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...Long story short
Video games, emerging from simple experiments in the 1950s, have evolved into a major cultural force, deeply influencing modern pop culture. From early arcade hits like "Pong" to today’s expansive virtual worlds, video games have not only shaped entertainment but also created diverse career opportunities in design, programming, and media. This growth has embedded video gaming into the fabric of contemporary society, making it a pivotal element of both artistic expression and economic innovation.
The many milestones.
The video game industry has been a cornerstone of entertainment for decades. Here are a few key milestones that have shaped and advanced the industry into what it is today:
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1972: "Pong" - As one of the first commercially successful arcade games, "Pong" by Atari helped establish video gaming as a mainstream entertainment medium and set the stage for the arcade boom.
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1983: The Video Game Crash - A major industry downturn caused by market saturation and poor-quality games led to a temporary collapse, but also paved the way for revitalization and innovation.
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1985: The Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) - With its release, Nintendo revitalized the gaming industry post-crash and introduced a new era of home gaming, setting standards for game design and marketing.
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1991: "Sonic the Hedgehog" - Sega's introduction of Sonic helped to establish the mascot-driven branding strategy and intensified the "console wars" with Nintendo, driving innovation and competition in the industry.
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2004: The Rise of eSports - The formalization and commercialization of competitive gaming began to transform video gaming into a serious professional career and spectator sport.
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2010: The Launch of "Minecraft" - Its success highlighted the potential of user-generated content and sandbox gameplay, influencing countless other games and becoming a cultural phenomenon.
Success as entertainment
50 Years of Video Game Industry Revenues
Over the last decade, the video game indsutry has proven it is far more than just a passing trend; it's a resilient and evolving sector poised to entertain us for many years with its immersive storytelling and stunning graphics.
Success in Aotearoa
Game Design or Game Development?
Game Design; Learning game design opens up diverse job opportunities, including roles in game development, animation, storytelling, user experience design, and project management, across various sectors such as entertainment, technology, and education.
Game Development; Studying game development opens up a range of job opportunities, including positions as game programmers, designers, artists, sound engineers, and producers, enabling careers in both large studios and independent development teams across the entertainment and technology industries.
Studio/s to look out for!
Based in Wellington, Synty Studios is renowned for creating high-quality 3D asset packs for game developers.
Based in Wellington, Weta Workshop is celebrated globally for its groundbreaking work in film special effects and creature design.
Based in Wellington, Dinosaur Polo Club is known for its popular and critically acclaimed game "Mini Metro."
Based in Auckland, Grinding Gear Games is acclaimed for its successful action RPG, "Path of Exile."
