History of Video game in Timeline
A video game, often referred to as just a game, is an electronic game that provides users with interactive visual feedback via an interface and input device. This feedback is typically visual and displayed on screens like TVs, monitors, or VR headsets. Modern video games often incorporate audio elements through speakers or headphones, and may include other sensory feedback mechanisms. Some games even allow microphone and webcam input for communication and livestreaming.
January 1947: Patent Filing for "Cathode-Ray Tube Amusement Device"
On January 1947, a patent for a "cathode-ray tube amusement device" was filed, marking an early attempt at creating an interactive electronic game.
December 1948: Patent Issued for "Cathode-Ray Tube Amusement Device"
The patent for the "cathode-ray tube amusement device," a precursor to modern video games, was issued in December 1948.
1951: Nimrod Computer Game at the Festival of Britain
Christopher Strachey's draughts game, played on the Nimrod computer, was showcased at the 1951 Festival of Britain, demonstrating early experiments with computer-based games.
1952: OXO: A Tic-Tac-Toe Computer Game
Alexander S. Douglas developed OXO, a graphical tic-tac-toe game on the EDSAC computer, in 1952, marking a step towards more visual computer games.
1958: Tennis for Two
William Higinbotham engineered "Tennis for Two" in 1958, an interactive electronic game using an oscilloscope to simulate a tennis court, pioneering the concept of a sports video game.
1962: Spacewar!
MIT students created "Spacewar!" on a DEC PDP-1 computer in 1962, a groundbreaking game featuring two spaceships battling using the computer's vector display.
1966: Ralph Baer Develops Prototype for Home Video Game Console
While working at Sanders Associates, Ralph H. Baer developed a control system for playing a rudimentary table tennis game on a television screen, leading to the creation of the "Brown Box" prototype in 1966.
1971: Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney Release Computer Space
Inspired by "Spacewar!," Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney released "Computer Space" in 1971, considered the first arcade video game.
1971: Release of Computer Space
The first consumer video game, the arcade game Computer Space, was released in 1971.
1971: First Use of the Term "Video Game"
While the exact origin is debated, the term "video game" is believed to have appeared as early as 1971, potentially in a vending machine industry publication.
1972: Release of the Magnavox Odyssey
Magnavox released the first home video game console, the Magnavox Odyssey, based on Ralph Baer's inventions, in 1972.
1972: Nolan Bushnell Uses "Video Game" in Letter
Nolan Bushnell used the term "video game" in a letter in July 1972, indicating its early adoption within the industry.
1972: Release of Pong and Magnavox Odyssey
The release of the iconic arcade game Pong and the first home console, the Magnavox Odyssey, took place in 1972.
march 1973: Ed Adlum Uses "Video Game" in Cashbox Publication
Ed Adlum, known for his contributions to the coin-operated amusement industry, used the term "video game" in a March 1973 article, solidifying its place in industry jargon.
November 1973: First Printed Use of "Video Game" According to Oxford English Dictionary
The Oxford English Dictionary cites a November 10, 1973, BusinessWeek article as the first printed use of the term "video game."
1975: RePlay Magazine Founded by Ed Adlum
Ed Adlum, credited with popularizing the term "video game," founded RePlay Magazine in 1975, further establishing the term's legitimacy.
1975: Atari Releases Home Version of Pong
Following a settlement with Magnavox over patent infringement, Atari released a home version of the popular arcade game Pong in 1975.
1975: Microprocessors Revolutionize Game Development
The introduction of affordable microprocessors in 1975 marked a turning point in video game development. This technological advancement enabled the creation of more intricate and detailed games, expanding the creative possibilities for developers.
1978: Video game clones flood the market
The year 1978 marked a period when the lack of strong intellectual property protection laws led to a surge of cloned arcade and home console games.
September 1982: RePlay Magazine Credits Adlum with Coining "Video Game"
A September 1982 issue of RePlay Magazine credited Ed Adlum with being the first to use the term "video game" to describe this new form of entertainment.
1983: Industry Shift to Publisher-Developer Model
Following the 1983 crash, the video game industry shifted towards a more structured publisher-developer model, leading to greater stability and control over game production.
1983: North American Video Game Crash
The North American home video game market experienced a significant crash in 1983, attributed to factors like oversaturation of the market and a lack of quality control.
1983: North American Video Game Crash
The North American video game market crashed in 1983 due to a loss of publishing control and market saturation.
1985: Ed Adlum Explains Origin of "Video Game"
In 1985, Ed Adlum explained that he coined the term "video game" in the early 1970s to distinguish the emerging video-based arcade games from traditional electro-mechanical games.
1985: Nintendo Revitalizes the Industry
Nintendo played a key role in reviving the industry in 1985 with the release of the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in North America, introducing business practices that brought stability to the market.
1989: The Dawn of Console Wars
In 1989, the competition in the gaming industry heated up as Nintendo, a dominant force, faced a challenge from Sega's Master System. This marked the beginning of the console wars, a period of intense rivalry between gaming companies.
1993: The Rise of Genre Conventions
The year 1993 witnessed the emergence of genre conventions in video games. Influential games like "Doom" began to shape how games were categorized, leading to terms like "Doom clones" which evolved into the more general term "first-person shooters."
1993: Release of Doom
The release of Doom in 1993 introduced a new genre of video games, the first-person shooter, which had a significant impact on the industry.
1993: Congressional Hearings on Violent Video Games Lead to ESRB Rating System
In 1993, United States Congressional hearings were held to address concerns about violent video games like Mortal Kombat. These hearings resulted in the establishment of the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB), a system for rating video game content.
