Exploring the history of gaming, and games that have stood the test of time

Whether it is gathering round a table and going hard at Monopoly or getting behind a console and going head-to-head on Street Fighter, other retro games or something more modern, the world loves its gaming right now. You might think online gaming has just about displaced the offline style, but that is not the case.

Sony is believed to have found PS4 players typically spend more time offline gaming than online.

Meanwhile, the online gaming market is booming, too. In 2020, the global online gaming market produced approximately 21 billion US dollars in revenue. That was growth of 21.9% compared to the year before, as people looked for new channels to connect with each other and entertain themselves. 

Below is a look at the history of gaming, at some of the classic games that have stood the test of time, and at the impact of technology on gaming.

The history of gaming

Believe it or not, the first historical evidence of board gaming is thought to date back as far as 5000 BC. Discoveries in regions around the Nile have led historians to believe the origins of board gaming take root in the Middle East somewhere. Dice were made from wood, stones or even carved knuckle bones. 

That was before the Romans created the six-sided dice, made from materials such as glass, marble or ivory. The Romans are also considered to be responsible for backgammon, around 2000 BC. 

Video gaming came much, much later, however. The “Brown Box” in the 1960s was the first real gaming machine, but Atari, which came a few months later, has somehow come to be remembered for the first games console and also set the benchmark for a large-scale gaming community. Atari also brought out the gaming classic “Pong”, not to mention the massive “Space Invaders”, which is still as popular as ever. 

The 1980s brought with it home video gaming, especially gaming on computers, and in the 1990s gaming would move towards the idea of a “death match”, which became popular with gaming classic “Doom”. The 1990s would also see a shift to console gaming, which would trigger an outright war between Sega and Nintendo, as well as the arrival of classic titles such as “Super Mario Bros” and “Sonic the Hedgehog”, and the development of online gaming, which would really take off in the 21^st century.

A look at some of the classic games

Gaming is one of those areas that invokes a massive sense of nostalgia. The gaming world, both online and offline, has produced some memorable titles. Some of these have stood the test of time and are as popular today as they ever were. Here are a few that are fondly remember and are still being played.

Minecraft

“Minecraft”, the popular video game of building, exploration and survival, came out in late 2011 and still entertains players to this day. The game receives constant updates and new versions are often being created, so it never gets boring. Videos on “Minecraft” on YouTube are highly popular, receiving thousands of views. 

Casino gaming

When you are speaking of games that stand the test of time, casino games are right up there. Some rely more on luck, others on skill, but the one thing they all have in common is how exciting they are. 

Blackjack, roulette, poker and other games will always have their enthusiasts. Enthusiasm has grown for casino gaming even more since the arrival of various online casino operators, which has made the world of casino accessible to whole new audiences and sets of players. People can practise their skills online and then, if they wish, take part in cash games online or try their luck at the tables of an offline establishment.

Tetris

This Nintendo classic came out in 1984 and is still as engaging as it’s ever been. The reason is simple: it’s straightforward but still just taxing enough to keep you entertained. It also appeals to the basic human desire to create order out of chaos. 

Another reason for its popularity is the way it’s been ported, which has made it so much more accessible. Although porting titles to different platforms is normal in the gaming world, the way this has happened with “Tetris” is especially impressive. You’ll find it on more than 65 different platforms. It’s even available on Amazon Fire TVs.

The impact of technology

Technology has had a massive impact on the gaming world, as you might imagine. The graphics of games have gotten better, companies are offering a more immersive experience in the form of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) and, in general, gaming has become more accessible. 

This accessibility even translates to board games as well. “Scrabble”, “Monopoly” and chess are all games that no longer force you to sit down at a table and play. Instead, you can just play them online. You don’t always have to play with friends either. In the case of “Scrabble”, for instance, you can play against other word lovers on the internet.

Gaming has come a long, long way and is popular both online and offline. Games provide relaxation while also providing a challenge or competitive entertainment. It makes them highly engaging. They always will be.