Video Game History
Ongoing coverage on Video Game History.
Latest coverage
The women of Grand Theft Auto: How film noir shaped (and limited) Rockstar's female characters
This article analyzes how film noir tropes have influenced the portrayal of female characters in the Grand Theft Auto series, often limiting them to archetypes with little agency. As Grand Theft Auto 6 introduces Lucia as a substantial female lead, the piece explores the potential for Rockstar Games to evolve beyond these historical constraints and create more complex, independent female characters, drawing parallels with modern cinematic interpretations of the femme fatale.
Sonic’s Inauspicious Debut: Small Beginnings
This article discusses the inauspicious beginnings of Sega's iconic character, Sonic the Hedgehog. It explores his early debut and how he became synonymous with the company despite a less-than-stellar start.
Earthworm Jim mastermind David Perry is auctioning off a super rare arcade machine from his collection
David Perry, former head of Shiny Entertainment, is auctioning off a rare 1973 green two-player 'Computer Space' arcade machine from his collection due to lack of space. Computer Space, created by Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney, is considered the first commercially released arcade video game. Working examples are scarce, and Perry's machine is described as largely original with a functioning display, with bids currently under $7,000.
Three PS1 Games That Sat On Every ’90s Kid’s Shelf
This article discusses three iconic games that were staples on nearly every PlayStation 1 owner's shelf during the 1990s. Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back, Final Fantasy 7, and Gran Turismo are highlighted for their immense popularity and impact on the console's success. The piece also briefly mentions other notable titles like Tomb Raider and Metal Gear Solid.
When video games make the horrors of nuclear war seem real - Reader's Feature
This reader's feature explores the portrayal of nuclear war in video games, highlighting titles like Fallout 4 and Missile Command. It discusses how these games use the threat of nuclear annihilation to create tension and drama, reflecting real-world Cold War anxieties and contemporary concerns about artificial intelligence.
FromSoftware sleuth unearths earliest footage of Demon's Souls to date: A prototype with a first person camera mode
Investigator Lance McDonald has uncovered early internal footage of FromSoftware's Demon's Souls, dating back to a 2007 Sony event. This prototype features a first-person camera mode, a locked player model camera, and enemies not present in the final release. The footage provides a fascinating glimpse into the game's development and its potential to be a very different experience.
"There's a huge amount to be learned" - how the pioneering years of gaming are being preserved for a new generation in a corner of south London
Kingston University is hosting an exhibition called the Archive of Retro Computing (ARC), showcasing over 65 retro computers and consoles from the mid-1970s to the early 2000s. Led by computer science course leader Paul Neve, the collection aims to preserve gaming and computing history, offering insights into the pioneering years of the industry and the individuals behind them. The exhibit highlights the importance of physical media and hands-on learning in an increasingly digital and transient gaming future.
Splatoon Raiders Owes A Lot To Older Campaigns You Forgot About
This article argues that while Splatoon Raiders is a strong single-player experience, the campaigns in the original Splatoon, Splatoon 2, and Splatoon 3 were also significant and foundational. It highlights how Raiders draws inspiration from the lore, weapon variety, level design, and progression systems established in previous installments, emphasizing that the entire Splatoon series offers something special.
The best GTA moments: Cracking the vault on the first 20 entries in our explosive Top 100 list in the run-up to GTA 6
This article ranks the top 100 moments from the Grand Theft Auto series in anticipation of Grand Theft Auto 6. It highlights memorable heists, robberies, character interactions, and unique gameplay elements across various titles, from the original PlayStation release to Grand Theft Auto 5.
Capcom dev got his dream Zelda game by threatening Shigeru Miyamoto: "If Nintendo's not up for it, we'll release an identical game with different characters and just call it something else"
Former Capcom producer Yoshiki Okamoto threatened Shigeru Miyamoto with releasing an "identical game with different characters" if Nintendo did not allow his team to develop a remake of the original Legend of Zelda for Game Boy Color. This threat led to negotiations, ultimately resulting in the development of The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages by Capcom's Flagship team.
From top-down crime capers to online open-world heists, GTA has defined play freedom across gaming generations
This article traces the evolution of the Grand Theft Auto series, from its top-down origins to the groundbreaking 3D open-world experiences that defined generations of gaming. It highlights key titles like Grand Theft Auto 3, Vice City, San Andreas, and GTA 5, emphasizing how each installment pushed the boundaries of player freedom and open-world design, setting the stage for the anticipated Grand Theft Auto 6.
Nintendo legend Shigeru Miyamoto says PCs were once "held in higher regard than consoles," so the NES was made…
Nintendo fellow Shigeru Miyamoto stated that the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), also known as the Family Computer, was designed to elevate the perception of home consoles beyond being mere toys. He explained that the NES aimed to bridge the gap between consoles and PCs by offering arcade-quality gameplay at home, challenging the notion that PCs were inherently superior.
Game History and Preservation
This article discusses game preservation and history, referencing two videos: one on 'Aliens: The Video Game' and another on 'Half-Life' running on a PlayStation 1. The content highlights the importance of archiving and accessing older gaming titles.
28 years later, Final Fantasy 8's wonderfully awkward E3 reveal has hit the internet – please enjoy Square and EA execs desperately trying to stall for Squall for 7 minutes straight
A recently unearthed video from E3 1998 reveals the awkward US debut of Final Fantasy VIII, featuring Square and Electronic Arts executives struggling for seven minutes to get the game's trailer to play. The footage, preserved by the Video Game History Foundation, also highlights the formation of the Square Electronic Arts joint venture intended to boost game releases in North America. The article contrasts the venture's initial promise of job creation with later industry trends of layoffs and studio closures.
There's a Breakout movie on the way as Atari signs deal to bring Pong, Asteroids, and other classic games to the big screen
Atari has partnered with Universal Pictures and Entertainment 360 to develop ten feature films based on its classic video game properties. The deal includes rights to games such as Pong, Asteroids, Breakout, and Centipede, with the aim of creating large-scale action-adventure movies. Universal has prior experience with video game adaptations, having distributed The Super Mario Bros. Movie and Five Nights at Freddy's.
The Video Game History Foundation's latest collection is a deep dive into E3 "like you've never seen it before"
The Video Game History Foundation has launched a new collection dedicated to the history of the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3). This extensive archive includes industry reports, marketing materials, press kits, photography, and nearly 12 hours of footage from the event's early years, including Nintendo's 1997 press conference. The foundation aims to preserve this significant part of gaming history and make it freely accessible for study.
Morning Postmortems/Retrospectives
The Video Game History Foundation has released a video revisiting E3, offering a new perspective on the iconic industry event. The content aims to explore the history and significance of E3 through a retrospective lens.
Relive E3’s wildest years thanks to the Video Game History Foundation
The Video Game History Foundation has released a vast archive of E3 materials, offering public access to rare footage, documents, and photographs from the event's history. This collection aims to preserve the legacy of the industry's past, including contributions from former E3 director Mary Dolaher.
A new retro and gaming exhibition arrives next month at Kingston University
Kingston University is hosting a free retro and gaming exhibition from August 5th to 11th, featuring over 60 playable machines from the 1970s to the present day. The exhibition, organized by the Archive of Retro Computing at Kingston University (ARC@KU), will showcase classic titles and consoles like Sonic the Hedgehog, Pac-Man, Tomb Raider, ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, and Atari 2600. The event aims to celebrate and preserve video game history, making it accessible to the public.
Quiz: Klassiker du borde ha spelat
This article presents a quiz challenging readers' knowledge of classic video games. It encourages a look back at influential titles that have shaped genres or were perhaps missed by many. The piece also touches upon various other gaming news and community discussions.
