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Gaming
From pixels to open worlds: a short history of video games
How gaming went from Pong to photorealistic open worlds — the eras, the leaps, and what comes next.
Few industries have moved as fast as video games. A whirlwind tour:
The early days
- 1970s — arcades and Pong turn "electronic games" into a phenomenon.
- 1980s — the home console era (and the crash, then Nintendo's revival).
Going 3D
- 1990s — polygons, CD-ROMs and franchises that still run today.
- 2000s — online multiplayer becomes the default; consoles go HD.
The modern era
- 2010s–now — vast open worlds, indie golden age, cloud gaming, and esports filling stadiums.
Gaming is now the biggest entertainment medium on earth — bigger than film and music combined — and AI-driven worlds are the next frontier.
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