The reaction to and creation of the Nimrod
Bernstein, Alex and de V. Roberts, Michael (1958) ‘Computer v. chess-player’. Scientific American, June 1958
Article on the value of computer chess research and figure on the time it would take a computer to calculate all possible chess moves
Computer History Museum (no date) Mastering the Game: A History of Computer Chess. [Online] www.computerhistory.org/chess [Last accessed: 27 February 2010]
The history of computer chess
Crowley, David and Pavitt, Jane (editors) (2008) Cold War Modern: Design 1945-1970. London, UK: V&A Publishing
Background on Cold War, 2001: A Space Odyssey and early computers
Ferguson, Niall (2006) The War of the World: History’s Age of Hatred. London, UK: Allen Lane
Second World War and Cold War history
Gaddis, John Lewis (2005) The Cold War. 2007 editioLondon, UK: Penguin Books
Cold War history
Goldsmith Jr., Thomas T. and Mann, Estle Ray (1948) Cathode-Ray Tube Amusement Device. [Patent] US Patent No. 2,455,992
Details of the Cathode-Ray Tube Amusement Device
Jansen, Marius B. (2000) The Making of Modern Japan. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Belknap Press, Harvard University Press
Japan’s surrender in the Second World War
Kotok, Alan (1962) ‘A Chess playing program for the IBM 7090 computer’. BSc paper, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Background on Alan Kotok’s computer work
Levy, Steven (1984) Hackers: Heroes of the Computer Revolution. 2001 edition. London, UK: Penguin Books
Spacewar’s creation
Plant, Sadie (1997) Zeros + Ones. 1998 paperback edition. London, UK: Fourth Estate
Feminist re-examination of computer history with background on Alan Turing and early computing
Podfather (2009) [TV broadcast] London: BBC Four. 12 October 2009. GMT: 21.00
History of the development of integrated circuits
Polkinghorn, Frank (1973) Thomas Goldsmith, Electrical Engineer, an Oral History. New Brunswick, New Jersey: IEEE History Center [Online] www.ieee.org/portal/cms_docs_iportals/iportals/aboutus/history_center/oral_history/pdfs/Goldsmith008.pdf [Last accessed: 14 September 2008]
Background on Thomas Goldsmith’s work
Shannon, Claude E. (1950) ‘Programming a computer for playing chess’. Philosophical Magazine, 41 (7), No. 314, March 1950
Explains why computer chess is useful for research
‘The Making of Spacewar!’ (2003) Edge Presents Retro: ‘The Making of Special. Bath, UK: Future Publishing. pp6-9
Spacewar!’s creation and source of quotes from Steve Russell and Martin Graetz, used with the kind permission of Future Publishing
2. Avoid Missing Ball For High Score
Arcade History (no date) [Online] www.arcade-history.com [Last accessed: 2 March 2010]
Information on coin-operated games
Atomic Planet Entertainment (2005) Taito Legends [PlayStation 2] Empire Interactive
Information on Taito’s early years
Baer, Ralph H. (2005) Videogames: In the Beginning. Springfield, New Jersey: Rolenta Press
Detailed information on the launch of the Odyssey and the creation of Pong
Barth, Linda (2004) ‘Pinball: It took most of a century to evolve, and its best days may be past’. American Heritage. 20 April 2004. [Online] www.americanheritage.com/articles/magazine/it/2004/4/2004_4_20.shtml [Last accessed: 2 April 2010]
Details about New York City’s pinball ban
Brand, Stewart (1972) ‘Spacewar: Fanatic life and symbolic death among the computer bums’. Rolling Stone. 7 December 1972. [Online] www.wheels.org/spacewar/stone/rolling_stone.html [Last accessed: 2 March 2010]
Spacewar and early computer game culture
Bushnell, Nolan K. (1972) Computer Space Instructions. Mountain View, California: Nutting Associates Inc.
How Computer Space was presented to arcade operators
Digital Eclipse (2004) Atari Anthology [PlayStation 2] Atari Interactive
Interview with Nolan Bushnell
Kent, Steven L. (2001) The Ultimate History of Video Games. New York, New York: Three Rivers Press
History of Atari, Pong and New York City’s pinball ban
‘Oldies but Goodies: Celebrate Atari’s 6th Birthday’ (1978) St. Pong, Volume 4, July/August 1978. Sunnyvale, California: Atari Inc.
Details of when staff joined Atari Inc.
Penner, Jeremy (2005) ‘Important failures in videogame history’. The Gamer’s Quarter. Issue 2, 3rd quarter 2005. St Louis, Missouri: The Gamer’s Quarter. pp56-57
Timings of Galaxy Game and Computer Space releases
Range, Peter Ross (1974) ‘Space age pinball machines’. The Ledger, Lakeland, Florida. Sunday 15 September 1974. Section D, p7
Overview of the video game’s impact on the arcade industry and the Odyssey
Russell, Bruce (1976) ‘Penny arcade games – It’s a multi-million dollar world’. Daily News, Kingsport, Tennessee. Wednesday 13 October 1976. p8
How video games changed attitudes to arcades
‘The untold Atari story’ (2009) Edge, Issue 200, April 2009, pp94-99
Interview with Ted Dabney, co-founder of Atari
3. A Good Home Recreation Thing
Albright Jr., Ronald G. (1985) The Orphan Chronicles. San Dimas, California: Millers Graphics
Texas Instruments’ involvement in the microprocessor business
Amis, Martin (1982) Invasion of the Space Invaders. London, UK: Hutchinson & Co.
