The Advancement of Video Games: From the 1980s to Now

Presenter: Jenna Silva

Presenter Status: Undergraduate student

Academic Year: 20-21

Semester: Fall

Faculty Mentor: Michaela Grobbel

Department: Modern Languages & Literatures

Funding Source/Sponsor: SYRCE Symposium

Screenshot URL: https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1uSQsCmmIZuNp_yoviC6s9QXloHX6V0dg

Abstract:
Since the 1980s, the video game industry has grown substantially. Some of the most well-known companies created extraordinary products in the ‘80s that inspired…. . From Pac-Man in 1982 to Marvel’s Spider-man in 2020, we have come very far, and now we can play a video game feeling like we are in a whole new world. My research project explores the questions of how have the advancements in technology been made, and how have the games changed over time? It investigates the technical developments of video games from the 1980s to today. Through an interactive website, the viewer can see how companies took a lot of time to improve their products and focused on the games they believed would take off over the decades, and also learn about each advancement made. The development phases were marked by high and low points, and some people even hated the very concept of video games. Others were disturbed by the games’ graphic nature while others loved the idea of playing games to escape reality. The improvements made in video games made this possible, and companies realized the importance of taking their time to produce the best product they were able to create. There is a diversity in genres and types of video games now that allow us to test our creativity and make connections with people worldwide. The possibilities of what you can create, what missions you go on, and what kind of people you meet are endless when it comes to the technology we have of video games. Today there are many consoles that allow you to explore bigger online worlds and let your imagination run wild. 

My project: https://silvaresearchproject.weebly.com