video games

A video game is an [electronic game] that involves interaction with a [user interface] to generate visual feedback on a [video device] . The word video in video game traditionally referred to a [raster] display device. However, with the popular use of the term "video game", it now implies any type of [display device] . The [electronic systems] used to play video games are known as platforms; examples of these are [personal computer] s and [video game console] s. These platforms range from large [mainframe computer] s to small [handheld device] s. Specialized video games such as [arcade game] s, while previously common, have gradually declined in use.

The [input device] used to manipulate video games is called a [game controller] , and varies across platforms. For example, a dedicated console controller might consist of only a button and a [joystick] . Another may feature a dozen buttons and one or more joysticks. Early personal computer games often needed a [keyboard] for [gameplay] , or more commonly, required the user to buy a separate [joystick] with at least one button. Many modern computer games allow, or even require, the player to use a keyboard and [mouse] simultaneously.

Video games typically also use other ways of providing interaction and information to the player. Audio is almost universal, using [sound reproduction] devices, such as [speakers] and [headphones] . Other feedback may come via [haptic] [peripheral] s, such as vibration or [force feedback] , with vibration sometimes used to simulate force feedback.

History

''Tennis for Two'', an early analog computer game that used an oscilloscope for a display

''Tennis for Two'', an early analog computer game that used an oscilloscope for a display