Excerpt
Introduction: Press Start!
Before video games had colorful characters, deep storylines, or even a single pixel, people were already coming up with ways to play. But what exactly is a video game? Is it just something on a screen that reacts when you press buttons? Or is there more to it?
At its core, a video game is something that lets you do something. That might sound silly, but think about it. A book tells you a story. A movie shows you a story. But a video game lets you be part of the story. Whether you’re jumping across lava pits, solving puzzles, flying spaceships, or running a zoo full of unicorns, a game lets you be in control.
But not every game is about winning. Some games don’t even have scores or endings. They might just let you explore a world, build something amazing, or make choices to see what happens next. That’s what makes video games different from toys or TV shows. They don’t just entertain you—they respond to you. You press something, the game reacts. You mess up, the game notices. You get better, and the game gets harder. It’s like a living puzzle that changes based on what you do.
Video games can look like a lot of things. They might be a maze made of bright lights. They might be a farm where you grow carrots and raise cows. They might be a rhythm game where you tap to the beat. But no matter what they look like, every game has one thing in common: rules.
Even the weirdest games have some kind of rule. Maybe you can only move forward. Maybe you can’t touch walls. Maybe you need to collect three keys to open a door. Rules are what make a game a game. Without them, you’d just be tapping buttons and watching random stuff happen. Rules turn that chaos into a challenge.
And speaking of challenges—games aren’t just about winning, they’re about trying. You’ll fail a lot in games. Everyone does. Whether you're losing all your lives to a bunch of angry mushrooms or getting stuck on a puzzle with too many moving parts, failure is part of the fun. And weirdly, it’s what makes games feel good when you finally succeed.
Think about a game you’ve played before. Was it fun because it was easy, or was it fun because you had to figure it out? That’s one of the cool things about video games—they reward problem-solving, quick thinking, and not giving up.
Now, where do these games live? Sometimes it’s on a game console that plugs into a TV. Other times, it’s on a computer, a phone, a tablet, or even a tiny handheld with just a few buttons and a black-and-white screen. The place doesn’t really matter. What matters is the experience—the way the game makes you feel when you’re in the middle of it.
Some games make you laugh. Others might scare you a little (but in a fun way). Some are relaxing, like a quiet walk in the woods. Others make your heart race, like you're in a racecar or a boss battle. There are even games where you barely do anything at all—you just watch and make a few choices and see where the story goes. But they’re still games, because you’re still part of what’s happening.
There’s another cool thing about video games: they’re kind of like a secret code. Behind every character and every action is a set of instructions written by people—called game developers—who tell the computer what to do. Press left, and the character moves. Press jump, and they leap. Developers use something called programming to build all this. They have to think through everything that might happen and make sure the game reacts the right way. That’s part science, part storytelling, and part magic.
And even though some games look simple, there’s often a lot going on behind the scenes. Even something as basic as a bouncing ball in a game has to follow invisible rules—gravity, speed, direction, walls that bounce it back. Someone had to build that ball and tell it exactly how to act. Someone else probably had to design the level, test the game, and make sure it worked without crashing into a big mess of glitches.
Sometimes, the simplest-looking games end up being the most fun. Take a game where you just tap to make a bird fly between pipes. It doesn’t sound like much—but it’s challenging, it’s quick, and it makes you want to keep trying. That’s another thing about video games: they don’t need to be fancy to be addictive. They just need to hook your brain and keep you coming back.
And here's something that surprises a lot of people: video games can also tell really deep, powerful stories. There are games where you make choices that affect the ending. Games where you learn what it’s like to be someone else. Games that explore feelings like sadness, bravery, or friendship. Not every game is about smashing blocks or chasing coins. Some are like interactive books or movies—but again, you’re the one making the story move forward.
Games don’t have to be loud or fast to be interesting. Some are quiet and slow. Some let you walk through beautiful worlds, noticing small details and learning as you go. There are even games that are used in schools to teach math, history, and science—because they make learning active instead of boring.
Why kids (and adults!) love games
There’s something about games that makes people light up. Watch a group of kids huddled around a tablet, passing it back and forth, cheering and groaning at every move. Watch an adult sit down at a console after work, eyes focused, fingers moving fast. It doesn’t really matter how old you are—games have a special pull. But what is it, exactly, that makes them so fun?
