ClassX Video Lessons Invention Of VIDEO GAME | Best Educational Videos for Kids | Preschool Learning
Video games are a big part of our lives today, and people of all ages love playing them. But have you ever wondered how video games started? Let’s take a fun journey back in time to discover how video games came to be and became so popular!
It all began in the 1950s when video games were mostly used for research because the technology was very expensive. In 1958, something exciting happened—a simple tennis game for two players was created. Sadly, it didn’t last long because it was too costly to keep running.
As time went on, some creative people started making different kinds of computer games, like sports, puzzles, and card games. However, these games were not available to everyone yet.
One important person in the history of video games is Ralph Baer. He was an engineer who saw that TV sets were becoming cheaper, and he had a brilliant idea: what if people could play video games on their TVs? Although his first tries didn’t work out, he didn’t give up. In 1966, he shared his idea with his boss, who gave him $2,500 to work on it with two other engineers.
Together, they created the first video game console that could connect to a TV. When Ralph Baer applied for a patent, people were excited to try the game, showing that video games could be really fun!
Even though Ralph Baer had a great invention, it was hard to find someone to sell it. Finally, in 1972, an electronics company saw its potential and launched the first video game system for the public. People loved it! In just one year, 100,000 consoles were sold, and by 1975, that number grew to 300,000.
As technology improved and computers became cheaper, arcade games became popular, and home gaming systems got better. This led to the cool motion-sensing video games we have today.
Some people think video games are bad, but that’s not always true. Studies show that playing action games can help improve decision-making skills and reaction times. Plus, the video game industry is huge, making $99.6 billion in 2016, which is more than twice what the international film industry made!
The story of video games is all about creativity and new ideas. From being research tools to becoming a multi-billion-dollar industry, video games have come a long way. So, the next time you play a game, remember the amazing history that made it possible!
Create Your Own Simple Game: Using paper and markers, design a simple board game inspired by the early video games mentioned in the article. Think about how Ralph Baer created a simple tennis game. What kind of game can you create? It could be a sports game, a puzzle, or even a card game. Share your game with your family or friends and play it together. What rules will you create? How will players win?
Explore the Evolution of Technology: With the help of an adult, find pictures of old and new video game consoles online. Create a timeline by drawing or printing these pictures and arranging them in order. Notice how the designs and technology have changed over time. Discuss with your family how these changes might have made video games more fun and accessible for everyone.
Math and Video Games: Let’s do some math related to the video game industry. If the video game industry made $99.6 billion in 2016, how much more is that compared to $50 billion? Use subtraction to find the difference. Then, imagine if the industry grows by $10 billion each year. How much would it make in 2020? Use addition to find out!
