Video games
From TeeVeePedia, the Internet TV Encyclopedia.
Contents |
Origin of Video Games
Video games were invented by England's top-secret organization MI-6 as a way to help BBC television programs compete against American shows. The idea was that, by causing Americans to pay attention to video games instead of the major television networks, American programs would be rapidly cancelled and BBC "programmes" would take their place. Yeah, sounds like a dumb idea, but give the people of MI-6 a break, they can't all be James Bond.
Early Video Games
Using highly advanced technology "borrowed" from IASA, British scientists learned how to control the movement of a dot across a television screen. This was developed into Pong, the first video game. Pong would have been successful except that few people wanted to spend the $38 million then required for a console.
Also of note was Space Invaders, the plot of which was not borrowed from a huge flop of a movie, no matter what George Lucas says.
The Arcade Era
While the general public was unable to afford video games, the Mafia was able to use the profits from their highly successful series of Godfather films to open Video Arcades across the nation. Video arcades contained all the games that kids' parents couldn't afford to buy, available at the reasonable price of 25 cents per play. These arcades were very profitable, and by 1980 it was estimated that 80% of children's allowances went to the Mafia, one quarter at a time. Elated, the Mafia developed and released their own game, Pac-Man, based on what they were doing to people's wallets.
Project ATARI
MI-6 had not given up on their goal of a console in every home, and in 1979 began another top-secret project called Project ATARI. ATARI was an acronym for "Anti-Television Anti-Radio Initiative". By bringing the price of a console down to a reasonable $299, the British found that they were able to actually sell units, which the average American could then usually be hooked up to a TV set within 6 months. Games were sold in cartridge form then, as the DVD had not been invented yet.
E. T. The Extra Terrestrial
Simply put, the best video game ever made!!! No ifs, ands or buts!
The Long Spiral Down
After Project ATARI, video games began a long, slow decline. Game developers began spending too much time on making pretty pictures and not enough on game play, plot or anything else that would make the games remotely interesting. Another factor was "button creep" on the game controllers. From the simple one-button one-joystick of the ATARI games, controllers became monstrosities filled with joysticks, buttons and D-Pads that were confusing to all but the most loyal players. The merciful end of Tech TV is considered to be the end of the video game era by most experts.
Video Games Today
Despite the modest success of the Madden series of games, video gaming remains a niche market. However, the future offers a small ray of hope as Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo have each released new video gaming systems recently.
Microsoft's XBox 360
Released in 2005, the XBox 360 runs on Microsoft's popular "Wiindows" computer operating system. It is the most popular of the new systems, as it is the only one that people can actually go to the store and buy. The legendary stability of "Wiindows" makes this a popular choice for those with a few seconds to kill before the Blue Screen of Death shows up.
Nintendo's Wii
In 2006, in the hopes of attracting more 12-year-olds to video games, Nintendo bought the rights to produce a cut-rate version of the Xbox 360. Nintendo engineers stripped out half of the graphics capability from the "Wiindows" based system, shortening the name to just "Wii." The well-built Wii controller is nearly indestructible, which is more than can be said for the many objects this innovative controller has accidentally been thrown through.
Sony's Playstation 3
Also called the "PS3", the Playstation 3 is the most technologically advanced machine in existence, taking advantage of every modern breakthrough in understanding the laws of physics. Unfortunately, only a few dozen PS3 consoles were ever built. This was done so that Sony could claim to have sold every unit by Christmas.
The WiiPS360
This system, available through the combined efforts of Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo, combines the best features of all three current generation systems. The WiiPS360 combines the toughness and reliability of the Xbox 360, the cutting-edge graphics and high-tech controller design of the Wii, and the low cost and availability of the PS3. This remarkable system should be available at your local electronics store really, really soon.