One reason is challenge. Not the kind that makes you feel overwhelmed or frustrated, but the kind that dares you to try again. Whether you're leaping over lava, racing a clock, or trying to line up the perfect combo, your brain likes to be tested. There’s a little spark of excitement every time you almost get it. And when you do get it? That rush—that feeling of “Yes! I did it!”—is one of the best things ever. It doesn’t matter if you’re playing your first level or your hundredth. That feeling never gets old.
Another reason is control. In a video game, you’re in charge. You get to decide what to do, where to go, and how to solve a problem. That’s a big deal. In the real world, there are rules and chores and things you have to do. But in a game? You get to be the hero. You can change the world, or save it. You can build something from nothing, or destroy something with a single swipe. That power—without any real danger—is pretty fun.
Games also make people curious. What’s behind that door? What happens if I jump off this cliff? What does that button do? Good games make you want to find out. They give you a puzzle, a mystery, or a twist, and let you explore until you figure it out. That feeling—when you go from “huh?” to “ohhh!”—is kind of addictive. It’s like scratching an itch in your brain.
There’s also something about progress that feels great. Think about it: in games, you level up, unlock new skills, earn coins, or get badges. You can see yourself improving. You remember how stuck you were at the beginning? Now you’re flying past that part. It’s proof that you’re getting better, and it feels awesome. Even when the game gets harder, it’s okay, because you’re ready for it. You’ve put in the work. You’ve learned. That’s something people like feeling—capable, skilled, and proud.
But games aren’t just about beating levels or collecting stuff. They’re also about stories. Some games have incredible worlds full of strange creatures and deep secrets. Some have characters who feel like real friends—or real enemies. Games let you live out adventures you can’t have in real life. Want to be a pirate? An astronaut? A talking fox who fights evil robots? No problem. There’s a game for that.
And not every story is loud or wild. Some are quiet, even emotional. There are games that deal with friendship, loneliness, or tough choices. You don’t just watch the story happen—you make it happen. That’s different from reading a book or watching a movie. It sticks with you in a different way.
One more reason people love games? They’re social. That might sound weird if you’re playing alone, but games bring people together in a lot of ways. You might be sitting next to a friend, passing the controller back and forth. Or maybe you’re online with a team, using headsets to talk while battling zombies. Or maybe you and your sibling take turns, shouting advice—or teasing each other a little. Games give people something to share. Something to talk about. Something to laugh at.
Even watching someone else play can be fun. Think about it—have you ever leaned over a friend’s shoulder to see how they’re doing? Or watched a streamer pull off some crazy move you didn’t think was possible? It’s exciting, even when you’re not the one holding the controller.
Of course, not every game is fun for every person. Some people love fast-paced shooters. Others prefer calm puzzle games. Some kids are into building, some into racing, and some just want to make their character wear the goofiest outfit possible. That’s the cool part—there’s something for every kind of player.
And let’s be honest: games can just be plain silly. A goat that skateboards? A banana that talks? A blob that eats everything? Total nonsense—and totally fun. Sometimes people just want to laugh. Games are good at that, too.
There’s also this little thing called “flow.” It’s that feeling when you’re so focused on something that time flies. You’re not thinking about anything else. You’re just in it. A lot of people get that feeling when they play games. It’s calming and exciting at the same time. It helps your brain feel busy, but not stressed.
Adults love that feeling too. Even grown-ups like to escape the real world for a little while, especially when that world is full of traffic, bills, or meetings. A game can be a short vacation without ever leaving your chair. Whether it’s a puzzle game during lunch break or a long adventure after work, adults find fun and relief in games the same way kids do.
Games can also help people feel connected. If your best friend moves away, you might not see them much—but you can still play together online. If you’re feeling left out at school, games might be where you find people who get you. Even if you’re just playing a solo game, you’re part of something bigger. You’re joining millions of people around the world who are trying the same levels, figuring out the same puzzles, and having the same kind of fun.
And here’s something you might not expect: games can actually teach you things. Not in a boring way—with pop quizzes and long readings—but by making you do the thing. You might learn about strategy by playing chess-style games. You might learn about money by running a virtual store. You might learn patience by failing a level twenty times before you pass it. Even the silliest games teach something, like timing, coordination, or problem-solving.
But even with all those reasons—challenge, control, curiosity, progress, story, connection—the real reason people love games might be simpler than all of that. They’re fun. And fun matters. Fun helps people relax, feel good, and even grow. That’s not just for kids. That’s for everyone.
No one outgrows the feeling of a win after a tough level. No one gets tired of solving a clever puzzle. And whether you’re a seven-year-old learning how to use a joystick or a seventy-year-old tapping away on a tablet, the joy of a good game feels the same.
