouse, joystick, or pointing device, to produce visual output. The output is often a simulation of the environment or activity the player has been presented with.
Video gaming devices and programs have grown in popularity in recent years and the rapid increase in Internet usage has also contributed to the increased number of games involving computer interaction. Most modern computer games are available for download from the Internet and can be played on personal computers, handheld gaming consoles such as the Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS, handheld wireless gaming devices such as the Wii and Sony PlayStation Portable, video game consoles such as the Xbox and PlayStation, and online gaming platforms such as World of Warcraft. There are many different types of video games. Action and adventure games are popular because they involve complicated interaction with sound, graphics, and computer animation or 3D visualization. Sports games are popular because they involve interacting with others within a virtual environment to complete goals and to compete with other players. Many video games incorporate sophisticated artificial intelligence that allows the player to decide various factors such as the difficulty of the game, how much time he or she will have to play, the rewards for each level, the colors and items that are available in the game, and the skills and abilities of the character the player chooses to play.
There are many benefits to playing video games. Playing games provides children with the opportunity to interact with others while at the same time enjoying the protection from technological dangers such as electricity and fire. Gaming also allows people to escape into another world where they can engage in tasks and socialize with others while at the same time being transported into an alternate virtual reality. Many video games allow the player to experience a variety of roles, such as that of a hunter, a soldier, a pirate, a doctor, a priest, and more.
One of the most innovative forms of gaming is the role-playing video game. This type of game requires the player to take on the role of one of a wide variety of characters. For example, the player may assume the role of a slave, a warrior, an artisan, a burglar, and many more. These characters interact with others through exploration, conversation, and questing. In this way, PC gamers on the Xbox console both have the opportunity to experience a wide variety of real life situations that could occur in their lives.
One of the most impressive things about massively multiplayer online games is that they allow players to communicate and work together in an environment that may not be possible to experience otherwise. For example, in a massively multiplayer game, two or more players can be connected through the Internet to engage in massive cooperation on a global scale. Through the use of Internet protocols, individuals can communicate using various specialized tools and voice applications. Individuals can also compete against each other, creating a dynamic, living playing environment that continues long after the game has ended. Some of the most common types of massively multiplayer online games are Age of Empires and Ultima Online.
These examples of massively multiplayer online games provide just one example of the potential applications of computer gaming. There are literally thousands of other examples of how gaming technology is transforming the way we live. Today, video games are often integrated into personal computers as standard hardware. Gaming has become almost a natural part of our culture, and this trend is only set to continue.