Terence Byrne
Gaming in the 1950's - 1960's
Winky Dink and You was our first ever Interactive TV game / TV Show from 1953 till 1957 However, this had limitations as some children missed the show if they were busy which meant they had to wait until the next day. Jack Barry was the host and his programme allowed children to interact with the TV such as do dot to dot tasks with Jack. From this Interactive TV has been improved ever since but since the 1960's; the evolution of the games industry really began. Gaming tuck a huge kick start and this was when gaming really took off to provide future games and future developments. In the 1961 Steve Russel was well known for creating the very first computer game which was called "Space War". Even though the game had terrible graphics and audio; it still occupied people and attracted them. This game played on the DEC PDP-1( a new computer at the time). However, during 1961, large and vast improvements and developments were taking place considering that John Berguson wrote the first ever Baseball simulation game. Furthermore, Ralph Baer also chipped in as he finally achieved creating his ideas of two interactive TV games. He completed this task in 1967 and called it TVG #1. This produced a dot on the screen in which the user could move around. With this he saw how he could use it and improve it e.g. use it in interfaces or programmers. Baer later developed more games for this invention such as board games, chase games and even action games.
Gaming in The 1970's
Ralph Baer was still going strong even in the early 1970's as he revealed the first ever home console system in 1972. He also added on his creation of a light gun in which people could use while playing the game e.g. aim at the screen and shoot. However, the 1970's was known as the Golden Age For Video Arcade Games. The Galaxy Game was the first ever coin operated video arcade game. The Galaxy Game was first tested in September 1971, Stanford University. The Galaxy Game was Programmed by Bill Pitts and Hugh Tuck, Like Computer Space, it was yet another improved and developed style of Space War (A video game created in the 1960's by Steve Russell) This shown that as the 1970's opened up; development towards games was shown to be dealt with. The Galaxy Game also cost around 10 cents to play, or for three games 25 cents.
However, by 1972; improved hardware which was more advanced including processing power was added so that increase of just one being able to play; 2 people now could. However, 2 people named Ted Dabney and Nolan Bushnell stood up to the Galaxy Game; creating another coin operated machine in which played another version on Space War, but instead they called it Computer Space. With their joint product finally completed it was released in November, 1971 (over 1,500 copies of computer space machines were created and released). Sadly, it was classed as unsuccessful as apparently it was to hard to learn and play and people lost interest in it. However, it is still classed as the first mass-produced coin operated video arcade game. From This both Nolan and Ted founded Atari inc.
After both founding Atari, They were not finished with gaming as they both decided to develop an unmade game officially created by Al Alcorn called PONG. In 1972, PONG is released after months of hard work creating the game. PONG had 2D graphics and was based on the sport (Tennis). It was later classed as the first commercially successful coin operated video arcade game in History. Al Alcorn told us that he was the one who thought of it and Bushnell developed it with Ted from seeing ideas from a ping pong game already on the market in the Magnavox's Odyssey home console game. In addition developments were still being made as Bushnell said he wanted better audio such as a roaring crowd and racket hit sounds. Al Alcorn however panicked as the circuit board was running out of space so they had no choice but to improve the power, size and volts. This made vast improvements as time went on. Alcorn purchased a black and white television set and placed it in a four foot high wooden cabinet and then rigged the wires into the back of it . Alcorn said this was just a necessary circuit and from there on then PONG was finally improved to a standard in which know body could argue with. Also, the rumor of Bespoke controllers was being spread as this was accidentally leaked out to the public
In September 1972, they first placed PONG into a tavern to let people play it. It was well liked that much so that people broke it by overloading it with quarters in cause of it shutting down. This told Al, Bushnell and Dabney that they had succeeded. Furthermore, in 1976 Atari released Atari night driver circu. However, it was not just the arcade industry doing the work, over platforms started being developed such as the Tel star which was a games console released in 1976. This could be played at home as it was a home console and it featured many different games such as Hockey, Handball and Tennis. In addition, this was the first ever console to use a AY-3-8500 chip. which was released. Tel star however kept trying against the arcade industry as Coleco (the creators) believed they could beat it. In contrast, they through a massive attack releasing over 14 different types of their console in 1976. Also in 1977, they released even more such as the Tel star Regent, Tel star Alpha, and even one called the Tel star Arcade. They kept going as well as in 1978 they brought out more such as the Tel star Marksmen. They was classed as dedicated consoles. Also, back in 1977, Nintendo launched their first dedicated home console. This put up a huge fight as-well as Tel star as they sold over 1 million units from their first 2 models which were the Colour TV Game 6 and 15. In the same way, Nintendo kept creating more such as Colour TV Game Racing 112 and Colour TV Game Block Breaker. The games featured good uses of graphics e.g. color for its time. In addition, in 1977 Mattel's Handheld device named Mattel Football was released bringing a new technology to the environment (handheld device). This was loved as it could be played whilst at home and travelling in a car. Furthermore, the same year in which Tel star launched their first console (1976); the APF Fun was launched as-well. This was a console in which played PONG on a chip e.g. so could be played at home. This console could be powered by a AC or 6 C sized batteries. 2 buttons were included such as start game and a power button. It also included 2 analog controllers This was created by APF electronics.. This competed against Atari's version of Home PONG as Atari had made the home PONG console back in 1975.
