PC Games: A History And Outlook To The Future
Chris Channing
We all remember the fabled days of pixel graphics and poorly animated cut-screens. Just 10 years ago we were living in an age where PC games were barely even supported by the Windows operating system- now you'll be hard pressed to find a Windows machine without some type of PC game on it.
As we progress to newer technologies in virtual reality, perceptual realism, and bridge the gap to reality in video games- we can't help but look back at the landmarks along the way that got us where we are today.
Peripherals In Relation to PC Games
PC games and peripherals go hand-in-hand for a better gaming experience. It all started with ideas such as the "Game Glove" or the much-loved gun peripheral for "Duck Hunt"- a popular Nintendo game in video game past. PC game peripherals have been lacking over the years, but this is not to say PC gamers haven't had their fair share of the market.
But the most common PC game peripherals are gamepads- surely not the most advanced, but the most common. Gamepads are popular for making the playing experience easier- not necessarily more lifelike. A first person shooter player may, for instance, use a gamepad to use "hot keys" to do certain commands- such as talking to teammates or changing weapons.
The Evolution of PC Games and Graphics
In the olden days, pixel art was popular for in-game graphics. Pixel art is the act of making stunning graphics just based on editing individual pixels in an image. In fact, a 3D look could be given on an actual 2D image, something we now call "2.5D."
Today, almost everything is in 3D. This means that almost everything a PC gamer interacts with has some type of 3D model, object, or sprite associated with it- even if it is a 2D game! This allows for more realism in PC games, and thus, gives the PC gamer a better experience.
Society And PC Games
Anytime we turn around, there is yet another massively popular game sweeping entire nations in a frenzy. The HALO series, for instance, is a prime example of what a PC game can do to a nation. Thousands of people flocked to stores to buy the game as soon as it was released on PC- showing that PC games can be much more popular than movies.
Clearly, PC games have become important to society as we know it. The only thing left to ponder is what PC games will be like in the future.
PC Games and the Future
Products are now being tested that can actually react to patterns in brain activity- meaning you could one day control items in a video game from thought alone. Foundations of virtual reality in PC games such as this are already being created.
Even more interesting is the fact that holographic technology is emerging. Soon we will be able to interact with beams of light that makeup "fake" objects. This technology is decades away from being perfected, but it is truly exciting to say the least. Perhaps in several more decades, PC games will be a completely real experience!
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