As game developers and enthusiasts alike, we all have our own stories about the first video games that captured our imaginations. But what if I told you that the answer to this question is not as straightforward as it might seem? In fact, the story of the first ever video game is a complex and fascinating tale that spans decades and continents.
Before we delve into the specifics of the first ever video game made, it’s important to understand the broader context of video gaming in its early days. The roots of video games can be traced back to the 1940s and 50s, when computer scientists and engineers began experimenting with simple interactive programs that could be played on a screen or monitor.
One of the earliest examples of this type of programming was Tennis for Two, which was created by William Higinbotham in 1958. The game was designed to be played using a light pen connected to an oscilloscope screen, and it quickly became popular among computer science students across the United States.
Another pioneering example of early video gaming is OXO, also known as noughts and crosses or tic-tac-toe. This game was created by Alexander S. Douglas in 1952, using a simple algorithm that could be played on a computer screen.
Despite these early successes, it would take several more decades before video games became mainstream and widely available to the general public. It’s during this time that we find the first real contenders for the title of “first ever video game made.”
The First Video Game Contenders
Over the years, several different individuals and groups have claimed to have created the first ever video game. Here are some of the most prominent contenders:
- Ralph Baer: In 1972, Ralph Baer was awarded a patent for an interactive television system that allowed users to play simple games using a remote control. This system, known as the Magnavox Odyssey, is widely considered to be the first commercial home video game console.
- Shigeru Miyamoto: Another well-known contender for the title of “first video game” is Shigeru Miyamoto, the creator of the Super Mario franchise. While it’s true that Miyamoto was one of the first individuals to create a successful video game company and franchise, there’s no concrete evidence to suggest that he created the very first video game.
- Nolan Bushnell: Finally, there are those who claim that Nolan Bushnell, the co-founder of Atari, is the true creator of the first ever video game. In 1972, Bushnell created a simple pong table game that could be played using two paddles connected to an oscilloscope screen. While this game was certainly an early success and helped to establish Atari as a leading video game company, it’s not clear whether it was the very first video game ever made.
The Evidence
So, which of these contenders is the true creator of the first ever video game? The answer, as it turns out, is not as straightforward as we might hope. In fact, there are several different factors that make it difficult to definitively determine who was the very first to create a video game.