Electronic games are games run by computer technology. They are also called video games. People play electronic games on personal computers, in video arcades, and on home electronic game systems. The home systems are called consoles. Console games are played using a handheld device usually connected to a television. People may play electronic games alone or with others.

How Electronic Games Work

All electronic games begin as computer instructions called software. A computer programmer writes the software commands to make the game run. The game software is then loaded onto hardware—a computer or a console.

Inside the computer or the console, hardware and software work together to send electronic signals through the system. These signals create the game's sounds and images. The player controls the action of the game using a paddle, a joystick, or a keypad.

History

Electronic games began as very simple programs with poor graphics and no sound. A man named William A. Higinbotham created one of the first electronic games, called Tennis for Two, in 1958.

The first arcade game, called Computer Space, came out in 1971. More successful arcade games soon followed—for example, Pong, Space Invaders, and Pac-Man. The first electronic game system for home use appeared at about the same time.

In 1977 a company called Atari released a home system with removable cartridges. Each cartridge held a different game. With this system electronic games grew in popularity. But people wanted better graphics and sound.

Seeing the demand, many other companies began developing home electronic games as well. The quality of the games' sound and images steadily improved. The technology used to run the games also improved.

Nintendo was the first company to provide a keypad with its consoles rather than just a joystick. Today Nintendo, Sony, and Sega are some of the leading makers of electronic games and game systems.

Game companies continue to add new features to their games. Some systems now let players play together over telephone lines. Electronic gaming has become one of the most popular forms of entertainment in the world.