Video games have come a long way since their inception, and it’s fascinating to see how far they have evolved over time. However, the question of which was the first video game is still a topic of debate among gamers and historians alike. In this article, we will explore the history of video games and attempt to answer the age-old question: Which was the first video game?
The Birth of Video Games
The concept of video games can be traced back to the 1940s when computer scientists began designing simple games as a way to test their new technology. However, it wasn’t until the 1950s and 60s that video games started to become more popular and accessible to the general public.
One of the earliest examples of a video game is “OXO” or noughts and crosses, which was developed in the 1940s by Alexander S. Douglas at the University of Cambridge. The game was a simple tic-tac-toe simulation that was played on a Cambridge University computer called EDSAC (Electronic Delay Storage Automatic Calculator).
Another early example of a video game is “Tennis for Two,” which was developed in 1958 by William Higinbotham. The game was designed as a way to attract visitors to the Brookhaven National Laboratory, where Higinbotham worked. Tennis for Two was a simple ping-pong simulation that used an oscilloscope screen and a light pen to control the player’s paddle.
However, these early examples were not what most people consider as video games today. They were more like simulations or interactive displays rather than true video games. It wasn’t until the 1970s that we saw the first truly recognizable video game.
The Birth of Arcade Games
The arcade game industry was born in the 1970s, and it quickly became one of the most popular forms of entertainment. Arcade games were designed to be played on large screens in public places such as bars, restaurants, and shopping malls. These games were typically simple and easy to play, making them ideal for casual players.
One of the earliest arcade games was “Pong,” which was developed by Atari in 1972. Pong is a simple ping-pong simulation that can be played by two players using joysticks. The game quickly became popular and was installed in over 9,000 locations around the world.
Another early arcade game was “Spacewar!,” which was developed in the late 1960s by Steve Russell at MIT. Spacewar! is a space battle simulation that can be played by two players using joysticks. The game was designed as a way to showcase the capabilities of the new computer technology and was installed in a variety of locations, including Harvard University and MIT.
The Birth of Home Video Games
While arcade games were popular in the 1970s, home video games began to gain traction in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Home video games were designed for use in homes and were typically more complex than arcade games.
The first home video game console was the Magnavox Odyssey, which was developed by Ralph Baer in 1972. The Odyssey was a simple black-and-white console that could be connected to a television set. It came with two joysticks and a small library of games that could be played by up to four players.
Another early home video game console was the Atari 2600, which was developed by Atari in 1977. The Atari 2600 was a color console that came with two joysticks and a library of games. It quickly became one of the most popular home video game consoles of all time.
However, it wasn’t until the late 1980s that we saw the first truly recognizable home video game. That game was “Super Mario Bros.” which was developed by Nintendo in 1985 for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). Super Mario Bros.
