By Sabraya Knight

Timeline of the Video Game Console/Social Impact of Video Games

A Virtual ParadiseAll around the world, people enjoy good video games. From children to adults, people love to pick up a controller and play for hours. There are millions and millions of video games out in the world, with many more sprouting from different genres. However, video games would be nearly worthless without the consoles to play them on. This power point focuses on the creation of video game consoles, and the social impact of video games.

The Very First Video Game Console

In 1972, the very first video game console created was the “Magnavox Odyssey”. It was created by the manufacturing company Magnavox. One of the few games that was made for the first Magnavox Odyssey was Pong, a cult-classic video game known throughout the world. The “Magnavox Odyssey is pictured below.

Pong GodThe game of “Pong”, one of the very first

video games for the Magnavox Odyssey, was created by Ralph Baer. Pong was also the first arcade game. Pong instantly became a success, and is still considered one of the greatest and classic games of all time.

GameboyMany years passed, and so did many

versions of the Magnavox Odyssey. With every passing year, game manufactures thought of ways to improve the quality of their consoles. In 1989, Nintendo released the very first “Gameboy”, and Gameboy would become a very popular line of handheld consoles. From 1989 onward, gaming was not limited to just the household or the arcade.

A New Era: PlaystationIn 1994, Sony Entertainment released the

first “Playstation”. This turned out to be extremely popular, and soon, different versions and alterations were released to the public.

Handheld UpgradeIn 2004, the “Playstation Portable” was

released in Japan; “Playstation Portable” was released in North American the following year. Fans of the popular “Gameboy” were probably impressed and amazed at the PSP’s amazing features, video quality, and slick design. Features of the PSP included earphone input, music downloads, and Internet access.

Worldwide GamingThe entertaining world of video gaming has

gone far and beyond, and is currently evolving as we speak. Video gaming has gone so far that it has reached many Las Vegas casinos, following right after the legalization of video game casinos in Illinois. This shows that people of all ages can enjoy the pleasures of video games, whether in the household, on the go, or in the casinos.

Life Lived By A ControllerWhile video games are fun, there are many

downsides in playing many hours of video games. A prime example is the gamers' development of a “video game addiction”. A video game addiction could lead to isolation from the outside world, a decrease in social skills, debt, and even depression. There are many programs and interventions held for people who are stricken with a video game addiction, but are results REALLY satisfying?

Solutions!One solution to solving the problem of video

game addictions is to sponsor more programs in helping to prevent video game addictions. The gamer is, however, still responsible for his or hers time spent on video games. Another solution would be better time management, such as a schedule organizing their activities.

ConclusionThe video game industry has grown full and

rapidly, earning the interest of both children and adults. Video games are a wondrous source of entertainment, but too much time spent on playing video games is bound to have a negative impact on gamers' lives. If the right steps are taken and the effort is given, video game addiction could be the farthest thing from a person’s mind. The future of video games, video game consoles, and for gamers looks to be very bright and entertaining.

BibliographyInformation Plunkett, Luke. Every Video Game Console Ever Made(August 3, 2010), September

10, 2010[http://www.kotaku.com.au/2010/08/every-video-game-console-ever-made] Author not given. Video Game Addiction(n.d), September 10, 2010[http://www.video-

game-addiction.org/] Bellis, Mary. The History of Computers and Video Games(date not given), September

23, 2010[http://inventors.about.com//library/inventors/blcomputer-videogames.htm] Cohen, D.S. What is Gameboy(date not given), September 23,

2020[http://gameboy.com/od/hardwareprofiles/p/WhatIsGB.htm] No author given, Playstation(September 22, 2010), September 23,

2010[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Playstation No author given, Playstation Portable(September 22, 2010), September 23,

2010[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Playstation_Portable] No author given, Worldwide Gaming(No month or date, 2010), September 23,

2010[http://worldwidegaming.com/] Rauh, Sherry, Video Game Addiction(no date given), September 23,

2010[http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/features/video-game-addiction-no-fun]

BibliographyInformation(cont.) No author given, Ralph Baer(September 23, 2010), September 23,

2010[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ralph_H._Baer]

Pictures http://en.wikipedia.org./wiki/File:Gameboy.jpg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gameboy_Advance_On.png http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Game-advance-sp.jpg http://en.wikipedai.org/wiki/File:SCPH-30000_vertical.jpg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Playstation3vector.svg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:PSP_White.png http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:PSP_Browser.jpg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/

File:2009_Taipei_IT_Month_Day1_Sony_PSP_white.jpg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ralphbaer.jpg