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{{short description|Type of video game}}
{{short description|Type of video game}}
{{Merge to|Video game console|discuss=Talk:Video game console#Proposed merge of Console game into Video game console|date=December 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2017}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2017}}
{{Video Games}}
{{Video Games}}
A '''console game''' is a form of [[video game]], consisting of manipulable images (and usually sounds) generated by a [[video game console]] and displayed on a [[television]] or similar audio-video system. The game itself is usually controlled and manipulated using a handheld device connected to the console, called a [[Game controller|controller]]. The controller generally contains a number of buttons and directional controls such as [[Joysticks|analogue joysticks]], each of which has been assigned a purpose for interacting with and controlling the images on the screen. The display, speakers, console, and controls of a console can also be incorporated into one small object known as a [[handheld game]].
A '''console game''' is a type of [[video game]] consisting of images and often sounds generated by a [[video game console]], which are displayed on a [[television]] or similar audio-video system, and that can be manipulated by a player. This manipulation usually takes place using a handheld device connected to the console, called a [[Game controller|controller]]. The controller generally contains several buttons and directional controls such as [[Joysticks|analogue joysticks]], each of which has been assigned a purpose for interacting with and controlling the images on the screen. The display, speakers, console, and controls of a console can also be incorporated into one small object known as a [[handheld game]].


Console games usually come in the form of an [[optical disc]], [[ROM cartridge]], [[Digital distribution in video games|digital download]] or in the case of [[Dedicated console|dedicated consoles]], stored on internal memory. The global console games market was valued at about $26.8 billion in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2019/11/07/1942963/0/en/Global-Console-Games-Market-Projections-to-2030-The-Competition-of-Mobile-Gaming-is-a-Fierce-Industry-Hurdle.html|title=Global Console Games Market Projections to 2030 - the Competition of Mobile Gaming is a Fierce Industry Hurdle|date=November 7, 2019}}</ref>
Console games usually come in the form of an [[optical disc]], [[ROM cartridge]], [[Digital distribution in video games|digital download]] or, in the case of [[dedicated console]]s, stored on internal memory. The global console games market was valued at about $26.8 billion in 2018.<ref>{{Cite press release|url=https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2019/11/07/1942963/0/en/Global-Console-Games-Market-Projections-to-2030-The-Competition-of-Mobile-Gaming-is-a-Fierce-Industry-Hurdle.html|title=Global Console Games Market Projections to 2030 - the Competition of Mobile Gaming is a Fierce Industry Hurdle|date=November 7, 2019}}</ref>


The differences between consoles create additional challenges and opportunities for game developers, as the console manufacturers (e.g. [[Nintendo]], [[Microsoft]], [[Sony]]) may provide extra incentives, support and marketing for [[console exclusive]] games.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.mcvuk.com/business/xbox-head-of-first-party-development-we-need-to-use-established-franchises-as-a-home-base-from-which-we-can-expand|title=Xbox head of first-party development: 'We need to use established franchises as a home base from which we can expand'|last=Barton|first=Seth|date=2018-06-04|work=MCV|access-date=2019-01-15|language=en-US|issn=1469-4832|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180721061122/https://www.mcvuk.com/business/xbox-head-of-first-party-development-we-need-to-use-established-franchises-as-a-home-base-from-which-we-can-expand|archive-date=July 21, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> To aid development of games for consoles, manufacturers often create [[game development kit]]s that developers can use for their work.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.mcvuk.com/consoles/new-xbox-video-shows-off-project-scorpio-xdk|title=New Xbox video shows off Project Scorpio XDK|last=Cleaver|first=Sean|date=2017-06-06|work=MCV|access-date=2019-01-15|language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.mcvuk.com/business/nintendo-begins-sending-nx-development-kit-to-devs|title=Nintendo begins sending NX development kit to devs|last=Parfitt|first=Ben|date=2015-10-16|work=MCV|access-date=2019-01-15|language=en-US|issn=1469-4832}}</ref>
The differences between consoles create additional challenges and opportunities for game developers, as the console manufacturers (e.g. [[Nintendo]], [[Microsoft]], [[Sony]], [[Sega]], [[Atari]]) may provide extra incentives, support and marketing for [[console exclusive]] games.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.mcvuk.com/business/xbox-head-of-first-party-development-we-need-to-use-established-franchises-as-a-home-base-from-which-we-can-expand|title=Xbox head of first-party development: 'We need to use established franchises as a home base from which we can expand'|last=Barton|first=Seth|date=2018-06-04|work=MCV|access-date=2019-01-15|language=en-US|issn=1469-4832|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180721061122/https://www.mcvuk.com/business/xbox-head-of-first-party-development-we-need-to-use-established-franchises-as-a-home-base-from-which-we-can-expand|archive-date=July 21, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> To aid development of games for consoles, manufacturers often create [[game development kit]]s that developers can use for their work.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.mcvuk.com/consoles/new-xbox-video-shows-off-project-scorpio-xdk|title=New Xbox video shows off Project Scorpio XDK|last=Cleaver|first=Sean|date=2017-06-06|work=MCV|access-date=2019-01-15|language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.mcvuk.com/business/nintendo-begins-sending-nx-development-kit-to-devs|title=Nintendo begins sending NX development kit to devs|last=Parfitt|first=Ben|date=2015-10-16|work=MCV|access-date=2019-01-15|language=en-US|issn=1469-4832}}</ref>


== History ==
== History ==
[[File:Pong.png|alt=Horizontal rectangle video game screenshot that is a representation of a game of table tennis.|thumb|A screenshot of a re-released version of Pong]]
[[File:Pong.svg|alt=Horizontal rectangle video game screenshot that is a representation of a game of table tennis.|thumb|A screenshot of a re-released version of Pong]]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genshin_Impact
=== Early console games ===
=== Early console games ===
{{See also|Early history of video games}}
{{See also|Early history of video games}}
The first console games were for the [[Magnavox Odyssey]], released in 1972,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/312847/Discovering_the_first_video_game_commercial.php|title=Discovering the first video game commercial|last=Kidwell|first=Emma|website=www.gamasutra.com|date=January 10, 2018|language=en|access-date=2019-01-14}}</ref> and consisted of simple games made of three white dots and a vertical line.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lifewire.com/magnavox-odyssey-the-first-gaming-console-729587|title=Magnavox Odyssey – The First Gaming Console|last=Cohen|first=D. S.|date=2018-11-05|website=Lifewire|language=en|access-date=2019-01-15}}</ref> These hardware limitations, such as the lack of any audio capability, meant that developers didn't have a lot of freedom in the type of games they could create. Some games came packaged with accessories such as cards and dice to enhance the experience to make up for the shortcomings of the hardware.<ref name="GQ">{{cite magazine |last=Knowles |first=Kitty |date=2015-03-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150928014830/http://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/entertainment/articles/2015-03/25/national-videogame-arcade-nottingham-a-brief-history-of-videogames |title=A history of videogames: the defining moments from Nimrod to now |magazine=[[GQ|British GQ]] |url=http://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/entertainment/articles/2015-03/25/national-videogame-arcade-nottingham-a-brief-history-of-videogames |archive-date=2015-09-28 |access-date=2016-01-14}}</ref>
The first console games were for the [[Magnavox Odyssey]], released in 1972,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/312847/Discovering_the_first_video_game_commercial.php|title=Discovering the first video game commercial|last=Kidwell|first=Emma|website=www.gamasutra.com|date=January 10, 2018|language=en|access-date=2019-01-14}}</ref> and consisted of simple games made of three white dots and a vertical line.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lifewire.com/magnavox-odyssey-the-first-gaming-console-729587|title=Magnavox Odyssey – The First Gaming Console|last=Cohen|first=D. S.|date=2018-11-05|website=Lifewire|language=en|access-date=2019-01-15}}</ref> These hardware limitations, such as the lack of any audio capability, meant that developers didn't have freedom in the type of games they could create. Some games came packaged with accessories such as cards and dice to enhance the experience and make up for the shortcomings of the hardware.<ref name="GQ">{{cite magazine |last=Knowles |first=Kitty |date=2015-03-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150928014830/http://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/entertainment/articles/2015-03/25/national-videogame-arcade-nottingham-a-brief-history-of-videogames |title=A history of videogames: the defining moments from Nimrod to now |magazine=[[GQ|British GQ]] |url=http://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/entertainment/articles/2015-03/25/national-videogame-arcade-nottingham-a-brief-history-of-videogames |archive-date=2015-09-28 |access-date=2016-01-14}}</ref>


The second generation of consoles introduced more powerful capabilities,<ref name="Intellivision">Barton, Matt and Loguidice, Bill. (May 8, 2008). [http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/3653/a_history_of_gaming_platforms_.php A History of Gaming Platforms: Mattel Intellivision], Gamasutra.</ref><ref name="Vectrex">Barton, Matt and Loguidice, Bill. (2007). [http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/3117/a_history_of_gaming_platforms_the_.php A History of Gaming Platforms: The Vectrex], Gamasutra.</ref> less hardware limitations than the first generation and coincided with the [[golden age of arcade video games]]. Developers had access to basic graphical capabilities of the console allowing them to create sprites of their own choosing and more advanced sound capabilities. Controllers were beginning to include more buttons giving developers more freedom in the type of interactions they could provide to the player.<ref name="stanford2">{{cite web|url=http://www.stanford.edu/group/htgg/cgi-bin/drupal/sites/default/files2/wlu_2003_1.pdf|title=Evolution of Video Game Controllers|last=Lu|first=William|access-date=March 28, 2013}}</ref>
The second generation of consoles introduced more powerful capabilities,<ref name="Intellivision">Barton, Matt and Loguidice, Bill. (May 8, 2008). [http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/3653/a_history_of_gaming_platforms_.php A History of Gaming Platforms: Mattel Intellivision], Gamasutra.</ref><ref name="Vectrex">Barton, Matt and Loguidice, Bill. (2007). [http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/3117/a_history_of_gaming_platforms_the_.php A History of Gaming Platforms: The Vectrex], Gamasutra.</ref> less hardware limitations than the first generation, and coincided with the [[golden age of arcade video games]]. Developers had access to the console's basic graphical capabilities, allowing them to create [[Sprite (computer graphics)|sprites]] of their choosing and more advanced sound capabilities. Controllers were beginning to include more buttons giving developers more freedom in the type of interactions they could provide to the player.<ref name="stanford2">{{cite web|url=http://www.stanford.edu/group/htgg/cgi-bin/drupal/sites/default/files2/wlu_2003_1.pdf|title=Evolution of Video Game Controllers|last=Lu|first=William|access-date=March 28, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120821172337/http://www.stanford.edu/group/htgg/cgi-bin/drupal/sites/default/files2/wlu_2003_1.pdf|archive-date=August 21, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>


Due to the success of arcades, a number of games were adapted for and released for consoles but in many cases the quality had to be reduced because of the hardware limitations of consoles compared to arcade cabinets.
Due to the success of arcades, several games were adapted and released on consoles.<ref name="RollingsAdams2003_5" /> In many cases, the quality had to be reduced because of the hardware limitations of consoles, but their popularity persisted: [[Pac-Man (1982 video game)|Pac-Man]] for the [[Atari 2600]], a [[Port (video game)|port]] of the [[Pac-Man|original arcade game]] of the same name, was the best selling game for the console.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Buchanan |first=Levi |date=August 26, 2008 |title=Top 10 Best-Selling Atari 2600 Games |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/08/26/top-10-best-selling-atari-2600-games |access-date=March 25, 2017 |website=IGN |language=en-US}}</ref>


The second generation of games introduced a number of notable gaming concepts for the first time. [[Adventure (Atari 2600)|Adventure]] for the Atari 2600 introduced the concept of a "virtual space bigger than the screen" for the first time with the game consisting of multiple rooms to player could visit as opposed to a single static screen.<ref name="MontfortBogost2009">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DqePfdz_x6gC|title=Racing the Beam: The Atari Video Computer System|date=January 9, 2009|publisher=MIT Press|isbn=978-0-262-26152-4|page=5|quote=The idea of a game with a virtual space bigger than the screen had to be developed and implemented for the first time at some point. This was done by Warren Robinett, as he designed and programmed Adventure,|author1=Nick Montfort|author2=Ian Bogost}}</ref> [[Video Olympics]] was one of the first console games to have a computer controlled opponent in its "Robot Pong" game mode<ref name="MontfortBogost20092">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DqePfdz_x6gC|title=Racing the Beam: The Atari Video Computer System|date=January 9, 2009|publisher=MIT Press|isbn=978-0-262-26152-4|page=5|quote=one of the VCS launch titles, Video Olympics, offered a one-player “Robot Pong” mode that provided an opponent who, although not anthropomorphic, managed to be challenging without being impossible to defeat.|author1=Nick Montfort|author2=Ian Bogost}}</ref> and genres such as [[Platform game|platforming]] and graphical adventure games began.<ref name="MontfortBogost20093">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DqePfdz_x6gC|title=Racing the Beam: The Atari Video Computer System|date=January 9, 2009|publisher=MIT Press|isbn=978-0-262-26152-4|page=6|quote=Others remain infl uential, such as the graphical adventure game, the prototype of which was Atari’s Adventure, and the platformer, pioneered in Activision’s Pitfall!|author1=Nick Montfort|author2=Ian Bogost}}</ref>
The second generation of games introduced a number of notable gaming concepts for the first time. [[Adventure (Atari 2600)|Adventure]] for the Atari 2600 introduced the concept of a virtual space bigger than the screen for the first time, with the game consisting of multiple rooms the player could visit as opposed to a single static screen.<ref name="MontfortBogost2009">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DqePfdz_x6gC|title=Racing the Beam: The Atari Video Computer System|date=January 9, 2009|publisher=MIT Press|isbn=978-0-262-26152-4|page=5|quote=The idea of a game with a virtual space bigger than the screen had to be developed and implemented for the first time at some point. This was done by Warren Robinett, as he designed and programmed Adventure,|author1=Nick Montfort|author2=Ian Bogost}}</ref> [[Video Olympics]] was one of the first console games to have a computer controlled opponent in its "Robot Pong" game mode<ref name="MontfortBogost20092">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DqePfdz_x6gC|title=Racing the Beam: The Atari Video Computer System|date=January 9, 2009|publisher=MIT Press|isbn=978-0-262-26152-4|page=5|quote=one of the VCS launch titles, Video Olympics, offered a one-player “Robot Pong” mode that provided an opponent who, although not anthropomorphic, managed to be challenging without being impossible to defeat.|author1=Nick Montfort|author2=Ian Bogost}}</ref> and genres such as [[Platform game|platforming]] and graphical adventure games emerged.<ref name="MontfortBogost20093">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DqePfdz_x6gC|title=Racing the Beam: The Atari Video Computer System|date=January 9, 2009|publisher=MIT Press|isbn=978-0-262-26152-4|page=6|quote=Others remain infl uential, such as the graphical adventure game, the prototype of which was Atari’s Adventure, and the platformer, pioneered in Activision’s Pitfall!|author1=Nick Montfort|author2=Ian Bogost}}</ref>


