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{{See also|chess}} a strategic board game; as strategy is a foundation of thinking and may help with the [[addiction|addictive]] habits cultivated by video gaming.

{{See also|chess}}, as a strategic board game it is a foundation of thinking and may help with the [[addiction|addictive]] habits cultivated by video gaming.

A '''video game''' is an electronic game, which is played on a device such as a [[computer]] or [[Video game console|console]]. Video games provide the user with audio and visual feedback when the game is played. Today, they are often played with others, either in-person or over the [[Internet]]. Board games are often converted into video games using online matchmaking and scripted bots, and one of the most popular of these is [[chess]] for its' strategic gameplay.

A '''video game''' is an electronic game, which is played on a device such as a [[computer]] or [[Video game console|console]]. Video games provide the user with audio and visual feedback when the game is played. Today, they are often played with others, either in-person or over the [[Internet]]. Board games are often converted into video games using online matchmaking and scripted bots, and one of the most popular of these is [[chess]] for its' strategic gameplay.

== Nature of video games ==

== Nature of video games ==

Video games vary greatly in type and complexity, but all games are alike in that they translate player input (from a controller, mouse, keyboard or motion sensor) into onscreen actions. Games are often stored on some sort of digital media - ROM cartridge, [[CD]], [[DVD]], flash memory chip, or even cassette tape for early computer games. Older or less expensive games sometimes used dedicated chips which were pre-programmed to play certain games only. In recent years, game developers have moved to digital distribution, allowing customers to purchase game licenses online, and download over the internet. On PCs, this is often done through marketplaces such as Valve corporation's Steam service, or Electronic Arts' Origin service, while the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 have their own digital distribution services.

Video games vary greatly in type and complexity, but all games are alike in that they translate player input (from a controller, mouse, keyboard or motion sensor) into onscreen actions. Games are often stored on some sort of digital media - ROM cartridge, [[CD]], [[DVD]], flash memory chip, or even cassette tape for early computer games. Older or less expensive games sometimes used dedicated chips that were pre-programmed to play certain games only. In recent years, game developers have moved to digital distribution, allowing customers to purchase game licenses online, and download over the internet. On PCs, this is often done through marketplaces such as Valve Corporation's (also known as Valve Software) Steam service, or Electronic Arts' Origin service, while the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 have their own digital distribution services.

Home consoles are classified by ''generation'' to indicate their relative power and date of release. The current major consoles (Xbox Series X, PS5, Nintendo Switch OLED) are considered ''ninth generation''. Handheld consoles are not generally put into generations due to their more irregular release schedules.

Home consoles are classified by ''generation'' to indicate their relative power and date of release. The current major consoles (Xbox Series X, PS5, Nintendo Switch OLED) are considered ''ninth generation''. Handheld consoles are not generally put into generations due to their more irregular release schedules.

== Various genres ==

== Various genres ==

Video games in the course of their existence have grown from the simple arcade-style games, and have become more detailed and separated from one another. Genres can now include [[first person shooters]], [[racing]], [[Simulation game|simulation]], [[role-playing]], [[sports]], [[action]], [[strategy]], massively multiplayer online (MMO), puzzle, Sport simulation, and many others.<ref>https://www.idtech.com/blog/different-types-of-video-game-genres</ref><ref>https://thoughtcatalog.com/jane-hurst/2015/02/12-types-of-computer-games-every-gamer-should-know-about/</ref> Even then, games can combine genres, such as ''Mass Effect'' (Role Playing and Third Person Shooting), or not fit nicely into any genre, like ''The Mystery of the Druids''. The most popular genres tend to be shooters, action, and roleplaying games. Some video games are based on movies, such as Star Wars.

Video games in the course of their existence have grown from simple arcade-style games, and have become more detailed and separated from one another. Genres can now include [[first person shooters|first-person shooters]], [[racing]], [[Simulation game|simulation]], [[role-playing]], [[sports]], [[action]], [[strategy]], massively multiplayer online (MMO), puzzle, Sport simulation, and many others.<ref>https://www.idtech.com/blog/different-types-of-video-game-genres</ref><ref>https://thoughtcatalog.com/jane-hurst/2015/02/12-types-of-computer-games-every-gamer-should-know-about/</ref> Even then, games can combine genres, such as ''Mass Effect'' (Role Playing and Third Person Shooting), or not fit nicely into any genre, like ''The Mystery of the Druids''. The most popular genres tend to be shooters, action, and roleplaying games. Some video games are based on movies, such as Star Wars.