Later in 1978, the first ever Laser Disc was released and this was incredible as the disk could keep storage. This disk was developed by Phillips and could be used for storing things at home on your computer. However, laser disk juke boxes were invented in 1985 in which could play songs. Atari released Atari football circa and both were played a lot and liked by the public. Furthermore, a Chinese games company from Japan named Taito were also competing as they released their game called Space Invaders in 1978 ( it was an arcade based video game) The person who thought of it and created it was called Tomohiro Nishikado and it took him a year to create and develop and said that the hardest part was finding the correct hardware. A main part of its hardware was a 8080 central processing unit. Another main piece of hardware it holds is "Rasta Graphics"on a CRT monitor. The public loved this and it became all the more popular as this decade was coming to an end. However, even though it was coming to an end. Atari created a new game named Asteroids. They released this in 1978 and this become the most popular arcade game of all time. The technology used behind this was very overpowered as it used vector display and 2 dimensional views. Basically the game is based on a spaceship in which you control, shooting down flying sources, while dodging their counter fire. Ed Logg and Dominic Walsh were the designers for this project. In addition Atari were also praised for being the first ever to use their own quadra scan (vector-refresh system). In 1979, another handheld was developed and released by The Milton Bradley Company named Microvision. This was known to be the first ever handheld to use interchangeable cartridges. This played games such as bowling and pinball. Sadly, this did not achieve as ESD damage was being caused and screen rot due to the cartridges not being properly covered. Also, the keypad had flexible plastic underneath causing the keypad be brake easily. But the development of handhelds didn't end there.
Gaming in the 1980's
During the 1980's, PC emulation grew as this type of technology was improved. This meant gaming in the arcade business just got even bigger and better as many new developed and advanced games were hitting the arcade business as well. However, Handheld devices were now being developed even more and released such as the Nintendo's game and watch. This was a handheld devices which featured many games such as boxing. This was classed as a dedicated handheld as they released more each such as the Gold in 1982 and the Table top in 1983. Namco had been working on a game they called PUCK-MAN. Namco then changed this name to PAC-MAN. Namco had not been concentrated on as Atari Were smashing the arcade industry; however, Namco through in PACK-MAN on May 22nd, 1980 and people were instantly attracted by this game; as it used the first ever most advanced tech we had ever seen. Amazingly, both genders were attracted to this and believe it or not for the first few years later, women had been known to play this more than men. PAC-MAN was very addicting and the main aim of the game was to travel through a maze collecting gold while being cashed by ghosts. Main creator of this was Toru Iwatani and he said he gave each enemy a different personality to make the game more interesting e.g. the orange enemy was stupid and the red enemy was a chaser. In contrast, the character of PAC-MAN has been applied in many different topics such as on TV, toys and even foods like pizzas. PAC-MAN is known to be the longest running arcade video game of the golden age as by the end of 1989, it had genertaed over 2.5 billion quarters Iwatani first called it PUCK-MAN due to the sound of the character e.g. as it traveled it went puckapuckapucka. The game featured a large color variety and joystick control which in fact gave it better accuracy for players. In the same way, the internal level counter holds a (8 bits) .The 1980 was becoming a battlefield for video arcade game creators.'s
Atari were shocked with Namco's production as PAC-MAN was no known to be the best and most addicting game this decade (1980). Therefor, Atari launched another powerful game called Battle-zone. However this used more advanced technology than their last project (PONG). The game used vector graphics and a wire frame which meant immense game play and coordination. This game was released in 1980 and gave the 80's a gigantic run up. Game play in on a plain platform with mountains and a moon, including a mountainous horizon. The game also features a erupting volcano. Various geometric solids are used in a vector outline e.g. blocks are solid so you cant walk through them. The player views the screen, which includes a overhead radar view, to find and to destroy the slow tanks and even fast tanks. UFO's and guided missiles occasionally appear for a bonus opportunity Also the player can hide behind the solids for protection which gives the player a chance.This game was very successful More games than ever were being released by different games companies
making the 1980's immense for games.
