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Edward U. Condon Designs the First Computer That Plays the Game Nim
For the Westinghouse display at the World's Fair, Edward U. Condon designs a computer that plays the traditional game "Nim". The game had the player avoid picking up the last matchstick. Tens of thousands of people would play it, and the computer wins at least 90% of the games -
Alex Bernstein Completes the First Computer Chess Program
Alex Bernstein Completes the First Computer Chess Program. The program was made on a IBM-704 computer. The computer program was advanced enough to evaluate 4.5 moves ahead of time. -
Steve Russell Invents "Spacewar!"
MIT student, Steve Russell, invents "Spacewar!". This game was the first computer-based video game. Over the following decade, the game spreads to computers across the country. -
Atari Creates the First Successful Arcade Game
Noland Bushnell and Al Alcorn of Atari develop an arcade table tennis game. When they test it in Andy Capps Tavern in Sunnyvale, California, it stops working. Why? Because people played it so much that it jammed with quarters. "Pong", and arcade legend, was born... -
Atari Releases the "Video Computer System"
Atari Releases the "Video Computer System", more commonly known as the "Atari 2600". It featured a joystick, interchangeable cartridges, game in color, and switches for selecting the game and its difficulty. The system was a huge success and made it into millions of Americans homes. -
Nintendo Enters the Arcade Scene
Nintendo creates their first arcade game Donkey Kong. This game featured the character Jumpman which soon became the most iconic face in gaming history. Who's Jumpman? Well, non-other than Super Mario! -
Multiplayer Games take a Huge Step Forward
Multiplayer games take a huge step forward with Dan Bunten's "M.U.L.E.". The game had players compete gathering resources while saving their colony from the planet Irata. The game was the game that started to make multiplayer games more relevant. -
Educational Game Make a Big Leap Forward with CD-ROMs
The emerging educational software market leaps ahead with the introduction of The Learning Company's "Reader Rabbit" program. The educational business grows even more with the introduction of CD-ROMs. Sadly, the market crashes with the rise of the Internet. -
The Nintendo Gameboy Revolutionizes Hand-held Gaming
Nintendo's Gameboy popularizes hand-held gaming. Though not the first hand-held system. The Gameboy charms players with good gameplay, ease-of-use, and long battery life. -
The Introduction of Video Game ESRB Ratings
Concern about bloodshed in games like "Mortal Kombat" prompts United States Senete hearings on video game violence. The controversy riles the industry and prompts the creation of a video game rating system. Ironically, that same year, "Doom" popularizes "first-person-shooters". -
Sony Enters the Home-Console Scene
Sony releases the Playstation in the U.S., selling $100 dollars less than Sega's Sega Saturn, which in turn knocked them out of the home-console business. The console popularizes games on CD's. They would become one of gaming's giants like Nintendo. -
Microsoft Also Enters the Home-Console Scene
The Xbox was Microsoft's attempt to enter the home-console market. Though, not as popular as it's predecessor the Xbox 360. It was still a start for another gaming giant. -
The Creation of Steam
Valve energizes PC player with the introduction of Steam. On the platform you could play games, publish games, and rate games. It reached massive critical acclaim. -
Mobile Games Are the new Fad
With the introduction of the IPhone, along came the introduction of the App Store. On the App Store you could publish apps. Many of early apps were games like Angry Birds. This embiggened the mobile game market.
