The Evolution of Top Tier Gaming

The technology that underpins video games has come a long way over the past 40 years. From Space Invaders to Skyrim, the sheer complexity and depth of immersion now possible is scarcely believable. The global games industry is now the dominant media sector globally, with game series such as Activision's Call of Duty franchise worth more in revenue than the entire box office value of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Below we take a look at some of the most recognizable popular video game genres and franchises that have developed since the very earliest days of the arcade boom and chart their trajectory from humble origins to top tier entertainment.

First Person Shooters

Arguably the most successful gaming genre is the first person shooter, or FPS. The very first FPS title was Wolfenstein 3D, developed by id Software in 1992. They quickly followed this with Doom, the game that cemented the genre as a favorite among gamers. The basic format of these games is remarkably conservative which results in modern FPS' sharing a striking resemblance in gameplay to their forebears, albeit with the addition of much improved graphics.

The next major leap forward for FPS games came in the form of Rare's adaptation of the James Bond film GoldenEye, for the N64. GoldenEye brought the FPS into true 3D territory, and combined compelling mission design with unprecedented AI. GoldenEye was also one of the first games to make use of the trigger button that was beginning to appear on next generation consoles to simulate firing weapons with greater immersion. Then in 2001, Microsoft's hotly anticipated Xbox hit the shelves with an original game developed by Bungie, Halo: Combat Evolved, as its launch title. Halo gave FPS games a new cinematic scope, and incorporated open world elements. Halo was also the first game to use one thumb-stick for aiming and the second for movement, a control mechanic still in use today in all modern FPS games.

Slot Titles

Slots games have a long and illustrious history dating back to the turn of the 20th century. The earliest slot machines, such as Charles Fey's Liberty Bell, were relatively simplistic mechanical devices that required manned attendants to dole out prizes and reset the machinery. Over time these machines grew more sophisticated, acquiring video displays and electronic circuitry during the heyday of the Las Vegas strip in the 1960s. Fast forward to today and you'll find the most popular way to enjoy now is on online platforms.

These true software video games can take advantage of greater creativity and diversity in gameplay mechanics than their physical equivalents. They also benefit from constant innovation such as the Megaways game mechanic devised by developers Big Time Gaming. This cutting edge algorithm is now in evidence on reputable platforms across the sector and works by randomising the number of symbols that appear on each reel per spin resulting in slot games that can offer an unprecedented 117,649 unique ways to win. By this ongoing process of refinement, slots games continue to go from strength to strength, even a century on from their inception.

Sports Games

One of the longest running gaming genres is sports games. In fact the very earliest game that could be considered a part of this genre is the 1958 computer game Tennis for Two, an ancestor of Pong. Over the years, games developers have looked for ways to increase realism and immersion in their sports games. One of the earliest breakthrough titles in the genre was EA's John Madden Football. This game, the ancestor of all modern Madden NFL games pushed the limits of gaming hardware and design at the time.

The late, great John Madden was enthusiastic about endorsing the game. However, he refused to put his name to it if developers EA failed to commit to full 11-a-side football. Their preference was for smaller teams which would have been less challenging to program. Fortunately they surmounted this obstacle and the game was a technical triumph. It laid the groundwork for all Madden games to follow, as well as providing the basis for many other popular titles in the EA Sports roster, such as FIFA. Nowadays sports games use the very best motion capture technology and sophisticated artificial intelligence to bring unprecedented realism to their sports games.