Before video games had colorful characters, deep storylines, or even a single pixel, people were already coming up with ways to play. But what exactly is a video game? Is it just something on a screen that reacts when you press buttons? Or is there more to it?
At its core, a video game is something that lets you do something. That might sound silly, but think about it. A book tells you a story. A movie shows you a story. But a video game lets you be part of the story. Whether you’re jumping across lava pits, solving puzzles, flying spaceships, or running a zoo full of unicorns, a game lets you be in control.
But not every game is about winning. Some games don’t even have scores or endings. They might just let you explore a world, build something amazing, or make choices to see what happens next. That’s what makes video games different from toys or TV shows. They don’t just entertain you—they respond to you. You press something, the game reacts. You mess up, the game notices. You get better, and the game gets harder. It’s like a living puzzle that changes based on what you do.
Video games can look like a lot of things. They might be a maze made of bright lights. They might be a farm where you grow carrots and raise cows. They might be a rhythm game where you tap to the beat. But no matter what they look like, every game has one thing in common: rules.
Even the weirdest games have some kind of rule. Maybe you can only move forward. Maybe you can’t touch walls. Maybe you need to collect three keys to open a door. Rules are what make a game a game. Without them, you’d just be tapping buttons and watching random stuff happen. Rules turn that chaos into a challenge.
And speaking of challenges—games aren’t just about winning, they’re about trying. You’ll fail a lot in games. Everyone does. Whether you're losing all your lives to a bunch of angry mushrooms or getting stuck on a puzzle with too many moving parts, failure is part of the fun. And weirdly, it’s what makes games feel good when you finally succeed.
Think about a game you’ve played before. Was it fun because it was easy, or was it fun because you had to figure it out? That’s one of the cool things about video games—they reward problem-solving, quick thinking, and not giving up.
Now, where do these games live? Sometimes it’s on a game console that plugs into a TV. Other times, it’s on a computer, a phone, a tablet, or even a tiny handheld with just a few buttons and a black-and-white screen. The place doesn’t really matter. What matters is the experience—the way the game makes you feel when you’re in the middle of it.
Some games make you laugh. Others might scare you a little (but in a fun way). Some are relaxing, like a quiet walk in the woods. Others make your heart race, like you're in a racecar or a boss battle. There are even games where you barely do anything at all—you just watch and make a few choices and see where the story goes. But they’re still games, because you’re still part of what’s happening.
There’s another cool thing about video games: they’re kind of like a secret code. Behind every character and every action is a set of instructions written by people—called game developers—who tell the computer what to do. Press left, and the character moves. Press jump, and they leap. Developers use something called programming to build all this. They have to think through everything that might happen and make sure the game reacts the right way. That’s part science, part storytelling, and part magic.
And even though some games look simple, there’s often a lot going on behind the scenes. Even something as basic as a bouncing ball in a game has to follow invisible rules—gravity, speed, direction, walls that bounce it back. Someone had to build that ball and tell it exactly how to act. Someone else probably had to design the level, test the game, and make sure it worked without crashing into a big mess of glitches.
Sometimes, the simplest-looking games end up being the most fun. Take a game where you just tap to make a bird fly between pipes. It doesn’t sound like much—but it’s challenging, it’s quick, and it makes you want to keep trying. That’s another thing about video games: they don’t need to be fancy to be addictive. They just need to hook your brain and keep you coming back.
And here's something that surprises a lot of people: video games can also tell really deep, powerful stories. There are games where you make choices that affect the ending. Games where you learn what it’s like to be someone else. Games that explore feelings like sadness, bravery, or friendship. Not every game is about smashing blocks or chasing coins. Some are like interactive books or movies—but again, you’re the one making the story move forward.
Games don’t have to be loud or fast to be interesting. Some are quiet and slow. Some let you walk through beautiful worlds, noticing small details and learning as you go. There are even games that are used in schools to teach math, history, and science—because they make learning active instead of boring.
Why kids (and adults!) love games
There’s something about games that makes people light up. Watch a group of kids huddled around a tablet, passing it back and forth, cheering and groaning at every move. Watch an adult sit down at a console after work, eyes focused, fingers moving fast. It doesn’t really matter how old you are—games have a special pull. But what is it, exactly, that makes them so fun?
