Every now and then, a game comes along that redefines our outlook on gaming.

Innovations in the gaming world is the main driving force behind every great game in history and inspired every game that follows. It is what enables us to have a fun, fantastic and ultimately immersive experience when playing.

So here are 5 games that changed Gaming forever.

5 – Elite 1984.

Back in a time when gaming consisted of a Russian puzzle game and side scrolling platforms, a pair of British chaps designed a game where you can explore space.
If you think some of the maps in today's games are big, this one was beyond, and all at a time when games came on 4kb cartridges or cassettes. The game itself was very simplistic in its design, but it did feature procedurally generated maps for you to fly through, have dog fights, progress through the ranks as you built your score up and was a true wire frame 3d game.
This then led the way forward for future games, and most that followed use the same 3d wire frame design structure.
A distant cousin of Elite, is the new Elite Dangerous, which features some of the design structure found in the first game, but obviously, thanks to advancements in technology, more graphically demanding.

Image Source

4 – Super Mario Bros. 1985.

With the release of the Nintendo Entertainment System across the world, we also saw the first gaming mascot in the form of a short, Italian plumber that liked to jump.
Originally known as Jump Man back with the first Donkey Kong, it wasn't until 1983 that he was given his official name.
After Pac man, Mario was the next game character to get such a huge following and was sort of a celebrity in the gaming world. Many game developers tried to cash in on this idea by making instantly likeable characters in the form of Sonic, Crash Bandicoot, Mega Man, rayman, spyro, all trying to follow the same formula created by Mario, but non of them came close to becoming a household name. Since then there have been hundreds of games and spin offs made for all sorts of platforms, comics, novels, a movie, cartoon, anime, socks, toasters. Mario is a phenomena that has never been repeated but many still try.

Image Source

3 – Quake 1996.

Pretty much every online Multiplayer game can track its origins to this vary game as it was the first game designed with multiplayer in mind rather than an after thought as so many before it.
Not only was this first person shooter a huge hit with players, but it was also the first FPS to be True 3D unlike the Doom Engin which was 2.5D (cleaver 2D mapping), you could look up and down, rocket jump, clan battles... basically everything you see in modern FPS games is all thanks to Quake.
The online mode allowed you to connect via a server rather than peer to peer or via a LAN. (I enjoyed those LAN parties). Although this service wasn't all that good, it gave players a taste of what was to follow.

Image Source

2 – StarCraft 1998.

There have been Real Time Strategy games since the late 70's/early 80's but non as ground breaking as this one.
The game is a typical RTS with 4 races competing with each other to rule the galaxy with resource collecting, building, upgrading and so on. What makes this game so unique is the multiplayer aspect and the fact it was the first game with the title ''eSports game'' yup, all those eSports conventions and competitions are all down to this one game that started it all off.
Although games like league of legends, Dota, are now the kings of eSports, there are still dedicated competitions, fans and players who still play the original StarCraft with prize money at a cool half a million dollars US. If you are any good, you can even get sponsorship deals that can land you with more than half a million, much, much more and have whole custom gaming rigs built for you with all the latest and greatest hardware and gear.
It changed the face of gaming by not only being the first eSports title, but showed the world streaming live games for profit which ultimately led to the rise of streaming sites like Twitch, Smashcast and sonicbox.

Image Source

1 – World of Warcraft.

MMORPG, Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game. While there were games that are similar to this before, it was WoW that put MMORPG on the map and dominated for over a decade.
If you didn't already know, WoW is one of the biggest and long standing online RPG's ever. The game is based on fantasy with Orcs, Magic, Dwarfs, Dragons and so, so, so much more. The idea is to create your own story as you play, taking on quests, building up your level and earning in game currency, rewards and abilities.
It is one of the biggest online social games that has over 5 million gamers playing at any one time. It allowed people from all over the world to meet up in game, chat, go on quests, fight, buy and sell. The game was something that wasn't just for teenagers who haven't had a bath in over a week, it allowed people of all ages to connect and play with each other wile remaining a game in which you can form your own story instead of a pre written script as so many other games were before it.
From 2004 up until today, WoW influenced all MMORPG games that followed as they all try and capture that instant ''likeability'' and domineering online presence that WoW has as well as following the same social formula.

Image Source

There are more games out there that changed gaming forever, but non did so as much as the ones in this list.

Thanks for reading.

Enter Setup Wars for your chance to win some FREE Steem Dollars. Click HERE to find out more.

Don't Forget to Upvote, ReSteem and Follow for more content like this!

Stu @TechMojo

Join the chat TechMojo Discord Channel

Follow us TechMojo OnG Social Page

Like us TechMojo Facebook Page

Follow us TechMojo Twitter