1995: Commercial Success of "Mortal Kombat"
Despite often facing criticism, video game films like "Mortal Kombat" in 1995 found considerable commercial success, highlighting the public's interest in seeing games translated to the big screen.
1999: Columbine High School Massacre Ignites Debate on Video Games and Violence
The 1999 Columbine High School massacre sparked a major controversy surrounding video games and their potential influence on violent behavior. Some claimed the perpetrators drew inspiration from video games, leading to increased scrutiny of violent content and its impact on young people.
2001: Box Office Success of "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider"
"Lara Croft: Tomb Raider" in 2001 exemplified the box office potential of video game adaptations, even if critical reception remained mixed.
2001: Release of Grand Theft Auto III
In 2001, Grand Theft Auto III was released, popularizing the open-world, action-adventure genre and leading to numerous games adopting a similar style.
2003: Jack Thompson Launches Legal Actions Against Violent Video Games
Attorney Jack Thompson initiated numerous legal actions against the video game industry between 2003 and 2007. He specifically targeted games like Grand Theft Auto III and Manhunt, arguing that they promoted violence.
2007: Jack Thompson Disbarred for Misconduct
By 2007, Jack Thompson, known for his legal battles against violent video games, was disbarred for misconduct. His actions contributed to ongoing debates about video game content and its potential impact.
May 2009: Growing Development Teams and Industry Pressures
By May 2009, the video game industry faced the growing complexity of game development. The development team for Assassin's Creed II reached 450 people, highlighting the increasing costs and pressures to release games quickly, often resulting in missed deadlines and unfinished products.
2009: "No Russian" Level in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Sparks Outrage
The release of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 in 2009 ignited controversy with its "No Russian" level. This level allowed players to participate in a mass shooting at an airport, drawing criticism for its graphic content.
2011: Video Games Recognized as Art
A significant milestone occurred in 2011 when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Brown v. Entertainment Merchants Association, affirming that video games are a protected form of speech with artistic merit.
2012: Museum of Modern Art Recognizes Video Games as Art
In 2012, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) took a significant step by adding video games to its permanent collection, acknowledging their artistic value. The museum's recognition sparked discussions about the evolving nature of art and the place of video games within the art world.
2012: "The Art of Video Games" Exhibit at the Smithsonian
The Smithsonian American Art Museum hosted "The Art of Video Games" in 2012, a groundbreaking exhibition that toured various museums, highlighting the cultural and artistic significance of video games.
2014: Gamergate Harassment Campaign Highlights Misogyny in Gaming
The Gamergate harassment campaign of 2014 exposed the issue of misogyny within the gaming community. This online campaign targeted women in the video game industry, raising concerns about gender discrimination and harassment.
2016: Conclusion of "The Art of Video Games" Tour
The touring exhibition "The Art of Video Games" concluded in 2016, leaving a lasting impact on the perception of video games as a legitimate art form.
2018: Millennials Use Video Games as Stress Management Tool
A 2018 study revealed that millennials use video games as a primary way to cope with stress. Over half of the 1,000 gamers surveyed reported using gaming to unwind and escape daily work pressures.
2018: Study Shows Cognitive Benefits of Video Games
A 2018 systematic review provided evidence of the positive effects of video game training on cognitive and emotional skills, particularly among young adults.
2018: Shifting Content Regulations in Germany
In 2018, Germany relaxed its strict regulations on video game content, specifically regarding the depiction of Nazi imagery. Previously banned outright, such imagery was now permissible for "social adequacy" purposes, aligning with rules applied to other forms of art.
2019: Further Support for Cognitive Benefits
Another systematic review in 2019 strengthened the claim that video games can be beneficial to the brain, emphasizing the variation in benefits based on game types.
2019: Video Game Industry surpasses Music and Film Industries
In 2019, the global video game market became three times larger than the music industry and four times larger than the film industry.
2019: Detective Pikachu Achieves Critical Success
The release of "Detective Pikachu" in 2019 marked a turning point for video game films, as it was one of the first to receive a "Fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes, suggesting a breakthrough in adapting games for the big screen.
2020: Retrogaming and Video Game Preservation Gain Traction
By 2020, retrogaming, the collecting and playing of older video games, experienced a surge in popularity. This renewed interest brought attention to the importance of video game preservation, as both physical copies and the hardware required to play them become increasingly rare.
2020: Sonic the Hedgehog Garners Positive Reception
Following the success of "Detective Pikachu," "Sonic the Hedgehog" in 2020 further demonstrated the potential for video game adaptations to find critical acclaim.
2020: Studies Show Positive Impacts of Video Games on Mental Health
In 2020, a study from Oxford University suggested that playing video games, particularly titles like Animal Crossing: New Horizons, could improve well-being. Another study by Regan Mandryk at the University of Saskatchewan found that video games can reduce stress and benefit mental health across all age groups.
2020: Global Video Game Revenue Reaches $159 Billion
In 2020, the global video game industry generated an estimated $159 billion in revenue, showcasing the massive growth and profitability of the market.
2020: COVID-19 Pandemic Boosts Video Game Engagement
The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 led to a surge in video game engagement as people turned to gaming for entertainment and social connection while adhering to social distancing measures.
2020: Global Video Game Market Reaches $159 Billion
The global video game market, encompassing hardware, software, and services, reached an estimated annual revenue of US$159 billion in 2020.
2021: Continued Impact of the Pandemic
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on video game culture continued into 2021, further solidifying its role as a prominent form of entertainment and social interaction.
2021: Defining a Video Game
The year 2021 brought to light the lack of a clear industry definition for a video game, particularly during the Epic Games v. Apple case. Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers addressed this by establishing that video games fundamentally require interactivity and graphical rendering, distinguishing them from passive entertainment.