Overview of Computer Games
By Waruna Harshana Kodituwakku
1. Introduction
Personal computer games (PC games) are the
games played on a personal computer using
interface devices such as keyboard and mouse, a
joystick or gamepad. Additionally sound may be
provided through speakers or headphones.
The term computer game should not be messed with
video games, console games, and arcade games.
Video games and console games are usually
connected to a TV, while arcade games are available
in public spaces. At the outset, games were played at
an arcade have evolved to be PC games played at
home. This has made it possible to develop games
of longer duration, and has done away with the
requirement of inserting coins.
2. History of Computer Games
Computer games have grown and changed over
time, developing from simple shoot-them-up games
to sophisticated and nearly ubiquitous works of art.
General assumption is that first computer game was
Tic-tac-toe which was created in 1952. But
“Spacewar” was the first game intended for
computer use which was invented in 1962. There
two human players maneuvered spaceships around
the screen trying to shoot each other with missiles.
In 1974, Atari Company developed, "Pong", which
allowed playing tennis on your television. The first
strategy game was "Empire" which was a war game.
Later, scope and complexity of war games were
enhanced.
With that war games increased in popularity, the
speed and the user friendliness made computer
games popular. In 1977 Apple released the Apple II
which popularized the general-purpose computer as
a gaming platform.
From 1989 the Internet was opened to the public at
large. In 1991, Tim Berners-Lee introduced the
World Wide Web and as a result the Internet
became easier for the users. Internet made online
computer gaming more popular.
3. Computer Game Development
The majority of computer game developers are
independent companies although a large number of
publishers also have in-house development teams, or
own equity in external developers.
Developers occupy Programmers, Artists,
Musicians, Sound Engineers, Designers, Producers
and administrative staff to work on the development
of the games.
3.1 The Development Process Design
The making of a game starts with the design. The
design team creates a design document for the game,
which includes all its features in detail, the audio
style, visual styles, and the approach for
programming.
This design will be reviewed a number of times by
the design team as well as by other interested parties
before planning of the next stage.

3.2 Research
The design team identifies areas that may cause
problems and carry out research to decide how
certain tasks will be accomplished, graphics, layout
/structure for the code and its associated data etc. At
the end of the research phase the various items of
prototype code/art/sound will be reviewed.
3.3 Development
The full design will be handed over to the
development team. It creates task lists and a
development schedule. These two documents, along
with the design, will be reviewed and updated as the
development process proceeds.
Based upon the research from the previous phase the
team will start developing the computer code, the
tools that will be used to assemble it; plus the art,
sound and music. First a working prototype will be
developed to test the design concepts.
3.4 Implementation
After development phase project moves into the
implementation phase. The various assets must be
assembled to create the complete game. Testing and
game play adjustment continues throughout this
phase and emphasis shifts from creativity to
productivity. By this point decisions should have
been made and all concepts tested.
3.5 Testing
The quality of the game play and possible bugs are
tested. Outside testers and members of focus groups
are used to evaluate the difficulties, controls,
learning curve and other key features of game play.
3.6 User Created Modifications (Mods)
Mods mean the modifications to a game made by
the users or developers, using an original release of
a game. New items, weapons, characters, enemies,
models, textures, levels, story lines, music, and
game modes may be added to the original game or it
can be a totally new game itself. Many game
developing companies now releasing Mod tools to
public in order to enhance user experiences.
4. Types of Computer Games
Fundamentally there are four types of computer
games; strategy, first person shooters, 3rd person
views and racing. Each type of game gives a
different type of gaming experience and a different
type of challenge to the game player.
Strategic games: These games need to be played
with caution and patience. Usually strategic games
involves in building a city, army and etc. (E.g. Age
of Empires)
First person shooters: Games give a unique feeling
like you are inside the game. There are many types
of games, including shooting games, which are all
very popular. (E.g. IGI, Halo)
3rd person viewed games: You view the game from
an observer's point of view. Have a wide variety and
most sports games also fall under this category.
(E.g. GTA Vice City, Cricket)
Racing games: The player has the option of
changing the view of the game from first person to
third person. The experience of racing differs from
each type of view. (E.g. NFS, Turbo Racing).