=== Video game industry crash ===
=== Video game industry crash ===
{{Main|North American video game crash of 1983}}
{{Main|North American video game crash of 1983}}
By the end of 1983, consoles had become cheaper to develop and produce causing a saturation of consoles which in turn led to their libraries becoming saturated too.<ref name="RouseOgden2005">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hXwhAQAAIAAJ|title=Game Design: Theory & Practice|publisher=Wordware Pub.|year=2005|isbn=978-1-55622-912-1|page=108|quote=In many console action games, different buttons on the controller will perform the same action.|author1=Richard Rouse|author2=Steve Ogden}}</ref><ref name="SheffEddy1999-2">{{cite book|author1=David Sheff|author2=Andy Eddy|title=Game Over: How Nintendo Conquered the World|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Mpq2AAAAIAAJ|year=1999|publisher=GamePress|isbn=978-0-9669617-0-6|page=150|quote=By 1983, the $3 billion video-game industry had turned into a trickle—$100 million in sales for the entire industry—yet Atari and dozens of other companies were still churning out games by the millions.}}</ref> Due to the levels of games on the market, prices were low and despite good sales figures, developers weren't making enough money from sales to justify staying in the market.<ref name="nytimes 1983">{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1983/10/17/business/video-games-industry-comes-down-to-earth.html|title=Video Games Industry Comes Down To Earth|last=Kleinfield|first=N.R.|date=October 17, 1983|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=September 21, 2018}}</ref>
By the end of 1983, consoles had become cheaper to develop and produce, causing a saturation of consoles which in turn led to their libraries becoming saturated too.<ref name="RouseOgden2005">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hXwhAQAAIAAJ|title=Game Design: Theory & Practice|publisher=Wordware Pub.|year=2005|isbn=978-1-55622-912-1|page=108|quote=In many console action games, different buttons on the controller will perform the same action.|author1=Richard Rouse|author2=Steve Ogden}}</ref><ref name="SheffEddy1999-2">{{cite book|author1=David Sheff|author2=Andy Eddy|title=Game Over: How Nintendo Conquered the World|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Mpq2AAAAIAAJ|year=1999|publisher=GamePress|isbn=978-0-9669617-0-6|page=150|quote=By 1983, the $3 billion video-game industry had turned into a trickle—$100 million in sales for the entire industry—yet Atari and dozens of other companies were still churning out games by the millions.}}</ref> Due to this saturation of the market, the prices of games were low and, despite good sales figures, developers weren't making enough profit from sales to justify staying in the market.<ref name="nytimes 1983">{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1983/10/17/business/video-games-industry-comes-down-to-earth.html|title=Video Games Industry Comes Down To Earth|last=Kleinfield|first=N.R.|date=October 17, 1983|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=September 21, 2018}}</ref>


Many companies went out of business and despite heavy marketing, the quality of the games couldn't back up the marketing claims of their quality.<ref name="aa20160509">{{cite web|url=http://www.arcadeattack.co.uk/david-crane/|title=INTERVIEW&nbsp;– DAVID CRANE (ATARI/ACTIVISION/SKYWORKS)|date=May 9, 2016|work=[[Arcade Attack]]|access-date=May 10, 2016|author=Adrian}}</ref> [[Pac-Man (1982 video game)|Pac-Man]] for the Atari 2600, a port of the [[Pac-Man|original arcade game]] of the same name, was the best selling game for the console<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/08/26/top-10-best-selling-atari-2600-games|title=Top 10 Best-Selling Atari 2600 Games|last=Buchanan|first=Levi|date=August 26, 2008|website=IGN|language=en-US|access-date=March 25, 2017}}</ref> The effects of the crash were primarily felt in the North American market but it still had an impact, albeit smaller, in the Asian and European markets.<ref name="GratzerStiefel2008">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QUJwPAAACAAJ|title=History of Insolvency and Bankruptcy from an International Perspective|publisher=Södertörns högskola|year=2008|isbn=978-91-89315-94-5|page=170|quote=...the effects of the video game crash of 1983 being more severe in the U.S. than in Europe and Japan.|author1=Karl Gratzer|author2=Dieter Stiefel}}</ref>
Despite heavy marketing, the quality of the games could not back up their claims, causing many companies to go out of business.<ref name="aa20160509">{{cite web|url=http://www.arcadeattack.co.uk/david-crane/|title=INTERVIEW&nbsp;– DAVID CRANE (ATARI/ACTIVISION/SKYWORKS)|date=May 9, 2016|work=[[Arcade Attack]]|access-date=May 10, 2016|author=Adrian}}</ref> The effects of the crash were primarily felt in the North American market but it still had an impact, albeit smaller, on the Asian and European markets.<ref name="GratzerStiefel2008">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QUJwPAAACAAJ|title=History of Insolvency and Bankruptcy from an International Perspective|publisher=Södertörns högskola|year=2008|isbn=978-91-89315-94-5|page=170|quote=...the effects of the video game crash of 1983 being more severe in the U.S. than in Europe and Japan.|author1=Karl Gratzer|author2=Dieter Stiefel}}</ref>


In the years following the crash, console development was significantly reduced in the North American and European markets. Personal computers rose in popularity<ref name="crash">{{cite web|url=http://www.thedoteaters.com/p3_stage6.php|title=Player 3 Stage 6: The Great Videogame Crash|date=April 7, 1999|quote="The third member of the deadly troika that lays the videogame industry low is the home computer boom currently in full swing by 1984|access-date=August 16, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130105103715/http://www.thedoteaters.com/p3_stage6.php|archive-date=January 5, 2013}}</ref> and began to fill the gap in the market that consoles had left. They had become affordable, were technologically superior and were multi-function.
In the years following the crash, console development was significantly reduced in the North American and European markets. Personal computers rose in popularity<ref name="crash">{{cite web|url=http://www.thedoteaters.com/p3_stage6.php|title=Player 3 Stage 6: The Great Videogame Crash|date=April 7, 1999|quote="The third member of the deadly troika that lays the videogame industry low is the home computer boom currently in full swing by 1984|access-date=August 16, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130105103715/http://www.thedoteaters.com/p3_stage6.php|archive-date=January 5, 2013}}</ref> and began to fill the gap in the market that consoles had left. They had become affordable, were technologically superior, and had multiple other functions beyond gaming.


=== Third and fourth generations ===
=== Third and fourth generations ===


The third console generation started with the release of new consoles from [[Nintendo]], [[Sega]] and [[Atari]]. These two generations saw the introduction of notable franchises such as [[The Legend of Zelda]], [[Star Fox]], [[Sonic the Hedgehog]], [[Final Fantasy]], [[Metal Gear]] and [[Metroid]].
The release of new consoles from Nintendo, Sega and [[Atari]] signified the start of the third (and fourth) generations, which also saw the introduction of notable franchises such as [[The Legend of Zelda]], [[Star Fox]], [[Sonic the Hedgehog]], [[Final Fantasy]], [[Metal Gear]] and [[Metroid]].

The console manufacturers took back control of third-party development and regulated the market.<ref name="SheffEddy1999-3">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Mpq2AAAAIAAJ|title=Game Over: How Nintendo Conquered the World|publisher=GamePress|year=1999|isbn=978-0-9669617-0-6 |page=247|quote=They found that the security chips in the hardware and software were identical chips that, basically, communicated with each other. As long as they were communicating, the system operated; if they weren't, the system froze up. T|author1=David Sheff|author2=Andy Eddy}}</ref> Measures were introduced to ensure saturation did not happen again, including limiting the number of games a developer could release a year, controlling the manufacture of game cartridges, demanding payment for cartridges upfront, and ensuring newly developed games adhered to a set of rules set by console manufacturers.<ref name="Chandler2009">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=laiOw5WkdEcC|title=The Game Production Handbook|publisher=Jones & Bartlett Publishers|year=2009|isbn=978-1-934015-40-7|page=371|author=Heather Maxwell Chandler}}</ref> This put pressure on publishers and added a risk to development. It meant developers were forced to concentrate on the quality of their games more so than the quantity and speed at which they could be made.


The console manufacturers took back control of third party development and regulated the market, ensuring the levels of saturation didn't happen again.<ref name="SheffEddy1999-3">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Mpq2AAAAIAAJ|title=Game Over: How Nintendo Conquered the World|publisher=GamePress|year=1999|isbn=978-0-9669617-0-6 |page=247|quote=They found that the security chips in the hardware and software were identical chips that, basically, communicated with each other. As long as they were communicating, the system operated; if they weren't, the system froze up. T|author1=David Sheff|author2=Andy Eddy}}</ref> Measures introduced to achieve this included limiting the number of games a developer could release a year, controlling the manufacture of game cartridges, demanding payment for cartridges up front and ensuring the game adheres to a set of rules.<ref name="Chandler2009">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=laiOw5WkdEcC|title=The Game Production Handbook|publisher=Jones & Bartlett Publishers|year=2009|isbn=978-1-934015-40-7|page=371|author=Heather Maxwell Chandler}}</ref> This put pressure on publishers and added a risk to development. It meant developers were forced to concentrate on the quality of their games more so than the quantity and speed at which they could be made. Atari and Sega incorporated [[backward compatibility]] in the [[Atari 7800]] and [[Master System]] respectively, elongating the lifespan of their early console games. Both companies never released another backward compatible console, with the partial exception that the [[Sega Genesis]] can play Master System games using a separately sold peripheral.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/why-are-current-consoles-not-backward-compatible/1100-6426818/|title=Why Are Current Consoles Not Backward Compatible?|work=GameSpot|access-date=April 3, 2017|language=en}}</ref>
Atari and Sega incorporated [[backward compatibility]] in the [[Atari 7800]] and [[Master System]] respectively, elongating the lifespan of their early console games. Both companies never released another backward compatible console, with the partial exception that Master System games can be played on the [[Sega Genesis]] using a separately sold peripheral.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/why-are-current-consoles-not-backward-compatible/1100-6426818/|title=Why Are Current Consoles Not Backward Compatible?|work=GameSpot|access-date=April 3, 2017|language=en}}</ref>


''[[Metroid (video game)|Metroid]]'' includes an open world where the player can traverse the world in all directions, where most games similar to it are primarily side-scrolling in a single direction.<ref name="gt">{{cite web|url=http://www.gametrailers.com/full-episodes/90j5yi/gt-retrospectives-metroid-retrospective--part-1|title=The Metroid Retrospective – Part 1|date=June 6, 2006|publisher=GameTrailers|access-date=April 8, 2014}}</ref> It also has a strong female protagonist who is often credited for her role in improving the image of women in gaming.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/07/20/what-metroid-did-for-women-in-gaming|title=What Metroid Did for Women in Gaming|last=Drake|first=Audrey |date=July 20, 2011|website=IGN|language=en-US|access-date=April 3, 2017}}</ref> ''Star Fox'' was Nintendo's first use of polygonal graphics<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/786/786938p1.html|title=2D to 3D: A Tale of Two Dimensions|date=May 9, 2006|website=IGN|author=Andre Segers|access-date=September 4, 2006|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120404113940/http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/786/786938p1.html|archive-date=April 4, 2012|df=mdy-all}}</ref> and ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (1991 video game)|Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' introduced a rival to Nintendo's mascot, Mario, who became a long-standing character for Sega in a number of different types of media.
During this time, ''Metroid'' became notable for its open world the player could traverse in all directions, while most similar games were still primarily [[Side-scrolling video game|side-scrolling]] in a single direction.<ref name="gt">{{cite web|url=http://www.gametrailers.com/full-episodes/90j5yi/gt-retrospectives-metroid-retrospective--part-1|title=The Metroid Retrospective – Part 1|date=June 6, 2006|publisher=GameTrailers|access-date=April 8, 2014}}</ref> It also featured a strong female protagonist who is often credited for improving the portrayal of women in gaming.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/07/20/what-metroid-did-for-women-in-gaming|title=What Metroid Did for Women in Gaming|last=Drake|first=Audrey |date=July 20, 2011|website=IGN|language=en-US|access-date=April 3, 2017}}</ref> ''Star Fox'' was Nintendo's first use of polygonal graphics<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/786/786938p1.html|title=2D to 3D: A Tale of Two Dimensions|date=May 9, 2006|website=IGN|author=Andre Segers|access-date=September 4, 2006|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120404113940/http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/786/786938p1.html|archive-date=April 4, 2012|df=mdy-all}}</ref> and ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' introduced a rival to Nintendo's mascot, [[Mario]], who became a long-standing character for Sega in a number of different types of media.


