As video games continue to evolve and advance, it’s fascinating to think about where they started. While many people believe that Pong by Atari, released in 1972, was the first video game, this isn’t entirely accurate. In fact, there are several games that predate Pong and are considered to be the oldest video games in the world.
One of the earliest known video games is OXO (also known as noughts and crosses), which was created by Alexander S. Douglas in 1952. This game was a simple tic-tac-toe simulation that could be played on a Cambridge University computer called EDSAC (Electronic Delay Storage Automatic Calculator).
Another early video game is Tennis for Two, which was created by William Higinbotham in 1958. This game was designed to entertain visitors at Brookhaven National Laboratory, where Higinbotham worked as a physicist. Tennis for Two used a cathode ray tube (CRT) to display the game and allowed players to control the paddle with a potentiometer.
While these games may not be as well-known as Pong, they are still important milestones in the history of video gaming. They demonstrate how far we’ve come since the early days of computer technology and show that video games have always been a part of human culture.
OXO: The Earliest Known Video Game
Alexander S. Douglas created OXO in 1952 as a simple tic-tac-toe simulation for the EDSAC computer at Cambridge University. The game was written in assembly language and used a simple algorithm to simulate the game’s rules.
Players would take turns placing their mark on the grid, with the goal of getting three marks in a row, column, or diagonal. The game was played using a light pen that could be used to draw lines on a sheet of paper that was placed on top of the computer’s display screen.
OXO is considered to be one of the earliest video games because it was created before any other known video games and was played by people in a more interactive way than traditional games. The game was not intended for commercial use, but rather as a fun way for Douglas to showcase the capabilities of the EDSAC computer.
Tennis for Two: A Classic Game with Modern Roots
William Higinbotham created Tennis for Two in 1958 as a way to entertain visitors at Brookhaven National Laboratory, where he worked as a physicist. The game used a cathode ray tube (CRT) to display the game and allowed players to control the paddle with a potentiometer.
Tennis for Two was designed to be a simple and fun game that could be played by anyone, regardless of their skill level. The game was not intended for commercial use, but rather as a way to showcase the capabilities of the CRT display technology.
Despite its humble beginnings, Tennis for Two has had a lasting impact on the video game industry. It is considered to be one of the earliest known video games and has been credited with popularizing the use of CRT displays in video games. The game’s simple design and fun gameplay have also influenced modern-day tennis games and sports simulation games.
The Impact of Early Video Games on Modern Gaming
Early video games like OXO and Tennis for Two have had a significant impact on the video game industry. They demonstrate how far we’ve come since the early days of computer technology and show that video games have always been a part of human culture.
These games also influenced modern-day video games in several ways.
