The first video game in history was not created by Atari

In the Olympus of video games, Atari usually occupy the throne as an undisputed pioneer. However, this legacy in history is also accompanied by other companies and relevant titles that were crucial for the creation of the games industry. While Atari was, without a doubt, a fundamental figure in the popularization of this entertainment medium, the first video game dates back much further, to a time of oscilloscopes and primitive electronic devices that Nowadays they are no longer used.

In itself, the history of video games he’s not even 100 years old and has advanced considerably along with technology, giving us impressively realistic deliveries as is Red Dead Redemption 2, the best game in history according to IMDb. Well, in the 50s came two games that took the first steps, so, in this article, we tell you what they are and why they are so important.

The beginning of the era of video games was consolidated by engineer Josef Kates

Bertie the Brain was the first electronic interaction game

The 1950s witnessed the birth of the playful electronic interaction with devicesmarked by significant innovations such as Bertie the Brain, created by engineer Josef Kates in 1950. This device was practically the precursor of the consoles modern that we know todayas it offered users the possibility of playing a analogous game known as “tic-tac-toe” or “O and X.” Despite its considerable size and operational complexity, Bertie the Brain represents a crucial advance in the history of entertainment technology, being one of the first examples of electronic interaction with a machine in history

Later, in 1958, William Higinbotham advanced along this line of interactive entertainment with “Tennis for Two”, a game that simulated a match of tennis on an oscilloscope and that was presented at a public fair. Its intuitive design and resulting interactivity captured the public’s attentionconsolidating its position as one of the pioneers in the video game industry.

The discussion about which of these devices deserves the title of the “first video game” is still up in the air, but both Tennis for Two and Bertie the Brain They share fundamental characteristics, such as electronic interaction, elemental design and a focus on entertainment. While Tennis for Two is recognized for its public accessibility and its influence on the perception of video games as entertainmentBertie the Brain is noted for his innovative role as a device electronic dedicated to the gameestablishing a precedent for the development of future video game consoles.

Tennis for Two vs Bertie the Brain: what was the first game ever?

The complex creation of Tennis for Two was the beginning of a new era

Determining the most influential video game is not a simple task, as it varies according to the established parameters. From the perspective of accessibility and social impact, Tennis for Two emerges as a possible main candidate. However, if one considers technological innovation and the design dedicated to interactive entertainment, Bertie the Brain too could claim this recognition.

It is essential to recognize the significant contribution of these pioneers in the birth of the digital entertainment industry. In the 1960s, which witnessed a creativity boom in the video game sector. In 1961, Spacewar! emerged at MIT, fascinating students and researchers with their space combats in pixel format. This title, frequently cited as the first “modern” video game of that time, it introduced innovations such as vector graphics, scoring systems and multiplayer mode, this being the first step for the era of arcade games that would predominate in the following decade.

The advent of home consoles in the years 70 marked a crucial milestone. The Magnavox Odyssey, introduced in 1972, became the pioneer of home consoles, followed by the Atari 2600 in 1977. These devices, with their joystick controls and interchangeable cartridges, they democratized video games, making them part of the family environment. Classics like Pong and Space Invaders They stood as emblems of their time, cementing the enthusiasm for video games that persists to this day.

In conclusion, the history of the “first video game” should not be seen as the result of a single invention, but rather as the fruit of a collective legacy, forged by a community of innovators with a shared passion.