=== From 2D to 3D ===
=== From 2D to 3D ===


{{Main|Fifth generation of video game consoles}}
{{Main|Fifth generation of video game consoles}}
The fifth generation of consoles saw the move from games using 2D graphics to 3D graphics and the change in storage media from cartridges to optical discs. Analogue controllers became popular allowing for a finer and smoother movement control scheme compared to the directional pad.<ref name="RollingsAdams20032">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Qc19ChiOUI4C|title=Andrew Rollings and Ernest Adams on Game Design|publisher=New Riders|year=2003|isbn=978-1-59273-001-8|page=405|author1=Andrew Rollings|author2=Ernest Adams}}</ref> The use of [[full motion video]] became popular for cutscenes as optical discs allowed for the storage of high quality video with pre-rendered graphics that a game couldn't render in real time.{{Citation needed|date=April 2017}}
The fifth generation of consoles saw the move from 2D to 3D graphics and the change in storage media from cartridges to optical discs. Analogue controllers became popular, allowing for a finer and smoother movement control scheme compared to the directional pad. The use of [[full motion video]] became popular for cutscenes as optical discs allowed for the storage of high quality video with pre-rendered graphics that a game couldn't render in real time.<ref name="RollingsAdams20032">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Qc19ChiOUI4C|title=Andrew Rollings and Ernest Adams on Game Design|publisher=New Riders|year=2003|isbn=978-1-59273-001-8|page=405|author1=Andrew Rollings|author2=Ernest Adams}}</ref>


Games released during the fifth generation took advantage of the new 3D technology with a number of notable franchises moving from 2D, such as [[Metal Gear]], [[Final Fantasy]], [[Mario]] and [[The Legend of Zelda]], the latter often being considered one of the best games of all time{{Citation needed|date=April 2017}} and being influential not only to its genre but video games as a whole.<ref name="Americana">{{cite interview|title=Americana at Its Most Felonious: Q. and A.: Rockstar’s Dan Houser on Grand Theft Auto V|interviewer=Chris Suellentrop|first=Dan|last=Houser|subject-link=Dan Houser|date=November 9, 2012|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/10/arts/video-games/q-and-a-rockstars-dan-houser-on-grand-theft-auto-v.html|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=July 30, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110091527/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/10/arts/video-games/q-and-a-rockstars-dan-houser-on-grand-theft-auto-v.html|archive-date=November 10, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> Other games that were released during this generation such as ''[[Crash Bandicoot (video game)|Crash Bandicoot]]'', ''[[GoldenEye 007 (1997 video game)|GoldenEye 007]]'', ''[[Resident Evil (1996 video game)|Resident Evil]]'', ''[[Tomb Raider (1996 video game)|Tomb Raider]]'' and ''[[FIFA International Soccer]]'' were influential in their own genres and started their own franchises that would span multiple generations and consoles. ''Resident Evil'' began the "survival horror" genre<ref name="GSREH">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/res_evil/index.html|title=The History of Resident Evil|website=[[GameSpot]]|url-status=dead|author=Justin Speer and Cliff O'Neill|access-date=March 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080906213420/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/res_evil/index.html|archive-date=September 6, 2008|df=mdy-all}}</ref> and ''Metal Gear Solid'' popularised the stealth genre{{Citation needed|date=April 2017}} as well as storytelling through cinematic cutscenes rendered in game.<ref name=":0" /> ''[[Gran Turismo (1997 video game)|Gran Turismo]]'' and ''[[Sega Rally Championship]]'' popularised realism in the racing genre with different surfaces and realistic features such as tire grip.<ref name="Guinness World Records page 103">''Guinness World Records: Gamer's Edition 2009'', page 103.</ref>
Games released during the fifth generation took advantage of the new 3D technology with a number of notable franchises moving from 2D, such as ''Metal Gear'', ''Final Fantasy'', ''Mario'' and ''The Legend of Zelda'', the latter being considered influential not only to its genre but to video games as a whole.<ref name="Americana">{{cite interview|title=Americana at Its Most Felonious: Q. and A.: Rockstar's Dan Houser on Grand Theft Auto V|interviewer=Chris Suellentrop|first=Dan|last=Houser|subject-link=Dan Houser|date=November 9, 2012|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/10/arts/video-games/q-and-a-rockstars-dan-houser-on-grand-theft-auto-v.html|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=July 30, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110091527/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/10/arts/video-games/q-and-a-rockstars-dan-houser-on-grand-theft-auto-v.html|archive-date=November 10, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> Other games that were released during this generation, such as [[Crash Bandicoot (video game)|Crash Bandicoot]], [[GoldenEye 007 (1997 video game)|GoldenEye 007]], [[Resident Evil (1996 video game)|Resident Evil]], [[Tomb Raider (1996 video game)|Tomb Raider]], and [[FIFA International Soccer]]'','' were influential in their own genres and started their own franchises that would span multiple generations and consoles. ''Resident Evil'' founded the genre of [[survival horror]],<ref name="GSREH">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/res_evil/index.html|title=The History of Resident Evil|website=[[GameSpot]]|url-status=dead|author=Justin Speer and Cliff O'Neill|access-date=March 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080906213420/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/res_evil/index.html|archive-date=September 6, 2008|df=mdy-all}}</ref> while ''Metal Gear Solid'' popularised the stealth genre{{Citation needed|date=April 2017}} as well as storytelling through cinematic cutscenes rendered in game.<ref name=":0" /> ''[[Gran Turismo (1997 video game)|Gran Turismo]]'' and ''[[Sega Rally Championship]]'' popularised realism in the racing genre with different surfaces and realistic features such as tire grip.<ref name="Guinness World Records page 103">''Guinness World Records: Gamer's Edition 2009'', page 103.</ref>


=== Internet capabilities ===
=== Internet capabilities ===
By the [[Sixth generation of video game consoles|sixth generation]] the console market had become larger than the PC market.<ref name="Fullerton2008-4">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OjIYWtqWxtAC|title=Game Design Workshop: A Playcentric Approach to Creating Innovative Games|date=February 8, 2008|publisher=CRC Press|isbn=978-0-240-80974-8|page=415|quote=The computer game market is much smaller than the console game market|author=Tracy Fullerton}}</ref>
By the [[Sixth generation of video game consoles|sixth generation]] the console market had become larger than the PC market.<ref name="Fullerton2008-4">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OjIYWtqWxtAC|title=Game Design Workshop: A Playcentric Approach to Creating Innovative Games|date=February 8, 2008|publisher=CRC Press|isbn=978-0-240-80974-8|page=415|quote=The computer game market is much smaller than the console game market|author=Tracy Fullerton}}</ref>


While earlier consoles did provide online capabilities,<ref name="EGM84">{{cite magazine|date=July 1996|title=Internet Access, Network Games Hit Saturn – For Less than $400|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]|issue=84|page=18}}</ref> it wasn't until the sixth generation that online services became popular. Games introduced online features such as [[downloadable content]], social features and online multiplayer. Online networks were created by console developers such as [[PlayStation Network]] and [[Xbox Live]] providing a platform for games to utilise. Online multiplayer allowed players to play together from almost anywhere in the world with an internet connection and the social features of the platforms gave players the means to organise over these long distances.
While earlier consoles did provide online capabilities,<ref name="EGM84">{{cite magazine|date=July 1996|title=Internet Access, Network Games Hit Saturn – For Less than $400|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]|issue=84|page=18}}</ref> it wasn't until the sixth generation that online services became popular. Games introduced online features such as [[downloadable content]], social features, and [[Online Multiplayer|online multiplayer]]. Online networks were created by console developers such as [[PlayStation Network]] and [[Xbox Live]] providing a platform for games to utilise. Online multiplayer allowed players to play together from almost anywhere in the world, the social features of the platforms giving players the means to organise over these long distances.


Downloadable content became popular and meant developers could release updates after a game was launched and could include new content or fixes to existing issues.
Downloadable content became more prominent, allowing developers to release updates after a game was launched and include new content or fixes to existing issues.


== Technology ==
== Technology ==
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=== Inputs ===
=== Inputs ===
{{main|Game controller}}
{{main|Game controller}}
Console games receive commands from the player through the use of an input device, commonly called a ''controller''. Unlike a PC which uses a keyboard and mouse or a mobile device that uses a touch interface, console games are limited in their control schemes by the hardware available for the console.<ref name="Fullerton2008">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OjIYWtqWxtAC|title=Game Design Workshop: A Playcentric Approach to Creating Innovative Games|date=February 8, 2008|publisher=CRC Press|isbn=978-0-240-80974-8|page=131|quote=Console games usually provide a proprietary controller.|author=Tracy Fullerton}}</ref> They usually include a method to move the player character (joystick, d-pad or analogue stick) and a variation of buttons to perform other in-game actions such as jumping or interacting with the game world.<ref name="McGuireJenkins20093">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0G3PKwgvizEC|title=Creating Games: Mechanics, Content, and Technology|publisher=Taylor & Francis|year=2009|isbn=978-1-56881-305-9|page=397|quote=Game pads (such as an Xbox 360 or Guitar Hero controller) often use a combination of digital keys and analog joysticks.|author1=Morgan McGuire|author2=Odest Chadwicke Jenkins}}</ref> The type of controller available to a game can fundamentally change the style of how a console game will or can be played.<ref name="stanford">{{cite web|url=http://www.stanford.edu/group/htgg/cgi-bin/drupal/sites/default/files2/wlu_2003_1.pdf|title=Evolution of Video Game Controllers|last=Lu|first=William|quote=...the controller also specifies the type of experience the player will have by defining what types of games are best played on it due to its design.|access-date=March 28, 2013}}</ref><ref name="McGuireJenkins2009">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0G3PKwgvizEC|title=Creating Games: Mechanics, Content, and Technology|publisher=Taylor & Francis|year=2009|isbn=978-1-56881-305-9|page=104|quote=Video games depend on their control schemes.|author1=Morgan McGuire|author2=Odest Chadwicke Jenkins}}</ref><ref name="McGuireJenkins20092">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0G3PKwgvizEC|title=Creating Games: Mechanics, Content, and Technology|publisher=Taylor & Francis|year=2009|isbn=978-1-56881-305-9|page=395|quote=A user interface is the player’s entry point into the game world. It governs how a player experiences the virtual environment, game dynamics, and underlying story put forth in a game.|author1=Morgan McGuire|author2=Odest Chadwicke Jenkins}}</ref>
Console games receive commands from the player through the use of an input device, commonly called a ''controller''. Unlike a PC which uses a keyboard and mouse or a mobile device that uses a touch interface, console games are limited in their control schemes by the hardware available for the console.<ref name="Fullerton2008">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OjIYWtqWxtAC|title=Game Design Workshop: A Playcentric Approach to Creating Innovative Games|date=February 8, 2008|publisher=CRC Press|isbn=978-0-240-80974-8|page=131|quote=Console games usually provide a proprietary controller.|author=Tracy Fullerton}}</ref> They usually include a method to move the player character (joystick, d-pad or analogue stick) and a variation of buttons to perform other in-game actions such as jumping or interacting with the game world.<ref name="McGuireJenkins20093">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0G3PKwgvizEC|title=Creating Games: Mechanics, Content, and Technology|publisher=Taylor & Francis|year=2009|isbn=978-1-56881-305-9|page=397|quote=Game pads (such as an Xbox 360 or Guitar Hero controller) often use a combination of digital keys and analog joysticks.|author1=Morgan McGuire|author2=Odest Chadwicke Jenkins}}</ref> The type of controller available to a game can fundamentally change the style of how a console game will or can be played.<ref name="stanford">{{cite web|url=http://www.stanford.edu/group/htgg/cgi-bin/drupal/sites/default/files2/wlu_2003_1.pdf|title=Evolution of Video Game Controllers|last=Lu|first=William|quote=...the controller also specifies the type of experience the player will have by defining what types of games are best played on it due to its design.|access-date=March 28, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120821172337/http://www.stanford.edu/group/htgg/cgi-bin/drupal/sites/default/files2/wlu_2003_1.pdf|archive-date=August 21, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="McGuireJenkins2009">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0G3PKwgvizEC|title=Creating Games: Mechanics, Content, and Technology|publisher=Taylor & Francis|year=2009|isbn=978-1-56881-305-9|page=104|quote=Video games depend on their control schemes.|author1=Morgan McGuire|author2=Odest Chadwicke Jenkins}}</ref><ref name="McGuireJenkins20092">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0G3PKwgvizEC|title=Creating Games: Mechanics, Content, and Technology|publisher=Taylor & Francis|year=2009|isbn=978-1-56881-305-9|page=395|quote=A user interface is the player’s entry point into the game world. It governs how a player experiences the virtual environment, game dynamics, and underlying story put forth in a game.|author1=Morgan McGuire|author2=Odest Chadwicke Jenkins}}</ref>


The limitation of the amount of buttons compared to a PC [[Keyboard (computing)|keyboard]] or a custom [[arcade cabinet]] means that controller buttons will commonly perform multiple, different actions to make up for the lack of extra buttons.<ref name="RouseOgden2005" /> For example, [[The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt|The Witcher 3]] Xbox One controls will use the "A" button to interact with the world when pressed but to make the character sprint when held, whereas the PC control scheme can separate these functions into separate buttons. The limitation of input keys can allow a developer to create a more refined and succinct control scheme that can be learned by the player more easily and different games in the same genre tend to create control schemes similar to each other allowing players to easily adapt to new games.
The limitation of the amount of buttons compared to a PC [[Keyboard (computing)|keyboard]] or a custom [[arcade cabinet]] means that controller buttons will commonly perform multiple different actions.<ref name="RouseOgden2005" /> For example, [[The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt|The Witcher 3]] Xbox One controls uses the same button, the "A" button, to interact with the world when pressed and sprint when held, whereas the PC control scheme can separate these functions into separate buttons. The limitation of input keys can allow developers to create a more refined and succinct control scheme that can be learned by the player more easily. Different games in the same genre tend to use similar control schemes, allowing players to easily adapt to new games.


There are games that require additional accessories to act as alternative ways to control the game and to bypass the limitations of a standard game controller. Such items can include [[light gun]]s, [[Rhythm game accessories|electronic instruments]] or [[racing wheel]]s.
There are games that require additional accessories to act as alternative ways to control the game and to bypass the limitations of a standard game controller. Such items can include [[light gun]]s, [[Rhythm game accessories|electronic instruments]] or [[racing wheel]]s.
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Consoles commonly use a television as their visual output device: optimal for viewing at a greater distance by a larger audience. As a result, many video games are designed for local [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]] play, with all players viewing the same TV set, with the screen divided into several sections and each player using a different controller.
Consoles commonly use a television as their visual output device: optimal for viewing at a greater distance by a larger audience. As a result, many video games are designed for local [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]] play, with all players viewing the same TV set, with the screen divided into several sections and each player using a different controller.


Video games have generally had access to less computing power, less flexible computing power, and lower resolution displays. Dedicated consoles were advanced graphically, especially in animation. This is because video game consoles had dedicated graphics hardware, were able to load data instantly from [[Read only memory|ROM]], and a low resolution output would look better on a [[television]] because it naturally blurs the pixels.
Console games have generally had access to less computing power, less flexible computing power, and lower resolution displays, than games played on a PC. However, dedicated consoles were advanced graphically, especially in animation, as video game consoles had dedicated graphics hardware, were able to load data instantly from [[read-only memory|ROM]], and had a low resolution output which would look better on a [[television]], due to it naturally blurring the pixels.


