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The Evolution Of PC Games

Only a decade ago we were all enjoying the simple pixel graphics and poorly animated visuals of PC games. This was back in a time where things such as DirectX were new technologies- and operating systems had little support for video games. It's ironic to see that today you'll be hard pressed to find any kind of PC without some type of game on it.

As we progress to newer technologies in virtual reality, perceptual realism, and bridge the gap to reality in video games- we can't help but look back at the landmarks along the way that got us where we are today.

The Evolution of Peripherals in PC Games

PC games have been using peripherals for quite some time. They seek to make a better experience for PC gamers by making a realistic experience. A PC gamer may, for instance, choose to use a steering wheel or joystick to simulate driving a car or flying an airplance.

Of all the PC peripherals available to gamers, the gamepad is the most renowned. It doesn't necessarily provide a realistic experience, but it does indeed help simplify the gaming experience. Some MMORPGs, for instance, require that many buttons and combinations of buttons be learned for many tasks- with a gamepad, this is simplified in fewer keys and "hot keys."

PC Games and Graphics

If you compare a PC game from the past to one of today, you'll notice a large difference. Whereas pixel graphics were popular in the past, 3D graphics are much more popular today. Where 2D graphics are still used, a new kind of graphics called 2.5D graphics are used that combine the two for a compromised result.

But today, almost everything exists in a 3D realm. Models, characters, objects, and sprites are all created with complex 3D modeling programs. The result: more realistic PC games. But as time progresses, and processors can keep up with larger amounts of pixels, the gap between reality and virtual reality might just be bridged.

The PC Game Takeover Of Society

Anytime we turn around, there is yet another massively popular game sweeping entire nations in a frenzy. The HALO series, for instance, is a prime example of what a PC game can do to a nation. Thousands of people flocked to stores to buy the game as soon as it was released on PC- showing that PC games can be much more popular than movies.

Obviously, PC games have had a large impact on society. It will be interesting to see how things pan out in the future as PC games become ever more popular in due time.

The Future of PC Games

Products are now being tested that can actually react to patterns in brain activity- meaning you could one day control items in a video game from thought alone. Foundations of virtual reality in PC games such as this are already being created.

Even more interesting is the fact that holographic technology is emerging. Soon we will be able to interact with beams of light that makeup "fake" objects. This technology is decades away from being perfected, but it is truly exciting to say the least. Perhaps in several more decades, PC games will be a completely real experience!