== Popularity and controversy ==

== Popularity and controversy ==

Games have risen in popularity over the years, as is shown in the rise of video games sales from the 1980s until today. This has brought with it a various amount of controversy as the video game industry continues to grow with its original player base.

Games have risen in popularity over the years, as is shown in the rise of video game sales from the 1980s until today. This has brought with it a large amount of controversy as the video game industry continues to grow with its original player base.

Video games are addictive activities targeted at teenagers, often with tragic results.{{citation needed}} Certain genres of games are becoming increasingly violent and offensive, attracting the attention of legislators in many states to protect the exploitation of children by them. Games such as ''[[Grand Theft Auto]]'' are very violent, sexually explicit, and feature [[criminal]] behavior. These games are rated "M 17+" for "Mature," but courts have stricken down laws preventing retailers from selling them to children, under an interpretation that the First Amendment protects offensive video games even for children.<ref>http://gamepolitics.livejournal.com/148962.html</ref> After a ''Conservapedian'' filed an [[amicus brief]] with the [[U.S. Supreme Court]] to consider this issue, it surprised [[liberal]]s by granting ''[[certiorari]]''.

Video games are addictive activities targeted at teenagers, often with tragic results.{{citation needed}} Certain genres of games are becoming increasingly violent and offensive, attracting the attention of legislators in many states to protect the exploitation of children by them. Games such as ''[[Grand Theft Auto]]'' are very violent, sexually explicit, and feature [[criminal]] behavior. These games are rated "M 17+" for "Mature," but courts have stricken down laws preventing retailers from selling them to children, under an interpretation that the First Amendment protects offensive video games even for children.<ref>http://gamepolitics.livejournal.com/148962.html</ref> After a ''Conservapedian'' filed an [[amicus brief]] with the [[U.S. Supreme Court]] to consider this issue, it surprised [[liberal]]s by granting ''[[certiorari]]''.

It has also been suggested that it is the role of parents to regulate what their children play, and that laws restricting video game vendors are an effort to replace parents' decisions with the government's decisions.<ref>https://www.deseretnews.com/article/700150989/Violent-games-2-Its-parents-responsibility-to-monitor-what-kids-play.html</ref><ref>https://segmentnext.com/2018/03/09/dear-parents-take-responsibility-kids-stop-blaming-video-games/</ref>

It has also been suggested that it is the role of parents to regulate what their children play, and that laws restricting video game vendors are an effort to replace parents' decisions with the government's decisions.<ref>https://www.deseretnews.com/article/700150989/Violent-games-2-Its-parents-responsibility-to-monitor-what-kids-play.html</ref><ref>https://segmentnext.com/2018/03/09/dear-parents-take-responsibility-kids-stop-blaming-video-games/</ref>

As some wake up to how harmful violent video games are, the video game industry declined in 2012,<ref>http://www.nbc12.com/story/20289219/us-video-game-sales-drop-11-pct-in-november</ref> though it remains much bigger than Hollywood. Video games are likely the single biggest cause of bright young men dropping out of college. While video games were originally designed for children and adolescent males, video games have become too popular with adult males, many of whom will often neglect family and work to spend a copious number of hours playing video games including online games as World of Warcraft in a video game addiction.  [[Liberal denial]] discourages people from recognizing the problem.

As some wake up to how harmful violent video games are, the video game industry declined in 2012,<ref>http://www.nbc12.com/story/20289219/us-video-game-sales-drop-11-pct-in-november</ref> though it remains much bigger than Hollywood. Video games are likely the single biggest cause of bright young men dropping out of college. While video games were originally designed for children and adolescent males, video games have become too popular with adult males, many of whom will often neglect family and work to spend a copious number of hours playing video games including online games such as World of Warcraft in a video game addiction.  [[Liberal denial]] discourages people from recognizing the problem.

