Tuesday 14 June 2016

A Brief History of Digital Gaming

Digital gaming is nothing new; it was always around but in a different form. It came up years before and now has become an independent industry with great creativity and professional potential.

Origins (1940-1960)

The beginning of video games has its foundations in the attempt creating a world of fantacy. From the installation of first ENIAC computer to the today's powerful microprocessors; video games have always witnessed growth.



The ever first popular video game available was Nimrod, launched in 1951. Just after that IBM’s popular ‘Checkers’ game program (1950s) and William Higginbotham’s revolutionary ‘Tennis for Two’ (1958) were noticed.

Nascent stage (1960 – 1990)

In the year 1960, the first widely available game was introduced by MIT employee Steve Russell who created ‘Space war.' The very first step towards the commercialization of the digital gaming industry was taken by Nolan Bushnell founded Atari, Inc. in 1972.


In 1983 the video game market crashed and bankrupted several companies in the United States. The arcade industry reached its extreme between the years 1978-1990. ‘Space Invaders’ by Taito was such a blockbuster that it inspired scores of video game manufacturers to enter the market. This  age saw the advent of evergreen computer and arcade games such as ‘Pac-Man’ and ‘Donkey Kong’.

The golden years (1990- 2010)

The video game market brought about permanent players in the industry. In 1990 Nintendo came out with its next generation console known as ‘Super NES.'

PC gaming began to gain popularity 1991 onward . Id Software’s 1996 game ‘Quake’ pioneered online multi-player options in first-person shooters.

Nintendo released its 64-bit console, the Nintendo 64 in 1996. At the same time, Sony Corporation began to dominate the market with its popular PlayStation.

Nintendo announced the launch of its flagship product in 2002, the GameCube, which used 80mm mini-DVD discs, holding 1.4GB of data each – over 200 times the capacity of the largest N64 cartridge ROM.

Around the same time, Microsoft jumped into with the now popular Xbox. Mobile phones also entered the mainstream market during this time.

The future

Android, iPhone and Windows devices are the popular choice for digital gaming. The industry is ready to see an explosion of growth. Virtual reality and 3D gaming are soon to enter the mainstream market.

About the Author

Animation kolkata is one of the best and oldest MAAC centre in Eastern India. It is a part of MAAC family since nearly the inception of MAAC in Kolkata and having three branches at Kolkata. MAAC CHOWRINGHEE, MAAC KANKURGACHI & MAAC RASHBEHARI and one in Delhi namely MAAC South Ex. With more than 3000 students taught and over 1000 placed, one of the leading 3D animation institute in Kolkata and INDIA too.

Which are your all-time favorite games? Share with us in the comment box below.

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