Video Games and the Internet

Video games (also referred to as computer games, electronic games, or digital games) refer to any type of interactive digital game. At the beginning of the 21st century, the global market for the video game industry was estimated to be as high as $100 billion. Video games encompass a broad range of genres played using a similarly broad range of devices and technologies, so the Internet is more relevant to some video games than to others. Over time, however, the Internet has become more of an increasingly integral component of video games and their play experiences, influencing the social dimensions of video games, as well as the social issues and concerns around their use. This entry provides a brief overview of the history of video ...