History

Video game consoles have captivated the minds of game enthusiasts since their introduction in the 1970s.  The first home video game console which could be connnected to a television set was released in 1972.  The golden age of video gaming arrived in the 1980s when the popular arcade hit Space Invaders was released and from then the home console industry really took off.

[Insert picture here] Gaming technology has come a long way since those early days and contines to develop at a relentless pace.  There are now video games for all demographics and audiences, including young children and the elderly.  Gaming is no longer a pastime for teenaged boys, the average gamer in America is 34, and around two-fifths of players are women.  A generation who grew up with games have kept on playing and many now play video games with their own children.   From action adventure games to puzzle games and simulation games to strategy games, there is truly something for everyone.

The home entertainment systems of today are cutting edge machines that have super processing speeds and amazing interaction levels. The same can also be said for handheld consoles.  All consoles focus on stunning graphics, incredible storytelling, integration with other media and increased connectivity.

The development of new consoles usually occurs in five to six year cycles.  Some believe that the latest eighth generation machines may be the last of the home video game consoles.  Could it be curtains for consoles?

Handheld Consoles

Handheld video game consoles are portable electronic devices with a built-in screen, game controls, speakers and batteries.  Their size and light weight allow users to enjoy gaming virtually anywhere.  With advancements in technology, handheld game consoles are no longer limited to simply playing games.  They now have the ability to take photos and videos to instantly share with friends online, make Skype calls, play music and watch movies on the go.  The growth in popularity of tablets and smartphones means more people are playing mobile games than ever before.

Video Game Consoles

Video game consoles are a popular form of home entertainment.  They connect to a TV screen which displays the graphics and plays the sounds of the game.  A game controller is used to provide input and allows the player to interact with the video game, typically to control an object or character.  Modern systems use sophisticated controllers with a variety of buttons and special features.

The core components that all video game systems have in common are:

1.	User control interface 
2.	CPU 
3.	RAM 
4.	Software kernel 
5.	Storage medium for games 
6.	Video output 
7.	Audio output 
8.	Power supply

Video Games

There is a huge variety of games available.  The majority of video games are designed to entertain people but they can also educate, inform, persuade and stimulate the user.  Games are categorised into commonly used video game genres which are mainly based on their gameplay, interaction and category.

Aggressive competition between manufacturers has resulted in the superior features we have today.  Today's games are increasingly realistic and technologically advanced.  They feature richly textured, full-colour graphics, amazing sound and complex interaction between player and system.  Social networking has even made its way into the video game industry with online gaming.

The best-selling games are highly-polished cinematic thrill-rides that take you on an emotional rollercoaster. Outstanding graphics, incredible storytelling and superb voice acting make the experience similar to watching a movie, the difference being that the gamer controls the action!

Some video games have been criticised for glorifying violence, cruelty, and crime and exposing children to these elements.  There are concerns that children who play violent video games may have a tendency to behave more aggressively.  This has led to a voluntary rating system being adopted by the industry.

The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) ratings provide information about the content in video games so consumers, especially parents, can make informed choices.  Rating categories suggest age appropriateness and are as follows:

MEANING	AGE	
Early Childhood	Young children	
Everyone	All ages	
Everyone 10+	10 and over	
Teen	13 and over	
Mature	17 and over	
Adults Only	18 and over	
Rating Pending	Not assigned	

Online Gaming

Online gaming is one of the most popular entertainment activities on the World Wide Web.  With the evolution of advanced Internet technologies, and cheaper and more accessible broadband connectivity, the number of younger web users has increased, resulting in a demand for online games across the continents.  Many online gaming sites offered paid subscription services, whilst others offered free gaming usage in order to increase their web traffic and earn advertising revenues.

The launch of World of Warcraft prompted console giants such as Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo to produce advanced gaming consoles and gaming software that allowed users to play against one another online. This brought multi-player games to the console environment and allowed users to play with others anywhere in the world.

Accessories

There is a wide range of accessories available which are designed to enhance the gaming experience and make the action more enjoyable and realistic.  From gaming chairs with inbuilt sound and vibrating capabilities, to gaming headsets and steering wheel controllers for use with driving games, there are numerous accessories to help people get the most out of their gaming session.

Global Sales

Video games have never been more popular.  The industry is worth around $80 billion worldwide, which matches the global film industry.  The biggest titles comfortably out earn blockbuster movies.  However the sale of consoles and video games has seen a steady decline in recent years and retail sales are down by 15%.  The gaming world is changing.  Tablets are more widely used for gaming, more games are available for download and consoles have more functions than just gaming.

Dedicated games consoles are expensive and non-portable so it is not surprising that industry growth is coming from other sources.  Gaming on tablets and smartphones is growing rapidly, as are games played through web browsers and social-networking sites.  Dedicated gamers believe the smartphone or tablet screen cannot match the experience of gaming on a high-powered, dedicated device in front of a large television screen.  Time will tell whether the traditional games console can survive.

Developments

We live in a world where social networking and interactive gameplay are now mainstream activities.  Video gaming takes place between gamers all across the world and there is a move towards playing console-quality games through a web browser or a cloud-based gaming service.  Some consider this gameplay experience to be comparable or even better than playing the game on a console or on a high-powered PC.  These games can be played on any Internet-enabled device, even tablets and smartphones. 

Modern video game consoles do so much more than play games.  Manufacturers are keen to promote their consoles as complete home entertainment systems which stream films, play live TV, place video calls and browse the internet.  These additional multimedia features and functions greatly enhance the functionality and everyday use of the game console.  With these developments they are set to continue as an important source of leisure and entertainment, education and social interaction for many years to come.