==Arguments against video game usage==

==Arguments against video game usage==

Video games have been accused of being linked to [[Young mass murderers|murders by young people]] and other [[violence]], stress-induced health problems (including unexpected heart attacks),<ref>[http://www.news.com.au/world/europe/russian-teenager-dies-after-playing-online-computer-game-defence-of-the-ancients-for-22-days-in-a-row/story-fnh81p7g-1227512824314 Teenager dies from a video game addiction]</ref> [[atheism]], [[obesity]],<ref>[http://aspe.hhs.gov/health/reports/child_obesity/ Childhood Obesity] Department of Health and Human Services, retrieved Sept 18th 2011</ref> and [[sexual immorality]]. Several prominent murderers in recent years were inspired by video games.<ref>https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-316491/Teenager-gets-life-Manhunt-murder.html</ref><ref>Adelmann, Bob (August 5, 2019). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/crime/item/33028-search-for-motives-in-recent-mass-shootings-ignores-impact-of-violent-video-games Motives in Recent Mass Shootings Should Include Impact of Violent Video Games]. ''The New American''. Retrieved August 5, 2019.</ref>  [[Young mass murderer]] [[Adam Lanza]] was "immersed in a perverse video game world" and "killed himself to prevent law enforcement from taking his 'points.'"  He plotted his rampage far in advance and "learned the principles of ... the tactical reload" from his [[video games]].

Video games have been accused of being linked to [[Young mass murderers|murders by young people]] and other [[violence]], stress-induced health problems (including unexpected heart attacks),<ref>[http://www.news.com.au/world/europe/russian-teenager-dies-after-playing-online-computer-game-defence-of-the-ancients-for-22-days-in-a-row/story-fnh81p7g-1227512824314 Teenager dies from a video game addiction]</ref> [[atheism]], [[obesity]],<ref>[http://aspe.hhs.gov/health/reports/child_obesity/ Childhood Obesity] Department of Health and Human Services, retrieved Sept 18th 2011</ref> and [[sexual immorality]]. Several prominent murderers in recent years were inspired by video games.<ref>https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-316491/Teenager-gets-life-Manhunt-murder.html</ref><ref>Adelmann, Bob (August 5, 2019). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/crime/item/33028-search-for-motives-in-recent-mass-shootings-ignores-impact-of-violent-video-games Motives in Recent Mass Shootings Should Include Impact of Violent Video Games]. ''The New American''. Retrieved August 5, 2019.</ref>  [[Young mass murderer]] [[Adam Lanza]] was "immersed in a perverse video game world" and "killed himself to prevent law enforcement from taking his 'points.'"  He plotted his rampage far in advance and "learned the principles of ... the tactical reload" from his [[video games]].

Video games has also been used as "murder simulators" by American army, in order to desensitize young man, into triggering the gun better, and with less doubt, thus killing enemies more efficiently.

Video games have also been used as "murder simulators" by the American army, in order to desensitize young men, into triggering the gun better, and with less doubt, thus killing enemies more efficiently.

<ref>[http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/lupica-lanza-plotted-massacre-years-article-1.1291408#ixzz2NuWeFMNO]</ref>

<ref>[http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/lupica-lanza-plotted-massacre-years-article-1.1291408#ixzz2NuWeFMNO]</ref>

After a murderous rampage by another video game user in Norway:<ref>http://www.metro.co.uk/tech/games/871121-norway-stores-pull-violent-video-games-including-call-of-duty-after-massacre#ixzz1erUdaLo5</ref>

After a murderous rampage by another video game user in Norway:<ref>http://www.metro.co.uk/tech/games/871121-norway-stores-pull-violent-video-games-including-call-of-duty-after-massacre#ixzz1erUdaLo5</ref>

{{cquote|A number of Norway stores have pulled violent video games from sale - including several Call of Duty games and World of Warcraft - in the wake of the massacre carried out by Anders Behring Breivik on July 22.}}

{{cquote|A number of Norway stores have pulled violent video games from sale - including several Call of Duty games and World of Warcraft - in the wake of the massacre carried out by Anders Behring Breivik on July 22.}}

Unbeknownst to many, the video game industry is partly subsidized by taxpayers, even in the [[conservative]] Texas.  In 2015, a spat broke out between the video game and film industries about the millions they would receive from government.<ref>http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/27/drama-between-film-video-game-groups-dooms-funding/</ref>

Unbeknownst to many, the video game industry is partly subsidized by taxpayers, even in the [[conservative]] Texas.  In 2015, a spat broke out between the video game and film industries about the millions they would receive from the government.<ref>http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/27/drama-between-film-video-game-groups-dooms-funding/</ref>

=== Video game usage and excess weight ===

=== Video game usage and excess weight ===

Due to the sedentary lifestyle of many who abuse video games or play them for extremely long amounts of time, there is an absence of exercise - meaning [[addiction]] to video games can cause an increase in weight to unhealthy proportions.

