Since they first debuted in 1958, video games have been at the forefront of technology. Although the first game was incredibly simple by today’s standards, it launched what is now a $100 billion global industry and incredible developments that were once the stuff of science fiction. Four out of five U.S. households now own at least one console, with over 42% of Americans identifying as gamers. While modern games have changed drastically since 1958, video games are clearly here to stay!
With that in mind, here’s a look at how video games have become one of the top entertainment industries in the world—as well as a sneak peek of the most anticipated games set to release in 2022.
Humble Beginnings: Tennis for Two
In 1958, physicist William Higinbotham created what’s believed to be the first video game created for entertainment. Tennis for Two (also known as Computer Tennis) was a video game created for display at the Brookhaven National Laboratory’s annual public exhibition. The game, which was very similar to the 1970’s classic, Pong, was displayed on an oscilloscope and played with two custom aluminum controllers. Players would adjust the angle of their shops using a knob on the controller and try to hit the ball over the net by pressing a button. The game was very popular among exhibition-goers, with many lining up to see it in action.
The Dawn of the Home Consoles and Computer Systems
While Tennis for Two piqued many people’s interest, it took more than a decade for video games to make their way into American homes. In 1967, developers at Sanders Associates, Inc., invented a prototype multiplayer video game system (known as The Brown Box) that could be played on TVs. Ralph Baer, the team lead (who’s sometimes referred to as the Father of Video Games), licensed the system to Magnavox. In 1972, the system, now renamed The Odyssey, was officially on the market. Although it saw some interest from consumers, the system never quite took hold. After a few years, it commercially fizzled out.
However, one of the console’s games became the inspiration for Atari’s Pong, which was first released as the first arcade video game in 1972. After the success of Pong, Atari released a home version of the game in 1975, which quickly became as successful as its arcade counterpart. Magnavox, however, eventually sued Atari for copyright infringement; after Atari settled, it went on to become an Odyssey licensee.
In 1977, the Atari 2600 (also known as the Video Computer System) was released. This innovative home console featured joysticks, game cartridges, and games that played in multiple colors, rather than black and white—developments that officially kicked off the second generation of video game consoles and the Golden Age of Video Games.
In addition to the increasing popularity of gaming consoles, the 1970s saw the rise of personal home computers. Technological advancements like the world’s first microprocessor led to the popularity of games like Gunfight (1975), which was the first multiplayer combat shooter. Although it was a far cry from Call of Duty, Gunfight was very popular and considered highly innovative for the time. The arcade game introduced a new style of gameplay that relied on one joystick to control movement and another joystick to control shooting direction—a first for video games.
The Golden Age of Video Games…and the Crash
During the late 1970s to mid-1980s, video games became an entertainment superpower, spurred in part by pinball’s declining popularity. Gaming saw increased interest and even made its way into pop culture. Some of the most iconic games (and gaming consoles) were released during this time, including:
- Space Invaders (Taito/Midway – 1978)
- Asteroids (Atari – 1979)
- Pac-Man (Namco/Midway – 1980)
- Frogger (Konami/Sega-Gremlin – 1981)
- Donkey Kong (Nintendo – 1981)
- Tron (Bally Midway – 1982)
- Mario Bros. (Nintendo – 1983)
Unfortunately, the Golden Age of Video games was destined to crash in 1983. This was due to many factors, including the oversaturated console market, competition from computer/PC gaming, and overly-hyped, poor quality games that didn’t deliver the gaming experience they boasted—such as Atari’s E.T., which is considered by many to be one of the worst video games ever created. This crash, which lasted several years, eventually led to the bankruptcy of several video game console companies. However, the industry began to recover in 1985, when Japan’s Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) arrived in the U.S.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, video games continued to transition out of the arcades and into homes, allowing gamers to enjoy longer, more complex gameplay.
The Modern Era of Gaming
Gaming has continued to evolve in the modern era, with developments such as MMORPGs like Second Life and World of Warcraft in the 2000s, and smartphone games like Angry Birds and Candy Crush. As video game creators have strived to increase the immersive elements of gameplay, we’ve also seen the rise of augmented reality games, like Pokémon Go and virtual reality games like Beat Saber. Technology has become so much more than a tool—it’s become the future of free time and entertainment as we know it.
