Anthony Wen

Evolution of Arcade Games: Though Improvements Were Being Made, Technological Constraints Built a Base of Creativity

Started June 20, 2025

Abstract or project description

Games have always been an option for socialising, and people entertain themselves by playing all kinds of games, such as arcade games, shooter games, role-playing games, and even board games. In this paper, we will dive into the evolution of game design from the 1960s all the way to the modern 2010s. We will be looking at arcade games, particularly, and examining how games changed mechanically, stylistically, and interactively under the influence of technological factors. The evolution of arcade games reveals that technological limitations and technological advancements both played a role in shaping the growth of the industry itself, when the influence of constraints is often overlooked.