In this unit you will learn about the history of the video game, its historical evolution, and its importance as a global industry. According to reports from the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) and the Interactive Software Federation of Europe (ISFE), as it has a higher turnover than the sum of the music and cinema sectors. The growth of the video games industry has been driven by several factors, such as the increased accessibility of games through mobile devices, the growth of online gaming and the popularity of eSports. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic has also contributed to the increase in demand for video games, as more people have sought entertainment at home.
To get an overview of the video game, a historical introduction to the game as the key element to understand the rise of the video game is given. A historical review of the video game industry is also given, to understand the evolution and popularity of the video game industry today. The importance of video games and how they have affected popular culture is explained.
The first MMOs (massively multiplayer online games) aimed at a young audience with limited resources will be reviewed. Games such as Neopets (1999), RuneScape (2001) and MapleStory (2003) sought to attract a more casual audience and avoid piracy by being free-to-play games.
An important change in the industry will be reviewed: freemium (a business model that works by offering free basic services and charging for more advanced or special services).
Serious video games are a powerful platform for raising awareness about environmental conservation. These games, which seek to entertain, educate, and raise awareness, can present issues of sustainability and biodiversity in an engaging and interactive way. Players can experience first-hand the effects of their actions on the virtual environment, which can lead to increased awareness and action in the real world. Serious video games offer a unique and effective way to promote environmental awareness and action.