Frequently Asked Questions
The most-asked questions about video games of the 2000s, part 1.
What exactly is this '2000s Video Games – Part 1' encyclopedia?
It is a fan-built, non-commercial reference that catalogs the titles, developers, platforms, and cultural moments of the 2000s gaming era. Part 1 focuses on the foundational entries and broad overview material before deeper per-game or per-franchise articles are expanded in later parts.
What time span does Part 1 actually cover?
The scope runs from the launch of the sixth-generation consoles (Dreamcast, PlayStation 2, GameCube, Xbox) through roughly 2004–2005, capturing the period when online play, downloadable content, and the shift toward open-world design all accelerated.
Who are the central figures and studios fans look up most in this era?
Names that recur heavily include Hideo Kojima (Metal Gear Solid 2, 3), the teams at Naughty Dog (GTA: San Andreas, God of War), Valve (Half-Life 2, Steam's early years), and the broader PlayStation 2 development community. Console makers Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo are treated as the three poles around which the industry organized itself.
Where should a brand-new reader begin?
Start with the 'Era Overview' and 'Platform Timeline' sections, which give a one-page snapshot of each console generation and the major release waves. From there, the 'Landmark Titles' list acts as a curated shortlist of roughly twenty games that define the period's high points.
Which platforms defined the 2000s gaming landscape?
The PlayStation 2 dominated global sales for most of the decade, while the Xbox and GameCube (later Wii) carved out distinct niches. PC gaming remained crucial for the rise of online multiplayer, modding communities, and the Steam storefront.
What are the most frequently cited landmark titles of the era?
Half-Life 2, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Metal Gear Solid 3, Halo 2, and The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker are the entries that most often top reader searches. They are highlighted because each one either introduced a new genre convention or set a new benchmark for storytelling and multiplayer design.
What key industry facts about the 2000s should newcomers know?
The decade saw the first mainstream success of online console multiplayer, the introduction of motion controls with the Wii, and the consolidation of the industry around three major console families. Development budgets and team sizes roughly tripled compared to the 1990s, reshaping how games were funded and shipped.
What are some of the most notable single moments fans reference?
The 2001 launch of Xbox Live is often cited as the turning point that made always-online console play a norm. The 2004 release of Half-Life 2 and its Source engine demonstrated that a single studio could redefine both physics-based gameplay and cinematic presentation simultaneously.
How is the encyclopedia organized, and what makes it 'unofficial'?
Articles are grouped by era, platform, genre, and developer rather than by a single alphabetical index. It is labeled unofficial because it is maintained by a volunteer community of players and writers, not by any publisher, console maker, or licensing body.
Does Part 1 include mobile or handheld gaming?
Yes, though it is treated as a secondary thread. The Game Boy Advance, PSP, and early smartphone titles get dedicated subsections, but the primary narrative follows the home-console and PC experience that defined the decade's cultural footprint.