What was the third video game ever made?

What was the Third Video Game Ever Made?

The history of video games is a fascinating one, with the first game being created in the 1940s. However, the third video game ever made is a topic of much debate among gaming enthusiasts. In this article, we will explore the origins of video games and attempt to answer the question: what was the third video game ever made?

The Early Days of Video Games

The first video game, Tennis for Two, was created in 1958 by physicist William Higinbotham at the Brookhaven National Laboratory. This simple tennis-like game was played on an oscilloscope, which was used as a display device. The game was created to entertain visitors to the laboratory and to show off the capabilities of the oscilloscope.

The second video game, Computer Space, was released in 1971 by Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney, who later founded Atari. This space-themed shooter game was the first commercially sold video game and was released in 1971.

The Third Video Game Ever Made?

So, what was the third video game ever made? According to some sources, the third video game was Pong, a tennis-like game developed by Atari in 1972. Pong was a huge success and is often credited with launching the video game industry.

However, some sources argue that Pong was not the third video game ever made. They claim that Spacewar!, a space combat game developed in 1971 by a group of students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, was the third video game ever made.

The Debate Continues

The debate over what was the third video game ever made continues to this day. Some argue that Spacewar! was the third game, while others claim that Pong was the first commercially successful game and therefore the third game.

Other Contenders

Other games that could be considered the third video game ever made include:

• Bertie the Brain, a tic-tac-toe game developed in 1950 by Josef Kates
• OXO, a tic-tac-toe game developed in 1952 by Alexander S. Douglas
• Trek, a space combat game developed in 1962 by William Higinbotham

Conclusion

The debate over what was the third video game ever made is a complex one, with different sources and historians offering different answers. While Pong is often credited with launching the video game industry, Spacewar! and other games could also be considered the third video game ever made.

In conclusion, the history of video games is a rich and fascinating one, with many games and developers contributing to the industry’s growth and development. Whether or not Pong was the third video game ever made, it is clear that the game had a significant impact on the industry and paved the way for the many amazing games we enjoy today.

Table: Early Video Games

References

• "The History of Video Games" by Smithsonian Magazine
• "The Evolution of Video Games" by IGN
• "The First Video Games" by Computer History Museum