Hi,

Arcade was born 50 years ago...

*Before Pong, There Was Computer Space*
At mit.edu by Noah Wardrip-Fruin 2021/10/15

Fifty years ago, Computer Space launched the video game industry.
Here's why it never took off.

Before Pong there was Computer Space, the first commercial video game.
The progenitor of today’s US$175 billion industry debuted on Oct. 15,
1971, at the Music Operators of America trade show in Chicago. Housed
in a futuristic-looking cabinet, Computer Space took its place alongside
the latest jukeboxes, pinball machines and other coin-operated games
manufacturers were pitching to arcade and bar owners.

Computer Space, made by the small company Nutting Associates, seemed
to have everything going for it. Its scenario – flying a rocket ship
through space locked in a dogfight with two flying saucers – seemed
perfect for the times. The Apollo Moon missions were in full swing. The
game was a good match for people who enjoyed science-fiction movies like
“2001: A Space Odyssey” and “Planet of the Apes” and television shows
like “Star Trek” and “Lost in Space,” or those who had thrilled to the
aerial combat of the movies “The Battle of Britain” and “Tora! Tora!
Tora!” There was even prominent placement of a Computer Space cabinet
in Charlton Heston’s film “Soylent Green.”

But when Computer Space was unveiled, it didn’t generate a flood of
orders, and no flood ever arrived. It wasn’t until Computer Space’s
makers left the company, founded Atari and released Pong the next year
that the commercial potential of video games became apparent. The
company sold 8,000 Pong units by 1974.

Nolan Bushnell, who led the development of both Computer Space and Pong,
has recounted Computer Space’s inauspicious start many times. He claimed
that Computer Space failed to take off because it overestimated the
public. Bushnell is widely quoted as saying the game was too complicated
for typical bar-goers, and that no one would want to read instructions
to play a video game.

In single-player mode, the arcade video game Computer Space pitted the
player controlling a rocket ship against two flying saucers controlled
by the game.

As a researcher who studies video game design and history, I’ve found
that isn’t the case...

<https://thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/before-pong-there-was-computer-space/>

Original Computer Space <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YR7gmVpw6Io>

Regards,

--
François LE COAT
Author of Eureka 2.12 (2D Graph Describer, 3D Modeller)
http://eureka.atari.org/

Hi,

Here is Ahoy's documentary about the historical first video game...

<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHQ4WCU1WQc>

The day when we are celebrating 50 years of first arcade game, it's
interesting to understand more about the video games' first steps =)

Francois LE COAT writes:
> Arcade was born 50 years ago...
>
> *Before Pong, There Was Computer Space*
> At mit.edu by Noah Wardrip-Fruin 2021/10/15
>
> Fifty years ago, Computer Space launched the video game industry.
> Here's why it never took off.
>
> Before Pong there was Computer Space, the first commercial video game.
> The progenitor of today’s US$175 billion industry debuted on Oct. 15,
> 1971, at the Music Operators of America trade show in Chicago. Housed
> in a futuristic-looking cabinet, Computer Space took its place alongside
> the latest jukeboxes, pinball machines and other coin-operated games
> manufacturers were pitching to arcade and bar owners.
>
> Computer Space, made by the small company Nutting Associates, seemed
> to have everything going for it. Its scenario – flying a rocket ship
> through space locked in a dogfight with two flying saucers – seemed
> perfect for the times. The Apollo Moon missions were in full swing. The
> game was a good match for people who enjoyed science-fiction movies like
> “2001: A Space Odyssey” and “Planet of the Apes” and television shows
> like “Star Trek” and “Lost in Space,” or those who had thrilled to the
> aerial combat of the movies “The Battle of Britain” and “Tora! Tora!
> Tora!” There was even prominent placement of a Computer Space cabinet
> in Charlton Heston’s film “Soylent Green.”
>
> But when Computer Space was unveiled, it didn’t generate a flood of
> orders, and no flood ever arrived. It wasn’t until Computer Space’s
> makers left the company, founded Atari and released Pong the next year
> that the commercial potential of video games became apparent. The
> company sold 8,000 Pong units by 1974.
>
> Nolan Bushnell, who led the development of both Computer Space and Pong,
> has recounted Computer Space’s inauspicious start many times. He claimed
> that Computer Space failed to take off because it overestimated the
> public. Bushnell is widely quoted as saying the game was too complicated
> for typical bar-goers, and that no one would want to read instructions
> to play a video game.
>
> In single-player mode, the arcade video game Computer Space pitted the
> player controlling a rocket ship against two flying saucers controlled
> by the game.
>
> As a researcher who studies video game design and history, I’ve found
> that isn’t the case...
>
> <https://thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/before-pong-there-was-computer-space/>
>
> Original Computer Space <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YR7gmVpw6Io>

Regards,

--
François LE COAT
Author of Eureka 2.12 (2D Graph Describer, 3D Modeller)
http://eureka.atari.org/

Hi,

Francois LE COAT writes:
> Here is Ahoy's documentary about the historical first video game...
>
>     <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHQ4WCU1WQc>
>
> The day when we are celebrating 50 years of first arcade game, it's
> interesting to understand more about the video games' first steps =)

And we will celebrate 50th anniversary from the Pong Game release...

*Atari Unveils New Logo, Games, And More For 50th Anniversary*
In Forbes by Anthony Karcz Nov 10, 2021

Established in Sunnyvale, CA in 1972, Atari has had quite the history.
They were on the cutting edge of the burgeoning video game industry in
the early '80s, producing classic arcade games such as Asteroids and
Centipede as well as the first home video game console with swappable
cartridges. Back before Nintendo made a splash, Atari defined the path.

Atari's back with a new console, the Atari VCS, that feeds up retro and
remastered retro games, as well as acting as a full-fledged computer
system. It's an interesting bit of hardware that has yet to really take
off, but the company's hoping some good ol' anniversary hype will do
the trick.

First up is the new Atari logo. Referred to as "Goldschool Sunnyvale,"
a reference to their old school status and city of origin, it
incorporates the classic Fuji mark (no sense in changing a classic).
The golden logo (because, golden anniversary) will be seen on all kinds
of merch in the coming year as they approach their official anniversary
on June 27, 2022...

<https://www.forbes.com/sites/anthonykarcz/2021/11/10/atari-unveils-new-logo-games-and-more-for-50th-anniversary/>

Regards,

--
François LE COAT
Author of Eureka 2.12 (2D Graph Describer, 3D Modeller)
http://eureka.atari.org/