video game history but its like mostly sports stuff idk

Study Guide


John Madden Football

  • Trip Hawkins - Founder of Electronic Arts (EA)

  • Trip Hawkins met John Madden on a 8 hour train ride and they developed the idea for Madden football.

  • Madden was famously quoted as saying, “If it’s in the game, it should be in the game.”

  • It took 3 years for EA to develop a football game that John Madden was pleased with.

  • Released in 1988.

  • The first sports game to include the following:

    • Weather Conditions

    • Adjustable length of gameplay (length of quarters).

    • Player Fatigue.

    • Optional Injuries

    • Yearly releases aligned with the actual sports season.

    • Player “likenesses” so you could play as your favorite team or players.

    • The ability to create your own team.


One-on-One: Dr. J vs Larry Bird

  • Released in 1983.

  • Developed by EA.

  • First game to feature “Instant Replay.”

  • All the profits were used to fund EA’s Madden project.

NBA Jam

  • Designed by Mark Turmell.

  • Released by Midway in 1993.

  • Known for its focus on exaggerated-realism.

  • In-game announcers shouted catch-phrases which have become iconic, such as:

    • He’s on fire!

    • Boomshakalaka!

  • Known for hiding fun Easter Eggs behind hidden button combinations.

    • Hidden playable characters like Bill Clinton, the Hornets Mascot, and game designer Mark Turmell.

NBA 2K

  • Released in 1999 by SEGA.

  • Released on the Dreamcast.

  • Allen Iverson was the original cover athlete.

  • Known for its focus on hyper-realism.

  • Immersed players in real life NBA culture.

  • Spawned the creation of one of the most popular ESports leagues: NBA 2K League.

GOLF

  • Released in 1984 by Nintendo.

  • Released on the Famicom in Japan.

  • Ported to the NES in America in 1985.

  • First sports game to feature Mario as a playable character.

  • First golf game to feature the power and accuracy bar.

Mario Tennis Series

  • Originally released in 1995 as the “pack-in” game for Nintendo’s Virtual Boy.

  • Praised for groundbreaking stereoscopic 3D visuals.

  • Ultimately failed as a game due to a lack of replayability.

  • The sequel “Mario Tennis” was released in 2000 for the N64.

  • This sequel was a MASSIVE success, and is widely considered one of the greatest sports games of all time.

Wii Sports

  • Released in 2006 as the “pack-in” game for the Nintendo Wii.

  • Nintendo’s attempt at reaching a new market of gamers: young, inexperienced, or casual gamers.

  • Featured state of the art motion controls.

  • Focused on a fun family experience.

  • Featured 5 sport-based games: baseball, tennis, bowling, golf, and boxing.

  • The best selling Nintendo game of all time.

  • 3rd best selling video game of all time.

  • Best selling console exclusive game of all time.