about video game development

Video games have come a long way since William Higinbotham re-engineered an oscilloscope into a tennis game at the Brookhaven National Laboratory. In fact, video gaming has turned into a multi-billion-dollar business, and more people than ever are playing.

Game environments have become more realistic and immersive, thanks to microprocessors that can handle the complex mathematics behind shading and texture mapping. As games become more realistic, more people join in the fun. The hype behind some games even leads to disappointment when developers run out of money or have other problems that force them to abandon games before they can be released.

Video game development has led to a number of amazing innovations, such as the Nintendo Wii, which uses accelerometers and Bluetooth technology to make its wireless controllers able to sense the movements of gamers using them. Nintendo's video game development arm has added other unique controllers, including a balance board that allows players to control in-game characters by shifting their body weight. One game, Wii Fit, lets players use the balance board to walk tightropes and spin hula hoops. Some people even think the Wii helps gamers lose weight.

Believe it or not, there are real-life applications for video gaming skills -- research suggests that doctors who play games improve their surgical skills. There's a dark side to the popularity of video games, however; some think that the violence found in some titles has led to incidents of real-life violence. Video game developers adopted a voluntary code of ratings administered by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board to tell parents what they might expect from a particular game. Despite these high-publicity problems, video games continue to grow in popularity every day, thanks to the developers who push the limits of the computer and console hardware for which they write.

video game development library

 

Ever wonder how video games are developed? We look at the creation of your favorite games and technologies. Read how 3DO creates their games, what game ratings mean or how game characters move so fluidly.

Featured Article:  Are surgeons using video games for training?

A study suggests surgeons who play video games might have finer surgical skills than those who never play. So should med school students throw down the anatomy book and grab a joystick? See more »

Are surgeons using video games for training?

Are surgeons using video games for training?

A study suggests surgeons who play video games might have finer surgical skills than those who never play. So should med school students throw down the anatomy book and grab a joystick?

See more »
Do violent video games lead to real violence?

Do violent video games lead to real violence?

Entertainment media has always made a great scapegoat for bad behavior and violence. But is it legitimate? Do violent video games really lead to real-life violence?

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How 3DO Creates Video Games

How 3DO Creates Video Games

3DO is one of the top video game companies in the U.S. with dozens of popular titles. Go behind the scenes and learn exactly how 3DO creates a new game!

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How Becoming a Video Game Designer Works

How Becoming a Video Game Designer Works

Video game designers need to have analytical knowledge as well as strong creative skills. How do you become a video game designer?

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How do developers get such realistic environments in video games?

How do developers get such realistic environments in video games?

How do developers get such realistic environments in video games? Learn about the game-creation process and how it's getting more advanced every year.

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How do the characters in video games move so fluidly?

How do the characters in video games move so fluidly?

If you've ever gotten immersed in your game character's story and movements, you've probably wondered how these creations can move so fluidly. Here's your chance to find out!

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How Making a Video Game Works

How Making a Video Game Works

Playing a video game nowadays is like entering another world, one with its own unique sights, sounds and realities. Game playing is also growing in frequency -- users spend up to four hours a day playing games. But how many players stop and think abo

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How many calories do you burn playing the average Wii game?

How many calories do you burn playing the average Wii game?

Video gamers looking to work up a sweat swear Wii Sports games get their heart rate going. Find out how one Wii geek lost 9 pounds (4 kilograms) playing video tennis.

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How the Emotiv EPOC Works

How the Emotiv EPOC Works

Emotiv has a leg up on an intuitive interface for video games. For anyone who's ever fantasized about having the Force of Jedi Knighthood, the EPOC is a dream come true.

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How the ESRB Works

How the ESRB Works

With sales topping $7 billion last year the focus on game ratings will only intensify. Find out how the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB) rates games how the ratings are enforced and how ratings affect game sales.

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How Video Game Testers Work

How Video Game Testers Work

Many people think that being a video game tester is a dream job, but it isn't as easy as you think. Learn more about the responsibilities of a video game tester in this article.

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HowStuffWorks Visits Bungie Studios

HowStuffWorks Visits Bungie Studios

Bungie Studios was nice enough to give us a tour of their digs just before the Halo 2 launch. Check out the story of the whirlwind visit and hear about our first peek at the game.

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Test Your Knowledge: Burning Calories with Wii Games

Test Your Knowledge: Burning Calories with Wii Games

For some, getting exercise through video games is a dream come true. The Wii has allowed gamers to play virtual sports and get active. Take this quiz to find out how effective it really is.

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What are Gouraud shading and texture mapping in 3-D video games?

What are Gouraud shading and texture mapping in 3-D video games?

If you look at the description of some 3-D video games, you'll see references to Gouraud shading or texture mapping. What does that mean?

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What are the best video games that were never made?

What are the best video games that were never made?

For serious gamers, there's nothing worse than finding out an eagerly anticipated video game has been scrapped. Is your favorite game that never was on our list?

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What do video game ratings mean?

What do video game ratings mean?

Just like film and television, the video game industry maintains a level of age-related ratings. Find out how the ESRB system works.

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