Gaming

Gaming is a colloquial term that generally refers to the act of playing video games, or sometimes tabletop games. Those who enjoy gaming are often referred to as “gamers,” though many people who enjoy video games actively choose not to identify as such. Surveys indicate that around 65 percent of adults in the U.S. play video games in some form, which can mean on a dedicated console, on a personal computer, or on a mobile device like a smartphone or tablet. Gaming as we know it today has evolved greatly over time. Going back to the 1970s, it was largely done in arcades, but consoles like the Atari 2600 and Nintendo Entertainment System popularized home gaming throughout the 1980s, and it has remained popular to this day. PC gaming goes back to home computers in the 1980s such as the Commodore 64, but the advent of Windows in the 1990s and digital marketplaces like Steam in the early 2000s brought PC gaming to where it is now. Handheld gaming devices like the Game Boy made gaming portable in the early 1990s, but those have given way to smartphones, with the iOS and Android app stores full of incredibly popular and lucrative games. Some of the biggest companies in the gaming industry today include Nintendo, Sony, Microsoft, Electronic Arts, Valve, Activision, and many more.

More Gaming - Page 249

Gird your wallets, gamers: The Steam Winter Sale is now live

See how quickly you can spend all your holiday gift money.

12/22/2016

By Adam Rosenberg

You can finally play 'Pokémon Go' on an Apple Watch

One, last holiday surprise from 'Pokémon Go' and the team at Niantic.

12/22/2016

By Adam Rosenberg

Atari is here to help you relive your childhood dreams with 'Roller Coaster Tycoon Classic'

Christmas and Hanukkah came early.

12/22/2016

By Karissa Bell

'Counter-Strike' pros aren't happy with the new PEA league

Teams may be forced out of ESL Pro League.

12/22/2016

By Kellen Beck

The final 'Overwatch' developer update of 2016 looks at what's ahead

Isn't Jeff Kaplan the best?

12/22/2016

By Adam Rosenberg

6 turning points that were critical to the rise of esports

Esports veteran Chris Puckett explains how esports got to where it is today.

12/22/2016

By Matthew Kline

6 turning points that were critical to the rise of esports

6 turning points that were critical to the rise of esports

Nintendo has the most amazing holiday gift for 'Zelda' fans

This is a piece of history.

12/21/2016

By Adam Rosenberg

The best 'Mega Man' games ever are going mobile

But will you be able to play them?

12/21/2016

By Adam Rosenberg

The new 'Overwatch' comic is already banned in Russia because of its LGBTQ hero

Can't we just have one nice thing.

12/20/2016

By Kellen Beck

'Overwatch' reveals its first LGBTQ hero

Blizzard says it values the diversity of its audience -- now the game's narrative more explicitly reflects that.

12/20/2016

By Kellen Beck

How Ubisoft made 'Assassin's Creed' with fans in mind, first

The Ubisoft Motion Pictures division finally tests the Hollywood waters in its new 'Assassin's Creed' movie.

12/20/2016

By Adam Rosenberg

'Street Fighter V' kicks off Season 2 with updates and holiday skins

Tons of new changes are here for 'Street Fighter V.'

12/20/2016

By Kellen Beck

Take a peek at the first 'Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare' map pack, Sabotage

Four maps and a Zombies adventure, same as it ever was.

12/20/2016

By Adam Rosenberg

Take a peek at the first 'Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare' map pack, Sabotage

Take a peek at the first 'Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare' map pack, Sabotage

'The Walking Dead: Season 3' premiere review: It's a family affair

Telltale Games two-part season premiere once again finds human stories in the wake of a zombie apocalypse.

12/20/2016

By Adam Rosenberg

Best esports plays of the week: : 1 shot, 2 kills from 'CS:GO' pro

Amazing plays in 'CS:GO,' 'Call of Duty' and 'Overwatch.'

12/20/2016

By Kellen Beck

Here's a comprehensive breakdown of the 16 'CS:GO' teams in the ELeague Major

Breaking down the teams in the first 'CS:GO' Major of 2017.

12/19/2016

By Kellen Beck

This beautiful genius got a Game Boy Color to run 'Wolfenstein 3D'

You've never seen 'Wolfenstein' like this before.

12/19/2016

By Adam Rosenberg

How esports players face the challenges of a changing game

Developer-driven rule changes and constant game updates are a challenge unique to competitive gaming.

12/19/2016

By Matthew Kline

How esports players face the challenges of a changing game

How esports players face the challenges of a changing game

How game updates can change the esports landscape

Esports pros need to constantly adapt to game changes, while developers face an interesting dilemma.

12/19/2016

By Matthew Kline

How game updates can change the esports landscape

How game updates can change the esports landscape

These augmented reality robots will turn your living room into a battlefield

Forget about Pokémon Go.

12/19/2016

By Nikolay Nikolov

These augmented reality robots will turn your living room into a battlefield

These augmented reality robots will turn your living room into a battlefield

Merry Christmas, from hell: Santa army fights penguin empire in epic virtual war

Braveheart at the North Pole.

12/18/2016

By Adario Strange

Merry Christmas, from hell: Santa army fights penguin empire in epic virtual war

Merry Christmas, from hell: Santa army fights penguin empire in epic virtual war

The best tech of 2016

Here are Mashable's picks for the top tech products of the year.

12/17/2016

By Raymond Wong

The best tech of 2016

The best tech of 2016

Disney and MLB purchase streaming rights for 'League of Legends'

Media titans are getting interested in esports.

12/16/2016

By Kellen Beck

'Overwatch,' 'CS:GO' and everything you need to watch in esports this weekend

This weekend includes tournaments in 'Overwatch', 'CS:GO' and 'Call of Duty.'

12/16/2016

By Kellen Beck

The 10 best esports moments of 2016

An amazing year for esports.

12/16/2016

By Kellen Beck and Alena Alambeigi