History of video games

This book will explore the history of a groundbreaking kind of media: video games.

This book explores major games and their characteristics, as well as the technological and social history that drove their development.

Everyone is welcome to contribute to this book!

Table of Contents

Introduction

• Introduction
• Understanding Historical Technology

Timeline

• Early Games - 1950's and earlier
• 1960-1969 - Early development
• 1970-1979 - Gaming enters the public view.
• 1980-1989 - Crash and revival
• 1990-1999 - 2D to 3D transition.
• 2000-2009 - Refined 3D and online gaming.
• 2010-2019 - Online refines, rise of esports.
• 2020-2029 - Present day.

Platform History

Standardized platforms

• Computer Gaming
• Web Gaming
• Mobile Gaming
• Fantasy Computers and Consoles
• Calculator Gaming

Extended Reality

• Virtual Reality
• Augmented Reality
• Extended Reality

Arcade Gaming

• Pong and Breakout
• Golden age of arcade games
• Arcades after the golden age

Video Game Console History

• First generation of video game consoles
• Second generation of video game consoles
• Third generation of video game consoles
• Fourth generation of video game consoles
• Fifth generation of video game consoles
• Sixth generation of video game consoles
• Seventh generation of video game consoles
• Eighth generation of video game consoles
• Ninth generation of video game consoles

Specialty Gaming History

Topics of special interest in gaming history.

Specialty Platforms & Genres

• Retro Gaming
• Microconsoles
• Indie games
• Open consoles
• Open games
• Cloud gaming

Gaming Culture History

• Esports
• Preservation
• Etiquette

Meta

• How to Contribute
• Book Development

The labeling of a console as belonging to a certain generation is somewhat arbitrary, as console generations are partly determined by a mix of technology, release year, and social factors. This book uses labels that appear to have general consensus to reduce confusion.