Computer Space launched the video game industry 50 years ago – here's the real reason you probably haven't heard of it
- Written by: Noah Wardrip-Fruin, Professor of Computational Media, University of California, Santa Cruz
Computer Space was innovative, but how was it to play?Ed Fries, CC BY-NDBefore Pong there was Computer Space, the first commercial video game. The progenitor of today’s US$175 billion industry debuted on Oct. 15, 1971, at the Music Operators of America trade show in Chicago. Housed in a futuristic-looking cabinet, Computer Space took its...
