Greetings,
My name is Adam Durant. Those that know me are aware of my fascination of video games. Now many view video games as a baseless form of entertainment that is only useful as mindless (and sometimes destructive) fun. However, it isn't the gimmicks that draw me to video games. The infinite potential of narrative, character development, and interactivity that can co-exist within builds the foundation of my interest. I would argue that video games are as valid as any other media form in existence today (books, films, etc.), and can offer audiences a perspective uniquely its own. That, however, is a tale for another time. For now, allow me to give a brief history of the development of video games. Of note, I will not be going over every console that was released between the Odyssey and today's consoles; only a brief introduction of consoles that I believe help shape the growing art form that exists today.
What better way to start then the console that started home console gaming, the Atari. In 1972, the Atari corporation was formed, and they released the revolutionary game, Pong. This very simplified game of tennis was the first game that began the console video game craze. From there, Atari began to adapt many popular arcade games to their home console such as Space Invaders. and there was a brief period of popularity. [1]
Afterwards, there was a lull in video games. It seemed that audiences were moving past the fad, and in 1983, video games began to lose momentum. The quality of games were dropping, and many lost faith in video games as an interesting form of media. Then came the console that would be responsible for reviving and revitalizing the genre, the Nintendo. Nintendo, with its flagship game Super Mario Bros., sparked audiences around the world to give this intriguing new console a go. [2] To get a better picture of Nintendo's influence at the time, watch this video. [3]
Nintendo's rise to fame gave birth to its successor, and more importantly its competitor. The Super Nintendo (SNES) and Sega Genesis rivalry was commonly referred to as the most competitive console war that has occurred to this day. [4] It is very likely that the rapid growth that video games experienced during this era was credited mostly to the fierce competition between these two consoles. These consoles also began to delve deeper into the video games as more than just entertainment, but as an art itself. For example, the SNES was the console that popularized the Role-Playing Game (RPG) genre; a genre dedicated to storytelling.
When the fifth generation of consoles hit, more competitors began to prospect for gold in this rapidly growing market. Of popular note, the Playstation, Nintendo 64, and the Sega Saturn were the big kids on the block. This generation also was the inception of CD use instead of cartridges; a pivotal point in the amount of content available for games. Also, processors in the new consoles began to achieve higher levels of power (Playstation/Saturn used 32 bit code, and the Nintendo 64 obviously used 64 bit code). [5] Video games were hastily gaining popularity, but it wasn't until the sixth generation that video games truly blossomed.
The Playstation 2, Xbox, and Gamecube; these consoles diversified the gaming market in the sixth generation. Three now major companies entered the ring with something to prove. Of particular note, the sixth generation was largely responsible for popularizing video games across multiple age groups. Whether it was the Playstation 2 with its startling graphics and storytelling elements; the Xbox with its competitive games that sported impressive internet infrastructure; or the Gamecube with its diverse, but often kid-oriented, arsenal. [6] There was a video game for every type of person. Video games finally hit their stride, and they could only grow from here.
This leads to the current generation of video games. The seventh generation accelerated the capabilities of video games skyward, and it was impossible for anyone to deny the potential medium. The Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 have achieved high definition graphics (on par or even above that of the quality of films), and tales that can stand up to most respected literary works. The Wii was a breakthrough on two fronts. First, its brilliantly inventive motion control capabilities (which were followed by similar designs for the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360). Second, its family game-style design was unprecedented in the gaming world, and drew many fresh customers with its newfound motif. [7] This was a generation of supreme innovation and design. Games were growing in length and content exponentially. Interactivity was reaching levels only imagined. Even more impressive, inter-connectivity truly emerged at this time. People across the world could play games with each other with, usually, limited hassle. The possibilities were (and still are) endless.
Video games had achieved popularity that rivaled or even bested most other competitive forms of media. While the future of games is unclear, it is a certainty that its future is a bright one. From its humble origins to its now spectacular prospects, Video games have made their way as a legitimate form of culture/media, and I look forward to what innovation lies ahead.
To sum it up, this video [8] should fit nicely. I hope you have enjoyed this blog.
References
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1. Wikipedia contributors, "Atari," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Atari&oldid=428679133 (accessed May 25, 2011).
2. Wikipedia contributors, "Video game console," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Video_game_console&oldid=430305375 (accessed May 25, 2011)
3. Nintendo Mario Bros commercial (old). (2008). Retrieved May 24, 2011, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMyYRy5SgIM&feature=related
Levi Buchanan 2009. Genesis vs. SNES : By the Numbers IGN (March 20). http://retro.ign.com/articles/965/965032p1.html (accessed May 24, 2011).
The History of Video Games 32 Bit Era <http://www.ehow.com/about_5375123_history-video-games-bit-era.html>(accessed May 24, 2011).
The History of Gaming - The Sixth Generation <http://www.square-go.com/feature/568>(accessed May 24, 2011).
7. Wikipedia contributors, "History of video game consoles (seventh generation)," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=History_of_video_game_consoles_(seventh_generation)&oldid=430441600 (accessed May 25, 2011).
8. Final Edition || History of Video Games. (2007). Retrieved May 24, 2011, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45I7VEjanLA&feature=iv&annotation_id=annotation_258171
As a gamer myself, I found this blog well thought out and interesting. I did note that you said you weren't going to cover all game systems - just the ones that brought it to where it is now, however, I think you should have mentioned the humble beginnings from the computer by Steve Russell who made "Space Wars."
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