However, the same year a company named Williams electronics got stuck in, bringing out their new video arcade game called Defender. This was a shooting game where you controlled a spaceship which you destroyed invading aliens. Also, this game held 2D graphics. They managed to sell over 55.000 units becoming their best ever selling game. People are known to have said that the game play was really hard, harder than most overs which made it even more addicting. However, some people lost their patience with it from this. The game was also controlled with a joystick likewise PAC-MAN. Furthermore, You only start with 3 lives and you also have to save humans and land from being abducted. Considering there was so much to do, it made the game very interesting but very hard. Usually, William's electronic made Pinball games; But after seeing the coin operated arcade industry go wild during the 1980's, they decided to create arcade games. But this was not the end as Donkey Kong was released in 1981 by one of Nintendo's workers Shigeru Miyamoto. The aim of the game was to dodge obstacles and reach an objective. This game included better coordination and motion and also used PC Emulation likewise PAC-MAN. Also, this was the first game to feature jumping and its hard game play caused people to be addicted to it which was great as people paid high amounts of money. Furthermore, This arcade game was one of the best. As this was a great hit for the arcade industry, Nintendo brought out another version named Donkey King Jr in 1982. The game again portrays obstacles in which Mario sets to stop DK. However in this game DK has to save his father whilst Mario try's to stop him.
However, 1983 to 1985 were terrible years for the Arcade industry as more consoles more pc's and future handhelds were being released and being invented. Due to this more people decided to stay at home and play there PC etc. and so the arcade industry lost millions. Furthermore, parents seen this as safer as they knew where their children were e.g. in their room. This was a huge blow to the arcade industry. In 1984 the AMSTRAD CPC 464 was released. This was a home computer and was created by AMSTRAD. It had high resolution monochrome text and good graphic capabilities. One of its top games it released was paperboy in 1988 but as said; this computer was mainly for business e.g. work and study. Likewise, the Commodore 64 in which was also a study computer brought out in 1982. In 1983, Shigeru Miyamoto brought out Mario Bros for the arcade industry winning people back. This was a great move as the arcade industry shown that they were not finished. But in 1985, anouther huge blow to the the arcade industry was the release of Mario Bros for the Family computer. This was immensely loved by many genders e.g. adults and children, and considering it could be played at home with family; it occupied people for years. This was designed by Shigeru Miyamoto and Takashi Tezuka. Furthermore, in 1989 the Game Boy was released by Nintendo and this was said to face future handhelds as it was very advanced e.g.it used a directional pad for better control and a slot for headphones.
