A game is something that people play for fun. It could be a board game, a video game or even an old-fashioned sports game like basketball. A game usually has a winner and loser and can be very competitive, as in professional basketball. But games can also be very simple, as in Connect Four or Tic Tac Toe. Some games are played for a dollar and some are worth millions of dollars, as in the case of pro basketball. Games can involve skill, strategy, luck or a combination of the three. They can be played in teams or individually.
A very interesting and complex question is what exactly is a game. Some people feel that it is a form of sport, others think that it is a form of puzzle and still others feel that it is its own category. One thing is for sure, that games are a very interesting and engaging form of entertainment.
Throughout the history of mankind, there have been many different games. Some have been used for divination, to predict the future or to simply pass the time. Later, games were developed that required more strategy and less chance, such as chess or Go. Today, we have computer games that are played on special devices called consoles or computers. These are very popular forms of entertainment and there is a large market for them.
In addition to their entertainment value, some people play games for health purposes as well. Some of these health benefits include increased focus, better motor coordination and reduced stress levels. While it is easy to see that playing games can be addictive, the World Health Organization recognizes the positive health benefits of gaming and has even launched a campaign to promote healthier ways for adults and children to spend their spare time.
The game development process starts with paper designs to test theories and work out the nuances of the system quickly and cost effectively. It then moves to production where the final game really takes shape. This is where the story is refined, assets (characters, props and environments) are created and coded, levels and worlds are built, audio is produced using a DAW program including foley art for sound effects, voice acting and musical compositions and the gameplay is tested and improved.
There are many different genres of games available to gamers today, such as first person shooters (FPS), role playing games, simulations and platformers. There are also virtual reality and online games that allow players to interact with each other as well as non player characters (NPC) who are controlled by artificial intelligence. There are even some games that have no set plot to progress through and are referred to as sandbox style games. Other popular genres of games are the AAA (advanced, adult and ambitious) games that have a large budget and lots of backing from both consumers and critics. To learn more about the different types of games, click on the letters below.