Pong was a monster arcade game hit, & a fair monster hit in home videogames.
It wasn't, however, the first of its kind. As far back as 1958, there was a tennis/ping pong-like game which had variable ball speed & variable gravity.
(Created at Argonne National Labs, IIRC.)
So, I was wondering if it was possible for a different *Pong to be successful before 1971. If it could be, what might it look like? Designed by who?
Also, what about single-player variants? Not just with the 2d paddle disabled, but distinctly different designs. What else could have been done with pre-IC/microchip tech? ( Breakout , frex, seems ruled out...) Is Tetris? Asteroids?
How much does this change arcade games? Home video? Or does it...?
It wasn't, however, the first of its kind. As far back as 1958, there was a tennis/ping pong-like game which had variable ball speed & variable gravity.
So, I was wondering if it was possible for a different *Pong to be successful before 1971. If it could be, what might it look like? Designed by who?
Also, what about single-player variants? Not just with the 2d paddle disabled, but distinctly different designs. What else could have been done with pre-IC/microchip tech? ( Breakout , frex, seems ruled out...) Is Tetris? Asteroids?
How much does this change arcade games? Home video? Or does it...?