=== Storage ===
=== Storage ===
Storage mediums play an important role in the development of a console game as it creates a fixed limit on the amount and quality of content that a game can have.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.extremetech.com/gaming/177816-how-storage-media-decides-the-fate-of-console-games/2|title=How storage media decides the fate of console games|last=Brunner|first=Grant|website=www.extremetech.com|access-date=2019-01-15}}</ref> Unlike arcade games but similar to PC and handheld games, console games are generally distributed separately from their platforms and require a form of storage to hold their data. There are 3 primary types of storage medium for consoles – [[ROM cartridge|cartridges]], [[optical disc]] and [[hard disk drive]], all of which have considerably improved over time and provide more storage space to developers with each improvement.<ref name="Fullerton2008-5">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OjIYWtqWxtAC|title=Game Design Workshop: A Playcentric Approach to Creating Innovative Games|date=February 8, 2008|publisher=CRC Press|isbn=978-0-240-80974-8|page=423|author=Tracy Fullerton}}</ref>[[File:N64-Game-Cartridge.jpg|thumb|A Nintendo 64 cartridge]]
Storage mediums play an important role in the development of a console game as it creates a fixed limit on the amount and quality of content that a game can have.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.extremetech.com/gaming/177816-how-storage-media-decides-the-fate-of-console-games/2|title=How storage media decides the fate of console games|last=Brunner|first=Grant|newspaper=Extremetech|date=March 24, 2014 |access-date=2019-01-15}}</ref> Unlike arcade games but similar to PC and handheld games, console games are generally distributed separately from their platforms and require a form of storage to hold their data. There are 3 primary types of storage medium for consoles – [[ROM cartridge|cartridges]], [[optical disc]]s, and [[hard disk drive]]s, all of which have considerably improved over time and provide more storage space to developers with each improvement.<ref name="Fullerton2008-5">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OjIYWtqWxtAC|title=Game Design Workshop: A Playcentric Approach to Creating Innovative Games|date=February 8, 2008|publisher=CRC Press|isbn=978-0-240-80974-8|page=423|author=Tracy Fullerton}}</ref>[[File:N64-Game-Cartridge.jpg|thumb|A Nintendo 64 cartridge]]


==== Cartridge ====
==== Cartridge ====

{{Main|ROM cartridge}}
{{Main|ROM cartridge}}
Early cartridges had storage limitations which grew in size as the technology developed. They provided more security against third party developers and the illegal copying of games. Some could be partially re-writable allowing for games to save their data to the cartridge itself meaning no extra saving media was required.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/features/2018/04/how-to-make-your-old-game-boy-as-good-as-or-better-than-new/|title=How to make your old Game Boy as good as (or better than) new|last=Cunningham|first=Andrew|date=2018-04-24|website=Ars Technica|language=en-us|access-date=2019-01-14}}</ref>
Early cartridges had storage limitations which grew in size as the technology developed. They provided more security against third-party developers and the illegal copying of games. Some could be partially re-writable allowing for games to save their data to the cartridge itself meaning no extra saving media was required.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/features/2018/04/how-to-make-your-old-game-boy-as-good-as-or-better-than-new/|title=How to make your old Game Boy as good as (or better than) new|last=Cunningham|first=Andrew|date=2018-04-24|website=Ars Technica|language=en-us|access-date=2019-01-14}}</ref>


While cartridges became less popular with the introduction of disc based media, they are still popular to use for handheld consoles and are still in use on consoles in later generations such as the [[Nintendo Switch]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Nintendo-Switch/Specifications/Specifications-1176277.html|title=Nintendo Switch Specifications|website=Nintendo of Europe GmbH|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-01-14}}</ref>
While cartridges became less popular with the introduction of disc based media, they are still popular to use for handheld consoles and are still in use on consoles in later generations such as the [[Nintendo Switch]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Nintendo-Switch/Specifications/Specifications-1176277.html|title=Nintendo Switch Specifications|website=Nintendo of Europe GmbH|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-01-14}}</ref>
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==== Disc ====
==== Disc ====
{{Main Article|Compact disc}}
{{Main Article|Compact disc}}
Discs became popular as the storage medium for console games during the fifth generation due to the ability to store large amounts of data and be produced cheaply.<ref name="versus" /> The increase in space provided developers with a medium to store higher quality assets but means they had to take into account that you could not write to the disc. Most consoles that used discs had a means of saving game either on the console or in the form of a memory card which meant developers had to control the size of their game saves.
Discs became popular as the storage medium for console games during the fifth generation due to the ability to store large amounts of data and be produced cheaply.<ref name="versus" /> The increase in space provided developers with a medium to store higher quality assets, the downside being that progress could not be saved directly to the disc as it could with a cartridge. Most consoles that used discs had a means of saving games either on the console or in the form of a separate memory card, meaning developers had to control the size of their game saves.


==== Console storage ====
==== Console storage ====
{{Main|Digital distribution in video games}}
{{Main|Digital distribution in video games}}
It is common for games after [[Sixth generation of video game consoles|generation six]] to be stored partially or fully on the console itself, most commonly on a hard drive.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://kotaku.com/how-mandatory-game-installations-will-work-on-ps4-1462283797|title=How Mandatory Game Installations Will Work On PS4|last=Totilo|first=Stephen|website=Kotaku|language=en-US|access-date=2019-01-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://support.xbox.com/en-GB/games/game-setup/install-games|title=Installing Games on Xbox One|website=support.xbox.com|access-date=2019-01-15}}</ref> Similarly to how a PC game can be [[Installation (computer programs)|installed]], the console game can copy key files to the console's storage medium, which is used to decrease load times but still requires the original game storage medium to play.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://support.xbox.com/en-GB/games/purchasing/buying-digital-game-faq|title=Digital Games FAQ {{!}} Xbox One Digital Games|website=support.xbox.com|access-date=2019-01-15}}</ref> The second method is for the game to be fully stored on the console and run directly from it, requiring no physical media to run at all.<ref name=":1" /> This offers players the opportunity to have games which have no physicality and can be downloaded through the Internet to their console, as well as giving the developers the ability to provide updates and fixes in the same manner, effectively meaning development on a game doesn't have to stop once released.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2017/05/09/prey-bethesda-aiming-to-have-a-patch-to-fix-game-breaking-bugs-this-week|title=Prey: Bethesda Aiming to Have a Patch to Fix Game-Breaking Bugs 'This Week'|last=Dornbush|first=Jonathon|date=May 9, 2017|website=IGN|language=en-US|access-date=June 3, 2017}}</ref>
It is common for games after [[Sixth generation of video game consoles|generation six]] to be stored partially or fully on the console itself, most commonly on a hard drive.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://kotaku.com/how-mandatory-game-installations-will-work-on-ps4-1462283797|title=How Mandatory Game Installations Will Work On PS4|last=Totilo|first=Stephen|website=Kotaku|date=November 11, 2013 |language=en-US|access-date=2019-01-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://support.xbox.com/en-GB/games/game-setup/install-games|title=Installing Games on Xbox One|website=support.xbox.com|access-date=2019-01-15}}</ref> Similarly to how a PC game can be [[Installation (computer programs)|installed]], the console game can copy key files to the console's storage medium, which is used to decrease load times but still requires the original game storage medium to play.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://support.xbox.com/en-GB/games/purchasing/buying-digital-game-faq|title=Digital Games FAQ {{!}} Xbox One Digital Games|website=support.xbox.com|access-date=2019-01-15}}</ref> The second method is for the game to be fully stored on the console and run directly from it, requiring no physical media to run at all.<ref name=":1" /> This offers players the opportunity to have games which have no physicality and can be downloaded through the Internet to their console, as well as giving the developers the ability to provide updates and fixes in the same manner, effectively meaning development on a game doesn't have to stop once released.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2017/05/09/prey-bethesda-aiming-to-have-a-patch-to-fix-game-breaking-bugs-this-week|title=Prey: Bethesda Aiming to Have a Patch to Fix Game-Breaking Bugs 'This Week'|last=Dornbush|first=Jonathon|date=May 9, 2017|website=IGN|language=en-US|access-date=June 3, 2017}}</ref>


As there is only a fixed amount of space on a console by default, developers do still have to be mindful of the amount of space they can take up, especially if the install is compulsory. Some consoles provide users the ability to expand their storage with larger storage mediums,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://support.xbox.com/en-GB/xbox-360/accessories/add-remove-hard-drive|title=Install Xbox 360 Hard Drive {{!}} Remove Xbox 360 Hard Drive - Xbox.com|website=support.xbox.com|language=en|access-date=June 3, 2017}}</ref> provide access to removable storage<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/get-your-ps4-external-hard-drive-support-and-ps4-boost-mode-in-update-450-available-now/|title=Get your PS4 external hard drive support and PS4 Boost Mode in update 4.50, available now|work=gamesradar|access-date=June 3, 2017|language=en}}</ref> and release versions of their console with more storage.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ausgamestore.com/ps3/ps3-model-list.html|title=Playstation 3 Console Model List|website=www.ausgamestore.com|access-date=June 3, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://levelskip.com/consoles/What-is-the-Difference-Between-Xbox-360-Models|title=What Is the Difference Between Xbox 360 Models?|work=LevelSkip|access-date=June 3, 2017|language=en}}</ref>
As there is only a fixed amount of space on a console by default, developers do still have to be mindful of the amount of space they can take up, especially if the install is compulsory. Some consoles provide users the ability to expand their storage with larger storage mediums,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://support.xbox.com/en-GB/xbox-360/accessories/add-remove-hard-drive|title=Install Xbox 360 Hard Drive {{!}} Remove Xbox 360 Hard Drive - Xbox.com|website=support.xbox.com|language=en|access-date=June 3, 2017}}</ref> provide access to removable storage<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/get-your-ps4-external-hard-drive-support-and-ps4-boost-mode-in-update-450-available-now/|title=Get your PS4 external hard drive support and PS4 Boost Mode in update 4.50, available now|work=gamesradar|access-date=June 3, 2017|language=en}}</ref> and release versions of their console with more storage.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ausgamestore.com/ps3/ps3-model-list.html|title=Playstation 3 Console Model List|website=www.ausgamestore.com|access-date=June 3, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://levelskip.com/consoles/What-is-the-Difference-Between-Xbox-360-Models|title=What Is the Difference Between Xbox 360 Models?|work=LevelSkip|access-date=June 3, 2017|language=en}}</ref>
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==== Cloud gaming ====
==== Cloud gaming ====
{{Main Article|Cloud gaming}}
{{Main Article|Cloud gaming}}
Cloud gaming services allow players to access games as a streaming service. No specialist hardware is usually required to access these services and can be run from most modern PC operating systems negating the need for a dedicated device for console gaming. The question of ownership is the biggest difference in comparison to other storage mediums for console games as they could be considered only a method of renting the game.
Cloud gaming services allow players to access games as a streaming service. Specialist hardware is not usually required to access these services and can be run from most modern PC operating systems, negating the need for a dedicated device for console gaming. The question of ownership is the biggest difference in comparison to other storage mediums for console games, as they could be considered only a method of renting the game.


[[OnLive]] is a cross between console and other game streaming software, they provided the hardware, considered to be a microconsole, that would connect to their service but only as means of displaying the streamed content
[[OnLive]] is a cross between a console and other game streaming software. They provide hardware, considered to be a [[microconsole]], that would connect to their service but only as means of displaying streamed content.


=== Emulation ===
=== Emulation ===
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== Games' effect on console sales ==
== Games' effect on console sales ==


Where a PC is multi-functional and will be purchased to perform tasks other than gaming, a dedicated gaming console must have games available for it to be successful. A good library of games will give a consumer reason to purchase the console and in turn create opportunities for more games to be created for it. Console developers will lower their profit margins on devices to encourage sales of the games as more profit can be obtained from software royalties than the sale of the consoles themselves.<ref name="versus">{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/1997/09/19/feat.html |title=The Game: PlayStation vs N64|last=Malik|first=Om|work=Forbes|access-date=March 28, 2017}}</ref>
While a PC is multi-functional and will be purchased to perform tasks other than gaming, a dedicated gaming console must have games available for it to be successful. A good library of games will give a consumer reason to purchase the console and in turn create opportunities for more games to be created for it. Console developers will lower their profit margins on devices to encourage sales of the games as more profit can be obtained from software royalties than the sale of the consoles themselves.<ref name="versus">{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/1997/09/19/feat.html |title=The Game: PlayStation vs N64|last=Malik|first=Om|work=Forbes|access-date=March 28, 2017}}</ref>


Games are frequently used to market a console and can do so either by exclusivity to a specific console or by using existing popular intellectual properties (IPs) that already have a strong following. ''Pac-Man'' for the Atari 2600 was already a well known arcade game and was expected to help the sales of 2600 devices<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Hubner|first=John|author2=William F. Kistner Jr.|date=1983-11-28|title=What went wrong at Atari|magazine=[[InfoWorld]]|publisher=InfoWorld Media Group, Inc.|volume=5|issue=48|page=157|issn=0199-6649}}</ref> due to its popularity despite it being heavily criticized.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/Video_Games_Player_Vol_1_No_1_1982-09_Carnegie_Publications_US#page/n58/mode/1up|title=Fall 1982 Complete Home Video Games Buyer's Guide Video Games Player – Vol 1 No 1 (1982-09)(Carnegie Publications)(US). p.59|website=archive.org|date=September 1982|access-date=2017-05-09}}</ref>
Games are frequently used to market a console and can do so either by exclusivity to a specific console or by using existing popular [[Intellectual property|intellectual properties]] (IPs) that already have a strong following. ''Pac-Man'' for the Atari 2600 was already a well known arcade game and was expected to help the sales of 2600 devices<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Hubner|first=John|author2=William F. Kistner Jr.|date=1983-11-28|title=What went wrong at Atari|magazine=[[InfoWorld]]|publisher=InfoWorld Media Group, Inc.|volume=5|issue=48|page=157|issn=0199-6649}}</ref> due to its popularity despite it being heavily criticized.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/Video_Games_Player_Vol_1_No_1_1982-09_Carnegie_Publications_US#page/n58/mode/1up|title=Fall 1982 Complete Home Video Games Buyer's Guide Video Games Player – Vol 1 No 1 (1982-09)(Carnegie Publications)(US). p.59|website=archive.org|date=September 1982|access-date=2017-05-09}}</ref>


=== Mascots ===
=== Mascots ===
A strong mascot can come organically from a game and can play a large part of a console's marketing strategy. A well designed and popular mascot will naturally generate further games. A good example of a mascot who has come from an existing game is Nintendo's [[Mario]]. He was created as a character for the ''[[Donkey Kong (video game)|Donkey Kong]]'' arcade game and wasn't expected to become popular<ref name="yahoo">{{cite web|url=http://videogames.yahoo.com/events/playback/playback-93/1378336|title=Playback 93|date=December 2, 2009|publisher=Yahoo|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091211223939/http://videogames.yahoo.com/events/playback/playback-93/1378336|archive-date=December 11, 2009|access-date=December 24, 2009}}</ref> yet has gone onto become one of the most iconic gaming characters in history.<ref name="History of Mario">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamecubicle.com/features-mario-nintendo_shining_star.htm|title=Nintendo's Shining Star: The History of Mario|publisher=Gamecubicle|access-date=August 23, 2008}}</ref>
A strong mascot can come organically from a game and can play a large part of a console's marketing strategy. A well designed and popular mascot will naturally generate further games. A good example of a mascot who has come from an existing game is Nintendo's [[Mario]]. He was created as a character for the ''[[Donkey Kong (arcade game)|Donkey Kong]]'' arcade game and wasn't expected to become popular<ref name="yahoo">{{cite web|url=http://videogames.yahoo.com/events/playback/playback-93/1378336|title=Playback 93|date=December 2, 2009|publisher=Yahoo|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091211223939/http://videogames.yahoo.com/events/playback/playback-93/1378336|archive-date=December 11, 2009|access-date=December 24, 2009}}</ref> yet has gone onto become one of the most iconic gaming characters in history.<ref name="History of Mario">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamecubicle.com/features-mario-nintendo_shining_star.htm|title=Nintendo's Shining Star: The History of Mario|publisher=Gamecubicle|access-date=August 23, 2008}}</ref>


A character from a game can be designed to serve as a mascot, such as [[Sonic the Hedgehog (character)|Sonic the Hedgehog]]. He was created with the intent to rival Mario and was designed with abilities to counter Mario's weaknesses.
A character from a game can be designed to serve as a mascot, such as [[Sonic the Hedgehog (character)|Sonic the Hedgehog]]. He was created with the intent to rival Mario and was designed with abilities to counter Mario's weaknesses.


