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Steve Russell
a student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), creates Spacewar, the first interactive computer game. It runs on a Digital PDP-1 mainframe computer, and the graphics are made up of ASCII text characters. -
Ralph Baer
An engineer at Sanders Associates, receives support from his company (a military electronics consulting firm in NH) to explore his idea of creating interactive games using a television. -
Chase Game & Tennis Game
Baer and team are successful in creating two interactive TV games. A chase game and a tennis game. They are also able to manipulate a toy gun so that it detects spots of light on the TV screen. -
Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney
Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney (future founders of Atari) begin their attempt to create an arcade version of Spacewar, calling it Computer Space. -
Computer Space
Computer Space becomes first video arcade game ever released. 1500 games are distributed. Public consensus is that it is too difficult to play. -
Magnavox's Odyssey
Tthe first home video game system, is showcased at a convention in Burlingame, CA, and is released to the public later that year. -
Pong
Al Alcorn is hired by Atari to program video games. The first game created by Atari is Pong. Ping-Pong, the original name, is already copyrighted, so the makers name it Pong after the sound of a ball hitting the paddle. -
Gunfight
The first "computer" game is released. It is the first game to use a microprocessor instead of hardwired solid-state circuits. -
Telstar
Coleco releases its first home video-game console called Telstar. -
Atari Video Computer System
Atari introduces its first cartridge-based home video system called the Video Computer System which later becomes known as the Atari 2600. It retails for $249.95. -
Space Invaders
Midway introduces Space Invaders into arcades. It is the first arcade game that tracks and displays high scores. -
Asteriods
Asteroids is the first game to allow high scorers to enter three character initials to be stored in the machine. -
Battlezone
Battlezone is first 3-D game ever created. It is set in a virtual battlefield and was later enhanced by the U.S. government for training exercises. -
Atari 5200
Atari releases the Atari 5200 to compete with Coleco's Colecovision. -
Commodore 64
The Commodore 64 is introduced. It is the most powerful video-game console to date and the least expensive. -
Tetris
The popular game Tetris is developed by Russian programmer Alex Pajitnov. It is played on a PC. -
Atari 7800
Atari releases the Atari 7800 to stay competitive in the market. -
Game Boy
Nintendo releases the handheld Game Boy for $109. -
Lynx
Atari tries to enter the handheld market with the Lynx, a color handheld console retailing for $149. -
Jaguar
Atari releases the Jaguar, attempting to be the first 64-bit console on the market. The product actually runs two 32-bit processors. -
Ratings
Resulting from the Senate investigation, the Entertainment Software Rating Board is created. Rating are now given to video games and are marked on the games' packaging to indicate the suggested age of players and violent content. -
PlayStation
Sony releases PlayStation in the United States -
Arcades Games Evolving
Arcades focus on bringing in more "ride-and-video" games like skiing, snowboarding, and Jet Skiing, as their popularity has surpassed the popularity of shooting and fighting games. -
Game.com
Tiger introduces a multipurpose handheld console to compete with the Game Boy. Called game.com, it features games, an address book, calculator, and stylus for touchscreen capability. It also connects to a PC modem for access to email. -
Sega Dreamcast
Sega introduces the Dreamcast in Japan. This console operates on Microsoft Windows CE which will allow for easier conversions between Dreamcast and PC games -
Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time transport players to the rickly imagined world of Hyrule, full of engaging charters, thought-provoking puzzles, and the most memorable musical instrument to ever appear in a video game. -
Sims
The Sims is released, and quickly becomes a hit. It eventually (in 2002) surpasses Myst as the best-selling PC game ever. -
PlayStation 2
Sony's PlayStation 2 launches in the U.S. for $299.99 and is sold out by early morning. -
GameBoy Advance
Nintendo releases the GameBoy Advance, a portable gaming system. -
Steam
Valve energizes PC gaming with its release of Steam. The digital distribution platforms allows players to download, play, and update games. -
Nintendo DS
Nintendo releases the Nintendo DS, a portable system with two screens, one of which can be used as a touch screen. -
PSP
Sony releases the PSP, a portable system with a large, high-resolution display -
Xbox 360
Microsoft unveils the XBox 360, a console system to be released in November 2005. Sony and Nintendo's competing console systems are planned for release in 2006. -
Wii
Nintendo releases the Wii, a gaming system that lets gamers use the controller in revolutionary ways, such as swinging it like a tennis racket, holding and tilting it like a steering wheel, and more. -
PlayStation 3
Sony also debuts the Playstation 3, a very sophisticated and expensive game system. -
Super Mario Galaxy
Nintendo releases Super Mario Galaxy for the Wii. It continues the adventures of Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach as they face their old foe Bowser. -
Games take over Social Media
Social gaming takes shape with Farmville and Angry Birds, enthralling millions of new players. Facebook and cellphones allow easy access to these addictive games. -
Motion Control Systems
New motion control systems--Sony's PlayStation Move and Microsoft Kinect--let players interact in a more immersive way, doing away with controllers and letting players use their bodies instead. -
Elder Scrolls
Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim showcases the beauty, majesty, and massiveness of video games as players explore a seemingly endless, beautifully rendered fantasy world. -
Gaming Now
Both Sony (PlayStation 4) and Microsoft (XBox One) release new gaming platforms this year. Offering social connection through "next generation cooperative and competitive multiplayer play," these systems offer amazing graphics and speed. -
Satoru Iwata
Satoru Iwata, who led video game maker Nintendo through one of the most successful periods in its history, has died at the age of 55.
