Computer and video games were first presented in 1948 as a United States patent, with simple games such as OXO and Spacewar! produced for university mainframe computers relatively shortly afterwards. The late 60's and early 70's saw the introduction of the home video game console, handheld console and coin-operated arcade games, with games appearing for home computers in the late 70s and early 80s.
Since that time, video and computer games have continued to contribute to popular culture worldwide, with players now buying over £10 billion worth of games every year - nearly a billion of that in the UK alone.
In this section, we trace the history of the video and computer game, from their early beginnings on mainframe computers and arcade machines to their present form today, where console and home computer users can play online with thousands of people across the world. You'll also find a handy timeline guide, which shows the history of all the games at a glance.
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