Video gaming, as we know it, was born in the gaming arcades of the 1970s. Coin-operated game cabinets were everywhere, and games like Pac-Man and Donkey Kong were all the rage. But not everybody liked having to travel to the nearest arcade, or waiting in line to play a popular game. The logical next step took place when companies like Sega and Nintendo started manufacturing the first personal gaming consoles. Now, you could enjoy your favourite arcade game in the comfort of your own home. From there, the gaming industry went from strength to strength. With the growth of the Web, multiplayer games grew in scope and popularity.
As time went by, online functionality became more and more important in games, eventually leading to games that couldn't be played offline at all.
Ten awesome games:
Just to help you get started, here's a list to check out
Age of Empires 3: The latest entry in the classic series is an absolute blast to play, and is still one of the best strategy games around.
The Sims 3: Warning : the ‘life simulator' game that lets you guide a family of virtual people (or ‘sims') through their everyday lives will make you lose track of time.
Lego Games - Did you know that Lego makes video games? Well, they do; and some pretty good ones too! With games based on Batman, Indiana Jones and Harry Potter, you'll be sure to find something you like here.
Marvel : Ultimate Alliance: A beat-em-up game starring loads of superheroes from the Marvel universe; playing this game with your friends is the most fun you'll have without actually being one of the X-Men.
Need for Speed : Hot Pursuit - Most gamers have played at least one NFS game in their life, and it's easy to see why. The latest entry, Hot Pursuit, features one of the best arcade racing experiences around.
The ‘Tycoon' Games: The best management-based games can be found under the Tycoon label. Notable entries include Railroad Tycoon, Zoo Tycoon and Rollercoaster Tycoon. Great if you like your games equally challenging and fun; but not so great for your free time.
The Monkey Island series: A quirky series about a man's never ending quest to become the legendary pirate he knows he can be, the Monkey Island games are famous for their laugh-out- loud sense of humour and enjoyable gameplay.
World of Goo: A physics-based puzzle game, World of Goo's simple yet addictive gameplay will keep you coming back for more. (And if you don't laugh when you hear the noises the gooballs make, there's something wrong with you!)
Check out the platforms:
Today, it's all about choice. If you want to play a game, you can do so in a number of ways. Let's take a look at some of the platforms you can use to play your favourite games :
Sony Playstation: If you'd like excellent graphics and access to some quality Sony-exclusive games such as LittleBigPlanet, Ratchet & Clank, Joe Danger, ModNation Racers and the Gran Turismo series, then you needn't look any further than the PlayStation 3.
Microsoft Xbox: If the online experience is what you're most interested in, the Xbox 360 is the way to go. Featuring some great exclusives like Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts, Trials HD, Child of Eden and the Forza series, you'll certainly get your money's worth here.
Nintendo Wii: Boasting inbuilt motion-control, Nintendo's groundbreaking console is unique. An amazing lineup that includes Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Super Mario Galaxy and The Legend of Zelda : Twilight Princess doesn't hurt either.
PC: And let's not forget the old faithful itself, the Personal Computer. Still the most popular and versatile gaming platform out there, the PC boasts the largest gaming library around as well as access to unlimited casual gaming via the Internet.
Gaming's has come a long way from the arcade days. Today, it's one of the largest entertainment industries in the world. Where will it go from here? Nobody knows, but one thing's for sure - it's going to be one heck of a ride!