Both mascots exist outside of their respective video games and have become a part of the identity of each company, appearing in various types of media such as TV shows, books and movies as well as a large number of other video games.
Both mascots exist outside of their respective video games and have become a part of the identity of each company, appearing in various types of media such as TV shows, books, and movies, as well as a large number of other video games.


Following the emergence of mascots during the late 1980s and early 1990s, for a few years it was considered essential to a console's sales that it have a game starring a popular mascot. However, video game mascots became increasingly unimportant to console sales during the mid-1990s due to the aging games market (older gamers are less likely to find mascots appealing) and the stronger selling power of [[cross-licensing]].<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Crash Bandicoot |magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|issue=19 |publisher=[[Imagine Media]] |date=July 1996|pages=48–49}}</ref> A number of once-successful mascots such as [[Bonk (series)|Bonk]], [[Gex (series)|Gex]], [[Bubsy]], and [[Zool]] were dropped from usage in both marketing and software releases during this time. The few surviving mascots remain relevant due to their value in increasing [[brand awareness]].{{cn|date=February 2019}}
Following the emergence of mascots during the late 1980s and early 1990s, for a few years it was considered essential to a console's sales that it have a game starring a popular mascot. However, video game mascots became increasingly unimportant to console sales during the mid-1990s, as the gaming industry's main demographic grew older and thus less likely to find mascots appealing, with consoles' increased performance as well as [[cross-licensing]] demonstrating higher selling power.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Crash Bandicoot |magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|issue=19 |publisher=[[Imagine Media]] |date=July 1996|pages=48–49}}</ref> A number of once-successful mascots such as [[Bonk (series)|Bonk]], [[Gex (series)|Gex]], [[Bubsy]], and [[Zool]] were dropped from usage in both marketing and software releases during this time. The few surviving mascots remain relevant due to their value in increasing [[brand awareness]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nintendo's Shining Star: The History of Mario |url=http://www.gamecubicle.com/features-mario-nintendo_shining_star.htm |access-date=2022-04-26 |website=www.gamecubicle.com}}</ref>


== Development ==
== Development ==
The core development process for a console game is very similar to its counterparts and primarily differs in the high level concept due to demographics<ref name="RollingsAdams2003_2">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Qc19ChiOUI4C|title=Andrew Rollings and Ernest Adams on Game Design|publisher=New Riders|year=2003|isbn=978-1-59273-001-8|page=174|author1=Andrew Rollings|author2=Ernest Adams}}</ref> and the technical back-end.<ref name="CrawfordCrawford1984">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=H0k1NgAACAAJ|title=The Art of Computer Game Design: Reflections of a Master Game Designer|date=January 1, 1984|publisher=McGraw-Hill Osborne Media|isbn=978-0-07-881117-3|page=46|quote=Finally, my experience in game design is primarily with personal computers, so my suggestions are not completely applicable to arcade game designers or home video game designers.|author1=Linda L Crawford|author2=Chris Crawford}}</ref> Consoles developers will usually make a development kit available to game developers which they can use to test their games on with more ease than a consumer model.
The core development process for a console game is very similar to its counterparts and primarily differs in the high level concept due to demographics<ref name="RollingsAdams2003_2">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Qc19ChiOUI4C|title=Andrew Rollings and Ernest Adams on Game Design|publisher=New Riders|year=2003|isbn=978-1-59273-001-8|page=174|author1=Andrew Rollings|author2=Ernest Adams}}</ref> and the technical back-end.<ref name="CrawfordCrawford1984">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=H0k1NgAACAAJ|title=The Art of Computer Game Design: Reflections of a Master Game Designer|date=January 1, 1984|publisher=McGraw-Hill Osborne Media|isbn=978-0-07-881117-3|page=46|quote=Finally, my experience in game design is primarily with personal computers, so my suggestions are not completely applicable to arcade game designers or home video game designers.|author1=Linda L Crawford|author2=Chris Crawford}}</ref> Consoles developers will usually make a development kit available to game developers which they can use to test their games on with more ease than a consumer model.


Early console games were commonly created by a single person and could be changed in a short amount of time due to the simplicity of the games at the time.<ref name="RollingsAdams2003">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Qc19ChiOUI4C|title=Andrew Rollings and Ernest Adams on Game Design|publisher=New Riders|year=2003|isbn=978-1-59273-001-8|page=13|author1=Andrew Rollings|author2=Ernest Adams}}</ref> As technology has improved, the development time, complexity and cost of console games has increased<ref name="Fullerton2008-2">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OjIYWtqWxtAC|title=Game Design Workshop: A Playcentric Approach to Creating Innovative Games|date=February 8, 2008|publisher=CRC Press|isbn=978-0-240-80974-8|page=238|quote=The de facto standard language for today’s PC and console games has been C++ for a number of years|author=Tracy Fullerton}}</ref> where the size of a team for an eighth generation game can number in the hundreds.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://battlelog.battlefield.com/bf4/credits/|title=Credits – Battlelog / Battlefield 4|website=battlelog.battlefield.com|language=en|access-date=April 15, 2017}}</ref> Similarly, the [[Game programming|programming languages]] used in video game development has changed over time with early games being developed primarily in assembly. As time went on developers had more choice on what they could use based on the availability on the console but some languages became more popular than others.<ref name="Fullerton2008-2"/>
Early console games were commonly created by a single person and could be changed in a short amount of time due to the simplicity of the games at the time.<ref name="RollingsAdams2003">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Qc19ChiOUI4C|title=Andrew Rollings and Ernest Adams on Game Design|publisher=New Riders|year=2003|isbn=978-1-59273-001-8|page=13|author1=Andrew Rollings|author2=Ernest Adams}}</ref> As technology has improved, the development time, complexity and cost of console games has increased dramatically,<ref name="Fullerton2008-2">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OjIYWtqWxtAC|title=Game Design Workshop: A Playcentric Approach to Creating Innovative Games|date=February 8, 2008|publisher=CRC Press|isbn=978-0-240-80974-8|page=238|quote=The de facto standard language for today’s PC and console games has been C++ for a number of years|author=Tracy Fullerton}}</ref> to where the size of a team for an eighth generation game can number in the hundreds.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://battlelog.battlefield.com/bf4/credits/|title=Credits – Battlelog / Battlefield 4|website=battlelog.battlefield.com|language=en|access-date=April 15, 2017}}</ref> Similarly, the [[Game programming|programming languages]] used in video game development has changed over time with early games being developed primarily in assembly. As time went on developers had more choice on what they could use based on the availability on the console but some languages became more popular than others.<ref name="Fullerton2008-2"/>


=== First and third party development ===
=== First and third party development ===
Many console developers will also have a branch of the company that develops games for their console and are considered "first party" developers, a concept that' isn't commonly seen in PC development due to the variation of hardware configurations and lack of complete ownership of a system by a single manufacturer. First party developers have the advantage of having direct access to the console's development which gives them the opportunity to make the most of the hardware they are developing for.
Many console developers have a branch of the company that develops games for their console and are considered "first party" developers, a concept that isn't seen in PC development due to the variation of hardware configurations and lack of complete ownership of a system by a single manufacturer. First party developers have the advantage of having direct access to the console's development, which allows them to make the most of the hardware they are developing for.


Companies that are separate from the console manufacturer are considered to be "third-party" developers. They commonly have restrictions placed upon them and their games by the console manufacturers as a way to control the library of their consoles.
Companies that are separate from the console manufacturer are considered to be "third-party" developers. They commonly have restrictions placed upon them and their games by the console manufacturers as a way of controlling the library of their consoles.


=== Comparison between arcade, PC and handheld games ===
=== Comparison between arcade, PC and handheld games ===
The primary differences in arcade game development is the fact that players have to pay per play and arcade games are mostly found at external venues. Arcade games are ultimately developed to try to get a continuous stream of revenue from the player and to keep them playing over the life of the machine.<ref name="RollingsAdams2003_4">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Qc19ChiOUI4C|title=Andrew Rollings and Ernest Adams on Game Design|publisher=New Riders|year=2003|isbn=978-1-59273-001-8|page=46 |author1=Andrew Rollings|author2=Ernest Adams}}</ref> Console games have a high cost up front so they had to develop with the consideration that the player would need to get something different out of the experience, primarily more content.<ref name="CrawfordCrawford1984" />
The primary differences between arcade game development and game development for other platforms are the fact that players are required to pay a small amount per play session, and that arcade games are mostly found at external venues. Arcade games are ultimately developed to try to get a continuous stream of revenue from the player and to keep them playing over the life of the machine.<ref name="RollingsAdams2003_4">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Qc19ChiOUI4C|title=Andrew Rollings and Ernest Adams on Game Design|publisher=New Riders|year=2003|isbn=978-1-59273-001-8|page=46 |author1=Andrew Rollings|author2=Ernest Adams}}</ref> By comparison, console games have a high cost up front, meaning they have to guarantee a different experience for the player, primarily more content.<ref name="CrawfordCrawford1984" />


Handheld gaming needs to be portable and able to play in shorter time frames which ultimately affects the type of games that are developed. Games that rely on long, unbroken sessions of gameplay or long cutscenes are not ideal for handhelds where as a console player is expected to have longer sessions.{{Citation needed|date=April 2017}} On handheld consoles of a smaller size, developers need to consider the amount of detail that will be visible to the player whereas console developers can safely assume their games will be played on a larger screen such as a television.<ref name="RollingsAdams2003_3">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Qc19ChiOUI4C|title=Andrew Rollings and Ernest Adams on Game Design|publisher=New Riders|year=2003|isbn=978-1-59273-001-8|page=44|author1=Andrew Rollings|author2=Ernest Adams}}</ref>
Handheld games, on the other hand, need to be accessible and enjoyable on a portable device, and should usually playable within a shorter time frame. This ultimately affects the type of games that are developed for portable consoles. Games that rely on long, unbroken sessions of gameplay or long cutscenes are not ideal for handhelds, whereas a console or PC player is expected to have longer play sessions.<ref name="RollingsAdams2003_4" /> On handheld consoles of a smaller size, developers need to consider the amount of detail that will be visible to the player whereas console developers can safely assume their games will be played on a larger screen such as a television.<ref name="RollingsAdams2003_3">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Qc19ChiOUI4C|title=Andrew Rollings and Ernest Adams on Game Design|publisher=New Riders|year=2003|isbn=978-1-59273-001-8|page=44|author1=Andrew Rollings|author2=Ernest Adams}}</ref>


In comparison to PC and mobile games, console game developers must consider the limitations of the hardware their game is being developed as it is unlikely to have any major changes. PC and mobile technology progresses quickly and there are many different configurations of their hardware and software. This is beneficial at the start of a console's life cycle as the technology will be relatively current but as the console ages, developers are forced to work with ageing hardware until the next generation of consoles comes out. Earlier consoles games could be developed to take advantage of the fixed limitations they were be on (E.g., the Megadrive's capability of fast scrolling influenced design decisions in Sonic the Hedgehog) <ref name="Schell2008">{{cite book|author=Jesse Schell|title=The Art of Game Design: A book of lenses|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LP5xOYMjQKQC|date=August 4, 2008|publisher=CRC Press|isbn=978-0-12-369496-6|page=407}}</ref> Due to these hardware limitations the requirement of development kits and licenses required for development on a console is commonplace.
In comparison to PC and mobile games, console game developers must consider the limitations of the hardware their game is being developed for, as it is unlikely to have any major changes between the development phase and release. PC and mobile technology progresses quickly and there are many different configurations of their hardware and software. This is beneficial at the start of a console's life cycle, as the technology will be cutting edge, but as the console ages, developers are forced to work with ageing hardware until the next generation of consoles is released. Earlier consoles games could be developed to take advantage of the fixed limitations of the consoles they were developed for, such as the [[MegaDrive]]'s capability of fast scrolling influencing design decisions made for ''Sonic the Hedgehog''.<ref name="Schell2008">{{cite book|author=Jesse Schell|title=The Art of Game Design: A book of lenses|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LP5xOYMjQKQC|date=August 4, 2008|publisher=CRC Press|isbn=978-0-12-369496-6|page=407}}</ref> Due to these hardware limitations the requirement of development kits and licenses required for development on a console is commonplace.


