Game

Updated: 01/31/2023 by Computer Hope
Baldur's Gate 3 game in city.

Alternatively known as an electronic game and video game, a game is software code designed to entertain or educate an individual. Today, computer gaming is a big business, and there are millions of different computer games enjoyed by people of all ages. The picture shows a screenshot of the 2023 game Baldur's Gate 3.

What are the genres of games?

There are many genres (types) of games available today. Below are the popular genres of games in alphabetical order.

How are computer games made?

While large teams usually make popular games, some small game studios and independent developers can make very successful games. Regardless, there are three primary stages, outside of the business and marketing, to create a functioning game.

Programming

A game's functionality is created using a programming language. By definition, games must have several attributes, including victory and loss conditions, obstacles, and rewards. Players must also be able to control the player using an input device, like a keyboard & mouse or controller. Besides these bare minimum requirements, modern games are usually packed with other features and mechanics to make the game more immersive.

Games are programmed in a game engine, such as Unreal Engine or Unity. Large studios, including Bethesda and Electronic Arts, are also known for making proprietary engines for their games.

Art and asset creation

Often created by a separate team of specialized artists, the assets for the game are also a crucial part of game design. Environments, characters, objects, and animations must be created to give the game a consistent look and feel. In 2-D games, graphics are often created using an image editor. If the game is 3-D, modeling software is used. In either case, animation software is used to simulate motion.

Audio is created using a DAW (digital audio workstation) program and can involve foley artistry for sound effects, voice acting for characters and musical compositions for the game's soundtrack.

Testing and bug fixes

Once the programming is in working condition, the game is considered an alpha stage. At this point, assets like characters, objects, and the environment are often incomplete, and temporary placeholders are used during development to refine the game's mechanics. Once these assets are implemented, it is considered beta until the game is finalized.

Testing is conducted throughout these phases of development to ensure the game is a good experience for any player.

What platforms can I play games on?

Today, games are made for virtually any device. Some recent games, like Minecraft and Fortnite, are cross-platform, allowing players on any platform to join each other.

Below are the main platforms that games are developed for playing.

  • PC - PC games are released on distribution platforms like Steam, Epic Games Launcher, and Ubisoft Connect. Although most PC games are played on Windows, they can also be available on macOS or Linux computers.
  • Console - Console games are released for proprietary entertainment consoles, such as the Xbox, PlayStation, and the most recent Nintendo console.
  • Mobile - Mobile games are released on Android and iOS smartphones and tablets. Mobile games are usually free-to-play but include microtransactions and advertisements to generate revenue.

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