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The Video Game Revolution

Posted by michael on from the turn-turn-turn dept.

SH10151 writes "PBS will be airing a special, The Video Game Revolution, this week. "The Video Game Revolution examines the evolution and history of the video game industry, from the 1950s through today, the impact of video games on society and culture, and the future of electronic gaming." Just a heads-up for all the game junkies out there."

7 of 51 comments (clear)

  1. No Elite? by meowsqueak · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I can't find any mention of Elite. How can this be a complete history if it doesn't include Braden and Bell's groundbreaking space combat and trading simulation? I'm not sure about the date but I think it was first published in 1984 on the Acorn BBC. Various ports and sequels as well as many games inspired by the original have been written, but none were as revolutionary. For the first time, players were able to invest 'progress' in their games. Rather than single (sometimes long) sessions shooting/running/collecting more and more points in an effort to beat their previous best, Elite pioneered the concept of a persistent session and the idea of the 'save game'.

    1. Re:No Elite? by Pluvius · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Actually, the first RTS was Herzog Zwei for the Sega Genesis. (You might be able to name one earlier than that depending on your definition of "RTS.") Dune 2 was the RTS that everyone else copied (or in the case of Westwood, rehashed). It's similar to the difference between MIDI Maze and Wolfenstein 3-D in the FPS genre.

      Rob

  2. Deer Hunter but no Half Life? by meowsqueak · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Their timeline is odd. There's Deer Hunter but not Half Life? I'd be hard pressed to find anyone I know who would consider Deer Hunter to be a gaming 'milestone' but nobody would claim HL wasn't I'm sure.

    1. Re:Deer Hunter but no Half Life? by BlueCodeWarrior · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Wasn't Deer Hunter one of the best selling games of all time?

      I'm definitely not putting down HL in any way, I love the game, it should be on there...but Deer Hunter was pretty big.

    2. Re:Deer Hunter but no Half Life? by 0racle · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Was Half-Life really a milestone though? Yes it was a good game, but everything it did had been done before. I really can't think of a single new or 'revolutionary' feature about Half-Life.

      --
      "I use a Mac because I'm just better than you are."
  3. PBS by FLAGGR · · Score: 1, Interesting

    Man.... PBS? Why can't it broadcast over the internet? I *know* (actually, I haven't RTFA yet so no I don't) that it's going to be on a 3am, because during the day they have programs begging for people to donate money, and if you pledge $100+ you get this beautiful white tshirt, and when theyre not doing that, its aurther and other TV shows that are paid for by donations (there are no ads on this TV) and, like the Family Channel also shows, when you only get shows that are paid with the MUCH smaller ammount from donations, those shows tend to make you want to stab yourself in the face, and half the time on my satellite it doesnt show whats going to be on in 1 hour on those shitty stations, I guess they want you to 'watch and find out'.

    Man what the hell am I saying, I just don't want to go over to the TV and leave my computer.

  4. What? by focitrixilous+P · · Score: 4, Interesting

    The timeline on the site is odd. Mentions Sega Saturn over Playstation, Pocket Pikachu over Half-Life, nothing of Xbox-live, didn't even mention Doom or Wolfenstein. Lame.

    --
    SAILING MISHAP