Developing a console game will also mean having to pay royalties to the console developers as there is no centralised hardware developer for a PC.<ref name="Fullerton2008-6">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OjIYWtqWxtAC|title=Game Design Workshop: A Playcentric Approach to Creating Innovative Games|date=February 8, 2008|publisher=CRC Press|isbn=978-0-240-80974-8|page=429|quote=However, when publishers distribute a game on a console system, they must enter into a strict licensing agreement with the console maker, in which they agree to pay a licensing royalty for every unit sold.|author=Tracy Fullerton}}</ref>
Developers of console games are also required to pay royalties to the console developers, while there is no centralised hardware developer for the PC equivalent.<ref name="Fullerton2008-6">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OjIYWtqWxtAC|title=Game Design Workshop: A Playcentric Approach to Creating Innovative Games|date=February 8, 2008|publisher=CRC Press|isbn=978-0-240-80974-8|page=429|quote=However, when publishers distribute a game on a console system, they must enter into a strict licensing agreement with the console maker, in which they agree to pay a licensing royalty for every unit sold.|author=Tracy Fullerton}}</ref>


=== Development kits ===
=== Development kits ===
{{Main|Game development kit}}
{{Main|Game development kit}}
Early consoles didn't have development kit versions and it was only around the fifth generation of consoles that development kits became common. Unlike PC games, console game development usually requires the use of a development kit for the console that the game is being developed for as the hardware is often proprietary and is not freely available. The use of a development kit allows developers to access more detail about how their game is running on the kit and other advanced [[debugging]] options. The downside of needing access to a development kit is that it limited hobbyists being able to create home made or custom content easily without requiring specialist hardware. This grew into a benefit for PC games as they have a more open environment for hobbyists to create and modify content even if the developer doesn't support it.
Early consoles didn't have development kit versions; it was only around the fifth generation of consoles that development kits became common. Unlike PC games, console game development usually requires the use of a development kit for the console that the game is being developed for, as the hardware is often proprietary and is not freely available. The use of a development kit allows developers to access more detail about how their game is running on the kit and other advanced [[debugging]] options. The downside of needing access to specialist hardware such as a development kit is that it limits accessibility for hobbyists creating homemade or custom content. This grew into a benefit for PC games, as there is a more open environment for hobbyists to create and modify content even without developer support.


Some console developers have provided tools such as the [[Net Yaroze]] software development kit in an attempt to provide an avenue for hobbyists to create content.<ref name="EGM88">{{cite magazine|title=Tidbits|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|issue=88 |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=November 1996|page=22}}</ref>
Some console developers have provided tools, such as the [[Net Yaroze]] software development kit, in an attempt to provide an avenue for hobbyists to create content.<ref name="EGM88">{{cite magazine|title=Tidbits|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|issue=88 |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=November 1996|page=22}}</ref>


=== Remakes and re-releases ===
=== Remakes and re-releases ===


Console games primarily started off as ports of arcade games.<ref name="RollingsAdams2003_5">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Qc19ChiOUI4C|title=Andrew Rollings and Ernest Adams on Game Design|publisher=New Riders|year=2003|isbn=978-1-59273-001-8|page=83|author1=Andrew Rollings|author2=Ernest Adams}}</ref> The timing of early consoles coincided with the golden age of arcade games which gave developers a good opportunity to maximise on their popularity<ref name="UltimateHistory">{{cite book|title=[[The Ultimate History of Video Games: From Pong to Pokémon]]|last=Kent|first=Steven L.|publisher=[[Three Rivers Press]]|year=2001|isbn=0-7615-3643-4|author-link=Steven L. Kent}}</ref> despite console hardware not being strong enough to run the games as they were originally. Arcade game effectively had to be remade for consoles which usually meant lowering the quality in some way to make up for the hardware limitations. As technology improved and arcades reduced in popularity it was console original games that would start to be ported to other devices such as handheld consoles and PC.
Console games primarily started off as ports of arcade games.<ref name="RollingsAdams2003_5">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Qc19ChiOUI4C|title=Andrew Rollings and Ernest Adams on Game Design|publisher=New Riders|year=2003|isbn=978-1-59273-001-8|page=83|author1=Andrew Rollings|author2=Ernest Adams}}</ref> The timing of early consoles coincided with the golden age of arcade games which gave developers a good opportunity to maximise on their popularity,<ref name="UltimateHistory">{{cite book|title=[[The Ultimate History of Video Games: From Pong to Pokémon]]|last=Kent|first=Steven L.|publisher=[[Three Rivers Press]]|year=2001|isbn=0-7615-3643-4|author-link=Steven L. Kent}}</ref> despite console hardware not yet being strong enough to run the games as they were originally. Arcade games effectively had to be remade for consoles, which usually meant lowering the quality in some way to make up for any hardware limitations. As technology improved and arcades reduced in popularity, it became console original games that would start to be ported to other devices.


Some consoles lack the ability to play games from previous generations<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://lowendmac.com/2015/backwards-compatibility-which-consoles-offer-it/|title=Backwards Compatibility: Which Consoles Offer It?|date=November 21, 2015|work=Low End Mac|access-date=April 16, 2017|language=en-US}}</ref> which allow a developer to release older games again but on the new consoles. The re-released game may be unchanged and simply be the same game but run on the new technology or it can be changed by the developer to have improved graphics, sound or gameplay. Some re-releases can have added features such as [[Final Fantasy VII]] which added functions to speed the game up and turn off random enemy encounters.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.kotaku.com.au/2015/12/two-cheats-make-final-fantasy-vii-way-better-on-ps4/|title=Two 'Cheats' Make Final Fantasy VII Way Better On PS4|last=Schreier|first=Jason|access-date=April 16, 2017|language=en}}</ref>
Some consoles lack the ability to play games from previous generations,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://lowendmac.com/2015/backwards-compatibility-which-consoles-offer-it/|title=Backwards Compatibility: Which Consoles Offer It?|date=November 21, 2015|work=Low End Mac|access-date=April 16, 2017|language=en-US}}</ref> which allows a developer to release older games again but on the new consoles. The re-released game may be unchanged and simply be the same game but run on the new technology, or it may be changed by the developer to have improved graphics, sound or gameplay, a process known as [[Remastered video game|remastering]]. Some re-releases can have added features, such as [[Final Fantasy VII]], which added functions to speed the game up and turn off random enemy encounters.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.kotaku.com.au/2015/12/two-cheats-make-final-fantasy-vii-way-better-on-ps4/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208221411/http://www.kotaku.com.au/2015/12/two-cheats-make-final-fantasy-vii-way-better-on-ps4/|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 8, 2015|title=Two 'Cheats' Make Final Fantasy VII Way Better On PS4|last=Schreier|first=Jason|access-date=April 16, 2017|language=en}}</ref>


When high definition technology was released many games received a high definition remake, These can vary in what is updated but usually higher resolution textures, re-rendered videos, higher quality audio and compatibility with newer display technologies. High definition remakes offer an addition revenue stream for a console game that was potentially at the end of its life.. The developer of the remake is not always the same as the developer of the original game and some, such as [[Double Eleven (company)|Double Eleven]], will specialise in [[Porting|ports]] and [[Video game remake|remakes]] of other games.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.double11.com/about/|title=About Us|work=Double Eleven|access-date=April 16, 2017|language=en-US}}</ref>
When high definition technology was released, many games received high definition remakes. These can vary in terms of features, but usually include higher resolution textures, re-rendered videos, higher quality audio, and compatibility with newer display technologies. High definition remakes offer an additional revenue stream for a console game that was potentially at the end of its life. The developer of the remake is not always the same as the developer of the original game and some developers and publishers, such as [[Double Eleven (company)|Double Eleven]], specialise in [[Porting|ports]] and [[Video game remake|remakes]] of other games.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.double11.com/about/|title=About Us|work=Double Eleven|access-date=April 16, 2017|language=en-US|archive-date=February 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170228205939/https://www.double11.com/about/|url-status=dead}}</ref>


=== Additional content ===
=== Additional content ===
The development of additional content prior to the internet was limited due to distribution method and the content had to released as a new game as opposed to an add-on to an existing one. For example, [[Grand Theft Auto: Vice City]] used the same mechanics and engine but was released as a separate game from [[Grand Theft Auto III]] whereas a PC title such as [[Total Annihilation]] offered downloadable content from 1997<ref name="TAdlcunits">{{cite web|url=http://www.theengineeringguild.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=781:total-annihilation-an-rtsg-classic&catid=22&Itemid=117|title=Total Annihilation: An RTSG Classic|date=October 12, 2012|publisher=The Engineering Guild|quote=Total Annihilation was one of the early adopters of the DLC releases and every month Cavedog would release a new unit for free to try with the game.|author=Giskard|access-date=June 18, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130620001853/http://www.theengineeringguild.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=781:total-annihilation-an-rtsg-classic&catid=22&Itemid=117|archive-date=June 20, 2013|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20010330073657/http://www.cavedog.com/totala/dwnlds_frame.html TA downloadable units] on cavedog.com (archived in the [[Internet Archive]] on March 30, 2001)</ref> While some Dreamcast games offered downloadable content, they were severely limited by the storage space of the console and the first console games to offer downloadable content properly were for the [[Xbox (console)]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://xbox.ign.com/articles/531/531106p1.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040719024129/http://xbox.ign.com/articles/531/531106p1.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 19, 2004|title=Ninja Gaiden Hurricane Pack Vol. 1 Q&A – New details on the enemies, AI changes, and camera fixes. Exclusive screens show off even more enemies and a second costume!|first=Hilary|last=Goldstein|date=July 16, 2004|access-date=December 17, 2013}}</ref> It wasn't until [[Seventh generation of video game consoles|generation 7]] that console games began to support mods or custom content to the same extent as PC games.
The development of additional content prior to the internet was limited due to limited distribution methods; more often than not, content had to be released as a new game entirely as opposed to an add-on to an existing one. For example, [[Grand Theft Auto: Vice City]] used the same mechanics and engine but was released as a separate game from [[Grand Theft Auto III]], whereas a PC title such as [[Total Annihilation]] offered downloadable content from 1997.<ref name="TAdlcunits">{{cite web|url=http://www.theengineeringguild.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=781:total-annihilation-an-rtsg-classic&catid=22&Itemid=117|title=Total Annihilation: An RTSG Classic|date=October 12, 2012|publisher=The Engineering Guild|quote=Total Annihilation was one of the early adopters of the DLC releases and every month Cavedog would release a new unit for free to try with the game.|author=Giskard|access-date=June 18, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130620001853/http://www.theengineeringguild.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=781:total-annihilation-an-rtsg-classic&catid=22&Itemid=117|archive-date=June 20, 2013|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20010330073657/http://www.cavedog.com/totala/dwnlds_frame.html TA downloadable units] on cavedog.com (archived in the [[Internet Archive]] on March 30, 2001)</ref> While some Dreamcast games offered downloadable content, they were severely limited by the storage space of the console.


DLC can range from small content additions like extra items<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/the-sims-4/the-sims-4-my-first-pet-stuff-pack|title=Buy the other half of your furniture with the latest Sims 4 Stuff pack|last1=Hood|first1=Vic|website=PCGamesN}}</ref> to larger ones that may include significant plot additions and extend the game considerably.<ref name="sithedition">{{cite web|url=http://comic-con.gamespot.com/story/6214122/force-unleashed-unleashing-more-dlc-sith-edition|title=Force Unleashed unleashing more DLC, Sith Edition|last=Thorsen|first=Tor|date=2009-07-24|website=[[GameSpot]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090728165730/http://comic-con.gamespot.com/story/6214122/force-unleashed-unleashing-more-dlc-sith-edition|archive-date=2009-07-28|url-status=dead|access-date=2009-07-25}}</ref>
The first console games to offer downloadable content properly were for the [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://xbox.ign.com/articles/531/531106p1.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040719024129/http://xbox.ign.com/articles/531/531106p1.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 19, 2004|title=Ninja Gaiden Hurricane Pack Vol. 1 Q&A – New details on the enemies, AI changes, and camera fixes. Exclusive screens show off even more enemies and a second costume!|first=Hilary|last=Goldstein|date=July 16, 2004|access-date=December 17, 2013}}</ref> Downloadable content can range from small content additions like extra items<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/the-sims-4/the-sims-4-my-first-pet-stuff-pack|title=Buy the other half of your furniture with the latest Sims 4 Stuff pack|last1=Hood|first1=Vic|website=PCGamesN|date=March 13, 2018 }}</ref> to larger ones that may include significant plot additions and extend the game considerably.<ref name="sithedition">{{cite web|url=http://comic-con.gamespot.com/story/6214122/force-unleashed-unleashing-more-dlc-sith-edition|title=Force Unleashed unleashing more DLC, Sith Edition|last=Thorsen|first=Tor|date=2009-07-24|website=[[GameSpot]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090728165730/http://comic-con.gamespot.com/story/6214122/force-unleashed-unleashing-more-dlc-sith-edition|archive-date=2009-07-28|url-status=dead|access-date=2009-07-25}}</ref>

It wasn't until [[Seventh generation of video game consoles|the seventh generation]], that console games began to support mods or custom content to the same extent as PC games.{{Citation needed|date=April 2022}}


== Ratings and censorship ==
== Ratings and censorship ==
[[File:PEGI logo.svg|thumb|The PEGI logo]]{{see also|Video game#Ratings and censorship}}
[[File:PEGI logo.svg|thumb|The PEGI logo]]{{see also|Video game#Ratings and censorship}}
Several systems exist worldwide to regulate or censor the video games industry. Some, like the [[Entertainment Software Rating Board]] (ESRB) are composed of members of the industry themselves, while others, like [[Pan European Game Information]] (PEGI), are government-backed. The ESRB was started in 1994, was adopted as standard 10 years later and is rated on the interactive experience as well as the content.
Several systems exist worldwide to regulate the video games industry. Some, like the [[Entertainment Software Rating Board]] (ESRB) are composed of members of the industry themselves, while others, like [[Pan European Game Information]] (PEGI), are government-backed. The ESRB was started in 1994, was adopted as standard 10 years later, and is rated on the interactive experience as well as the content.


