The Many faces of Gaming
Gaming has become more than a pastime for many people. Nowadays it is often included in the lifestyle of a wide variety of people, from professional athletes to schoolchildren. It has become so popular that millions of people play video games on a daily basis.
A game or computer game is generally an interactive computer program that involves user interaction with an external user interface (an external device, computer software or a web browser) or with a computer hardware device, such as a keyboard, mouse, or game controller. Video games often have significant realistic elements that require the use of specialized gaming hardware, such as cameras or special effects. Most video games are designed to simulate or promote certain types of experiences, and some even include sounds and images that are produced by the players themselves. For example, a main character in a role-playing game would be able to hear and imitate his or her companions. In this type of online game, the player’s actions have consequences, which the player is then allowed to affect through the various actions he or she takes.
In the past, gaming devices were quite limited, with consoles and personal computers being the primary methods of user participation. Today, gaming devices have significantly advanced, becoming highly mobile and easy to access. Mobile gaming devices run Windows CE, Pocket PC and WAP. Gaming software can easily be downloaded for these devices, which can then be used to access a wide variety of online games. These games can be played back at any time of the day or night, from anywhere in the world.
One of the most interesting aspects of gaming is the interaction between the game and the player. This is where the potential for injury or harm is greatest. Unlike other forms of entertainment, where the player is mostly in command of the characters in the game, in the case of gaming there are often safety settings that allow the players to interact with one another in safe settings. If the gamer does not follow these safety settings, he or she can become very vulnerable to injury.
With the prevalence of massively multiplayer online gaming, the industry has experienced immense growth in terms of the creation, manufacture and sales of gaming hardware and software. Hardware includes video games consoles, handhelds, handheld gaming devices and personal computers. Software is the content that is created by or for the game console and delivered over the Internet. Many people consider online gaming to be an addictive activity, due to the fact that too much of a good thing can be harmful.
Card games, also known as solitaire, were some of the earliest games played using any type of electronic device. The popularity of card games has declined in recent years as the popularity of electronic gaming devices such as consoles has grown. However, card games played using a computer are still popular among many individuals. A relatively new form of interactive entertainment, card games are played with the help of either a computer keyboard or a hand-held video game console.