5. Computer Gaming Technology
5.1 Hardware
Fast central processing units (CPU) and graphics
processing units (GPU) are required for modern
computer games. Sound cards should be available to
provide improved 3D audio and audio enhancement.
Other standard equipment would a keyboard and
mouse for user input. Headsets are used for
communication. Optional devices would be
Joysticks (for flight simulators) steering wheels (for
driving games) and gamepads for console-style
games.
5.2 Software
Computer games run on third-party software such as
operating systems (E.g. MS Windows 7), device
drivers, and libraries. Application Programming
Interfaces (APIs) such as MS DirectX, OpenGL
provide an interface between the game and the
Operating System.
5.3 Local area network gaming
To play computer games in a Local Area Network
(LAN) it will need two or more personal computers,
a router and enough networking cables to connect
computers. And each computer in a LAN will need
a network card and a copy of game in order to play.
5.4 Online games
An online game is played over some form of
computer network such as the Internet. To
participate in online computer games players will
need computer with dial-up modems; broadband
internet connection. And also require a network
interface card, and a router. Online games require a
virtual environment, generally called a "game
server". These virtual servers inter-connect gamers,
allowing real time, and often fast paced action.
5.5 Emulator
An Emulator is a software application that can
accurately imitate another computer, mobile phone,
device or arcade machine and run software from that
computer. This will give ability to play some
computer games without the platform for which they
were designed. (E.g. DOSBox, NESticle)
6. Future of Computer Gaming
Realism is a major objective of game developers. In
the near future, computer-controlled non-player
characters (NPCs) will be smarter and more human-
like in their behavior. We can predict that NPCs will
also have artificial intelligence. There will be no
need to program NCPs how to behave. They will
take independent decisions like the player.
Human sensory experience has 5 senses. Future
developments will be able to stimulate more of these
senses such as pain and taste in addition to sight and
hearing, which we have now. Future Games will
allow player to feel the virtual environment.
7. Social Aspects of Computer Gaming
With the popularity of Computer games, the social,
health and economic consequences of playing them
have become a concern. One argument is that it
leads to unhealthy life styles, waste of time and
economic resources and violent, aggressive and
antisocial behavior and they have been seen as
negatively affecting the players in terms of lack of
social skills, inefficiency, obesity and laziness.

Another view is that it provides relaxation and skills
while digital game-based learning enhances student
engagement. Such as involves in problem solving,
planning, estimation and analysis of the moves or
actions of opponent. This affects the player
positively by developing in him/her problem-solving
skills, analytical and estimation skills and quick
decision-making.
8. Conclusion
The evolution of the computer games had been very
fast. Simultaneously, the popularity and the number
of users have also increased dramatically. The scope
and complexities of games have expanded and the
devices have been improved to accommodate such
requirements. The spread of the Internet and the use
of PCs have contributed to the popularity of the
game. Nowadays computer game developing has
become a large industry. In developing a computer
games there should be not only programmer’s effort,
programmers have to work with Artists, Musicians,
Sound Engineers, Designers, Producers in order to
build a better computer game.
But with the increased use of PC games, the social,
cultural, health and economic impacts of playing
them extensively had become a matter of public
concern. Such adverse effects seem to be heavier
than the so called benefits of such game playing.
But computer games always will be one of the best
entertainment media that mankind ever invented.
9. References
1. Wikipedia, 2012. PC Game [online] Available at
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PC_game> [Accessed
10th
February, 2012]
2. Computer History, 2012. History of Computer
Games [online] Available at <
http://www.computernostalgia.net/articles/Historyof
ComputerGames.html> [Accessed 10th
February,
2012]
3. Buzzle, 2012. Video Games Development Process
[online] Available at
<http://www.buzzle.com/articles/video-game-
development-process.html> [Accessed 12th
February, 2012]
4. PAMF, 2012. The Impact of Video Games on
Children [online] Available at <
http://www.pamf.org/preteen/parents/videogames.ht
ml> [Accessed 11th
February, 2012]
5. Science Daily, 2012. Taking Computer Games
into the Future [online] Available at <
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/07/1007
12104329.htm> [Accessed 12th
February, 2012]