Gaming

Gaming is a colloquial term that generally refers to the act of playing video games, or sometimes tabletop games. Those who enjoy gaming are often referred to as “gamers,” though many people who enjoy video games actively choose not to identify as such. Surveys indicate that around 65 percent of adults in the U.S. play video games in some form, which can mean on a dedicated console, on a personal computer, or on a mobile device like a smartphone or tablet. Gaming as we know it today has evolved greatly over time. Going back to the 1970s, it was largely done in arcades, but consoles like the Atari 2600 and Nintendo Entertainment System popularized home gaming throughout the 1980s, and it has remained popular to this day. PC gaming goes back to home computers in the 1980s such as the Commodore 64, but the advent of Windows in the 1990s and digital marketplaces like Steam in the early 2000s brought PC gaming to where it is now. Handheld gaming devices like the Game Boy made gaming portable in the early 1990s, but those have given way to smartphones, with the iOS and Android app stores full of incredibly popular and lucrative games. Some of the biggest companies in the gaming industry today include Nintendo, Sony, Microsoft, Electronic Arts, Valve, Activision, and many more.

Closeup view of crossword puzzle clues

NYT's The Mini crossword answers for October 18

Closeup view of crossword puzzle clues

NYT's The Mini crossword answers for October 17

Lenovo Legion 9i

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The best gaming deals for October 2023, from 'Elden Ring' to the Nintendo Switch holiday bundle

Grab something new to play at a steep discount.

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By Dylan Haas and Haley Henschel

GTA is heading to Netflix? The streaming giant is reportedly in talks to license it

The streaming giant is seeking to compete with industry leaders Sony and Xbox.

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MSI Cyborg 15 review: Can this cheap gaming laptop run 'Cyberpunk 2077'?

The best cheap gaming laptop of 2023.

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NYT's The Mini crossword answers for October 16

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10/16/2023

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NYT's The Mini crossword answers for October 15

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10/15/2023

By Mashable Team

Nintendo Switch 2: Every single thing we know so far

Can the Nintendo Switch 2 be a worthy successor to the third-highest-selling console of all time?

10/14/2023

By Chance Townsend

NYT's The Mini crossword answers for October 14

Stuck on any of the clues? We have the answers you need.

10/14/2023

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Best laptop deals for October 2023: Save on Apple, Alienware, Microsoft, Samsung, and more

Now's an excellent time to upgrade.

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The best Xbox Series S deals and bundles you can shop ahead of the holidays

The cheapest current-gen console is more affordable than usual.

10/13/2023

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NYT's The Mini crossword answers for October 13

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10/13/2023

By Mashable Team

NYT's The Mini crossword answers for October 12

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10/12/2023

By Mashable Team

An ongoing list of the best Prime Day video game deals: Nintendo Switch, Xbox, and more

Let the games begin.

10/11/2023

By Brittany Vincent and Christina Buff

NYT's The Mini crossword answers for October 11

Stuck on any of the clues? We have the answers you need.

10/11/2023

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Shop the best Prime Day deals on monitors from Samsung, Dell, and more

Grab a new monitor for your gaming or work-from-home needs.

10/10/2023

Valve said it's no longer supporting CS:GO gamers on macOS — here's why

The company says there isn't enough of an active player base to justify continued support on Apple hardware.

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Snag a Nintendo Switch bundle with Mario Kart 8 for $299

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Meta Quest 3 review: Read this before you even think about buying

Transform your own home into a mixed-reality playground.

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NYT's The Mini crossword answers for October 10

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NYT's The Mini crossword answers for October 9

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10/09/2023

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NYT's The Mini crossword answers for October 8

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10/08/2023

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NYT's The Mini crossword answers for October 7

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10/07/2023

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Score performance on a budget with the best gaming laptops for less than $1,000

High-performance PC gaming with a 3-digit price tag? It’s entirely possible with these fun and highly functional gaming laptops from top brands like MSI, Lenovo, HP, and more.

10/06/2023

By Dylan Haas and Ashley Keegan

NYT's The Mini crossword answers for October 6

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NYT's The Mini crossword answers for October 5

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10/05/2023

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Level up your PS5 library with a free game for a limited time

Purchase a PS5 and score a free game through Oct. 20.

10/04/2023

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