2. By Brittany Langley

3.  Digitization and Convergence have changed the way the digital world works.  Over time, we have seen the Gaming world develop and grow.  People from opposite sides of the world can connect with one another to verse each other on online games.  We are so simply connected to one another more than ever before.

4.  Online games have changed greatly since they were first created.  From video arcades to nintendo to X-box to literally carrying around our gaming devices all day with our mobile phones in our pockets.  Playing games, whether it be solo or connected with peers or other people around the world, is a popular form of entertainment for many.

5.  SPACEWAR was the first interactive computer game invented.  A student, Steve Russel, from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology created it.  It runs on a Digital PDP-1 mainframe computer and the graphic are made up of ASCII text characters.  (Kudler, 2007)

6. (www.wired.com,www.wired.com accessed 2015). Spacewar is a two player game, that involves each player trying to kill the other, whilst avoiding the star in the middle attempting to maneuevre around it.

7.  MAGNAVOX’S ODYSSEY, was the first home video game system which was showcased at a convention in Burlingame CA this year. It was later released to the public that year.  Bushnell and Dabney, the creators, name the company Atari after a term from the Japanese game “Go”.  The first game created by Atari is Pong. Ping-Pong, the original name, is already copyrighted, so the makers name it Pong.  In 1977, Atari introduces its first cartridge-based home video system called the Video Computer System which later becomes known as the Atari 2600. It retails for $249.95.  (Kudler, 2007).

8.  This is what an Atari computer system looked like. www.pcworld.comwww.pcworld.com, accessed 2015

9.  Midway introduces Space Invaders into arcades. It is the first arcade game that tracks and displays high scores.  Atari attempts to enter the computer industry to compete with Apple. The product is not taken seriously, and the Atari 400 and 800 are taken from the market.  (Kudler, 2007)

10.  Mattel's Intelivision debuts and is the first real competitor of the Atari 2600. It has better graphics than Atari's 2600, but a higher retail price of $299.  Battlezone is the first 3-D game ever created. It is set in a virtual battlefield and was later enhanced by the U.S. government for training exercises.  300,000 units of Pac-Man are released worldwide by Namco.  (Kudler, 2007)

11. (http://www.jwnyc.com/games/intellivision.html, accessed 2015http://www.jwnyc.com/games/intellivision.html

12.  Tetris, still a very popular game of today, is developed by Russian programmer Alex Pajitnov.  It is played on a PC. (Kudler, 2007) (http://fantasy.gamberi.org/2008/02/, 2008)http://fantasy.gamberi.org/2008/02/

13.  Game Boy, developed by Nintendo, is released with a retail price of $109.  NEC releases the first 16-bit console in the U.S.  It is called the TurboGrafx-16 and sold for $189.  It is the first system to run video games stored on compact discs.  (Kudler, 2007)

14. (http://www.drchaos.com/the-grey-http://www.drchaos.com/the-grey- brick-that-changed-the-world-the- nintendo-game-boy/, 2014)

15.  Resulting from the Senate investigation, the Entertainment Software Rating Board is created. Ratings are now given to video games and are marked on the games' packaging to indicate the suggested age of players and violent content.  In Japan, the Sega Saturn and the Sony PlayStation make their debut.  (Kudler, 2007)

16.  Sony brings the PlayStation to the U.S. and sells the console for $299.  Nintendo releases the Nintendo 64 in Japan and releases it in the U.S. in 1996.  (Kudler, 2007) (www. emulation-general.wikia.com, emulation-general.wikia.com accessed 2015)

17.  Sony's PlayStation 2 launches in the U.S. for $299.99 and is sold out by early morning. Since the demand is so high and only 500,000 units are available, it is very difficult to buy a unit during this first shipment.  The Sims is released, and quickly becomes a hit. It eventually (in 2002) surpasses Myst as the best-selling PC game ever.  (Kudler, 2007)

18.  Microsoft and Nintendo introduce their next- generation systems within days of each other.  The Xbox by Microsoft is said to offer "the most powerful game experiences ever” at an estimated retail price of $299.99, which comes with a built- in hard drive and Ethernet port.  Nintendo's GameCube, suggested retail price of $199.95, delivers new forms of interactive gaming for players and an easier development environment for game creators.  Nintendo releases the GameBoy Advance, a portable gaming system  (Kudler, 2007)

19.  Nintendo releases the Wii, a gaming system that lets gamers use the controller in revolutionary ways, such as swinging it like a tennis racket, holding and tilting it like a steering wheel, and more.  Sony also debuts the Playstation 3, a very sophisticated and expensive game system.  (Kudler, 2007)

20.  Grand Theft Auto 4 breaks sales records in its first week, after gamers bought more than 6 million copies.  The Wii Fit is launched, adding even more incentive for gamers of all ages to get up and move!  Social gaming takes shape with Farmville and Angry Birds, enthralling millions of new players.  Facebook and cellphones allow easy access to these addictive games  (Kudler, 2007)

21.  Farmville became a very popular game very fast as it could be played via facebook which could be simply accessed through a phone. http://www.windowscentral.com/zyngas-farmville- 2-windows-phone-available, 2015).

22.  Both Sony (PlayStation 4) and Microsoft (XBox One) release new gaming platforms this year.  Offering social connection through "next generation cooperative and competitive multiplayer play," these systems offer amazing graphics and speed.  People are simply connected through the internet where they can verse each other or be a part of the same team on different levels of gaming.  (Kudler, 2007)

23.  The world of gaming has changed thoroughly over time, where people are connected more simply than ever.  The world has come to a point where the ease of having your mobile phone in your back pocket is part of everyday lives.  You are now able to play a game wherever you may be.

24.  Program used: Microsoft Powerpoint  Information used: Amanda Kudler (2007) accessed from http://www.infoplease.com/spot/gamestimel ine1.html  Photo credits: Displayed as photo is shown  Music by: Original Tetris Theme Song, accessed from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmCCQx VBfyM  Made by: Brittany Langley