Video games have transformed from a niche entertainment form to a globally popular pastime enjoyed by over one-third of the world’s population. The health and social consequences of gaming can vary greatly and depend on a range of individual and social factors, as well as structural characteristics of the game itself. This chapter explores industry developments that have led to wider adoption of gaming and critically examines the psychological, social, and health implications of digital game play. This chapter will discuss the motivations, patterns, and potential risks associated with gaming, highlighting the dual nature of gaming as both adaptive and potentially problematic under certain conditions. This chapter will summarize research on the prevalence of problem gaming based on population studies and meta-analytic reviews. The chapter aims to provide researchers, clinicians, and policymakers with a balanced overview of modern gaming from a public health perspective.