== Criticism ==
== Criticism ==
From time to time, video games have been criticized by parents' groups,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7125426.stm|title=Games content 'concerns parents'|date=2007-12-04|access-date=2019-01-14|language=en-GB}}</ref> psychologists, politicians,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tes.com/articles/news-ban-violent-video-games-urge-mps|title=In the news – Ban violent video games, urge MPs|date=2016-05-25|website=Tes|language=en|access-date=2019-01-14}}</ref> and some religious organizations<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ucg.org/beyond-today/children-and-violent-video-games|title=Children and Violent Video Games|last=Stewart|first=Diane|date=2013-04-16|website=United Church of God|language=en|access-date=2019-01-14}}</ref> for allegedly glorifying [[violence]], [[cruelty]] and [[crime]], and exposing children to these elements. It is particularly disturbing to some that some video games allow children to act out crimes (for example, the ''[[Grand Theft Auto]]'' series), and reward them for doing so. Concerns that children who play violent video games may have a tendency to act more aggressively on the playground have led to voluntary rating systems adopted by the industry, such as the [[Entertainment Software Rating Board|ESRB]] rating system in the United States and the PEGI rating system in Europe. They are aimed at educating parents about the types of games their children are playing to let them make an informed decision on whether allow them to play. Studies have shown that most parents who complain about their young children acting increasingly aggressive and violent on the school playground due to video games<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2012/apr/03/children-addicted-violent-games-warn-teachers|title=Children becoming addicted to video game fantasy worlds, teachers warn|author=Jessica Shepherd|date=April 3, 2012|access-date=October 28, 2012|work=The Guardian}}</ref> do not follow the ESRB and PEGI rating systems. Many parents complain about their children, as young as 8, acting out violence depicted in ''[[Call of Duty]]'' or ''Grand Theft Auto'', even though their ratings clearly state that the recommended age is 18 and above.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/9183385/Violent-video-games-are-fuelling-rise-in-aggressive-behaviour.html|title=Violent video games are fuelling rise in aggressive behaviour|first=Graeme|last=Paton|author-link=Graeme Paton|date=April 3, 2012|access-date=October 28, 2012|work=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]}}</ref>
From time to time, video games have been criticized by parents' groups,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7125426.stm|title=Games content 'concerns parents'|date=2007-12-04|access-date=2019-01-14|language=en-GB}}</ref> psychologists, politicians,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tes.com/articles/news-ban-violent-video-games-urge-mps|title=In the news – Ban violent video games, urge MPs|date=2016-05-25|website=Tes|language=en|access-date=2019-01-14}}</ref> and some religious organizations<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ucg.org/beyond-today/children-and-violent-video-games|title=Children and Violent Video Games|last=Stewart|first=Diane|date=2013-04-16|website=United Church of God|language=en|access-date=2019-01-14}}</ref> for allegedly glorifying [[violence]], [[cruelty]], and [[crime]], and exposing children to these elements. It is particularly disturbing to some that some video games allow children to act out crimes (for example, the ''[[Grand Theft Auto]]'' series), and reward them for doing so. Concerns that children who play violent video games may have a tendency to act more aggressively on the playground have led to voluntary rating systems adopted by the industry, such as the [[Entertainment Software Rating Board|ESRB]] rating system in the United States and the PEGI rating system in Europe. They are aimed at educating parents about the types of games their children are playing, to let them make an informed decision on whether or not to allow them to play. Studies have shown that most parents who complain about their young children acting increasingly aggressive and violent on the school playground due to video games<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2012/apr/03/children-addicted-violent-games-warn-teachers|title=Children becoming addicted to video game fantasy worlds, teachers warn|author=Jessica Shepherd|date=April 3, 2012|access-date=October 28, 2012|work=The Guardian}}</ref> do not follow the ESRB and PEGI rating systems. Many parents complain about their children, as young as 8, acting out violence depicted in [[Call of Duty]] or ''Grand Theft Auto'', even though their ratings indicate the recommended age as 18 and above.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/9183385/Violent-video-games-are-fuelling-rise-in-aggressive-behaviour.html|title=Violent video games are fuelling rise in aggressive behaviour|first=Graeme|last=Paton|author-link=Graeme Paton|date=April 3, 2012|access-date=October 28, 2012|work=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]}}</ref>
Most studies, however, reached the conclusion that violence in video games is not causally linked with aggressive tendencies. This was the conclusion of a 1999 study by the United States government, prompting [[Surgeon General of the United States|Surgeon General]] [[David Satcher]] to say, "[...] we clearly associate media violence to aggressive behavior, but the impact was very small compared to other things. Some may not be happy with that, but that’s where the magic is".<ref>{{cite news|last=Wright|first=Brad|title=Sounding the alarm on video game ratings|url=http://articles.cnn.com/2002-12-19/tech/games.ratings_1_game-industry-violent-games-entertainment-software-ratings-board?_s=PM:TECH|access-date=November 23, 2011|newspaper=CNN|date=February 18, 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120713043748/http://articles.cnn.com/2002-12-19/tech/games.ratings_1_game-industry-violent-games-entertainment-software-ratings-board?_s=PM:TECH|archive-date=July 13, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> This was also the conclusion of a [[meta-analysis]] by [[psychologist]] Jonathan Freedman, who reviewed over 200 published studies and found that the majority did not find a causal [[The Legend of Zelda|link]].<ref>{{cite journal|last=Freedman|first=Jonathan|title=Effect of television violence on aggressiveness.|journal=Psychological Bulletin|date=September 1984|volume=96 |issue=2|pages=227–246|doi=10.1037/0033-2909.96.2.227|pmid=6385044}}</ref>
Most studies, however, reached the conclusion that violence in video games is not causally linked with aggressive tendencies. This was the conclusion of a 1999 study by the United States government, prompting [[Surgeon General of the United States|Surgeon General]] [[David Satcher]] to say, "[...] we clearly associate media violence to aggressive behavior, but the impact was very small compared to other things. Some may not be happy with that, but that’s where the magic is."<ref>{{cite news|last=Wright|first=Brad|title=Sounding the alarm on video game ratings|url=http://articles.cnn.com/2002-12-19/tech/games.ratings_1_game-industry-violent-games-entertainment-software-ratings-board?_s=PM:TECH|access-date=November 23, 2011|newspaper=CNN|date=February 18, 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120713043748/http://articles.cnn.com/2002-12-19/tech/games.ratings_1_game-industry-violent-games-entertainment-software-ratings-board?_s=PM:TECH|archive-date=July 13, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> This was also the conclusion of a [[meta-analysis]] by [[psychologist]] Jonathan Freedman, who reviewed over 200 published studies and found that the majority did not find a [[Causality|causal link]] between violent tendencies and violence depicted in entertainment.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Freedman|first=Jonathan|title=Effect of television violence on aggressiveness.|journal=Psychological Bulletin|date=September 1984|volume=96 |issue=2|pages=227–246|doi=10.1037/0033-2909.96.2.227|pmid=6385044}}</ref>
[[Video game console]]s were banned in [[China]] between June 2000 and July 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://money.cnn.com/2015/07/27/technology/china-video-game-ban-lifted/index.html|title=China eliminates all restrictions on gaming consoles|last=Yan|first=Sophia|date=July 27, 2015|website=CNNMoney|access-date=August 25, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/china-to-end-ban-on-videogame-consoles-1437813695|title=China to End Ban on Videogame Consoles|last=Burkitt|first=Laurie|date=July 25, 2015|newspaper=Wall Street Journal|issn=0099-9660|access-date=August 25, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/technology/gaming/gaming-news/lenovos-kinect-clone-evades-chinese-ban-on-video-game-consoles/article4104133/|title=Lenovo's Kinect-clone evades Chinese ban on video-game consoles|author=Leslie Hook|date=June 18, 2012|access-date=August 20, 2012|work=[[The Globe and Mail]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/features/9263-Console-Revolution|title=Console Revolution|author=Luke Ume|date=December 15, 2011|access-date=August 20, 2012|work=The Escapist}}</ref>
[[Video game console]]s were banned in [[China]] between June 2000 and July 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://money.cnn.com/2015/07/27/technology/china-video-game-ban-lifted/index.html|title=China eliminates all restrictions on gaming consoles|last=Yan|first=Sophia|date=July 27, 2015|website=CNNMoney|access-date=August 25, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/china-to-end-ban-on-videogame-consoles-1437813695|title=China to End Ban on Videogame Consoles|last=Burkitt|first=Laurie|date=July 25, 2015|newspaper=Wall Street Journal|issn=0099-9660|access-date=August 25, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/technology/gaming/gaming-news/lenovos-kinect-clone-evades-chinese-ban-on-video-game-consoles/article4104133/|title=Lenovo's Kinect-clone evades Chinese ban on video-game consoles|author=Leslie Hook|date=June 18, 2012|access-date=August 20, 2012|work=[[The Globe and Mail]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/features/9263-Console-Revolution|title=Console Revolution|author=Luke Ume|date=December 15, 2011|access-date=August 20, 2012|work=The Escapist|archive-date=May 12, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120512170149/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/features/9263-Console-Revolution|url-status=dead}}</ref>


==Game sales==
==Game sales==
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{{Video game consoles}}
{{Video game consoles}}
{{Video game platforms}}

{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Console Game}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Console Game}}
[[Category:Video game platforms]]
[[Category:Video game platforms]]

Latest revision as of 15:35, 18 December 2024

A console game is a type of video game consisting of images and often sounds generated by a video game console, which are displayed on a television or similar audio-video system, and that can be manipulated by a player. This manipulation usually takes place using a handheld device connected to the console, called a controller. The controller generally contains several buttons and directional controls such as analogue joysticks, each of which has been assigned a purpose for interacting with and controlling the images on the screen. The display, speakers, console, and controls of a console can also be incorporated into one small object known as a handheld game.

Console games usually come in the form of an optical disc, ROM cartridge, digital download or, in the case of dedicated consoles, stored on internal memory. The global console games market was valued at about $26.8 billion in 2018.[1]

The differences between consoles create additional challenges and opportunities for game developers, as the console manufacturers (e.g. Nintendo, Microsoft, Sony, Sega, Atari) may provide extra incentives, support and marketing for console exclusive games.[2] To aid development of games for consoles, manufacturers often create game development kits that developers can use for their work.[3][4]

History

[edit]
Horizontal rectangle video game screenshot that is a representation of a game of table tennis.
A screenshot of a re-released version of Pong

Early console games

[edit]

The first console games were for the Magnavox Odyssey, released in 1972,[5] and consisted of simple games made of three white dots and a vertical line.[6] These hardware limitations, such as the lack of any audio capability, meant that developers didn't have freedom in the type of games they could create. Some games came packaged with accessories such as cards and dice to enhance the experience and make up for the shortcomings of the hardware.[7]

The second generation of consoles introduced more powerful capabilities,[8][9] less hardware limitations than the first generation, and coincided with the golden age of arcade video games. Developers had access to the console's basic graphical capabilities, allowing them to create sprites of their choosing and more advanced sound capabilities. Controllers were beginning to include more buttons giving developers more freedom in the type of interactions they could provide to the player.[10]

Due to the success of arcades, several games were adapted and released on consoles.[11] In many cases, the quality had to be reduced because of the hardware limitations of consoles, but their popularity persisted: Pac-Man for the Atari 2600, a port of the original arcade game of the same name, was the best selling game for the console.[12]

The second generation of games introduced a number of notable gaming concepts for the first time. Adventure for the Atari 2600 introduced the concept of a virtual space bigger than the screen for the first time, with the game consisting of multiple rooms the player could visit as opposed to a single static screen.[13] Video Olympics was one of the first console games to have a computer controlled opponent in its "Robot Pong" game mode[14] and genres such as platforming and graphical adventure games emerged.[15]

Video game industry crash

[edit]

By the end of 1983, consoles had become cheaper to develop and produce, causing a saturation of consoles which in turn led to their libraries becoming saturated too.[16][17] Due to this saturation of the market, the prices of games were low and, despite good sales figures, developers weren't making enough profit from sales to justify staying in the market.[18]

Despite heavy marketing, the quality of the games could not back up their claims, causing many companies to go out of business.[19] The effects of the crash were primarily felt in the North American market but it still had an impact, albeit smaller, on the Asian and European markets.[20]

In the years following the crash, console development was significantly reduced in the North American and European markets. Personal computers rose in popularity[21] and began to fill the gap in the market that consoles had left. They had become affordable, were technologically superior, and had multiple other functions beyond gaming.

Third and fourth generations

[edit]

The release of new consoles from Nintendo, Sega and Atari signified the start of the third (and fourth) generations, which also saw the introduction of notable franchises such as The Legend of Zelda, Star Fox, Sonic the Hedgehog, Final Fantasy, Metal Gear and Metroid.

The console manufacturers took back control of third-party development and regulated the market.[22] Measures were introduced to ensure saturation did not happen again, including limiting the number of games a developer could release a year, controlling the manufacture of game cartridges, demanding payment for cartridges upfront, and ensuring newly developed games adhered to a set of rules set by console manufacturers.[23] This put pressure on publishers and added a risk to development. It meant developers were forced to concentrate on the quality of their games more so than the quantity and speed at which they could be made.

Atari and Sega incorporated backward compatibility in the Atari 7800 and Master System respectively, elongating the lifespan of their early console games. Both companies never released another backward compatible console, with the partial exception that Master System games can be played on the Sega Genesis using a separately sold peripheral.[24]

During this time, Metroid became notable for its open world the player could traverse in all directions, while most similar games were still primarily side-scrolling in a single direction.[25] It also featured a strong female protagonist who is often credited for improving the portrayal of women in gaming.[26] Star Fox was Nintendo's first use of polygonal graphics[27] and Sonic the Hedgehog introduced a rival to Nintendo's mascot, Mario, who became a long-standing character for Sega in a number of different types of media.

From 2D to 3D

[edit]

The fifth generation of consoles saw the move from 2D to 3D graphics and the change in storage media from cartridges to optical discs. Analogue controllers became popular, allowing for a finer and smoother movement control scheme compared to the directional pad. The use of full motion video became popular for cutscenes as optical discs allowed for the storage of high quality video with pre-rendered graphics that a game couldn't render in real time.[28]

Games released during the fifth generation took advantage of the new 3D technology with a number of notable franchises moving from 2D, such as Metal Gear, Final Fantasy, Mario and The Legend of Zelda, the latter being considered influential not only to its genre but to video games as a whole.[29] Other games that were released during this generation, such as Crash Bandicoot, GoldenEye 007, Resident Evil, Tomb Raider, and FIFA International Soccer, were influential in their own genres and started their own franchises that would span multiple generations and consoles. Resident Evil founded the genre of survival horror,[30] while Metal Gear Solid popularised the stealth genre[citation needed] as well as storytelling through cinematic cutscenes rendered in game.[27] Gran Turismo and Sega Rally Championship popularised realism in the racing genre with different surfaces and realistic features such as tire grip.[31]

Internet capabilities

[edit]

By the sixth generation the console market had become larger than the PC market.[32]

While earlier consoles did provide online capabilities,[33] it wasn't until the sixth generation that online services became popular. Games introduced online features such as downloadable content, social features, and online multiplayer. Online networks were created by console developers such as PlayStation Network and Xbox Live providing a platform for games to utilise. Online multiplayer allowed players to play together from almost anywhere in the world, the social features of the platforms giving players the means to organise over these long distances.

