Gaming is now one of the biggest entertainment mediums worldwide. And it’s continuing to grow. Over the years, it’s experienced a merger with Hollywood through TV and movies. In fact, many movies and TV series are based from video game storylines. And moreover, video games are starting to create characters that are considered timeless, much like movies and TV have done for decades.
But how did gaming get to this peak?
Well, that’s complicated, but we can give you a brief rundown of gaming history and show you how and why it is where it is.
The Birth of Video Gaming (Late 1950s – 1970s)
It all began with a few games you’ve never heard of. Tennis for Two and Spacewar! were launched in the late 50s and early 60s.
Spacebar! was a space war video developed by Steve Russell. Although there were many more involved, Russell played an integral part in launching one of the world’s first video games. Spacebar! was expanded over the years at universities. But it’s hard to say if anyone really understood what this game was launching when it came about. It was, in fact, launching the gaming era.
The Home Console Revolution (1970s – 1980s)
Do you recall the Magnavox Odyssey? Probably not. But it was the Magnavox Odyssey that spawned a new era of home console gaming systems. With the Magnavox Odyssey, there would be no Sony Playstation of Xbox.
The marketing for Magnavox Odyssey really had it down. It focused on being in control of your content. Remember, in these days, you had to watch what was already programmed on the TV. But with Magnavox Odyssey, you could choose your game.
Years later, Adair came along and became a mainstream gaming platform that you found in homes all over the United States. Atari pioneered console gaming.
The home console industry has come a long ways since Magnavox Odyssey. Home Consoles are robust and powerful technology that often not only host games, but wide ranging entertainment such as Netflix and Spotify.
The Rise of Japanese Gaming Giants (1980s)
Nintendo’s entrance with Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in 1985 is a significant moment in gaming history.
1985 marked a time when the video game industry was slumping. This was due to what was considered poor games that weren’t evolving. NES changed this when it launched a platform ripe with games that displayed much improved graphics, actions, and audio. While 80s Nintendo gaming isn’t considered immersive today, it was closer to the concept during that time.
The NES featured a sleek, boxy design, a departure from the ‘toy-like’ appearance of earlier consoles.
Nintendo’s launch was a landmark event that sparked a revolution in gaming, resulting in vastly improved graphical experiences we see today.
The Era of 16-bit and Handheld Gaming (Late 1980s – 1990s)
Today, we take mobile gaming for granted. But mobile gaming wasn’t always a thing. The console wars between Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo resulted in mobile handheld gaming, most notably, the Game Boy in 1989.
THIS WAS A BIG DEAL – especially, for Andrew.
The 3D Revolution and the Rise of PCs (1990s)
By the 1990s, gamers began to figure out that video games had even more technological potential even beyond Sega and Nintendo. And you might be able to more optimally achieve those upgrades by using a computer.
Computers offered gamers something they didn’t have with consoles: the ability to upgrade tech. Savvy gamers could upgrade processors, add memory, and opt for beefed up displays.
Computers remain a top way that highly serious gamers like to experience their favorite games.
The Age of Internet Gaming and Mobile Revolution (Late 1990s – 2000s)
The internet came along in the early 2000s, but bandwidth and onboard device tech struggles limited gaming capabilities. But over the decade, those improvements allowed more and more games to come online. This resulted in a rise of multiplayer gaming and much deeper connectivity, even on a global level.
Modern Gaming: High Definition, VR, and Streaming (2010s – Present)
Today, its all about Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, and super high definition gaming experiences.
One thing is for sure, the gaming revolution is far, far from over. In some ways, it may be just getting started.