Video Game Evolution

Very few of the "gamers" remember "back in thedid use live actors instead of the character). In a 1991
day", around Christmas of 1975 Atari was the first topoll, it was found more kids could identify a picture of
mass produce and distribute a game, where the gameMario than Mickey Mouse.The 1990's brought us into
console had 2 knobs that turned left and right movingthe "shooters" era with games such as Wolfenstein
a little rectangle block up an down the screen, one on3D and Doom. Following Doom, the retail publishers and
the left side and the other on the right. Moving thisdevelopers began to earnestly mimic the practice of
rectangle allowed the "player" to hit a small ball backoffering demos, which had the effect of reducing
and forth between the two players, trying to "play theshareware's appeal for the rest of the decade. During
angle" by hitting it on the edge of your paddle to "give itthis time, the increasing computing power of personal
English" or a sharp angle to score the point. The firstcomputers began to allow rudimentary 3D graphics.
"Video Tennis or Ping Pong" game I guess would be a1993's Doom in particular was largely responsible for
proper reference, in fact it was call "PONG".Two yeardefining the genre and setting it apart from other
later, the development of a cartridge-based consolefirst-person perspective games. The mid 90's brought
called the Video Computer System (VCS), later calledus genra games such as the "Sim" games, beginning
Atari 2600 and the next generation of creatorswith SimCity, and continuing with a variety of titles,
brought us game such as galaxian, space Invaders,such as SimEarth, SimCity 2000, SimAnt, SimTower,
Asteroids, Moon Patrol, Frogger, Donkey Kong (whoand the wildly popular day to day life simulator, The
was that little man jumping over those barrels?Sims in 2000. The 90s also saw the beginnings of
Hmmm). The first football game from the Atari 2600Internet gaming, with MUDs (Multi-User Dungeons) in
allowed you to control one player on offense and yourthe early years. Id Software's 1996 game Quake
opponent controlled either the 3 man D-Line or a singlepioneered play over the Internet in first-person
player. Gee the good ol' days....1980 ushered in theshooters. Internet multiplayer capability became a
"Golden Era" of video games such as Defender, Battledefacto requirement in almost all of the games we
Zone, Zork and some game called, let me see, whatsee now.With all of these developments, but online and
was it? Oh yea, Pacman....... Anyone remember thatconsole games, the "arcade" as we knew it, has
one? (just kidding)Around 1985 the "console game"pretty much became a thing of the past limited now to
market hit a low point as desktop computers alongexpensive game control systems not available to
with hand held units took over the popular market.home users. These are usually based on sports like
Then came the invention of the 8-bit machines and askiing or cycling, as well as rhythm games like Dance
company called Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)Dance Revolution, which have carved out a large slice
burst on the seen with some Italian guys called Marioof the market.Current times have us now playing PS2,
and Lugi Mario. Mario first appeared in the 1982 arcadePSP, Xbox, all of which have become Multi-tasking
hit Donkey Kong, and became an instant hit. Hedevises similar to computers in that they can play not
appeared again 2 years later in Mario Bros., his first titleonly games created and designed for them, but also
role. This game also introduced Lugi to the public. MarioCD's, MP3's, Videos. What is next? PS3, Xbox 360
first came home on the Nintendo Entertainmentare both due out this fall/early winter just in time for
System in Super Mario Bros., one of the best sellingChristmas. Both with disk space rivaling that of a
games ever. This game brought Mario into millions ofdesktop computer.Can we actually wait that
homes around the world and made him a cultural iconlong?......Just a normal guy trying to starta business on
equal to Harrison Ford, Arnold Swartzneger, or Tomthe internet. 50 year old white male father of 4. Born in
Cruise. Besides all the games, he has starred in 3the midwest moved to the southwest 30 plus years
cartoon series, one major motion picture (although theyago.