From Pong and Space Invaders to Tron, Pac-Man and communist arcade games
By Tim Ferguson, 28 November 2006 10:00
The PDP-1 ran the first ever computer game, which was called Spacewar! and spawned many imitators.
Using the PDP-1's circular screen and typewriter-like keyboard (shown above), two players would try to shoot each other's spaceship while attempting to avoid a star's gravitational field.
The computer was given to MIT where it famously became instrumental in the development of hacker culture.
Photo credit: Steve Ranger
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Comments
There are 4 comments. Join the discussion
1. Clifton Jones
"1980s toy, Etch-a-Sketch" I remember Etch-a-Sketch in the 1960's!!!!
2. RobK
This is a great exhibition, a real trip down memory lane - right up to contemporary games. Almost all machines can be played on, with only a few mins wait for the most popular ones (on a Friday, at least). Good value at £8.50 considering the large size of the exhibition.
3. anonymous
"XYZZY"
4. Joe Whitehead
Regarding: "XYZZY"
Cheater! (heh) Zork was an interesting game.