Whether you are playing a game on your smartphone, on your computer or in a traditional video arcade, gaming has become a major entertainment industry. In fact, the mobile gaming sector is expected to account for half of the global gaming market by 2027, according to a report by market research firm IHS Markit.
The gaming industry has been in development since the 1940s when it was first introduced at the World Fair in the United States. In the late 1990s, the use of the Internet, CDs and 3D graphics marked a shift in the industry. Today, a wide variety of genres are available to consumers.
These games can be played alone, with other players in a virtual space, or with friends or family members in the real world. The virtual environment can be created with a stereoscopic headset, a camera feed or augmented reality. The augmented reality method puts users in the center of the action, while virtual reality drops them into a computer-generated world.
The newest version of virtual reality, augmented reality, combines digital influences with the real world. It is most often used in games such as Pokemon Go, which uses the camera of a smartphone to capture virtual creatures in the real world.
Multiplayer games are also popular, with two to 100 players taking part at any given time. These games are usually designed to be played competitively, although cooperative modes are common. Some of these games are free to play, while others are purchased with real money. Many games feature random rewards, which may be bought or sold on the market. Some countries have laws in place to regulate the payment of these rewards.
Some games offer educational content, such as instruction in science or history. These instructional games are known as edutainment. Other games are designed to teach players problem-solving and spatial reasoning skills. Some of these games have a mission-based structure, where players must accomplish a task by solving complex puzzles. In a study published in 2013, children who played strategy-based games had a significant increase in their problem-solving skills.
Games can be an excellent way to unwind, reduce stress, and improve cognitive skills. Some games are designed to challenge the player, reducing the attention span and increasing the ability to multitask. In addition, some games are a fun way to socialize with other people. In the past, video games have attracted controversy, with some comparing playing them to violent acts and others linking it to gambling.
As more and more people are using mobile devices to play games, more and more teens are owning gaming devices. Approximately 71% of teens aged 12 to 14 own a gaming device, while 49% of teens aged 15 to 17 own one. However, teen ownership of gaming devices is not a sign of usage. The gaming industry is rapidly growing and there are many reasons to be excited.
Some of the most popular games for teens include: soccer, fighting, racing, adventure, sports, puzzle, and survival horror. Girls and boys equally participate in these genres. However, black and white teens are more likely to participate in survival horror, racing, and sports games.
