Video Game History

For this lecture. i watched a video about the beginning of digital games. It was interesting to see how video games have adapted over such a short period of time, and how it evolved from cultural interests. In the 1950's, 'Tennis for two' was founded by experimenting with an oscilloscope and hacking the system. I believe this was in aid of finding an escape from the reality in that era, as the aftermath of the war was devastating. Although it was an act of rebellion in a sense, virtual games were founded from there and it is a crucial remembrance to the gaming history.

As the history developed with the idea, cultural interests began to alter concepts for future games. As space travel was dawning across the world, this inspired video game enthusiasts to produce concepts based around it. The first was 'Space War' that was founded with the exploration of new technology. The game itself appealed to the public because of it's inclusion of current events. It became relatible to many people and soon soared in popularity. From this, it was apparent to make games that would relate to human interests. As history went on. games were produced to promote peach during the 60's and also there to aid better welfare for the emotional mind, by making pleasant/fun games to distract them from the happenings in that decade. This is when Japan evolved with technology and produced 'Space Invaders'. In the 1950's, computers were used to fire bombs at the enemy at a touch of a button. This inspired the developers of Space Invaders, and thus it was included within the game. Alongside that, it was the first game to have sound within it that reacted to certain points in the game play. This intensified the gaming experience alongside the challenge of the concept, and from this it really attracted the attention of the world.

Space invaders was everywhere. Games became not just an art form, but a culture amongst all ages. It became a supportive escape of the harsh realities within the world, it became a sort of haven. With what happens in our time is uncontrollable and daunting, whereas within games we are in control of what goes on and gives us that sense of ambition and success. From Space Invaders, dawned 'Pacman', the first game with a protagonist and a new way to play within increasing difficulties. Pacman wanted to steer away from cliches before itself by avoiding the 'shooting' genre. This inspired gaming developers to make different genres of games, and that is when Russia created 'Tetris' in 1985. An innovative  approach to existing games by making it a puzzler, where you had to study different shapes and make them fit together without leaving games. This game became very addictive for it's sense of rush an achievement the further you went on in the difficult stages. It was after then, that video games evolved and became the popular form of entertainment today.