History of video games

History of video games

A thorough history of a medium.

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

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

Extended Reality History

• Virtual Reality
• Augmented Reality
• Extended Reality

Arcade Gaming History

• Golden age of arcade games
• Arcades after the golden age

Landmark Games

• Pong and Breakout
• Tetris

Specialty Gaming History

Topics of special interest in gaming history.

Specialty Platforms & Genres

• Retro gaming
• Indie games
• Open games

Gaming Culture History

• Esports
• Preservation
• Etiquette

End

• Terminology
• List of Abbreviations

Meta

• The History of Trench Wars - Another gaming history Wikibook focusing on a single game (Subspace).
• How to Contribute
• Book Development
• Print version