IT STARTED WITH A GAME...AND EVERYTHING CHANGED...

For each one, there are games that have totally changed the way they game, but if you look at the overall impact and impression, only few games stand out as absolute game-changers that none  of us could forget. And, as we look at some  games that have had one the most influence in the gaming world, we cannot have a better start than than the famous legendary Grand Theft Auto.

GTA empowered gamers like never before. It introduced an unprecedented concept of freedom for players to disregard missions, choose to be exploratory, or even cause absolute mayhem. What was also uncommon at the time was having the protagonist be a vengeful, cold-blooded villain who was motivated purely by huge power. Talking about controversy…

To be able to do whatever, drive cars, fly planes, ride bikes, carry weapons, break the law, and get chased by cops was just a certain unheard-of concept in the gaming world. With the open-world sandbox  genre and integration of “living cities” where mundane NPCs would go about their daily lives, the game had a realistic and authentic feel to it. 

GTA was undeniably a huge hit, as its open-ended gameplay paved the way for simulator games like The Sims to become a mainstream phenomenon. The Sims successfully garnered popularity despite its lack of action, as it focused on players experiencing what day-to-day life would be like if they could control everything in it. Guess what! You basically play “God” or the role of the maniacal producer from The Truman Show.

The Matrix was released in 1999, and The Sims was released in 2000. Just the idea of simulation and the conspiracy that everything is controlled by a few powerful people may not seem strange today, but back then, it was known as the most controversial of “conspiracies.” The Sims is the embodiment of this idea of simulation, leaving players to run things as they please, as it serves as a mirror of their personalities.  

Minecraft did not have the best graphics or storyline; it featured a sandbox, that has a limitless ecosystem. But, there is a weakness in its unappealing graphics became the main feature that broke the world record by selling over 350 million units. Da Vinci once said, “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”

Games used to have an aim and competitiveness that ended with an outcome of either losing or winning. But there is one game that mainstreamed the idea of eliminating wins and losses in gaming generally and making it a platform to create, build, and explore. A game that was not targeted at anyone, but made for everyone. Minecraft gave each player the chance to be fearlessly creative.

It was available on almost any device and was far more affordable than any other game. Accessibility and the way it is affordable enabled players worldwide to come together on a platform that somehow welcomed diversity and was designed for creativity.

If Gen Alpha readers are reading this, then this part is written for you. You guys will be the first generation to encounter the video games as a social activity as common as playing on the streets. You probably grew up downloading Fortnite or PUBG on your parents’ old phones and delved into a whole world where you made friends you still have till today. Although, Fortnite & PUBG were not the first of their genre. Yet, they were the first to take gaming to a whole new level of social integration. It became a social platform not just for gaming, but for streamed concerts, movie screenings, and even all the worldwide cultural events. 

The popularity and influence of Fortnite & PUBG stretched across the globe, as you would find players in the islands of Indonesia, all the way to a remote coastal town in Norway. The whole idea of the battle royale concept, is basically dropping 100 players on an island, and they are given one life, and then the chaos begins. 

The system itself creates the narrative. The fact that it is free and available on every platform possible made it a place where you could make friends and connections, hang out, and even be part of something bigger, all under the umbrella of gaming.

Video games makes you create friendships across the globe and strengthen relationships at home. It Takes Two is a co-op game made mainly for couples to enjoy and bond over, a very engaging activity that can be even more romantic than watching Netflix. 

With the rise of AI and VR technologies, our eyes, ears, and minds may experience gaming in far different ways. If we take the past fifty years of gaming evolution into consideration, the future still seems exciting but also scary as we stare into the abyss of AI.

The games discussed in this article are representations of what I believe to be game-changers. There may be some debate but the main point is that they represent shifts in society and how video games have moved from being just a pastime to a part of a social fabric.

Created by
Jahan and Alena
Date: 29/06/2026