The First Video Game
There is much dispute over the first true video game, as the definition of 'video game' was rather loose in the early 1900's. Many early games were created for training, or for scientific and academic projects, while other later contenders were created purely for fun and enjoyment. The title of 'First Video Game' has many contenders, with most of them discussed below.
World's Fair - Westinghouse Display
In 1940, Edward Condon designed a computer for the World's Fair that played Nim.[1] The rules of Nim are simple: The player must try to avoid picking up the last matchstick. Whoever picks up the last matchstick, loses. Over 10,000 people would play the game, with the computer winning well over 90% of the games played.[1] If one somehow beat the computer, it would award the player with a stamped token proclaiming them as the "Nim Champion."[2]
However, many do not consider this the first video game due to the simplicity of the computer used to play the game, and the lack of traditional graphics many have come to associate with video games.
However, many do not consider this the first video game due to the simplicity of the computer used to play the game, and the lack of traditional graphics many have come to associate with video games.
Cathode Ray Tube "Amusement Device"
In 1947, Thomas Goldsmith Jr. and Estle Ray designed a "Cathode Ray Tube Amusement Device."[1] The game was supposedly based off World War II radar displays, and allowed the players to adjust knobs to aim "missiles" at the target.[3] Unfortunately, there are no working models of the game, so the details of the game are rather questionable.
Much like Nim, there is much debate over whether the device is the first video game. As the game does not utilize a computer or a television/monitor, many do not consider this the first video game.[3] However, some cite the Amusement Device as the first video game, since it is electronic, and utilizes a video output device.[3]
Much like Nim, there is much debate over whether the device is the first video game. As the game does not utilize a computer or a television/monitor, many do not consider this the first video game.[3] However, some cite the Amusement Device as the first video game, since it is electronic, and utilizes a video output device.[3]
Computer Chess Games
In the 1950's, chess came to computers through the work of Claude Shannon and Alan Turing.[1] Shortly after, many computer scientists followed in their path, each creating a more thorough version of the game. In 1957, the first complete computer chess game, built by Alex Bernstein, was released.[4] Just one year later, a computer chess program succeeded in beating a human player.[4] As years went on, many computer scientists and programmers would continue improving computer chess algorithms, with current chess programs able to complete with high-level chess players.[4]
Although computer chess can be classified as a video game today, the same is not necessarily true for the original chess programs. The original chess programs ran on computers that did not have video output, with the first known "video game" chess being released in the 1970's. Due to the lack of video output, most do not consider chess to be the first video game.
Although computer chess can be classified as a video game today, the same is not necessarily true for the original chess programs. The original chess programs ran on computers that did not have video output, with the first known "video game" chess being released in the 1970's. Due to the lack of video output, most do not consider chess to be the first video game.
OXO (Tic-Tac-Toe)
In 1952, British Professor A.S. Douglas created OXO, a computer version of Tic-Tac-Toe, for his doctoral dissertation.[5] However, much like chess for the computer, the game was built for early computers, and utilized a primitive display. Furthermore, due to the use of cathode ray tubes (CRTs) for display, to claim OXO is the first video game is somewhat contradictory, as the Cathode Tube Ray Amusement Device was designed in 1947.
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Tennis for Two
In 1958, the first video game created "just for fun" was Tennis for Two, designed by physicist William Higinbotham.[6] The game was similar in design to Pong, allowing two human players to play a basic version of tennis. Many consider Tennis for Two to be the first video game, however there are those that disagree.[6] The argument against Tennis for Two is that the game was specially designed for one computer, and could not easily be replicated or played on multiple devices, traits that many have come to be associated with video games.
Spacewar!
In 1962, Steve Russell created Spacewar!, designed for the Programmed Data Processor-1 (PDP-1), a computer found at many universities at the time.[5] The game was a space combat game that allowed two players to fight each other with special-built control boxes. Spacewar! was the first video game that could be played on multiple computer installations, making it another popular choice for the title of first video game.[5]
Conclusion
There are many contenders for the title of video game, with some not even discussed in this article. Most people have their own definition of what they consider a "video game", causing disputes over the title of first video game. Regardless of which game receives the title, each brought innovation and interest to the field of computer programming, making each an important piece of video game history.
More Information:
Due to the simplicity of games released pre-1070's, and the lack of interest in video games at the time, there are not many sources detailing the early years.
- "Early History of Video Games," an article on Wikipedia that discusses video game history from the 1950's to the 1970's more in-depth.
- "Early Mainframe Games," a Wikipedia article that discusses the mainframe games that drew interest to video games
References:
1. "Video Game History Timeline." Museum of Play. Accessed 17 Feb. 2018.
2. "NIMATRON: An Early Electromechanical Machine to Play the Game of Nim." Jeremy Norman's History of Information. Accessed 16 Feb. 2018.
3. Cohen, D.S. "Cathode Ray Tube Amusement Device - First Electronic Game." Lifewire. (2006).
4. "Computers and Chess - A History." Chess.com. Accessed 16 Feb. 2018.
5. "History of Video Games." History.com. Accessed 16 Feb. 2018.
6. Tretkoff, Ernie and Nadia Ramlagan. "This Month in Physics History." APS News, 17, no. 9 (2008).
2. "NIMATRON: An Early Electromechanical Machine to Play the Game of Nim." Jeremy Norman's History of Information. Accessed 16 Feb. 2018.
3. Cohen, D.S. "Cathode Ray Tube Amusement Device - First Electronic Game." Lifewire. (2006).
4. "Computers and Chess - A History." Chess.com. Accessed 16 Feb. 2018.
5. "History of Video Games." History.com. Accessed 16 Feb. 2018.
6. Tretkoff, Ernie and Nadia Ramlagan. "This Month in Physics History." APS News, 17, no. 9 (2008).