PC game

A personal computer game, or abbreviated PC game, also known as a computer game, is a video game played on a personal computer (PC). The term PC game has been popularly used since the 1990s referring specifically to games on "Wintel" (Microsoft Windows software/Intel hardware) which has dominated the computer industry since.

Mainframe and minicomputer games are a precursor to personal computer games. Home computer games became popular following the video game crash of 1983. In the 1990s, PC games lost mass market traction to console games on the fifth generation such as the Sega Saturn, Nintendo 64 and PlayStation. They are enjoying a resurgence in popularity since the mid-2000s through digital distribution on online service providers.

Personal computers as well as general computer software are considered synonymous with IBM PC compatible systems; while mobile devices – smartphones and tablets, such as those running on Android or iOS platforms – are also PCs in the general sense as opposed to console or arcade machine. Historically, it also included games on systems from Apple Computer, Atari Corporation, Commodore International and others. Microsoft Windows utilizing Direct3D become the most popular operating system for PC games in the 2000s.

PC remains the most important gaming platform with 60% of developers being most interested in developing a game for the platform and 66% of developers currently developing a game for PC. In 2018, the global PC games market was valued at about $27.7 billion. According to research data provided by Statista in 2020 there were an estimated 1.75 billion PC gamers worldwide. The APAC region was estimated to generate $46.6 billion in 2016, with China alone accounting for half of APAC's revenues.

History

Main article: History of video games

The history of PC games goes back to the time of mainframes and minicomputers. One of the first game-playing machines was Bertie the Brain, built in 1950. It was a large machine, over four meters tall, shown at the Canadian National Exhibition. Early computer games included OXO, a version of tic-tac-toe for the EDSAC computer in 1952, and Spacewar!, developed in 1961 by MIT students on a PDP-1 mainframe computer.

As personal computers became popular in the late 1970s and early 1980s, games started appearing on them too. These early games were often distributed through hobbyist groups and magazines, which provided code that readers could type into their computers. Microchess, sold in 1977, was one of the first games for microcomputers. By the 1980s, graphics began to play a bigger role in games, combining text with simple images.

The rise of IBM PC compatible computers in the 1980s led to a boom in PC gaming. Games like Microsoft Adventure and Microsoft Flight Simulator became popular. The introduction of better graphics and sound technologies, such as VGA and FM synthesis, allowed for more advanced games. By the 1990s, DOS was the most popular platform for PC games, with titles like Doom and Wolfenstein 3D leading the way in 3D graphics.

With the advent of Windows in the mid-1990s, PC gaming evolved further. Improvements in graphics hardware and the introduction of 3D accelerators allowed for more realistic and complex games. Today, PC gaming continues to advance, focusing on high-quality 3D graphics and immersive experiences.

Platform characteristics

The PC platform stands out because it has no central control, making it an open platform. Unlike other gaming systems owned by single companies, PCs allow players to adjust game settings such as screen resolution and speed. PCs can handle many players and large open worlds, and players often use a mouse and keyboard or a game controller to play.

Benefits of PCs include lower software costs due to competition, flexibility to run old games on new systems, and chances for new ideas because anyone can create or update games. However, PCs can be more complex to set up, may cost more because parts are bought separately, and are less secure, which can lead to issues like software being used without permission.

PC gaming technology

Main article: Personal computer

See also: Gaming computer

Modern computer games need strong hardware to work well. They often need a fast central processing unit (CPU), which is the brain of the computer. The CPU handles many tasks at once, letting games have better graphics and smarter characters. Another important part is the graphics processing unit (GPU), which makes the pictures in games look smooth and detailed. Most computers also have a keyboard and mouse for controlling the game.

Computer games also need special software to run. Most games today work on Microsoft Windows. They use tools called APIs, like Microsoft's DirectX, to talk to the computer's hardware. Some games also use ready-made systems called game engines to help make them. Players can also connect with others using the Internet, which lets many people play together in big online worlds. Emulation lets people play old games on new computers by mimicking the old hardware they were made for.

Controversy

Main article: Video game controversies

PC games have sometimes caused debates, especially about how they might affect young people. Some worry that violent scenes in games could make children more aggressive. Health experts have looked into these concerns, and parents are encouraged to help guide what their children play.

Another concern is that some players can become too absorbed in their games, which might affect their health and relationships. As games grow more engaging, these discussions continue to be important for families and communities.