Critical Review "The History of Video Games" (3-16)

Here is a look at how far we have gone in technology.

Best to all, -John Ott

John Ott

Mrs. Noguera

English 1520

16 Thursday 2006

Critical Review: “The History Of Video Games”

Technology advances ultimately with a speed that is difficult to keep up to. Technology receives praise for being helpful and is scorned for being too advanced. When it comes to this subject there isn’t a legitimate answer to whether or not we need it to survive. If technology wasn’t around would the world be a better place?

If technology was absent there would be nothing to talk about on the subject of gaming. In the 1970’s the benchmark of gaming began with a Computer Space Machine. The system was packed with one 14” black and white television that had capability to attach a keyboard to it. Anyone one that was able to buy this system did so in sheer luck because 1,500 units were only released. The general feedback toward the system was negative, because the size of the utilities used with the system were meant for more then one person to operate them simultaneously.

Video gaming was out to a rough start due to the cumbersome accessibility of the video game systems themselves. In 1985, that was not the case. The Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) was released. The system boasted convince because it no longer took up the entire room to have access to it. The NES also included games that could slide into the compartment which could be closed to prevent dust and grime in the system during play. The NES also had some incredible franchises which include Super Mario Brothers, Legend of Zelda, Mega Man, and Castlevania. The franchises that were mentioned still contain impact on today’s gaming interests.

In 1995, we begin to see the future of the video gaming industry. Games are now on a Compact Disc (CD) so that mass amounts of data can be stored to meet the expectations of the new systems on the market. CD’s allow for the music spectrum to be improved dramatically due to the ability of being able to hold multiple types of media at once. The CD was a big success as it still competes with today’s market.
The Internet was an active part in human life due to the launch of Netscape’s web browser. Console makers were once again on the move to implement this technology on a video game system. In 1998, the Sega Dreamcast became the first system to benefit from this effort. Highlights of the system include Phantasy Star Online, 2K Sports, and Quake 3 Arena. Games now featured capabilities to challenge other people at the same time. This was a valuable asset to the gaming world because it was now possible to take on the world.

Now in 2006, with the release of the XBOX 360 and the Playstation 3 by the end of the year, gaming systems are not just used for gaming alone. These systems provide access to some of the items used commonly in the household such as the telephone, computer, television, and Digital Video Disc (DVD.) The idea is to implement the systems to eliminate need for the other utilities in the household.
“The History Of Video Games” can be recommended for those who have an interest in technology or video gaming. To be honest, there is not much in the availability of the subject itself. Even if it may seem that the subject is quite boring it is amazing to have witnessed how far time and technology has taken us.