In the early days computers were created to solve mathematical problems and to govern programs to complete a certain task. But as time went on some software companies saw the potential in computers to act as an entertainment device. This is how computer games began.

Computers games were first developed in the universities by university students for mainframe computers. As time passed on and with the introduction of personal or home computers software companies saw the potential of creating computer games for home users. The trend of course quickly moved through like a bush fire. Computer games differ to video games in the following ways.

First the basic instrument we use to play a video game is a joystick. But in computers the user can use a joystick or the keyboard and the mouse to play games. The combination of the keyboard and mouse gives a much larger range of motion for the gamer. It was much easier for the user to control the play of the game because the user had the option of changing the control configuration to his or her liking. There are so many keys the user could use and the same control configuration could be used to play any type of game.

The other reason was it was very easy to upgrade a computer according to the required configuration of a game. As time goes on, the games become more advanced and complicated that it requires a high performing machine to run the game. This was quite easily done because the user had only to upgrade a couple of parts in the computer and then install and run the game. In a video game this is not possible. When manufacturers brings out a new version of the game then the user had to upgrade to the new version. This is more costly and less practical compared with computer upgrading.

The gaming experience is also totally different. Many people who prefer to play games on the computer will rarely play games on other gaming devices. Ones a gamer gets used to the controls and the gaming environment of a computer there is no going back. It is true that both forms of the game tend to be addictive, but in computers the addictive levels tend to go just beyond any other method of gaming. Software companies tend to release new patches and new extension packs to the internet. The gamers tend to surf the net, then download the relevant patch or extension pack and play the game. This is also a major advantage when playing computer games.

Another important difference between video games and computer games is that in the computer online gaming was possible. Computer gamers can go online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and login to a game server and play their favorite computer games.

These are some of the reasons why computer gaming was such a success in the gaming industry. It's true that computer games have come a long way since they were designed for mainframe computers, but it is also true that the journey of computer games have just barely begun.