gaming

Gaming refers to playing games for entertainment, challenge, or practice. In contemporary usage, it most often denotes video games played on consoles, PCs, or mobile devices, though it can also include non-digital games and tabletop adaptations when discussed in a broader sense.

Video games have roots in early computing and arcade history. Early software such as Spacewar! (1962) and Pong (1972) demonstrated interactive play, followed by home consoles like the Atari 2600 in the late 1970s. The industry expanded with 3D graphics and online multiplayer in the 1990s, mobile gaming in the 2000s, and shifts toward cloud gaming in recent years.

Gaming spans single-player, multiplayer, and cooperative experiences across genres including action, adventure, role-playing, strategy, simulation, sports, and puzzle. Platforms vary from dedicated consoles and personal computers to mobile devices, virtual reality headsets, and cloud services that run games over the internet.

The video game industry is a global market employing researchers, designers, programmers, artists, testers, and marketers. Revenue models include upfront purchases, downloadable content, microtransactions, subscriptions, and ad-supported offerings. Distribution platforms such as digital storefronts influence accessibility, localization, and monetization, while ongoing discussions address accessibility and content ratings.

Games contribute to entertainment, storytelling, and education, and they are studied for effects on cognition, coordination, social behavior, and empathy. Critiques address violence and monetization practices, representation and inclusivity, data privacy, and the balance between player autonomy and developer design.