Downloadable content became more prominent, allowing developers to release updates after a game was launched and include new content or fixes to existing issues.

Technology

[edit]
The DualShock 4 controller for the PlayStation 4

Inputs

[edit]

Console games receive commands from the player through the use of an input device, commonly called a controller. Unlike a PC which uses a keyboard and mouse or a mobile device that uses a touch interface, console games are limited in their control schemes by the hardware available for the console.[34] They usually include a method to move the player character (joystick, d-pad or analogue stick) and a variation of buttons to perform other in-game actions such as jumping or interacting with the game world.[35] The type of controller available to a game can fundamentally change the style of how a console game will or can be played.[36][37][38]

The limitation of the amount of buttons compared to a PC keyboard or a custom arcade cabinet means that controller buttons will commonly perform multiple different actions.[16] For example, The Witcher 3 Xbox One controls uses the same button, the "A" button, to interact with the world when pressed and sprint when held, whereas the PC control scheme can separate these functions into separate buttons. The limitation of input keys can allow developers to create a more refined and succinct control scheme that can be learned by the player more easily. Different games in the same genre tend to use similar control schemes, allowing players to easily adapt to new games.

There are games that require additional accessories to act as alternative ways to control the game and to bypass the limitations of a standard game controller. Such items can include light guns, electronic instruments or racing wheels.

Display

[edit]

Consoles commonly use a television as their visual output device: optimal for viewing at a greater distance by a larger audience. As a result, many video games are designed for local multiplayer play, with all players viewing the same TV set, with the screen divided into several sections and each player using a different controller.

Console games have generally had access to less computing power, less flexible computing power, and lower resolution displays, than games played on a PC. However, dedicated consoles were advanced graphically, especially in animation, as video game consoles had dedicated graphics hardware, were able to load data instantly from ROM, and had a low resolution output which would look better on a television, due to it naturally blurring the pixels.

Storage

[edit]

Storage mediums play an important role in the development of a console game as it creates a fixed limit on the amount and quality of content that a game can have.[39] Unlike arcade games but similar to PC and handheld games, console games are generally distributed separately from their platforms and require a form of storage to hold their data. There are 3 primary types of storage medium for consoles – cartridges, optical discs, and hard disk drives, all of which have considerably improved over time and provide more storage space to developers with each improvement.[40]

A Nintendo 64 cartridge

Cartridge

[edit]

Early cartridges had storage limitations which grew in size as the technology developed. They provided more security against third-party developers and the illegal copying of games. Some could be partially re-writable allowing for games to save their data to the cartridge itself meaning no extra saving media was required.[41]

While cartridges became less popular with the introduction of disc based media, they are still popular to use for handheld consoles and are still in use on consoles in later generations such as the Nintendo Switch.[42]

Disc

[edit]

Discs became popular as the storage medium for console games during the fifth generation due to the ability to store large amounts of data and be produced cheaply.[43] The increase in space provided developers with a medium to store higher quality assets, the downside being that progress could not be saved directly to the disc as it could with a cartridge. Most consoles that used discs had a means of saving games either on the console or in the form of a separate memory card, meaning developers had to control the size of their game saves.

Console storage

[edit]

It is common for games after generation six to be stored partially or fully on the console itself, most commonly on a hard drive.[44][45] Similarly to how a PC game can be installed, the console game can copy key files to the console's storage medium, which is used to decrease load times but still requires the original game storage medium to play.[46] The second method is for the game to be fully stored on the console and run directly from it, requiring no physical media to run at all.[46] This offers players the opportunity to have games which have no physicality and can be downloaded through the Internet to their console, as well as giving the developers the ability to provide updates and fixes in the same manner, effectively meaning development on a game doesn't have to stop once released.[47]

As there is only a fixed amount of space on a console by default, developers do still have to be mindful of the amount of space they can take up, especially if the install is compulsory. Some consoles provide users the ability to expand their storage with larger storage mediums,[48] provide access to removable storage[49] and release versions of their console with more storage.[50][51]

Cloud gaming

[edit]

Cloud gaming services allow players to access games as a streaming service. Specialist hardware is not usually required to access these services and can be run from most modern PC operating systems, negating the need for a dedicated device for console gaming. The question of ownership is the biggest difference in comparison to other storage mediums for console games, as they could be considered only a method of renting the game.

OnLive is a cross between a console and other game streaming software. They provide hardware, considered to be a microconsole, that would connect to their service but only as means of displaying streamed content.

Emulation

[edit]

To play console games on any other device than the console it has been developed for, emulation of that console is required whether it is software or hardware based emulation and some console developers will provide this as a means to play games from their older systems on newer devices. For example, the Xbox 360 provides some access to Xbox games[52] and the Wii's Virtual Console has a customised emulator with each game tweaked to provide the best performance as opposed to a single emulator to do everything.[citation needed]

Games' effect on console sales

[edit]

While a PC is multi-functional and will be purchased to perform tasks other than gaming, a dedicated gaming console must have games available for it to be successful. A good library of games will give a consumer reason to purchase the console and in turn create opportunities for more games to be created for it. Console developers will lower their profit margins on devices to encourage sales of the games as more profit can be obtained from software royalties than the sale of the consoles themselves.[43]

Games are frequently used to market a console and can do so either by exclusivity to a specific console or by using existing popular intellectual properties (IPs) that already have a strong following. Pac-Man for the Atari 2600 was already a well known arcade game and was expected to help the sales of 2600 devices[53] due to its popularity despite it being heavily criticized.[54]

Mascots

[edit]

A strong mascot can come organically from a game and can play a large part of a console's marketing strategy. A well designed and popular mascot will naturally generate further games. A good example of a mascot who has come from an existing game is Nintendo's Mario. He was created as a character for the Donkey Kong arcade game and wasn't expected to become popular[55] yet has gone onto become one of the most iconic gaming characters in history.[56]

A character from a game can be designed to serve as a mascot, such as Sonic the Hedgehog. He was created with the intent to rival Mario and was designed with abilities to counter Mario's weaknesses.

Both mascots exist outside of their respective video games and have become a part of the identity of each company, appearing in various types of media such as TV shows, books, and movies, as well as a large number of other video games.

Following the emergence of mascots during the late 1980s and early 1990s, for a few years it was considered essential to a console's sales that it have a game starring a popular mascot. However, video game mascots became increasingly unimportant to console sales during the mid-1990s, as the gaming industry's main demographic grew older and thus less likely to find mascots appealing, with consoles' increased performance as well as cross-licensing demonstrating higher selling power.[57] A number of once-successful mascots such as Bonk, Gex, Bubsy, and Zool were dropped from usage in both marketing and software releases during this time. The few surviving mascots remain relevant due to their value in increasing brand awareness.[58]

Development

[edit]

The core development process for a console game is very similar to its counterparts and primarily differs in the high level concept due to demographics[59] and the technical back-end.[60] Consoles developers will usually make a development kit available to game developers which they can use to test their games on with more ease than a consumer model.

Early console games were commonly created by a single person and could be changed in a short amount of time due to the simplicity of the games at the time.[61] As technology has improved, the development time, complexity and cost of console games has increased dramatically,[62] to where the size of a team for an eighth generation game can number in the hundreds.[63] Similarly, the programming languages used in video game development has changed over time with early games being developed primarily in assembly. As time went on developers had more choice on what they could use based on the availability on the console but some languages became more popular than others.[62]

First and third party development

[edit]

Many console developers have a branch of the company that develops games for their console and are considered "first party" developers, a concept that isn't seen in PC development due to the variation of hardware configurations and lack of complete ownership of a system by a single manufacturer. First party developers have the advantage of having direct access to the console's development, which allows them to make the most of the hardware they are developing for.

Companies that are separate from the console manufacturer are considered to be "third-party" developers. They commonly have restrictions placed upon them and their games by the console manufacturers as a way of controlling the library of their consoles.

Comparison between arcade, PC and handheld games

[edit]

The primary differences between arcade game development and game development for other platforms are the fact that players are required to pay a small amount per play session, and that arcade games are mostly found at external venues. Arcade games are ultimately developed to try to get a continuous stream of revenue from the player and to keep them playing over the life of the machine.[64] By comparison, console games have a high cost up front, meaning they have to guarantee a different experience for the player, primarily more content.[60]

Handheld games, on the other hand, need to be accessible and enjoyable on a portable device, and should usually playable within a shorter time frame. This ultimately affects the type of games that are developed for portable consoles. Games that rely on long, unbroken sessions of gameplay or long cutscenes are not ideal for handhelds, whereas a console or PC player is expected to have longer play sessions.[64] On handheld consoles of a smaller size, developers need to consider the amount of detail that will be visible to the player whereas console developers can safely assume their games will be played on a larger screen such as a television.[65]

In comparison to PC and mobile games, console game developers must consider the limitations of the hardware their game is being developed for, as it is unlikely to have any major changes between the development phase and release. PC and mobile technology progresses quickly and there are many different configurations of their hardware and software. This is beneficial at the start of a console's life cycle, as the technology will be cutting edge, but as the console ages, developers are forced to work with ageing hardware until the next generation of consoles is released. Earlier consoles games could be developed to take advantage of the fixed limitations of the consoles they were developed for, such as the MegaDrive's capability of fast scrolling influencing design decisions made for Sonic the Hedgehog.[66] Due to these hardware limitations the requirement of development kits and licenses required for development on a console is commonplace.

Developers of console games are also required to pay royalties to the console developers, while there is no centralised hardware developer for the PC equivalent.[67]

Development kits

[edit]

Early consoles didn't have development kit versions; it was only around the fifth generation of consoles that development kits became common. Unlike PC games, console game development usually requires the use of a development kit for the console that the game is being developed for, as the hardware is often proprietary and is not freely available. The use of a development kit allows developers to access more detail about how their game is running on the kit and other advanced debugging options. The downside of needing access to specialist hardware such as a development kit is that it limits accessibility for hobbyists creating homemade or custom content. This grew into a benefit for PC games, as there is a more open environment for hobbyists to create and modify content even without developer support.

Some console developers have provided tools, such as the Net Yaroze software development kit, in an attempt to provide an avenue for hobbyists to create content.[68]

Remakes and re-releases

[edit]

Console games primarily started off as ports of arcade games.[11] The timing of early consoles coincided with the golden age of arcade games which gave developers a good opportunity to maximise on their popularity,[69] despite console hardware not yet being strong enough to run the games as they were originally. Arcade games effectively had to be remade for consoles, which usually meant lowering the quality in some way to make up for any hardware limitations. As technology improved and arcades reduced in popularity, it became console original games that would start to be ported to other devices.

Some consoles lack the ability to play games from previous generations,[70] which allows a developer to release older games again but on the new consoles. The re-released game may be unchanged and simply be the same game but run on the new technology, or it may be changed by the developer to have improved graphics, sound or gameplay, a process known as remastering. Some re-releases can have added features, such as Final Fantasy VII, which added functions to speed the game up and turn off random enemy encounters.[71]

When high definition technology was released, many games received high definition remakes. These can vary in terms of features, but usually include higher resolution textures, re-rendered videos, higher quality audio, and compatibility with newer display technologies. High definition remakes offer an additional revenue stream for a console game that was potentially at the end of its life. The developer of the remake is not always the same as the developer of the original game and some developers and publishers, such as Double Eleven, specialise in ports and remakes of other games.[72]

Additional content

[edit]

The development of additional content prior to the internet was limited due to limited distribution methods; more often than not, content had to be released as a new game entirely as opposed to an add-on to an existing one. For example, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City used the same mechanics and engine but was released as a separate game from Grand Theft Auto III, whereas a PC title such as Total Annihilation offered downloadable content from 1997.[73][74] While some Dreamcast games offered downloadable content, they were severely limited by the storage space of the console.

The first console games to offer downloadable content properly were for the Xbox.[75] Downloadable content can range from small content additions like extra items[76] to larger ones that may include significant plot additions and extend the game considerably.[77]

It wasn't until the seventh generation, that console games began to support mods or custom content to the same extent as PC games.[citation needed]

Ratings and censorship

[edit]
The PEGI logo

Several systems exist worldwide to regulate the video games industry. Some, like the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) are composed of members of the industry themselves, while others, like Pan European Game Information (PEGI), are government-backed. The ESRB was started in 1994, was adopted as standard 10 years later, and is rated on the interactive experience as well as the content.

Criticism

[edit]

From time to time, video games have been criticized by parents' groups,[78] psychologists, politicians,[79] and some religious organizations[80] for allegedly glorifying violence, cruelty, and crime, and exposing children to these elements. It is particularly disturbing to some that some video games allow children to act out crimes (for example, the Grand Theft Auto series), and reward them for doing so. Concerns that children who play violent video games may have a tendency to act more aggressively on the playground have led to voluntary rating systems adopted by the industry, such as the ESRB rating system in the United States and the PEGI rating system in Europe. They are aimed at educating parents about the types of games their children are playing, to let them make an informed decision on whether or not to allow them to play. Studies have shown that most parents who complain about their young children acting increasingly aggressive and violent on the school playground due to video games[81] do not follow the ESRB and PEGI rating systems. Many parents complain about their children, as young as 8, acting out violence depicted in Call of Duty or Grand Theft Auto, even though their ratings indicate the recommended age as 18 and above.[82]

Most studies, however, reached the conclusion that violence in video games is not causally linked with aggressive tendencies. This was the conclusion of a 1999 study by the United States government, prompting Surgeon General David Satcher to say, "[...] we clearly associate media violence to aggressive behavior, but the impact was very small compared to other things. Some may not be happy with that, but that’s where the magic is."[83] This was also the conclusion of a meta-analysis by psychologist Jonathan Freedman, who reviewed over 200 published studies and found that the majority did not find a causal link between violent tendencies and violence depicted in entertainment.[84]

Video game consoles were banned in China between June 2000 and July 2015.[85][86][87][88]

Game sales

[edit]

The lists of best-selling games by platform, organized by the respective console generations, are given below:

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
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