The document provides a history of computer gaming from the 1970s to the present. It describes the origins and evolution of gaming consoles over time, from early systems like the Magnavox Odyssey in 1972 to modern portable devices. Key developments discussed include the introduction of cartridges with the NES in 1985, the rise of CD-based systems in the 1990s, the integration of online connectivity starting in the 2000s, and the recent additions of motion controls and touchscreens. The gaming industry has grown tremendously over the past decades to become a multi-billion dollar business.

1. Unit 14: Deconstructing Computer
Games
Chris Francis

2. The origins of gaming
• Gaming was first created when the Magnavox Odyssey was
released in 1972.
• Games consoles have advanced in so many ways from the
Odyssey a console that used a plastic sheet attached to the TV
and a series of lights to the PlayStation Vita a portable gaming
system that has a touch screen, sensitivity pad, 2 cameras and
a motion sensor for tilting gameplay.
• Gaming industries have made over £100,000,000,000 in sales
of consoles and games in the past decade alone.

3. 1970s
• In the 1970s just under 30 games consoles
were released these include The Magnavox
Odyssey, the Atari Pong, the Celeco
Telstar, Nintendo released its color game
series and ended with Milton Bradley
releasing the Microvision
• All of these consoles made over £100,000,000
in sales.

4. 1980s
• The 1980s marked the release of more high tech consoles and the
first ever hand held games console.
• The first console released in the 1980s was released in 1982 was
the arcadia 2001.
• The Vectrex released in 1984 was the follow up to the Microvision.
• In 1985 Nintendo released their Nintendo Entertainment System
which was the first Nintendo games console to use cartridges.
• 1986 saw the release of Sega’s Genesis which was the first console
to use CD’s instead of Cartridges.
• In 1989 Nintendo released its first hand held console the Gameboy
which used small cartridges and standard controls.

5. 1990s
• The 90s had most of the more high tech consoles of history
including…
• 1991 the Super Nintendo Entertainment System which was
a slimmer version of its predecessor.
• In 1993 Atari releases their last console the Atari Jaguar
• In 1995 Sega released the Saturn
• Also in 1995 Sony released the first ever PlayStation
console.
• In 1996 Nintendo release the N64 which used a completely
different controller than any other Nintendo console
• In 1999 Sega released their first portable games console the
Dreamcast

6. 2000-2005
• In October 2000 Sony released the follow up to the PlayStation the
PS2 which used discs and memory cards which could be used to
transport game data to other PS2 consoles.
• In November 2001 Microsoft released its first games console the
Xbox which used discs and memory cards but also allowed players
to rip music from a cd onto the internal memory of the console.
• Just 2 days after the release of the Xbox, Nintendo came back with
another console the GameCube which was a box shape and allowed
four people to play a game all at the same time.
• In 2004 after a 15 year gap of releasing consoles Atari came back
with the Atari Flashback
• In 2005 Microsoft released its second console the Xbox 360 which
introduced a step up to online gaming, it allowed users to create
what they called Xbox Live which let gamers connect and play with
gamers all around the world.

7. 2006-Present
• In 2006 the 3rd PlayStation console was released and allowed users to connect wirelessly with each
other using the PlayStation Network
• Nintendo also released their brand new console the Wii, this console used hand motion controllers
instead basic handheld ones, this allowed the player to use his/her body to control the game.
• Fast forward to 2011 and Nintendo announced their next DS console with 3D capabilities without
the use of glasses
• Also in 2011 Xbox announced the slim version of the Xbox 360 which included a wireless internet
connection and better graphics for games
• In 2012 Sony announced their next generation portable PlayStation called the PS Vita which would
allow players to use the PlayStation Network whilst they were out and about.
• Also in 2012 Nintendo announced their second Wii console, the Wii u which included a game pad
instead of a controller (although the controller was still included with the console) the game pad
includes a touch screen, camera and a touch pad on the bottom to improve game play
• Fast forward again to February 2013 and Sony announced the PlayStation 4 which would be an
updated version of the PS3, it will include a Dual shock 4 controller with a touch pad to improve
gameplay.
• And finally on may 21st 2013 Microsoft announced the next generation of Xbox with their brand
new console, the Xbox One.