One reason is challenge. Not the kind that makes you feel overwhelmed or frustrated, but the kind that dares you to try again. Whether you're leaping over lava, racing a clock, or trying to line up the perfect combo, your brain likes to be tested. There’s a little spark of excitement every time you almost get it. And when you do get it? That rush—that feeling of “Yes! I did it!”—is one of the best things ever. It doesn’t matter if you’re playing your first level or your hundredth. That feeling never gets old.
Another reason is control. In a video game, you’re in charge. You get to decide what to do, where to go, and how to solve a problem. That’s a big deal. In the real world, there are rules and chores and things you have to do. But in a game? You get to be the hero. You can change the world, or save it. You can build something from nothing, or destroy something with a single swipe. That power—without any real danger—is pretty fun.
Games also make people curious. What’s behind that door? What happens if I jump off this cliff? What does that button do? Good games make you want to find out. They give you a puzzle, a mystery, or a twist, and let you explore until you figure it out. That feeling—when you go from “huh?” to “ohhh!”—is kind of addictive. It’s like scratching an itch in your brain.
There’s also something about progress that feels great. Think about it: in games, you level up, unlock new skills, earn coins, or get badges. You can see yourself improving. You remember how stuck you were at the beginning? Now you’re flying past that part. It’s proof that you’re getting better, and it feels awesome. Even when the game gets harder, it’s okay, because you’re ready for it. You’ve put in the work. You’ve learned. That’s something people like feeling—capable, skilled, and proud.
But games aren’t just about beating levels or collecting stuff. They’re also about stories. Some games have incredible worlds full of strange creatures and deep secrets. Some have characters who feel like real friends—or real enemies. Games let you live out adventures you can’t have in real life. Want to be a pirate? An astronaut? A talking fox who fights evil robots? No problem. There’s a game for that.
And not every story is loud or wild. Some are quiet, even emotional. There are games that deal with friendship, loneliness, or tough choices. You don’t just watch the story happen—you make it happen. That’s different from reading a book or watching a movie. It sticks with you in a different way.
One more reason people love games? They’re social. That might sound weird if you’re playing alone, but games bring people together in a lot of ways. You might be sitting next to a friend, passing the controller back and forth. Or maybe you’re online with a team, using headsets to talk while battling zombies. Or maybe you and your sibling take turns, shouting advice—or teasing each other a little. Games give people something to share. Something to talk about. Something to laugh at.
Even watching someone else play can be fun. Think about it—have you ever leaned over a friend’s shoulder to see how they’re doing? Or watched a streamer pull off some crazy move you didn’t think was possible? It’s exciting, even when you’re not the one holding the controller.
Of course, not every game is fun for every person. Some people love fast-paced shooters. Others prefer calm puzzle games. Some kids are into building, some into racing, and some just want to make their character wear the goofiest outfit possible. That’s the cool part—there’s something for every kind of player.
And let’s be honest: games can just be plain silly. A goat that skateboards? A banana that talks? A blob that eats everything? Total nonsense—and totally fun. Sometimes people just want to laugh. Games are good at that, too.
There’s also this little thing called “flow.” It’s that feeling when you’re so focused on something that time flies. You’re not thinking about anything else. You’re just in it. A lot of people get that feeling when they play games. It’s calming and exciting at the same time. It helps your brain feel busy, but not stressed.
Adults love that feeling too. Even grown-ups like to escape the real world for a little while, especially when that world is full of traffic, bills, or meetings. A game can be a short vacation without ever leaving your chair. Whether it’s a puzzle game during lunch break or a long adventure after work, adults find fun and relief in games the same way kids do.
Games can also help people feel connected. If your best friend moves away, you might not see them much—but you can still play together online. If you’re feeling left out at school, games might be where you find people who get you. Even if you’re just playing a solo game, you’re part of something bigger. You’re joining millions of people around the world who are trying the same levels, figuring out the same puzzles, and having the same kind of fun.
And here’s something you might not expect: games can actually teach you things. Not in a boring way—with pop quizzes and long readings—but by making you do the thing. You might learn about strategy by playing chess-style games. You might learn about money by running a virtual store. You might learn patience by failing a level twenty times before you pass it. Even the silliest games teach something, like timing, coordination, or problem-solving.
But even with all those reasons—challenge, control, curiosity, progress, story, connection—the real reason people love games might be simpler than all of that. They’re fun. And fun matters. Fun helps people relax, feel good, and even grow. That’s not just for kids. That’s for everyone.
No one outgrows the feeling of a win after a tough level. No one gets tired of solving a clever puzzle. And whether you’re a seven-year-old learning how to use a joystick or a seventy-year-old tapping away on a tablet, the joy of a good game feels the same.