PC Gaming: The Revolutionary Innovation That Changed How We Play.
From the days of early arcade machines to today’s enormous library of digital games, PC gaming has gone through a tremendous evolutionary cycle to get us to where we are today. What started out as a hobby for those who wanted to explore and learn has exploded into a massive industry filled with some of the world’s most passionate players. In this blog post we’ll take a deep dive into the history of PC gaming, how it became the phenomenon we know today, and why it has become so popular.
Most people have heard of PC gaming, but what exactly is it? PC gaming is an umbrella term for any games played on a personal computer, be it at home or in a gaming café, with a big variety of games on offer. Playing PC games involves sitting in front of a monitor or laptop, with the game being controlled either with a keyboard and mouse or a joystick. PC gaming has been around since the late 1970s and continues to be the platform of choice for millions of players around the world.
To understand how PC gaming came to be, it’s important to look back at how video games evolved prior to the introduction of PCs. In the early days of gaming, arcade machines were popular. Players could drop coins into machines to play games, with titles such as Space Invaders, Pac-Man and Donkey Kong topping the list of classics. These machines were usually found in places like bowling alleys and arcades.
Personal computers started to come onto the scene in the late 70s, though due to cost and lack of technology, these computers could not be considered ‘gaming computers’ as we know them today. Early PC games were text-based or had simple graphics, with the first popular game being MUD, a role-playing game. As technology improved, this period saw the introduction of more complex, graphically-based games such as Castle Wolfenstein and Zork.
The early 80s saw the introduction of the Commodore 64 and the Apple II, which were the first affordable and powerful home computers with advanced gaming capabilities. These older games in turn influenced some of the franchises we know today, with Dungeons and Dragons being a big inspiration for many and notably, the role-playing game Dragon’s Lair, which boasted colourful graphics and smooth animation.
The late 80s saw further evolution in PC gaming with programmable ‘soundcards’ becoming commonplace. This allowed PC games to have more complex soundtracks to accompany their visuals, with classic titles such as Thexder and Infiltrator showing off these capabilities. But the big development of the 80s was arguably ‘shareware’, with games like Duke Nukem, Commander Keen and Subwar 2050 becoming instantly recognisable titles that could be downloaded and shared over the web.
The 90s saw PC gaming really come into its own as technological advances enabled larger 3D worlds. Real-time strategy games such as Command and Conquer, as well as the Tomb Raider series, showcased powerful 3D graphics that could be explored and interacted with on a much deeper level. Additionally, the early internet infrastructure was taking shape, with the the first major online game of the era, Ultima Online, being released in 1997.
The 2000s has been marked by the continuing evolution of PC gaming. This era saw the rise of the graphics card and home consoles, which kicked off the now-ubiquitous console v.s. PC debate. However, despite the revitalized competition, PC gaming continues to be an exciting and vibrant platform, with games such as Jurassic Park Operation Genesis, Grand Theft Auto San Andreas, The Elder Scrolls IV Oblivion and the Half-Life 2 series all becoming instant classics.
Furthermore, the digital revolution of the 2010s has been a huge boon for PC gaming, with gamers now able to access a wealth of titles from their computer or gaming console. This boom has seen a new wave of gamers playing games like League of Legends, DOTA 2, and Fortnite on PC, as well as established franchises such as Call of Duty and Assassin’s Creed still having great success.
Today, PC gaming is as popular as ever, with PC gamers all around the world playing massively popular online games and even smaller, independent titles. PC gaming remains one of the best ways to experience the latest games and technologies, allowing players to take control of their gaming experience.
It’s no surprise that PC gaming has become such a phenomenon over the past few decades. As technology advances and more people get access to powerful computers, the platform will continue to evolve. With the right tools and know-how, anyone can join the hundreds of millions of people around the world who play PC games.
PC gaming is a constantly evolving industry driven by passionate gamers and developers. By looking at how it has gone from early arcade games to the cutting edge platforms of today, it’s clear that PC gaming has revolutionized the way we play and interact with games. As technologies like virtual reality, artificial intelligence and cloud gaming continue to develop, it will be fascinating to see what new heights PC gaming can reach.