We all remember the fabled days of pixel graphics and poorly animated cut-screens. Just 10 years ago we were living in an age where PC games were barely even supported by the Windows operating system- now you’ll be hard pressed to find a Windows machine without some type of PC game on it.

But in today’s world, we are more interested in hot topics such as virtual reality. The fabled pixel graphics of the past are long gone, and likely only to return when a bit of nostalgia is in order. But how did we get to the life-like video games of today, and where are we going as a society?

PC Games and Peripherals

PC games and peripherals go hand-in-hand for a better gaming experience. It all started with ideas such as the “Game Glove” or the much-loved gun peripheral for “Duck Hunt”- a popular Nintendo game in video game past. PC game peripherals have been lacking over the years, but this is not to say PC gamers haven’t had their fair share of the market.

Of all the PC peripherals available to gamers, the gamepad is the most renowned. It doesn’t necessarily provide a realistic experience, but it does indeed help simplify the gaming experience. Some MMORPGs, for instance, require that many buttons and combinations of buttons be learned for many tasks- with a gamepad, this is simplified in fewer keys and “hot keys.”

The Evolution of PC Games and Graphics

If you compare a PC game from the past to one of today, you’ll notice a large difference. Whereas pixel graphics were popular in the past, 3D graphics are much more popular today. Where 2D graphics are still used, a new kind of graphics called 2.5D graphics are used that combine the two for a compromised result.

In this day and age, it’s hard to find games that are successful and still make use of 2D graphics. Given, there are exceptions, but the norm is that 3D games have taken over. 3D graphics give PC gamers a more real experience, so PC game developers are shifting towards both 3D and virtual reality markets.

How PC Games Dominate Society

Each month, there is an estimated 5-6 million users playing World of Warcraft. That is a pretty stunning number, and indeed could account for an entire city of people- or cities! This just goes to show that society is addicted to PC games- and it isn’t something that is going to change any time soon.

Clearly, PC games have become important to society as we know it. The only thing left to ponder is what PC games will be like in the future.

The Future of PC Games

Frighteningly enough, products are being tested that can react to a human’s brain activity. Essentially, this brain activity can be used to control an object in PC games- giving humans the superpower they have dreamed of for decades!

Another interesting technology is holographic technology. This type of technology allows for humans to interacts with photons of light, meaning that we can interact with fake objects! This is truly a remarkable technology, and we can only hope that its debut it PC gaming will be swift in the coming decades.