Gaming in the 1990's
The Arcade industry was loosing due to the fact that consoles and pcs's and even handhelds were being idolized by the public. Examples of this are, in 1990 the Sega Game Gear was released by SEGA. This was a handheld game console and this faced Nintendo's Game Boy brought out earlier. This used a 8 bit 3.5 MHz Zilog and could play up to 32 colors at a time. Also in 1990, a new appealing company named APPLE, released their PC named the Macintosh Classic. Even though it didn't do many games, it proved to the public that technology was all the more improving as the development for this computer was outstanding and so futuristic it was hard to believe. Furthermore, in 1992 Watara (a games company) released a new handheld games console called Watara Supervision. This could be powered with a charge which Watara made for it or just 4 AA batteries. This was very useful. It played good games such as "Grand Prix" and "Alien". It is well known for its Supervision Cartridges and they apparently were really efficient and never were damaged. Watara were now up against a up-coming release by Atari. By 1993 the Atari Jaguar was released by Atari. This was a console of 64 bit and was said to face any other platform e.g. handheld or console coming its way. SEGA stood up to the challenge and created the SEGA SATURN and released it in 1994 (a year later). Also in 1994, Visiware was released in 1994 after being founded by Lrant weill; a French publisher and distributor for video games based around interactive TV. Recently, in 2010 many years later), visiware created a play along option e.g. you could answer questions and your answers would come up on the TV. Visiware is well known for allowing people to quiz there self on the programme ''million pound drop'' considering that the persons answer will then be revealed wrong or right. Visiware can also be used through a mobile phone which improved visiware reputation as people could travel and take part in a quiz to keep them occupied and keeping them from getting bored. Furthermore, Since 2009, visiware is the head of the skill gaming website ''Playinstar". Furthermore, 2 models of the SEGA SATURN were released e.g. one was was black and one was white and both had different controllers. By the end of its time years later, its best game voted by the public was virtual fighter. SEGA SATURN also used a internal RAM cartridge meaning that its storage wasn't that bad for the time. In the same year (1994). a Mobile device called the Hagenuk MT- 2000 was released by Hagenuk. This mobile device played Tetris a very famous game. The public loved this as they could contact people as well as playing Tetris. However, more companies got involved and one of the biggest and the best was SONY. In the same year as the SEGA SATURN, SONY released their PlayStation 1. This dominated the other console's at that time as this brought new technology and new ways of gaming. The PlayStation 1 was a video games console which brought to the public 3D graphics and a memory card which was much safer for saving your game and not loosing progress. This was a 32 bit console which 2 controllers, one with analog sticks and one without. Little did people know that SONY were not finished and that straight after the release of the PS1; they were working on anouther. One of its main games was Lara Croft Tomb Raider. By 1997, another Mobile device was released named the Nokia 6110. This was very appealing as you could use it to contact people, use it as a calculator and you could even play 3 games named logic, snake and memory. The most popular game out of the 3 was snake, and snake is still well known today as people actually still play it. this mobile used just 4 colors but really occupied the public with its skills. In 1998, the Game Boy Color was released by Nintendo. This had a color screen ans a 8 bit processor. This also played immense games such as Super Mario Bros Deluxe and Pocket Bomberman. However, its best selling game was Pokemon Gold and Silver. This handheld was unbelievable as 2000 colors could be shown on the screen. This proved technology was just getting better and better. Furthermore, just before the 2000's, Sega released a video games console called the Dream Cast in 1999. This was released considering their SEGA SATURN failed after the PS1 by SONY took control. This had a great memory as it was 16mb and while it was being designed 3D fx were being mentioned which were leaked into the public causing a huge problem s the public were defenetley expecting 3D. The 1990's was insane for console and handhelds and even pc's but the arcade couldn't make a come back to how they used to be. During the 1990's the arcade industry picked up Street Fighter winning back some people but they soon lost interest as other platforms were devices were brought out in the 2000's The limitations of the Arcade industry was that the public would have to travel into town to play in the arcade andd parents got worried as they couldnt keep an eye on their children. However with pc's and consoles parebnts felt safe as their children could at home safley in their room. Finally by travelling to the arcade, it also used up petrol for people who drove there.