Due to the sedentary lifestyle of many who abuse video games or play them for extremely long amounts of time, there is an absence of exercise - meaning [[addiction]] to video games can cause an increase in weight to unhealthy proportions.

[[File:Childhood obesity.JPG|thumb|200px|The state of Utah was acclaimed with the lowest percentage of children overweight, and was found to have the second lowest proportion of children spending 2 or more hours on TV/Video game play.  

[[File:Childhood obesity.JPG|thumb|200px|The state of Utah was acclaimed with the lowest percentage of children overweight, and was found to have the second lowest proportion of children spending 2 or more hours on TV/Video gameplay.  

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=== Exergaming ===

=== Exergaming ===

As far as "exergaming" (Video games which prompt the users to engage in physical activity), ''Slate'' reports:

As far as "exergaming" (Video games that prompt the users to engage in physical activity), ''Slate'' reports:

{{cquote|After three months, “there was no evidence that children receiving the active video games were more active in general or at any time,” the authors wrote. (The year before, a similar study in New Zealand had shown only minor improvement with active games; kids weighed just a pound less after six months of "exergaming".)<ref>[http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/medical_examiner/2012/04/are_video_games_making_kids_fat_screen_time_and_childhood_obesity_.html Are TV and Video Games Making Kids Fat?]</ref>}}

{{cquote|After three months, “there was no evidence that children receiving the active video games were more active in general or at any time,” the authors wrote. (The year before, a similar study in New Zealand had shown only minor improvement with active games; kids weighed just a pound less after six months of "exergaming".)<ref>[http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/medical_examiner/2012/04/are_video_games_making_kids_fat_screen_time_and_childhood_obesity_.html Are TV and Video Games Making Kids Fat?]</ref>}}

===Sexuality===

===Sexuality===

Although nudity is not prominent in [[western]] video games, there are various products containing sexually suggestive material. One reason for the relative lack of explicitly sexual material in western games may be the refusal of retailers including [[Wal-Mart]]<ref>http://www.walmart.com/catalog/catalog.gsp?cat=440903</ref> to sell games carrying an "Adults-Only" rating. One notable target of controversy is the ''[[Grand Theft Auto]]'' series after a third-party mod was released that allowed the player to engage in a mini-game containing explicit sexual material. Mods are, as "third-party" would imply, fan-made and are not the responsibility of the game's developer. Other sources of this criticism relate to the game ''[[Tomb Raider]]'',  one of the first games to depict and advertise a female character (the protagonist) as a sex symbol.<ref>Ashley, Robert. "The Secret History of Videogame Sex." Official Playstation Magazine Feb. 2006: 96-99.</ref>

Although nudity is not prominent in [[western]] video games, there are various products containing sexually suggestive material. One reason for the relative lack of explicitly sexual material in Western games may be the refusal of retailers including [[Wal-Mart]]<ref>http://www.walmart.com/catalog/catalog.gsp?cat=440903</ref> to sell games carrying an "Adults-Only" rating. One notable target of controversy is the ''[[Grand Theft Auto]]'' series after a third-party mod was released that allowed the player to engage in a mini-game containing explicit sexual material. Mods are, as "third-party" would imply, fan-made and are not the responsibility of the game's developer. Other sources of this criticism relate to the game ''[[Tomb Raider]]'',  one of the first games to depict and advertise a female character (the protagonist) as a sex symbol.<ref>Ashley, Robert. "The Secret History of Videogame Sex." Official Playstation Magazine Feb. 2006: 96-99.</ref>

==Arguments for video game usage==

==Arguments for video game usage==

As video games become more popular, their impact on society becomes ever more present. A prime example of this is the massive ad campaigns for the ''[[Halo (franchise)|Halo]]'' and ''[[Grand Theft Auto]]'' franchises. Advertising, merchandising, and even social pressures have changed in the ever-growing influence of video gaming.

