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The History of Video Games

By ruizr
  • The First Game is Born: Tennis for Two

    The First Game is Born: Tennis for Two
    Tennis for Two, developed by William Higinbotham, is the first game ever made on an analog computer. Developed for Brookhaven National Laboratory's annual public exhibition, this game featured two simple controllers and single pixel graphics.
  • Ralph Baer and The Brown Box

    Ralph Baer and The Brown Box
    Ralph Baer, a German scientist, develops the Brown Box, the first at-home console system. It featured simple games that could be played on a standard television set in the 1960's. Baer is often credited as the grandfather of console gaming.
  • Atari and Pong

    Atari and Pong
    The video game company, Atari, is born. Their first game to be developed is Pong, a simple pixel based game, hailing back to its predecessor, Tennis for Two. The game is released on the Magnavox, formerly know as the Brown Box, and later known as the Odyssey.
  • Atari's First Console

    Atari's First Console
    Atari creates their first console. The unit is immensely popular, since most games were played at arcades. Atari brings the arcade to the home with 8-bit graphics and popular titles like Centipede.
  • ColecoVision is Made

    ColecoVision is Made
    ColecoVision, a second generation of console gaming, bring the arcade experience at home. New games are developed as well, including Nintendo's Donkey Kong and Sega's Zaxxon.
  • A Sharp Decline: Atari and E.T.

    A Sharp Decline: Atari and E.T.
    Atari creates E.T. The Game, due of the popularity of the Spielberg film. However, the game isn't well received and leads to a drastic decline in sales. This game is still know as one of the worst games ever created.
  • A Rise from the Ashes: Nintendo Saves Gaming

    A Rise from the Ashes: Nintendo Saves Gaming
    After the decline, Nintendo sees this as an opportunity and goes on to develop their own console, the Nintendo Entertainment System, NES for short. Along with the console, Nintendo releases a new game, Super Mario Brothers. The console and game are well received. Many consider this the hallmark on gaming history.
  • Gaming on the Go: Nintendo's Gameboy

    Gaming on the Go: Nintendo's Gameboy
    Nintendo creates the Gameboy, the first ever hand-held gaming system. The unit becomes popular, with memorable titles such as Tetris and Super Mario Land.
  • A New Challenger: Sega

    A New Challenger: Sega
    Seeing the success that Nintendo was able to gain, Sega follows suit and creates their console, Mega Drive or Sega Genesis. The console is considered as one of the company's best sellers.
  • Head to Head: Sega and Nintendo

    Head to Head: Sega and Nintendo
    Sega releases Sonic the Hedgehog and Nintendo releases their Super Nintendo. Both companies are the current raining kings of the industry.
  • Sony and The Renaissance of 3D Gaming

    Sony and The Renaissance of 3D Gaming
    Sony, a new developer, releases their console, the PlayStation. The console feature full 3D, 32-bit graphics, and intrigues players. THe console is widely received and gain popularity quickly.
  • Nintendo Fights Back

    Nintendo Fights Back
    Nintendo sees the success that Sony is gaining with their console. They create the Nintendo 64, with boasts 64-bit graphics. But they cannot match the popularity of the Sony PlayStation.
  • Sega Enters the Ring: Dreamcast

    Sega Enters the Ring: Dreamcast
    Sega also joins the fray with their console, the Sega Dreamcast. Along with 3D graphics, they also enable online capabilities.
  • The New Millenium: The PlayStation 2

    The New Millenium: The PlayStation 2
    Sony releases a second console, which becomes as popular as their first. It holds the reigning title as one of the best selling consoles of all time.
  • Microsoft Enters the Market: The XBox

    Microsoft Enters the Market: The XBox
    Noticing the profitability and popularity of Sony and their gaming software and games, Microsoft develops the Xbox. Their first game for the console is Halo.
  • Sony vs. Microsoft

    Sony vs. Microsoft
    Sony develops their PS3. Microsoft creates their Xbox 360. Both companies are in competition with each other.
  • Nintendo and Wii

    Nintendo and Wii
    Nintendo develops the Wii, a console that enables motion capability, enabling players to be even more interactive with their games.
  • Motion Capture: Xbox Kinect

    Motion Capture: Xbox Kinect
    Microsoft develops the Kinect add-on for their console, offering a hands free, full body motion gaming experience. This technology is later adapted by Sony.
  • The New Era Of Gaming: VR

    The New Era Of Gaming: VR
    VR, or Virtual Reality, technologies have been developed. This enables the player to visually enter the world of their favorite games. Both Sony and Microsoft have adapted VR capabilities with their current consoles, the PS4 and XBox One.