Video games require an input device (joystick, game controller, keyboard, mouse or motion sensing inputs) to interact with a display device that shows visual feedback, most commonly presented in a video format on a television set, computer monitor, flat-panel display or touchscreens found on handheld devices and virtual reality headsets. Many also use audio inputs to play soundtracks, provide ambient sound effects and may employ haptic technology to add tactile sensations to the experience. In addition, some video games support microphone and webcam inputs to support chatting and livestreaming.

The goal, challenges and outcomes of games are different from player to player and can vary based on the intentions of designers. However, these elements are all common to gameplay and are important applied characteristics of games.

Goals in games are usually granular and specific. They may be something as simple as accumulating points or winning a particular challenge. These aims define the direction that players must take and help them measure progress towards success. They are distinct from broader goals in life, which have multiple possible outcomes and often lack the clarity of specific targets.

Challenges in games can be structured conflicts, activities or puzzles that players must complete. They can be designed to challenge player skill and imagination or encourage teamwork, communication and problem-solving skills. For example, a computer scientist at Stanford University found that playing Tetris improved spatial memory and cognitive speed, while a Pittsburgh University study showed that multiplayer games improve social aptitude and collaboration skills.

Some video games also aim to be immersive and immerse players in a world where they can interact with other humans or non-human characters. This can include role-playing, fantasy and simulation games, where users assume the roles of characters or creatures in a fictional setting. These are often considered narcissistic in the sense that they allow people to inhabit a fictitious role and thereby re-enact their own identities within the world of the game.

Others are more abstract and focus on creating a new reality, whether in an exploration or battle game. These can include strategy and planning games, like chess or Civilization, where players must carefully plan their moves and resources over time. Others are more adrenaline-fueled, such as racing games and shooters, which can involve a lot of physical activity and coordination.

Finally, some video games are framed as art, where they seek to elevate the medium itself through discovery, magic and innovation. These can include a variety of styles and themes, from queer love to Soviet bureaucracy to profoundly personal grief.

Regardless of the genre, video games are often characterized by their ability to engage the mind and elicit a specific feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction. They can provide a break from the real world and allow people to compete, explore, commune or exercise agency in ways that might otherwise be impossible in our increasingly hectic and digitally connected lives. For some, this translates into an opiate-like trance that they can only access through the power of the console or desktop.