Video games also have practical applications, from team building to improving cognitive abilities. Research from Brigham Young University has shown that playing video games with coworkers for just 45 minutes can build community and strengthen the effectiveness of the team—teams were also found to be 20% more productive than teams who engaged in traditional team-building exercises. When you consider that many gameplay elements are similar to workplace interactions (for example, pursuing mutual goals, allocating shared resources, and collaborating to solve problems) it completely makes sense!
Individuals can also experience many benefits from gaming. Many studies suggest that playing video games can boost skills like literacy, creativity, and communication, as well as spatial reasoning and tech readiness. Additionally, they can increase your aptitude for highly employable skills like leadership, budgeting, problem-solving, and strategic thinking.
There’s no doubt about it: gaming culture has officially become mainstream, attracting more players than ever. With the wide array of different game types, gaming consoles, and computers, it’s never been easier to customize your experience to how you like to play.
The 2021 Game Award Winners and Most Anticipated Games of 2022
Since it’s the new year, it’s an excellent time to review some of the top games to hit the scene in 2021! Here are some of the winners of the 2021 Game Awards:
- Game of the Year: It Takes Two – Hazelight Studios/EA
- Best Game Direction: Deathloop – Arkane Studios/Bethesda
- Best Narrative: Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy – Eidos Montreal/Square Enix
- Best Games for Impact: Life is Strange: True Colors – Deck Nine/Square Enix
- Best Ongoing Content: Final Fantasy XIV – Square Enix
- Best Indie Game: Kena: Bridge of Spirits – Ember Lab
- Best AR/VR: Resident Evil 4 – Armature Studio/Capcom/Oculus Studios
- Best Action Game: Returnal – Housemarque/SIE
- Best Action/Adventure: Metroid Dread – Mercury Steam/Nintendo
- Best RPG: Tales of Arise – Bandai Namco
- Best Fighting Game: Guilty Gear –Strive– Arcsystemworks
- Best Family Game: It Takes Two – Hazelight Studios/EA
- Best Sim/Strategy: Age of Empires IV – Relic Entertainment/Xbox Game Studios
- Best Sports/Racing: Forza Horizon 5 – Playground Games/Xbox Game Studios
- Best Multiplayer: It Takes Two – Hazelight Studios/EA
That brings us to 2022! Many of the games coming out this year have been long-awaited since the start of the pandemic. Like all of us at Tech Shack, we’re sure many of you are excited to see some of the hottest games to hit the market, including:
- Rainbow Six Extraction – Jan. 20 (PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Series S, PC)
- Pokemon Legends: Arceus – Jan. 28 (Nintendo Switch)
- Dying Light 2: Stay Human – Feb. 4 (Xbox Series X and Series S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows)
- Sifu – Feb. 8 (PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Microsoft Windows)
- Horizon Forbidden West – Feb. 18 (PS4, PS5)
- Elden Ring – Feb. 25 (PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X)
- Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: Dawn of Ragnarok – March 10 (Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PS4, PS5, PC)
- God of War: Ragnarok – Release date TBD (PS4, PS5)
- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 – Release date TBD (Nintendo Switch)
- Starfield – TBD (PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X)
- Splatoon 3 – TBD (Nintendo Switch)
Get Your System Ready to Handle the Latest Games!
If you’re excited to play the latest games, Tech Shack can help you make sure your system is up to the task! Many of these newer games require high-end video cards and processors to experience them at their fullest. We offer everything from console repairs and system upgrades to completely customized gaming PCs.
Of course, every gamer also needs a quality entertainment system to see (and hear) every detail. We also offer in-home installation services to help you build the home theater experience of your dreams. Whether you’re a gamer who wants to be fully immersed in your gameplay or you want to enjoy the latest streaming movies and shows (like The Matrix Resurrections or The Witcher) in all their glory, we can make it happen. Enjoy the best entertainment the industry has to offer—all from the comfort of your home!
From keeping the kids entertained to helping adults have a fully functional home office complete with everything needed to work from home, Tech Shack is here to help. Contact us today at (864) 722-5155, stop by the shop, or schedule an appointment online.