History of Video Games

By Ayden T.

  • The First Game: Nim

    The First Game: Nim
    The first ever "Video Game" was created by Edward U. Condon. He designs a computer that plays the traditional game Nim in which players try to avoid picking up the last matchstick. The Computer wins 90% of the games that were played against it.

  • OXO

    OXO
    A. S. Douglass creates OXO, a game known as noughts and crosses in the UK and tic-tac-toe in US. This was converted to a computer version of it. Although there isn't a screen yet, they were still able to play OXO.

  • First Computer-Based Video Game

    First Computer-Based Video Game
    An MIT student Steve Russell invents Spacewars, a game where players are a space ship trying to destroy each other on a battle field. This is a major lead to multiplayer games and is the very first real Video Game to host a tournament between more than 2 people.

  • Introduction of First-Person Shooters

    Introduction of First-Person Shooters
    Two decades before Doom, Maze Wars introduces the first-person shooter by taking players into a labyrinth of passages made from wire-frame graphics. This is a lead on First-Person Shooters, which will become quickly popular in the future.

  • A World-Famous Video Game Character

    A World-Famous Video Game Character
    Nintendo's Donkey Kong features a character that would become world-famous: Jumpman (Mario). Mario is one of the first World-famous characters from a video game. Nintendo's future games will expand Mario's popularity to toys, gear, etc.

  • Establishment of Real-Time Strategy Games

    Establishment of Real-Time Strategy Games
    Westwood Studios' Dune II establishes the popularity of real-time strategy games that require players to act as military leaders deploying their resources and forces on the fly in order to defeat opponents. This is a lead on Strategy Games, leading to StarCraft, World of Warcraft, and other things from Blizzard.

  • Portable Gaming System

    Portable Gaming System
    Nintendo makes a handheld gaming system called the Nintendo DS. Two screens, multiplayer capabilities, and a stylus for the touchscreen. This creates a spark to mobile gaming, improving and expanding video games on-the-go.

  • The First Hybrid Mobile/Home Video Game Console

    The First Hybrid Mobile/Home Video Game Console
    Nintendo's switch introduces the first hybrid between home and on-the-go gaming in a market dominated by smartphones and tablets. This Hybrid gaming system nearly completes the spectrum of hardware we use to video game everywhere.