The first video game?

[TamagotchiTamaHero24]

Defining the first video game is not easy. Do you count a game that has no AI component? Do you count a game that is played via Oscilloscope? Do you count a patent, even when no prototypes currently exist?

There’s a video by Ahoy that covers this topic, and it’s one of my favorites I’ve ever seen. The history is fascinating.

Ultimately, this question is for fun. It doesn’t truly matter what the first game was. What truly matters is that video games are here and they’re great.

 

[ciro64]

Do you count a game that has no AI component?

Yes.

Do you count a game that is played via Oscilloscope?

Yes.

Do you count a patent, even when no prototypes currently exist?

No.

 

[Sir Auriel of Lionel]

I agree with @ciro64 above.

 

[Lee__Kanker]

I must be able to control electrical signals on a television and have rules

 

[Zerpina]

Well, seeing as Space War was created in 1962, and Pong was made in 1973.. and Tennis for two was Made in 1958.
Think Tennis for Two has it.
And things like The Nimrod and such where Made mainly for training and instructional programs, research programs in fields and demonstration. and the Hardware was Dismantled afterward, Really doesn't Fall into a Video Game category.

 

[ciro64]

Well, seeing as Space War was created in 1962, and Pong was made in 1973.. and Tennis for two was Made in 1958.
Think Tennis for Two has it.
And things like The Nimrod and such where Made mainly for training and instructional programs, research programs in fields and demonstration. and the Hardware was Dismantled afterward, Really doesn't Fall into a Video Game category.

I think they count as videogames but I'll defend the idea that Tennis for Two was the first real-time action game.

 

[TamagotchiTamaHero24]

I want to ask: how far can we stretch the definition of “video game”?

To me, the furthest it goes is somebody interacting with something sent via a video signal, for the purpose of entertainment. But, video signal ITSELF can have some varied meanings, as I think any display can be the “video” here if used cleverly enough.

 

[Zerpina]

I think they count as videogames but I'll defend the idea that Tennis for Two was the first real-time action game.

Well, had they been Released to the Public. or setup Arcade style. sure i would 100% Agree. but they where Often used in Business training and the like. as Far as i understand, Correct me if i am wrong

 

[TamagotchiTamaHero24]

And then I start asking:

Is this a video game?

It is a man, interacting with a video component. If you say “it’s pre determined” I would raise you later efforts of QTEs and FMV games.

I know that is the furthest boarder of the definition, but it’s still a fun thought experiment.

 

[Zerpina]

Well, had they been Released to the Public. or setup Arcade style. sure i would 100% Agree. but they where Often used in Business training and the like. as Far as i understand, Correct me if i am wrong

well, then Technically, anything back as Far as 1897 When Karl Ferdinand Braun invented it would count.
if it used a CRT to interact with it, so to speak

 

[TamagotchiTamaHero24]

well, then Technically, anything back as Far as 1897 When Karl Ferdinand Braun invented it would count.
if it used a CRT to interact with it, so to speak

That’s what I’m saying. The definitions of what defines “video” and what defines “game” are so very broad.

 

[Zerpina]

That’s what I’m saying. The definitions of what defines “video” and what defines “game” are so very broad.

Fair enough point. I Would say that Tennis for Two would be the most likely Candidate for the first Video Game

 

[Leon]

I consider space war the first video game, i don't think it's the first one technically, but i consider it the first one that fits the description and intention of it.

If we're talking about the first game meant for people however, obviously it's pong.

 

[TamagotchiTamaHero24]

It’s wild to think that the first video game “genres” without question would be sports games (tennis, in particular) and shooting games (space shooters, in particular).

 

[Clippy]

Long vid but definitely worth a watch.

 

[TamagotchiTamaHero24]

Long vid but definitely worth a watch.

Yup! This is the video this thread was inspired by!

I accidentally said the patent was from 1949 and not 1947. Oops! Too late to change it now!

 

[Zerpina]

Long vid but definitely worth a watch.

 

[Bakuma1997]

And then I start asking:

Is this a video game?

It is a man, interacting with a video component. If you say “it’s pre determined” I would raise you later efforts of QTEs and FMV games.

I know that is the furthest boarder of the definition, but it’s still a fun thought experiment.

Tamagotchi, ¿why you brought a featherless chicken to this thread?



Also my definition of Videogame is if is public, thereby i consider Pong the first videogame, since Tennis For two, yup, is a playable game, but good luck getting into a military facility for a Reta

 

[MegaHiro91]

Ahoy arrives at the conclusion that it was Strachey's Draughts, and that's the answer I vote for as well, so none of the above.

 

[Bonkers225]

Probably peep show machines in the early 1900's. You insert a coin, and see action happening inside the hole, than you have to put more coins in to see it again.

 

[Evaccaneer Doom]

Everyone knows the first Vidya was Mario Bros

 

[thanonyx]

Tennis for Two, next question.

 

[TamagotchiTamaHero24]

Probably peep show machines in the early 1900's. You insert a coin, and see action happening inside the hole, than you have to put more coins in to see it again.

View attachment 44965

I would actually argue this as being video entertainment, but it lacks the “game” component, wherein a person interacts with what is happening inside the video.

I will say, this remarkably resembles later amusement game machines. It showcases how the design of a coin box operated amusement device wasn’t a novel concept for video games.

 

[TotzOnGaming]

Tennis for Two, next question.

View attachment 44982

This was what I've known to be one of the first if not the very first "Video Game" for the longest time.

 

[thanonyx]

This was what I've known to be one of the first if not the very first "Video Game" for the longest time.

That's because it is.