While getting lost in the moment of the latest RPG, it is easy to forget just how far the evolution of video games has come. Pong, often touted as the birth of video gaming, was unleashed on the world in the 1970s.

It didn’t just appear overnight, of course. It was built on research and development that had gone before. Looking back now at the basic, monochromatic shapes of Pong, it seems almost inconceivable that it was something so pioneering.

Even looking back over just the last 20 years, the evolution of the gaming industry, from style of games to graphics, chips and competition, has taken things forward in massive bounds. The last two decades of development have been at light speed compared to the progress of the previous 30 years.

Platforms

The production of cartridge-based home consoles started in the late 1970s, with Atari being one of the main pioneers. However, the development of home computers was starting to ramp up around the same time.

We still see duels happening between PC and console gaming. The advocates of PC gaming will point to the much more powerful hardware and upgrades that can be configured for a smoother, quicker experience with higher-quality graphics.

But that comes at a cost, as PCs are more expensive than consoles. Even though the latest console releases can set someone back several hundred dollars, they’re a lot cheaper than dedicated gaming PCs.

Consoles still provide an adequate gaming experience, just in a more standardized, mass-produced way. However, players at least have a choice.

Online gaming

Online gaming has been one of the most revolutionary aspects of game design in the last 20 years. The development of MMORPG and MOBA titles meant that players no longer had to work their way through levels of games as dictated by computer opponents.

With internet connections getting quicker (another vital cog in the development of better games), stepping into competition against players from around the world was game-changing.

After the turn of the century, titles such as DOTA and World of Warcraft started pushing this genre of gaming. Multi-player platforms are one of the main go-to areas of gaming, with players thriving as they go head-to-head with human opponents in a virtual world.

But vast developments have also been seen in the world of online casino gaming, with slot machine titles such as Starburst becoming as well-known as roulette, blackjack and poker. Online streaming of games has proved revolutionary.

Social interaction

Natural evolution has brought another major new aspect of gaming life forward – social interaction. Social gaming was unheard of back at the turn of the century. You may have held the same game titles as your friends and boasted about how much further you had got than them.

But you would still be stuck playing a ground-breaking title like Tomb Raider by yourself. Most gaming is now social, either through chat, leaderboards or conference calls. The link-up of real-world players in the same game, joining the same team in a combat game or sitting at the same virtual blackjack table, has added several layers of social interaction.

Another prime example of this area’s growth is seen on platforms like Twitch, where fans tune in to watch their favorite gamers play live. In addition, YouTube channels are stocked with gaming tips, insights and tests.

Mobile gaming

Arguably one of the newest gaming platforms has been smartphones. Games ranging from puzzlers to match-three, card games and major gaming franchise titles have all found a new platform in the last decade.

It has been one of the biggest growth areas of gaming. Nearly everyone has a phone on them, and that provides immediate, convenient access to gaming, wherever you are. This has helped developers change their financial approach –it’s now common to launch free titles and build revenue from in-game purchases.

Game developers have had to shift to these app-based titles, but the mobile gaming industry is reported to be at around $1.5bn per annum and growing.

Purchasing power

Back in the day, you had no option but to go to a specialized store, find a cassette, cartridge or CD, and purchase a physical copy. That took time, as did the loading of the games back at home.

Now, the purchase of games can be done in the blink of an eye, directly from the console or PC that you are using. Developers have been able to make their titles available at the click of a button.

With a high-speed internet download, players can not only access the base game but easily load up on updates and add-ons to expand the gaming experience.

Graphics

The upgrade in graphics in the last 20 years has been the most noticeable advancement of all. It’s what most users will notice first and foremost about any game. From the 16-bit era of the 1980s to the 32-bit and 64-bit run from the 90s, there has been a constant endeavor for graphics improvements.

Major modern card advancements with the likes of AMD Radeon or Nvidia GeForce GTX help drive 4k resolution graphics, and the quality that Unreal Engine is producing is nothing short of astonishing.

Changing demographics

Gaming is an industry – a massive one. But what’s overlooked sometimes in the evolution of game design is just how much the demographics have changed over the years. Gaming is no longer seen as the bedroom enthusiast’s secret world – it’s open, engaging and more socially accepted than ever.

Who would have envisaged 20 years ago that video gaming could turn professional? The gaming world has become so broad that it touches everyone, whether it’s casual gaming, casinos, RPG, open-world explorers or sports. It’s fully integrated with modern life, even in the development of casual games that are specifically designed to relax instead of excite.

Nurturing nostalgia

But coming back full circle, there is one fascinating aspect of this – the heritage and the journey that video gaming has undertaken. That’s why vintage games are coveted items, and old consoles are collector’s items that gamers are proud to own.

As we race into the future, it’s nice to stop and appreciate where we came from. Leading technology companies all want a piece of this gaming pie and that is only going to drive bigger, better game development in the next 20 years.

Title reboots and series of games keep being rolled out. It’s common to see movies based on popular video games, and as the push to VR continues to gather pace, the evolution is limitless.