Video games have come a very long way from when they were first introduced. Who could’ve imagined the variety of video game controllers currently available, the real life graphics, the sound and music options, the large number of players that you can play with and much more? Video games were destined to be popular, but who knew that popular meant a multi-billion dollar industry?

The idea of a video game was entertained as far back as 1947. But, not until 1971 was the first commercially made video game available. Created by Ted Dabney and Nolan Bushnell it was named “Computer Space”. On the heels of this was the Magnavox Odyssey in 1972 which was the first home gaming console.

30 years hence, video games have exploded into some of the most lucrative entertainment devices ever. A huge assortment of systems have appeared over the years and they are made better all the time apropos of Internet play, multiplayer capabilities, computing power, etc.

There are various platforms on which video games can be played. These include the PC game which is played on the computer, a console game which is a device connected to the television, a handheld which is a portable gaming system that you can play in almost anywhere and an arcade game platform which is the classic, large electronic device found in game rooms across the world. Other places where you can play video games are on mobile phones, PDAs, graphing calculators, GPS receivers, MP3 players, digital cameras and watches but these do not have nearly the same experience and dimension as the previously mentioned platforms.

Originally, arcade games were meant to allow one person play a video game against the computer and in many cases against another human player. As time and technology kicked in, video game consoles allowed up to four different players to play at home. However, with the invention of the Wii system, up to 12 players can play at one time. The incredible part about this technology is that you can play simultaneously with local players and players around the world.

Some may ask how this is possible. And the answer is via the Internet. Nowadays Internet capabilities are being implemented into these video game console systems. Local area networks and the Internet allow up to 32 players if not more to play in a single game at once. These capabilities also allow one to talk via voice chat or instant messaging.

Video games have progressed immensely from Pong, Pac-Man, and Atari. The world of video games grows daily and the technology is advancing rapidly. The video game manufacturers are continuously using new advances in technology to make the gaming experience better and more stimulating. The more realistic video games become the more the line between the reality and the virtual world blurs.