As video games become more popular, their impact on society becomes ever more present. A prime example of this is the massive ad campaigns for the ''[[Halo (franchise)|Halo]]'' and ''[[Grand Theft Auto]]'' franchises. Advertising, merchandising, and even social pressures have changed in the ever-growing influence of video gaming.

Due to their popularity, various corporations have begun placing advertisements for their products within the context of the game. ''[[Second Life]]'', an Internet-based virtual world, has attempted to blur the lines between real world and virtual world, and companies such as Adidas, Reebok, and Dell have set up virtual stores selling real-world products within the game.  [[Reuters]] also operates a news bureau reporting news in the game.

Due to their popularity, various corporations have begun placing advertisements for their products within the context of the game. ''[[Second Life]]'', an Internet-based virtual world, has attempted to blur the lines between the real world and the virtual world, and companies such as Adidas, Reebok, and Dell have set up virtual stores selling real-world products within the game.  [[Reuters]] also operates a news bureau reporting news in the game.

== NPC internet meme ==

== NPC internet meme ==

The [[NPC internet meme]] (derived from [[Non-Playable Character (NPC)]] in video gaming), is a politically [[right-wing]] internet [[meme]] that represents [[liberal]]s/[[leftism|leftists]] (like [[Social Justice Warrior|SJWs]]) who do not think for themselves, lack [[critical thinking]] skills and have been politically indoctrinated.

The [[NPC internet meme]] (derived from [[Non-Playable Character (NPC)]] in video gaming), is a politically [[right-wing]] internet [[meme]] that represents [[liberal]]s/[[leftism|leftists]] (like [[Social Justice Warrior|SJWs]]) who do not think for themselves, lack [[critical thinking]] skills and have been politically indoctrinated.

According to website The Verge:

According to the website The Verge:

{{Cquote|Last week, ''The [[New York Times]]'' published a piece about an insular 4chan meme that had started to bleed over into political [[Twitter]]. At the time, NPC — an acronym for the gaming term “non-playable character” — had been weaponized.. in an attempt to “own the libs” by calling them automatons, but it was still a relatively niche meme very few outlets had touched.

{{Cquote|Last week, ''The [[New York Times]]'' published a piece about an insular 4chan meme that had started to bleed over into political [[Twitter]]. At the time, NPC — an acronym for the gaming term “non-playable character” — had been weaponized.. in an attempt to “own the libs” by calling them automatons, but it was still a relatively niche meme very few outlets had touched.

'''5.''' [[Right-wing]]ers are [https://www.axios.com/2021/12/06/conservative-social-media-crypto-publishing-internet aggressively building their own ecosystem].

'''5.''' [[Right-wing]]ers are [https://www.axios.com/2021/12/06/conservative-social-media-crypto-publishing-internet aggressively building their own ecosystem].

'''6.''' A right-wing populist programme normally encompasses factors such as economic protectionism/problems and anti-imigration/anti-illegal immigration sentiments and these factors are rising in some countries.

'''6.''' A right-wing populist program normally encompasses factors such as economic protectionism/problems and anti-immigration/anti-illegal immigration sentiments and these factors are rising in some countries.

'''7.''' European right-wing political figures ([[Marine Le Pen]], [[Viktor Orbán]], Andrej Duda, etc.) are using the European Union corruption scandal as a political weapon and inciting anti-EU sentiment ahead of the 2024 European Parliament elections which is giving a bounce to right-wingers.

'''7.''' European right-wing political figures ([[Marine Le Pen]], [[Viktor Orbán]], Andrej Duda, etc.) are using the European Union corruption scandal as a political weapon and inciting anti-EU sentiment ahead of the 2024 European Parliament elections which is giving a bounce to right-wingers.