Gaming in the 2000's
In the year 2000, . People who played on PC's stared game coding meaning writing games at home. This drawn a huge attraction as children and adults could invent their own game and play it. Game coding as been around before the 2000's but people never really interfered except game designers. In addition, more games companies started to come up with ideas. A company named Bandai, released the WonderSwan in 2000. This was a handheld which could be played horizontally and vertically with a wide spread of different game to choose from. This handheld was only released in Japan and later in 2003, Bandai decided to improve it and created anouther one named WonderSwan Color. The WonderSwan color played better games such as "Arc the lad" and "Golden Axe". Also the WonderSwan Color was then released to other countries to improve Bandai's sales. However, in the same year (2000) SONY released the PlayStation 2 which was a fantastic surprise to everyone as this was even better than the PS1. The graphics were still 3D but even better as graphics had been improved. Famous games like Call of Duty Finest Hour and Even Grand theft auto vice city would later be released for this platform. This also used a memory card of even bigger MB and this sold over 155 million units. This really boosted consoles popularity as this was the best console ever created. In the same year the Ericsson R380 was released which was a smartphone. It was based on a PDA and a way to contact people. This approved society and Ericsson Mobile Communications were pleased. Then in 2001, The first ever Xbox was released by Microsoft. This faced the PS2 as this was also an incredible video games console. Online was on the Xbox making multiplayer very popular for the future. The Xbox is famous for playing games such as Halo.
Later in 2003 the N GAGE was released by Nokia. This was to turn people away from the Game boy but it failed as the design was wrong e.g. mobile phone type buttons were hard to control making games hard to play. However it did have an online mode and Bluetooth connection. Also during the 2000's online was improving creating online vs offline. Furthermore, the Internet and Bluetooth were created meaning a whole new word of gaming. Then in 2001, The first ever Xbox was released by Microsoft. This faced the PS2 as this was also an incredible video games console. Also, computers were improving e.g. online modes and better games e.g. games from consoles. Better technology was being added to computers and now games could be played from the internet. Later in 2004 the Nintendo DS was released. This was a handheld gaming system by Nintendo and this Portrayed touch screen. Furthermore, people off all ages loved this as it was easy to use and had WiFi. The WiFi meant it had online improving the online reputation for many other devices such as phones and Consoles. The internet has really improved the way online worked and now games could be played on phones such as Worms on the Sony Ericsson and Bejeweled on the Motorola. Getting back to the Nintendo DS; it was very occupying as challenging games could be played on it such as Brain training and when required you could even talk to it and it would listen. Acer were now creating better computers along with Intel and even though they were not gaming computers, you could still play games through the Internet. In 2005 the Xbox 360 (a console) was invented by Microsoft bringing to us better and improved multiplayer and better graphics as well as games. More updates were applied later giving this console access to the Internet. This was certainly one of the best consoles so far as it played fantastic games through the years such as Red Dead Redemption and Fifa 10. Its storage was gigantic and even bigger if you were to buy the Xbox360 Elite and not Classic or Arcade. In addition, the controllers worked with a d pad and analog sticks with the buttons a, b, y and x and this is known to be one of the best pads due to size and shape and even better control. The PSP created by Sony as a handheld gaming system was also revealed and made very popular as it can play games such as games you would usually play on a PC. However, SONY a year later in 2006 fought back bringing us the PlayStation 3. This was also a console with multiplayer and a same style pad as its younger brothers. months later a slimmer version was released attracting more people. This was known as the PS3 slim. For years the Xbox 360 and PS3 have been having the on going battle due to their extreme technology and development. The storage was the same size as the Xbox360 Elite giving this an advantage and immense 3D graphics were applied likewise the Xbox360. Nintendo in the same year which was 2006 however brought a new type of console to the pack which was the Nintendo Wii. This device has a built in pointing device in the controller and this detects movement. This meant that you had to do certain actions as it sensed motion and if it didn't you basically couldn't play. This console sensed movement in 3 dimensions which was brilliant. Games such as Golf and Baseball were played and you would have to create the similar motion for each sport e.g. swing the golf club. By doing this the sensor would pick it up. People adore this as they have lost weight and been able to play as a family which meant more communication and fun. Other immense inventions have been created for it such as the Tony Hawk Skateboard sensor