A '''video game''' is an electronic game, which is played on a device such as a [[computer]] or console. Many video games, especially more professional ones are generally designed to be [[addiction|addictive]], as this helps to build and maintain a profitable user base, and sell the product to those who may try it. Board games such as [[chess]] have also been made into video games. Video games provide the user with audio and visual feedback when the game is played. Today, they are often played with others, either in-person or over the [[Internet]].
It Often, video games bring people together and create spaces for positive social interaction.<ref>https://www.jcfs.org/response/blog/video-games-are-social-spaces-how-video-games-help-people-connect</ref> However, on the other hand, it should also be mentioned that some violent video games are particularly addictive and harmful for teenage boys and young men. Often the more violent a <ref>https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/video-game is, the better it sells-addiction</ref><ref>https://americanaddictioncenters. Many of the [[young mass murderers]] have been linked to addictions to violent video games, and org/video -gaming-addiction</ref> Video games are also sometimes associated with dropping out of school, obesity, and other bad effects.{{citation needed}} <ref>https://www.wsj.com/articles/when-all-night-gaming-results-in-dropping-out-of-college-11566898208</ref> The video game industry is criticized for exploiting its workers, too.{{citation needed}} On the other hand, video games bring people together and create spaces for positive social interaction.<ref>httpshttp://www.jcfscarillonregina.orgcom/response/blog/videolabour-gamesexploitation-arerampant-social-spaces-howin-video-gamesgame-help-people-connectindustry/</ref>
At least one study showed that "young men are playing video games instead of getting jobs," as reported by the ''Chicago Tribune''.<ref>https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-video-games-jobs-emploment-20160923-story.html</ref>
Replacing a habit of playing violent video games with a hobby of playing the more mentally challenging game of [[chess]], which millions of competitors are playing online daily, is a great way to break the harmful video game [[addiction]].
The video game industry itself also receives significant government support; in Quebec, all large video game projects can receive tax credits up to 37%, which they are loath to give up, increasing either public debt or taxes for everyone else. <ref>https://www.montrealinternational.com/app/uploads/2019/02/industry_profile_videogame_2019-1.pdf</ref>
== Nature of video games ==
Video games vary greatly in type and complexity, but all games are alike in that they translate player input (from a controller, mouse, keyboard or motion sensor) into onscreen actions. Games are often stored on some sort of digital media - ROM cartridge, [[CD]], [[DVD]], flash memory chip, or even cassette tape for early computer games. Older or less expensive games sometimes used dedicated chips which were pre-programmed to play certain games only. In recent years, game developers have moved to digital distribution, allowing customers to purchase game licenses online, and download over the internet. On PCs, this is often done through marketplaces such as Valve corporation's Steam service, or Electronic Arts' Origin service, while the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 have their own digital distribution services.