Introduction to Tennis for Two
Tennis for Two is considered the first video game ever created. It was created in 1958 by William Higinbotham, an American physicist working at Brookhaven National Laboratory in Upton, New York. The game was designed to be played on an oscilloscope, a cathode ray tube display device used for displaying graphical information. The game was hugely popular and Higinbotham’s invention is considered the forerunner of the modern video game industry. So, how long did it take to make Tennis for Two?
The Inspiration for Tennis for Two
The idea for Tennis for Two came to Higinbotham while he was attending the annual visitor’s day at Brookhaven National Laboratory. During the event, Higinbotham wanted to do something to entertain visitors instead of the usual lectures and tours. He came up with the idea of a tennis video game that could be played on the oscilloscope that was available in the laboratory.
Development of the Game
Higinbotham began work on the game shortly afterwards. He was aided by a technician in the lab, Robert Dvorak, who helped him design the circuitry for the game. The game itself was programmed in assembly language and took approximately one month to develop. Higinbotham and Dvorak also designed two custom controllers for the game, one for each player. The controllers were essentially two boxes with buttons that allowed the players to control the angle and force of the shots they made.
Testing of the Game
Once the game was developed, Higinbotham and Dvorak tested it out on the oscilloscope. After a few tweaks, the game was ready to be presented to the public during the Brookhaven Lab’s annual visitors’ day on October 18, 1958. The game was an instant success, with visitors queuing up to play.
Popularity of the Game
The game quickly became a hit among visitors, who were captivated by the concept of a video game. Higinbotham and Dvorak continued to refine the game over the next two years, adding new features and graphics. The game was eventually featured in a number of popular magazines, including Popular Mechanics and Scientific American.
Tennis for Two as a Prototype
Tennis for Two was the prototype for the modern video game industry. It was the first game to use interactive graphics and the first to use two custom controllers. It also set the standard for the genre of sports games and paved the way for the development of the popular games we have today.
Legacy of Tennis for Two
Tennis for Two has had a lasting legacy. The game has been credited with inspiring a number of other classic video games, including Pong and Breakout. The game has also been inducted into the Video Game Hall of Fame and is considered one of the most influential video games ever created.
How Long Did It Take to Make Tennis for Two?
So, how long did it take to make Tennis for Two? In total, it took approximately one month to create the game. This includes the time spent designing the circuitry, programming the game, and creating the controllers.
Conclusion
Tennis for Two is one of the most influential video games ever created. It was the first game to use interactive graphics, the first to use two custom controllers, and the prototype for the modern video game industry. It took approximately one month to create the game and Higinbotham and Dvorak’s invention has had a lasting legacy.