video games
Interactive screen play
Video games are electronic games played on screens, where players interact through controllers, keyboards, touchscreens, or motion sensors.
The term encompasses everything from simple mobile puzzles to sprawling narrative adventures and competitive multiplayer experiences.
Video games have become a dominant entertainment medium, rivaling film and music in cultural influence and economic scale.
I've been playing video games since I was a kid.
The singular form video game functions as both noun and attributive: the video game industry.
Device directing a system
- multiplayerInvolving multiple participants
- co-opMember-owned organization
- gameplayInteractive elements of gaming
- joystickTilting lever for control
keyboard · mouse · touchscreen · haptic feedback · split-screen · online · matchmaking · respawn
Enclosed storage furniture
- coin-opRequires inserted currency
- quartersAssigned living accommodations
- joystickTilting lever for control
- highscoreTop recorded result
pinball · asteroids · centipede · tetris · pong · shoot 'em up · beat 'em up · claw machine
Leap-based video game
- rpgInteractive storytelling format
- shooterOne who fires weapons
- puzzleChallenge testing ingenuity
- adventureRisky exciting undertaking
sandbox · fighting · racing · horror · stealth · roguelike · survival · battle royale
Visual design elements
- engineMachine producing motion
- renderingInterpretive depiction or performance
- virtual realityComputer-created interactive environment
- augmented realityVirtual elements on real surroundings
frame rate · resolution · ray tracing · physics engine · procedural generation · motion capture · load times · optimization
Professional video game competitions
- twitchInvoluntary muscular jerk
- streamingReal-time digital delivery
- speedrunOptimized rapid game completion
- let's playInvitation to a game
cosplay · conventions · tournaments · content creator · walkthrough · fan art · launch day · preorder
Narrative-driven gameplay option
- cutsceneNon-interactive game sequence
- protagonistStory's central figure
- dialogueSpoken exchange between parties
- questSeeking journey for something
worldbuilding · lore · characters · plot twist · endings · backstory · companion · voice acting
Assigned relative position
- leaderboardRanked list of competitors
- tournamentMulti-round competitive event
- esportsProfessional video game competitions
- matchmakingArranging romantic connections
champion · team deathmatch · arena · competitive · ladder · season pass · meta · tier list
Virtual piloting software
- racing simMotorsport video game genre
- city builderUrban development simulation genre
- farming simCrop-growing video game genre
- life simGenre simulating daily existence
management · sports sim · construction · tycoon · sandbox · career mode
controller
Device directing a system
- multiplayerInvolving multiple participants
- co-opMember-owned organization
- gameplayInteractive elements of gaming
joystick · keyboard · mouse · touchscreen · haptic feedback · split-screen · online · matchmaking · respawn · power-up
cabinet
Enclosed storage furniture
- coin-opRequires inserted currency
- quartersAssigned living accommodations
- joystickTilting lever for control
highscore · pinball · asteroids · centipede · tetris · pong · shoot 'em up · beat 'em up · claw machine · ticket redemption
platformer
Leap-based video game
adventure · sandbox · fighting · racing · horror · stealth · roguelike · survival · battle royale · fps
graphics
Visual design elements
- engineMachine producing motion
- renderingInterpretive depiction or performance
- virtual realityComputer-created interactive environment
augmented reality · frame rate · resolution · ray tracing · physics engine · procedural generation · motion capture · load times · optimization · cross-platform
esports
Professional video game competitions
- twitchInvoluntary muscular jerk
- streamingReal-time digital delivery
- speedrunOptimized rapid game completion
let's play · cosplay · conventions · tournaments · content creator · walkthrough · fan art · launch day · preorder · collector's edition
story mode
Narrative-driven gameplay option
- cutsceneNon-interactive game sequence
- protagonistStory's central figure
- dialogueSpoken exchange between parties
quest · worldbuilding · lore · characters · plot twist · endings · backstory · companion · voice acting · branching paths
ranked
Assigned relative position
- leaderboardRanked list of competitors
- tournamentMulti-round competitive event
- esportsProfessional video game competitions
matchmaking · champion · team deathmatch · arena · competitive · ladder · season pass · meta · tier list · scrimmage
flight sim
Virtual piloting software
- racing simMotorsport video game genre
- city builderUrban development simulation genre
- farming simCrop-growing video game genre
life sim · management · sports sim · construction · tycoon · sandbox · career mode
- Digital Entertainmentstreaming services, music streaming, live streaming, Netflix, Spotify
- entertainmentmovie, movies, films, band, television
- funamusement, entertainment, excitement, joy, merriment
- gamesboard game, card game, chess, puzzle game, party game
- gamingbuff, PlayStation 4, gameplay, PlayStation 5, e-sports
- hobbiesknitting circles, skateboarding, model trains, write, writing
video gamesboard games
Structured tabletop play
card games · tabletop games · outdoor games · parlor games · lawn games
video gamesphysical exercise
Intentional bodily activity for fitness
sports · hiking · gardening · crafts · outdoor recreation
video gamesliterature
Body of written works
reading · classical music · fine art · high culture · education