I can remember an interview with Bushnell in which he states that after the Computer Space experience he wanted to strip all the complexity out and come up with a simple game that could be played in a pub/bar. The one hand control scheme was important in that respect and he also empahsises the social side of the game.
Indeed, though there's no question he stole the game concept from Baer. Bushnell's genius was in realizing the mistake with Computer Space and going in the complete opposite direction with Pong. Computer Space had a gorgeous, futuristic cabinet with a control panel right out of NASA, while Pong had a modest brown and tan cabinet with a few dials and the infamous instructions of "avoid missing ball for high score".
I find myself going into lots of pre-history with this Pong chapter (I'm writing it now), but I think it's all important stuff and is necessary to tie into the later Spacewar! chapter.
Wii: 1345 2773 2048 1586 | PS3: ArmchairArcade Bill Loguidice, Managing Director | Armchair Arcade, Inc.
*************************** Bill Loguidice, Managing Director
Armchair Arcade, Inc.
I can remember an interview with Bushnell in which he states that after the Computer Space experience he wanted to strip all the complexity out and come up with a simple game that could be played in a pub/bar. The one hand control scheme was important in that respect and he also empahsises the social side of the game.
Indeed, though there's no question he stole the game concept from Baer. Bushnell's genius was in realizing the mistake with Computer Space and going in the complete opposite direction with Pong. Computer Space had a gorgeous, futuristic cabinet with a control panel right out of NASA, while Pong had a modest brown and tan cabinet with a few dials and the infamous instructions of "avoid missing ball for high score".
I find myself going into lots of pre-history with this Pong chapter (I'm writing it now), but I think it's all important stuff and is necessary to tie into the later Spacewar! chapter.
Wii: 1345 2773 2048 1586 | PS3: ArmchairArcade
Bill Loguidice, Managing Director | Armchair Arcade, Inc.
***************************
Bill Loguidice, Managing Director
Armchair Arcade, Inc.