Games are an organized form of interactive play, normally undertaken for fun or entertainment, and occasionally used as a teaching tool. While the term ‘games’ might seem to imply that they are intended only for entertainment, this isn’t the case. Games are very different from work, which in most cases is carried out with remuneration. Work, unlike games, is designed to solve problems by acquiring knowledge and working with tools. Games involve entertainment, but also seek to develop critical thinking, decision making and memory skills. Learning in this way is considered to be important for improving one’s life, for example in terms of getting a better job and advancing in an education system.
Many computer games are categorically different from conventional board games and other common computer games. Computer games are computer simulations of real physical activities. They use a variety of different technologies, including graphics, sound, texturing and other design features, to give a reality-based experience. For example, a racing game in which the player drives a race car through a virtual track will require precision real-time reactions to various variables such as other players, traffic and weather conditions. These factors can all have an effect on how well the player completes the race.
Some games allow multiple players, either locally or over the Internet, where each player interacts separately with their computer. Examples include Monopoly, Scrabble, Freecell, Backgammon, Stratego and chess. Most online players will play a game against the computer and are therefore not playing against other real physical players, however they are still playing a game that is typically categorized as a ‘game.’ The development of technology that enables players to play against each other using a network has led to the development of many popular multiplayer online games, such as massively multiplayer online role playing games (MMORPGs), sports games and even some forms of strategy games.
Many people start out by playing games on other personal computers in their home or on shared networks with friends. From here, players may choose to move on to playing games on a server that is run by a hosting company or developer. A server is a large collection of computers that are all running Windows-based applications. While the Windows-based application software is necessary to access, process and play the game world, the Internet and the game world are interconnected.
Popular multiplayer online video games also include social gaming platforms that feature games that are free to play. This is part of a trend towards offering free services and goods in an effort to attract more customers and retain users. Some of these services involve features such as chat rooms, blogs and discussion boards, as well as providing a common experience for players across multiple platforms. In some cases, these social aspects of gaming can actually help people learn more about other people.
Video game designers have also created a number of social boards that feature a variety of formats for player interaction. These include discussion boards for gamers to discuss issues that they are experiencing with the game or related topics, as well as a community for players to share information about the type of games they enjoy playing, as well as chatting with other players. Gaming has evolved from its humble roots over the past three decades. Today, people spend in excess of four hours or more each day playing video games. This has been reflected in the industry’s increased revenue. New titles, platforms and social networks continue to make improvements in the industry’s ability to deliver quality games.