Topic: History of Video Games at E3

[TheYoungerPlumber]

Brush up on your gaming history while checking out its future.

From Astrosmash to Halo and Beyond! Intellivision Announces E3-Electronic Entertainment Expo's First Ever ``History of Video Games'' Museum  

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 7, 2004--To commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), Intellivision Productions has joined forces with the organizers of the Classic Gaming Expo (CGE) in creating a multimedia, interactive museum called "The History of Video Games." Located in Kentia Hall, the museum is open to all E3 attendees during the expo, May 12-14. Intellivision's own original game programmers, the Blue Sky Rangers, creators of such classic games as Astrosmash, Space Armada, and Night Stalker will be on hand to speak about the early days of the video game industry and their involvement in the video game revolution.  

Encompassing more than 2,000-square ft., the "History of Video Games" museum will delve into the rich annals of video gaming history, starting with the Magnavox Odyssey, the first-ever home video game system. The museum will also feature the early 1980s consoles such as the Atari 2600, the Intellivision and Colecovision and move on to today's multi-faceted home gaming systems. Nearly every video game console, as well as their respective game collections and stories behind how they were created, will be on hand for attendees to play. Attendees will even experience a "time warp" into a classic 1980s-style living room, experiencing the full effect of playing these classic home video games for themselves.  

"Intellivision is extremely excited and proud to be the sponsor of the 'History of Video Games' museum," said Keith Robinson, president/co-founder of Intellivision Productions, Inc. and an original game programmer for Intellivision. "The guys at the Classic Gaming Expo have a deep affection for the history and the games that started it all and have always been a strong supporter of Intellivision Productions. We are thrilled to give attendees the opportunity to learn how this whole video game craziness started, as well as give them the opportunity to play the original games that are now the forefathers to the ones they play on today's consoles."  

In addition to the home gaming consoles, the "History of Video Games" museum will feature more than 30 classic stand-up arcade games, all available for attendees to play. These stand-up arcade games are the original arcade machines found in every pizza place, liquor store and shopping mall during the arcade "hey day" of the 1980s. Attendees will have a chance to relive their high scoring days on such games as Donkey Kong, Ms. Pac-Man, and Tempest. One unique display will feature the first home computer systems, such as the Apple II and Commodore 64. Attendees will be able to view and play these precursors to today's popular PC gaming systems. With the blocky graphics and beeping sound effects, attendees will be quick to realize that times certainly have changed!  

The "History of Video Games" museum is located in Kentia Hall and will be open all three days of the E3 Expo, May 12-14.

[Ian Sane]

What do they have to bother with this?  I can give you the history of games off the top of my head.

Sometime in the 60s or 70s: some scientist dude invents a game for a telescope or something but doesn't patent it because he's a big dumbass.

1972: Atari releases Pong after stealing the idea from someone else.

1973: Every company to ever make a game gets their foot in the industry by blatantly ripping off Pong.

1977: Atari releases the 2600 and becomes head of the industry.

1985: Atari f*cks up.

1985: Nintendo releases the NES and becomes head of the industry.

1994: Sony releases the PSX to Japan introducing innovative concepts to the industry like rampant piracy and consoles that have to be positioned upside down to work.

1996: Nintendo f*cks up.

1997: Sony becomes head of the industry.

See?  No need for a fancy museum or anything.

[Jale]

I doubt that this will distract all the hardcore games-industry-types who go to E3 from the important things: GAMES. Somehow I thnk WW2 will have more attention than this museum.

[NWR_Lindy]

.Ian_Sane: Nice...that had me rolling.  It's funny 'cause it's true.

Personally, I'm an old bastard so I think this is cool.  Especially the "80's living room"...I have a feeling I'd get a real laugh out of that.

[Berto2K]

I can't wait to check this exhibit out.  I been gaming since the atari 2600 (old guy still runs).  Maybe they will even have a Virtual Boy there and I will finally get to try it at least?

[Uncle Rich AiAi]

Quote
Originally posted by: Ian Sane
1994: Sony releases the PSX to Japan introducing innovative concepts to the industry like rampant piracy and consoles that have to be positioned upside down to work.

Heh.  That's a funny way of putting it!

Funny, and sad at the same time.