Video Games

Video games first came to us in 1958. In October 1958, Physicist William Higinbotham created the first video game. It was a very simple tennis game. It was for 2 players only when 2 stands will move up and won on two sides of the screen in a rally hitting the ball at one another. 20 years later the game 'Space Invaders' was made. This was another significant game because it became the most played game of its time. Not only did it attract attention from the younger generation but was a real hit for the elder generation. It was originally manufactured and sold by Taito in Japan, and was later licensed for production in the United States by the Midway division of Bally. Space Invaders was one of the earliest shooting games. The aim is to defeat aliens, whilst completing waves/levels where the difficulty will increase and the number of aliens will also increase. The longer you survive the points you gain and the more successful you will be.

In the early-1980s, arcade games were a vibrant industry. The arcade video game industry in the US alone was generating $5 billion of revenue annually in 198 and the number of arcades doubled between 1980 and 1982. Arcades became popular venues for all ages of people. But when video games first came to the world it was getting much publicity. This was until the 90's when a show called 'Games Master'. This got millions of views and consisted of contestants coming on the show and asking the master what to do in certain games. The publicity was massive and also persuaded many people to want to purchase their own game. Also game-offs took place. This was were two people would battle in public in front of other fans of games and they will select a 2 player game and verse each other to see who the better gamer is.

Coming into the early 2000 a new method of gaming took the worlds attention. This was called virtual reality. It is when under the use of special equipment you can be in the shoes of the main character. Depending on the character and theme of the game will determine what you get to do. For most games it required you to run on the spot. This will then be emulated onto the screen, as will all the other moves you make. This is just an example of how advanced and far videos games have come since the first video game realised.