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February 2008

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• 02.28.08
  Class 7 (Feb 27) assignment, class | (0)

  This class was an examination of the early programmable home game systems - systems that stored games on removable cartridges. These systems include: Fairchild Channel F RCA Studio II Atari VCS The system that would last was the Atari VCS, which would later be known as the Atari 2600 (the name was changed when later Atari systems were released). We looked at the reasons the VCS took off, and we obviously examined and played many games. The second assignment was given: Play and review two Atari VCS games: Download Assignment 2 PDF (73k) This assignment is due at the beginning of class next week, and must ...
• 02.21.08
  Class 6 (Feb 20) assignment, class | (0)

  This class was focused on the beginning of The Golden Age, a period starting with Space Invaders arcade, and lasting through the early to mid-80s. We examined Space Invaders, created by Taito, published by Midway in the U.S. This game was the first true global hit, and it propelled gaming forward in many ways. We then looked at many other games that would follow, in the late 70s to early 80s, and saw a progression of technology and gameplay, up to and including Pac-Man, the first big character-based game. The first assignment was given: Design your own arcade game from The ...
• 02.20.08
  Class 5 (Feb 13) class | (0)

  This class was focused on the mid 70's arcade and home markets. We looked at several 70's arcade games, including: Atari Kwak Atari Touch Me Kee Games Tank Atari Breakout Sega Killer Shark Atari Shark Jaws US Billiards Shark Midways Blue Shark Exidy Death Race Atari Sprint 1/4/8 Atari Football Atari Basketball Atari Soccer We then looked at the home market: Atari Home Pong (sold at Sears, 1975, $99) Coleco Telstar (1976, $49) Many more single purpose home consoles (Tank, Ranger, Stunt Cycle) At this point, we've got the arcade market maturing a bit, and many single-game consoles in the home market. No assignment was given.
• 02.12.08
  Class 4 (Feb 06) class | (0)

  This class was taught by Dan Higgs, a grad of MCAD. This class was a viewing of the documentary The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters, a film that documents the competitive side of classic gaming, and illustrates the surprising depth of many early, classic games. No assignment was given.
• 02.12.08
  Class 3 (Jan 30) class | (0)

  This class was all about the commercialization of computer and electronic games. We examined a few key visionaries: Ralph Baer - we discussed his "brown box" gaming system, his patent for an electronic game system for use on a TV, and the Magnavox Odyssey, the first home game console, released in 1972. An overview of this is captured nicely on Ralph Baer's site. Nolan Bushnell - he was the visionary behind Computer Space, the first arcade video game, released in 1971. He also founded Atari, which released Pong to the arcades in 1972 - the first very successful arcade game. There are ...

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