Microsoft Flight Simulator is another example of a video game that may have some slight educational value.<ref>https://www.microsoft.com/Products/Games/FSInsider/product/Pages/InfoEducators.aspx</ref>

Microsoft Flight Simulator is another example of a video game that may have some slight educational value.<ref>https://www.microsoft.com/Products/Games/FSInsider/product/Pages/InfoEducators.aspx</ref>

Some games are also created specifically as teaching tools.  While they may not offer detailed, useful knowledge, they typically attempt at least to teach useful concepts or general information.  An example of these is the now-dated game, Oregon Trail.

Some games are also created specifically as teaching tools.  While they may not offer detailed, useful knowledge, they typically attempt at least to teach useful concepts or general information.  An example of this is the now-dated game, Oregon Trail.

== Faith in video games ==

== Faith in video games ==

[[Faith]] in video games has, as a rule, either led to the creation of new and dynamic antagonists, or video games that are mediocre, such as ''[[Spiritual Warfare]]'' and ''[[Bible Adventures]]'' for the Nintendo Entertainment System, or ''[[The Bible Game]]'' for various systems. ''Bible Adventures'' in particular is infamous for its poor design and playability.

[[Faith]] in video games has, as a rule, either led to the creation of new and dynamic antagonists, or video games that are mediocre, such as ''[[Spiritual Warfare]]'' and ''[[Bible Adventures]]'' for the Nintendo Entertainment System, or ''[[The Bible Game]]'' for various systems. ''Bible Adventures'' in particular is infamous for its poor design and playability.

The Bible, or other such religious texts, tell a story spanning many different viewpoints. Turning these ideas into a video game, however, most often leads to games that tend to bore most video game audiences.

The Bible, or other such religious texts, tells a story spanning many different viewpoints. Turning these ideas into a video game, however, most often leads to games that tend to bore most video game audiences.

Religion has, however, taken a prominent place amongst the various heroes and villains in video games. The ''Breath of Fire'' series and the ''Shin Megami Tensei'' games, in particular, use a god as a main antagonist in many of its incarnations. Other games to use religion in some way include the ''Final Fantasy'' series, ''[[Left Behind: Eternal Forces]]'', ''Black and White'', ''Heaven and Hell'', ''Xenogears'', ''Okami'', and the ''Tales'' series, particularly ''Tales of Symphonia''. Unfortunately, many (not all) of the aforementioned games (And nearly any Role Playing game from East Asia) present religion (or it's respective church and followers) as evil, fake, or having ulterior and nefarious motives.  

Religion has, however, taken a prominent place amongst the various heroes and villains in video games. The ''Breath of Fire'' series and the ''Shin Megami Tensei'' games, in particular, use a god as a main antagonist in many of their incarnations. Other games to use religion in some way include the ''Final Fantasy'' series, ''[[Left Behind: Eternal Forces]]'', ''Black and White'', ''Heaven and Hell'', ''Xenogears'', ''Okami'', and the ''Tales'' series, particularly ''Tales of Symphonia''. Unfortunately, many (not all) of the aforementioned games (And nearly any Role-playing game from East Asia) present religion (or its respective church and followers) as evil, fake, or having ulterior and nefarious motives.  

Games may include a fictional religion as part of the setting if the use of a real religion may invite undesirable controversy.

Games may include a fictional religion as part of the setting if the use of a real religion may invite undesirable controversy.

=== Culturally Historical ===

=== Culturally Historical ===

*''[[Pong]]'' - the first real video game, resembling a two dimensional interpretation of table tennis using hand held dials as controllers.

*''[[Pong]]'' - the first real video game, resembling a two-dimensional interpretation of table tennis using hand held dials as controllers.

*''[[Pac-Man]]'' - An old maze game. It was very popular with kids and adults back in the eighties.

*''[[Pac-Man]]'' - An old maze game. It was very popular with kids and adults back in the eighties.

=== Platformer ===

=== Platformer ===

*''[[Donkey Kong]]'' - An early platform game in which [[Mario]] (then known as "Jumpman") tries to save his girlfriend Pauline from a barrel-flinging ape named Donkey Kong. Both Donkey Kong and Mario went on to star in many other successful video games.

*''[[Donkey Kong]]'' - An early platform game in which [[Mario]] (then known as "Jumpman") tries to save his girlfriend Pauline from a barrel-flinging ape named Donkey Kong. Both Donkey Kong and Mario went on to star in many other successful video games.

