5 Surprising Facts About the History of Games

Games have been around for thousands of years, evolving and changing to become one of the most significant aspects of human culture. From ancient games to modern video games, games have been a part of our lives for a long time. Today we will take a closer look at five surprising facts about the history of games that you may not have known.

Fact 1: Games have been around for thousands of years

Games have existed in human culture for thousands of years. The earliest known board games date back to 3000 BCE in ancient Egypt, and their rules have been preserved on tomb walls. In ancient Rome, games were played in public places, and the famous gladiator games were held in huge arenas.

One of the oldest games still played today is Go. Go originated in China over 2,500 years ago and is still widely popular. Games have evolved over the years, but some games, like Go, have remained a popular choice for players.

Fact 2: The first video game was created in 1958

The first video game, called Tennis for Two, was created in 1958. It was the brainchild of physicist William Higinbotham, who created it as a simple demonstration of a new oscilloscope, an electronic device used to display electrical signals.

Tennis for Two was played on an oscilloscope screen by two players using knobs to control the in-game paddles. That simple game paved the way for the creation of more complex, computer-based games that we have today.

Fact 3: Early consoles were marketed as toys

The first video game consoles were marketed as toys. The Magnavox Odyssey, which was released in 1972, was the first home video game console. It was marketed as a toy and shipped with a range of plastic overlays to simulate different games on the screen.

The Atari 2600, released in 1977, was also sold as a toy. Advertisements for the console featured children playing the games, and the console’s design closely resembled a toy. It was only later that gaming began to be considered an adult pastime and marketed as such.

Fact 4: The video game crash of 1983

In 1983, the video game industry suffered a major crash. Many consoles and games had flooded the market, and a lack of quality control led to poor games dominating the market. Consumers were also hesitant to buy new consoles, leading to a huge drop in sales.

The crash led to a period of consolidation in the industry, as companies that were not able to compete in the saturated market went bankrupt. The surviving companies entered a new era of game development, leading to the creation of new and innovative games.

Fact 5: Games are now a billion-dollar industry

Finally, the fifth fact is that the games industry is now worth billions of dollars. In 2020, the worldwide gaming industry was valued at $159 billion, and it is expected to grow even further in the next few years.

Gaming has become a hugely popular pastime, with many different platforms and options for players to choose from. Mobile gaming has exploded in popularity, and esports are now a legitimate competitive field.

The future of gaming is exciting, and the possibilities for innovation are endless. From virtual reality to advances in artificial intelligence, gaming is set to evolve even further in the coming years.