videogame

A video game is an electronic game that involves interactive play using a user interface to generate visual feedback on a display. They are typically played with controllers, keyboards, touchscreens, or motion sensors and are delivered on platforms such as home consoles, personal computers, handheld devices, arcade machines, and web or mobile apps. A video game usually has goals, rules, and challenges that respond to player actions, making the player an active participant in a simulated environment.

Gameplay often combines mechanics, progression systems, and sometimes storytelling. Games can be categorized into genres such as action, adventure, role-playing, simulation, strategy, sports, and puzzle, though many titles blend elements across genres. The experience is shaped by interactivity, feedback, pacing, and balance between challenge and reward.

History and development have seen foundational moments in the mid-20th century with early experiments, followed by Spacewar! (1962) and Pong (1972). The 1970s and 1980s brought arcade and home-console growth, culminating in a major industry expansion that was briefly challenged by a market crash in the early 1980s and revived by Nintendo's NES. The 1990s introduced 3D graphics and online multiplayer on PCs and consoles, while the 2000s saw digital distribution, mobile gaming, and a rise in independent development. In recent years cloud gaming and cross‑platform ecosystems have become more common.

Platforms and tools include specialized game engines such as Unity and Unreal Engine, which allow developers to create titles for multiple devices. Distribution happens through physical media and digital storefronts, app stores, and licensing deals. Video games constitute a major entertainment industry with cultural impact, economic significance, and ongoing discussions about accessibility, content, and social effects, as well as opportunities for innovation in storytelling and art.