What is the first game ever made?

December 31, 2024

The title of "first video game ever made" is a bit tricky, as it depends on how you define a "video game." However, there are a few notable milestones and key moments in the history of video games that are commonly referred to as the first video game ever made. Here are some key contenders:

1. Tennis for Two (1958) – First Interactive Electronic Game

Created by: William Higinbotham
Year: 1958
Platform: Oscilloscope
Description: One of the earliest known interactive electronic games was Tennis for Two, created by physicist William Higinbotham at the Brookhaven National Laboratory. This game was displayed on an oscilloscope screen and simulated a game of tennis (or ping-pong) where two players controlled paddles and hit a ball back and forth.
- The game was not commercially released; it was created for a public demonstration to entertain visitors at the lab. Although it was a rudimentary game, it showcased the potential of interactive, real-time entertainment.
Fun Fact: It predates Pong by more than a decade, though Pong would later become far more popular and commercially influential.
More Info: Tennis for Two – Wikipedia

2. Spacewar! (1962) – First Popular Video Game

Created by: Steve Russell and others at MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)
Year: 1962
Platform: PDP-1 (mainframe computer)
Description: Considered by many to be the first true video game, Spacewar! was a computer-based game that allowed two players to control spaceships, engage in a battle in space, and avoid the gravitational pull of a star at the center of the screen. The game had simple but engaging mechanics, including real-time physics for the movement of the ships and the star's gravity.
Significance: Spacewar! is often regarded as the first modern video game because it was more than just a simple demonstration—it was a fully playable game with rules, goals, and a competitive element. It spread to universities and eventually laid the groundwork for future arcade games.
Fun Fact: Spacewar! was influential in the development of early arcade games, including Pong, and inspired future generations of game developers.
More Info: Spacewar! – Wikipedia

3. Pong (1972) – First Commercially Successful Video Game

Created by: Nolan Bushnell and Steve Bristow at Atari
Year: 1972
Platform: Arcade machine
Description: Pong is widely considered the first commercially successful video game. Developed by Atari, Pong was a simple two-player ping-pong simulation. Players controlled paddles on either side of the screen and tried to bounce a ball back and forth.
Significance: Pong became an overnight sensation and was one of the first video games to appear in arcades. It played a significant role in popularizing video games and is often credited with starting the video game industry as we know it. Its commercial success led to the creation of the first home consoles and arcade games.
Fun Fact: Pong's simple gameplay made it easy to learn but hard to master, contributing to its enduring popularity.
More Info: Pong – Wikipedia

4. The Game of Life (1973) – First Board Game-Inspired Video Game

Created by: Willy Higinbotham
Year: 1973
Platform: Analog computer
Description: Based on the board game "The Game of Life", this video game allowed players to simulate life decisions, such as buying a house, getting married, and choosing a career.
Significance: Although it wasn’t as widely known as Pong or Spacewar!, it is considered one of the first examples of board game simulation in the video game world.
Fun Fact: Unlike other early video games, this one was developed to simulate real-life decisions, allowing players to explore different life paths.

Conclusion: Which Game is the First?

It all depends on your criteria for defining a video game:

If you're looking for interactive electronic entertainment for the public, Tennis for Two (1958) might take the lead.
If you're after the first computer game with a clear goal and competitive elements, then Spacewar! (1962) would be considered the first.
If you’re looking for the first commercially successful video game, Pong (1972) is widely considered the first video game that launched the modern video game industry.

All of these early games contributed in different ways to the evolution of the gaming industry, and each of them marks a milestone in video game history.