meaning you could virtual skateboard through a game. In the same way the steering wheel which can be used for Mario kart had been invented. During the 2000's a gaming website for pc's called Steam was improving attracting more people and laptops were being created in vast numbers. PC's were beginning to build their way up to consoles by these websites and style of game play which were taking place on pc's. From the year 2006, technology has just typically improved which the PC's (gaming and work based) still growing wildly and the Xbox360 and PS3 still rivaling even past 2010. The handhelds have improved with the blackberry being released in late 2007 and being sold units by units every year. Blackberry market place has been invented to buy apps and games for the Blackberry. In addition, Interactive DVD has totally developed as games such as Harry Potter can now be played through them. (the first ever interactive DVD was made in 1961) and back in the 90's Dance Dance Revolution was played through them Even though many people just preferred to play a console; this highlighted the fact that development through every piece of technology was taking place. Physical work sometimes had to be done depending on what game you were playing likewise the WII. Interactive DVD has said to have been really fun as you can even play games such as Who Wants To Be A Millionaire. Furthermore, people can play with their family making it all the more interactive. Also PDAs and Smartphones such as the I phone released in 2007 and improving ever since. with Smartphones and PDAs we can now play games such as Angry Birds and Temp ah Run through the touch screen advancement. PDAs and Smartphones have ruled over the 2000's as well as consoles as some have even been known to better than handhelds like the Nintendo DS and Atari Jaguar. Smartphones have many different games from action to puzzles and the beauty is that they can be played when even, wherever as long as their is connection.Gaming has just developed in a vast and extraordinary way as Games can now be played on every phone and every console has more options such as music apps and the chance to download a game from the marketplace for example like the Xbox360. Interactive TV has all the more improved as we have came from Winky Dink and You in which we stuck as sheet made from a certain material over the TV and did dot to dot tasks; to being able to take part in TV shows such as the Million Pound Drop and Family Fortunes in which we answer questions and challenge each other. Online vs offline has been an on going battle for PC's but since the year 2010 Online is said to be more popular giving it a lead over offline. The public put it down to being able to interact with friends e.g. multiplayer of Left For Dead 2 (a video game). However, PC's have had their limitation e.g. people have said they are to hard to use and control a game and so they stick to Consoles as in reality a console is more easier to use. Another limitation is that computers lag a lot when playing games online or offline due to the high grade of technical properties added. In contrast, computers use up large amounts of electricity costing a fortune and the same applies with consoles.From the 1960's, to the 2010's gaming has totally ruled and developed and will keep developing over the years. More recently many different features of Interactive TV have been displayed e.g. play games through SKY like Mini Golf or even buy products from the shops through your TV remote if you have XFINITY TV service. So with interactive TV, not only can you play games but you can shop. However a limitation to this is that some of the above mentioned on Interactive TV such as shop through the TV cannot be applied in some areas of the world e.g. In the USA, it can be done, But in some parts of Britain it cannot. However broadcasting is now an option on interactive TV and even online uses for games etc. But as everything there are limitations to Interactive TV such as connection issues and like if you wanted to play on game through SKY. We have seen huge types of dedicated game play such as for games like Call of Duty and Fifa. (dedicated game play is when a game is played due to the popularity and then more styles of the game are created like GTA 4 and GTA 5. People loved GTA 4 and so the creators which are Rockstar created anouther one named GTA 5). Likewise we have seen types of dedicated consoles as I have wrote in the above and we are bound to see more types of Dedication in the future. But up to the year 2010, consoles also carry limitations such as not being able to access multiplayer due to connection and also that PC's memory is far more greater meaning more games can be saved. Furthermore, consoles like the Xbox360 have been known to overheat far more easier the computers and controllers from the PS3 have said to be actually pretty bad as the analog sticks seem to stick on one side after a long term of use. This can be really hard to deal with as you can loose control over your game by this e.g. The character will move around on his own without you touching the pad. However the company's have dealt well past the year 2010 in sorting out some of the issues.
Gaming will continue for generations and developments in the gaming community will be made and processed.
For most of the facts I used wikipedia to gather information and learn how gaming technology has developed. I found this really helpful.
Terence Byrne
