FAQ
What was the first video game?
It depends on the definition. Tennis for Two ran on an oscilloscope in 1958, Spacewar spread through universities in 1962, and Pong became the first commercial hit in 1972. Computer Space was the first coin operated machine sold, in 1971.
What is the best selling video game of all time?
Minecraft, with more than 300 million copies sold across all platforms. Grand Theft Auto V follows with over 200 million shipped, and Tetris has sold hundreds of millions across its many versions.
Why did video games crash in 1983?
A flood of low quality titles, led by the E.T. game, met a price war from cheap home computers. United States revenue fell about 97 percent by 1985. Nintendo revived the market with quality control and the NES.
What does roguelike mean?
A genre descended from the 1980 game Rogue: procedural dungeons, permadeath and turn based play. Modern usage often drops the turn based rule, and roguelite describes variants with meta progression between runs.
What is a metroidvania?
An exploration game with an interconnected map and ability gates that unlock new areas, named after Metroid and Castlevania Symphony of the Night. Backtracking with new powers is the core loop.
What was the first video game easter egg?
A hidden room in the 1980 Atari 2600 game Adventure crediting its programmer Warren Robinett, placed because Atari refused to credit developers. The term easter egg spread from him to all hidden secrets.