Evolution is the gradual addition of complexity to the basic form of whatever item or organism. And it stands true here once you explore the very first game, Tennis-for-two, with an origin story you probably will not see coming. No, it was not developed by Rockstar, nor was it in the works by Electronic Arts, but rather by scientists, most notably the physicist William Higinbotham in 1958.
Tennis for Two was developed as an interactive display for visitors at the Brookhaven National Laboratory in New York. The primary goal was to showcase the potential of electronic computing and engage visitors during public exhibitions. It is not to be confused with Pong, another early and influential video game released in the 1970s. While both games involve virtual tennis-like gameplay, “Pong” was the first commercially successful video game and used digital rather than analog technology. “Pong” was simpler in terms of graphics and mechanics but laid the foundation for the arcade and home console gaming industry.
Pong might have been commercial, but it started with Higinbotham’s Tennis for Two. So, how did this novel industry start so simply develop into this world of variety with Nintendo Switch, PlayStation consoles, AR and VR gaming, a continuously updated list of crypto casinos with dynamic game offerings, and near-endless gaming options on PC and mobile? Let’s find out!
1958 – Tennis for Two
Physicist William Higinbotham created “Tennis for Two” as an interactive analog computer game displayed on an oscilloscope, simulating a tennis match with simple controls.
1960s – Spacewar! and Mainframe Games
“Spacewar!” (1962) became one of the earliest computer games. It was developed by Steve Russell and others at MIT and features two spaceships engaged in a gravity-based battle. It runs on early mainframe computers.
Mainframe games like text-based adventures and simulations have started to emerge within academic and research communities.
1970s – Arcade Gaming and Pong
The 1970s saw the birth of arcade gaming with titles like “Computer Space” (1971) and the breakthrough success of “Pong” (1972), developed by Atari founders Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney, which introduced simple digital gameplay and kickstarted the arcade industry.
Late 1970s – Home Console Revolution
Magnavox released the Odyssey console in 1972, considered the first home video game console. It was followed by the Atari 2600 (1977) and Intellivision (1979), bringing gaming into households.
Games like “Space Invaders” (1978) and “Pac-Man” (1980) become iconic arcade hits, forever influencing home console gaming.
1980s – Rise of 8-bit and 16-bit Era
The 1980s witnessed the golden age of arcade gaming, with titles like “Donkey Kong” (1981) and “Galaga” (1981). This was accompanied by the introduction of home computers like the Commodore 64 (1982) and gaming consoles such as the NES (1983) and Sega Master System (1985).
The release of the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in 1985 revitalized the gaming industry after the video game crash of 1983, introducing iconic franchises like Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda.
1990s – Console Wars and 3D Gaming
The 1990s mark the era of 16-bit and 32-bit consoles with the Sega Genesis (Mega Drive), Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES), and Sony PlayStation (1994), leading to fierce competition known as the “console wars.”
Advancements in 3D graphics and gameplay are showcased in games like “Super Mario 64” (1996), “Final Fantasy VII” (1997), and “Tomb Raider” (1996), setting new standards for immersive gaming experiences.
Late 1990s to Early 2000s – PC Gaming and Online Multiplayer
PC gaming gains popularity with titles like “Diablo” (1996), “Half-Life” (1998), and “StarCraft” (1998), while online multiplayer gaming takes off with the rise of internet connectivity and platforms like Battle.net and early MMORPGs like “Ultima Online” (1997) and “EverQuest” (1999).
Early 2000s – Mobile Gaming and Casual Games
The early 2000s saw the emergence of mobile gaming, with the launch of games on feature phones and later smartphones. Titles like “Snake” (1997), “Bejeweled” (2001), and “Angry Birds” (2009) became hits, targeting a casual gaming audience.
2000s to Present – Digital Distribution and Indie Games
Digital distribution platforms like Steam (2003) revolutionized PC gaming, offering a wide range of titles and enabling indie developers to publish games globally.
Indie games gain prominence with innovative titles such as Braid (2008), Limbo (2010), and Minecraft (2011), which showcase creativity and gameplay diversity.
2010s – Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR)
VR and AR technologies make significant strides, with devices like the Oculus Rift (2012), HTC Vive (2016), and PlayStation VR (2016) offering immersive experiences.
Games like “Pokémon Go” (2016) bring AR gaming to the mainstream, blending virtual elements with real-world environments.
2010s – Blockchain and Crypto Gaming
The latter part of the 2010s sees the emergence of blockchain technology and its integration into gaming through concepts like Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) and cryptocurrency.
Games like “CryptoKitties” (2017) pioneer the use of NFTs for digital collectibles. They are followed by blockchain-based gaming platforms offering decentralized economies and ownership of in-game assets.
2020s – Expansion of Crypto Gaming and Metaverse Concepts
The 2020s witnessed a surge in crypto gaming platforms, NFT marketplaces, and blockchain-based games spanning various genres, from collectible card games to virtual worlds.
Concepts like the Metaverse gain traction. They envision interconnected virtual spaces and economies where players can create, own, and trade digital assets across different games and experiences.