*''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'' - Side-scrolling platform game series by [[Nintendo]]. Players play as Mario and Luigi, two Italian plumber brothers, who explore the Mushroom Kingdom in order to rescue Princess Peach from the evil Bowser [called Koopa in Japan]. Possibly the most well known game in the world.

*''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'' - Side-scrolling platform game series by [[Nintendo]]. Players play as Mario and Luigi, two Italian plumber brothers, who explore the Mushroom Kingdom in order to rescue Princess Peach from the evil Bowser [called Koopa in Japan]. This is possibly the most well-known game in the world.

=== 2D Role-Play ===

=== 2D Role-Play ===

*''[[Final Fantasy]]'' - A very popular and long running [[RPG]] series in both the [[United States]] and [[Japan]]. Earlier games were rather child friendly, but the series has become more mature over time.

*''[[Final Fantasy]]'' - A very popular and long running [[RPG]] series in both the [[United States]] and [[Japan]]. Earlier games were rather child-friendly, but the series has become more mature over time.

*''[[The Legend of Zelda]]'' - A popular series of fantasy action-adventure games.

*''[[The Legend of Zelda]]'' - A popular series of fantasy action-adventure games.

=== Above & Below ===

=== Above & Below ===

*''[[Grand Theft Auto]]'' - A game series about gangster like characters who perform missions to rise to the top by killing, stealing, and other, sometimes violent, missions.

*''[[Grand Theft Auto]]'' - A game series about gangster-like characters who perform missions to rise to the top by killing, stealing, and other, sometimes violent, missions.

=== First Person Shooters (FPS) ===

=== First Person Shooters (FPS) ===

*''[[Call of Duty]]'' - A series of [[first person shooters]] in which a player is either a soldier in World War II or a soldier involved in the [[War on Terror]].

*''[[Call of Duty]]'' - A series of [[first person shooters]] in which a player is either a soldier in World War II or a soldier involved in the [[War on Terror]].

*''Half-Life'' and ''Half-Life 2'' - First Person Shooter series about Gordon Freeman, a luckless scientist turned hero-from-desperation. This game uses one of the leading physics engine in first person shooters, the Source engine.

*''Half-Life'' and ''Half-Life 2'' - First-Person Shooter series about Gordon Freeman, a luckless scientist turned hero-from-desperation. This game uses one of the leading physics engines in first-person shooters, the Source engine.

*''[[Halo]] - A trilogy of games following a super soldier during a fictional future [[war]].

*''[[Halo]] - A trilogy of games following a super soldier during a fictional future [[war]].

*''[[Medal of Honor]]'' - A first person shooter series usually taking place in the front lines of World War II.  

*''[[Medal of Honor]]'' - A first-person shooter series usually taking place in the front lines of World War II.  

*''[[Portal]]'' - A popular first person shooter/puzzle game using the same game engine as ''Half-Life 2'' involving inter-dimensional travel through portals in an abandon testing facility. This game is known for its deadpan sense of humor.

*''[[Portal]]'' - A popular first-person shooter/puzzle game using the same game engine as ''Half-Life 2'' involving inter-dimensional travel through portals in an abandoned testing facility. This game is known for its deadpan sense of humor.

=== Third Person Shooters ===

=== Third Person Shooters ===

=== Simulation ===

=== Simulation ===

*''[[Guitar Hero]]'' - A game where players play the role of the [[guitar]]ist in a band. Uses a special controller in the shape of and played similarly to a guitar.

*''[[Guitar Hero]]'' - A game where players play the role of the [[guitar]]ist in a band. Uses a special controller in the shape of and is played similarly to a guitar.

*''[[Harvest Moon]]'' - Farm life simulator, with many sequels spreading from various platforms. Character runs a farm, raises animals, and can eventually marry.  

*''[[Harvest Moon]]'' - Farm life simulator, with many sequels spreading from various platforms. The character runs a farm, raises animals, and can eventually marry.  

*''[[NHL]]'' series - A series of Hockey games produced by EA Sports.

*''[[NHL]]'' series - A series of Hockey games produced by EA Sports.

*''[[The Sims]]'' - A life simulator produced by EA.

*''[[The Sims]]'' - A life simulator produced by EA.