Still uses term TV Games
Arcade History (no date) [Online] www.arcade-history.com [Last accessed: 2 March 2010]
Information on coin-operated games
‘Atari Corporation’ (2004) International Directory of Company Histories, Volume 66. Farmington Hills, Michigan: St James Press. [Online] www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/Atari-Corporation-Company-History.html [Last accessed: 2 March 2010]
History of Atari Inc.
Atomic Planet Entertainment (2005) Taito Legends [PlayStation 2] Empire Interactive
Information on Taito’s early years
‘Computer game tycoon runs up score of profits’ (1978) The Spokesman Review. Spokane, Washington. Thursday 25 May 1978. p44
Interview with Nolan Bushnell
DeMaria, Rusel and Wilson, Johnny L. (2002) High Score! The Illustrated History of Electronic Games. Berkeley, California: McGraw-Hill/Osborne. p17
Atari Inc’s manifesto
Digital Eclipse (2004) Atari Anthology [PlayStation 2] Atari Interactive
Interview with Nolan Bushnell
Kent, Steven L. (2001) The Ultimate History of Video Games. New York, New York: Three Rivers Press
History of Atari
‘King Pong explains home-game craze’ (1978) Wilmington Morning Star. Wilmington, North Carolina. Monday 24 April 1978. p4-D.
Interview with Nolan Bushnell
Lewis, Jesse (1977) ‘Americans play space age games’. Ocala Star-Banner. Ocala, Florida. Thursday 28 April 1977. p8A
The impact of video games on the arcades
Old Computers (no date) [Online] http://old-computers.com [Last accessed: 2 March 2010]
Information on 1970s consoles
Provenzo Jr, Eugene (1991) Video Kids: Making Sense of Nintendo. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press. p48
The significance of video games in changing people’s relationship with TV
‘The untold Atari story’ (2009) Edge, Issue 200, April 2009, pp94-99
Interview with Ted Dabney, co-founder of Atari
4. Chewing Gum, Bailing Wire And Spit
Arcade History (no date) [Online] www.arcade-history.com [Last accessed: 2 March 2010]
Information on coin-operated games
‘Coin-operated game outrages safety council’ (1977) The Blade. Toledo, Ohio. Saturday 1 January 1977. p4
Controvers
y about Death Race
‘Computer game for morbid fans’ (1976). The Kingman Daily Miner. Kingman, Arizona. Friday 1 July 1976, p11
Controversy about Death Race
‘Death Race popularity grows’ (1977) Spokane Daily Chronicle. Spokane, Washington. Tuesday 9 August 1977, p6
Controversy increases Death Race sales
Greene, Bob (1976) ‘Death Race: You pay quarter and try to kill pedestrian’. The Free Lance-Star. Fredericksburg, Virginia. Wednesday 27 October 1976, p2
Controversy about Death Race
Bally Flicker (1975) [Promotional Flyer] Bally Manufacturing Co.
Information about the Flicker pinball table
Hardwick, M. Jeffrey (2004) Mall Maker: Victor Gruen, Architect of an American Dream. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: University of Pennsylvania Press
Biography of Victor Gruen, the inventor of the modern shopping mall
Nürburgring/1 (1976) [Promotional Flyer] Dr.-Ing. Reiner Foerst GmbH
Information on Nürburgring/1
Nürburgring/1 and Nürburgring/2 (1976) [Promotional flyer] Dr.-Ing. Reiner Foerst GmbH
Information on Nürburgring/1
Old Computers (no date) [Online] http://old-computers.com [Last accessed: 2 March 2010]
Information on 1970s computers and consoles
Podfather (2009) [TV broadcast] London: BBC Four, 12 October 2009. GMT: 21.00
The history of the microprocessor
‘Steve Jobs profile: Apple’s hard core’ (2009) Scotland on Sunday. 11 January 2009. [Online] http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/comment/Steve-Jobs-profile-Apple39s-hard.4863847.jp [Last accessed: 6 March 2010]
Profile of Steve Jobs
5. The Biggest Eureka Moment Ever
Ahl, David H. (editor) (1978) BASIC Computer Games: Microcomputer Edition. New York, New York: Workman Publishing.
Pre-home computer games and background about their creation
Bagnall, Brian (2007) On the Edge: The Spectacular Rise and Fall of Commodore. Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada: Variant Press
History of Commodore
Barton, Matt (2008) Dungeons & Desktops. Wellesley, Massachusetts: A K Peters
Background on pre-home computer role-playing games, including Pedit5
Briggs, Andrew (1983) ‘Meet the men behind Infocom’s mask’. Micro Adventurer, November 1983, pp10-11
Interview with Infocom
‘Commodore International Ltd’ (1993) International Directory of Company Histories, Volume 7, St. James Press, 1993. [Online] www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/Commodore-International-Ltd-Company-History.html [Last accessed: 11 March 2010]
History of Commodore
Computer History Museum (no date) Mastering the Game: A History of Computer Chess [Online] www.computerhistory.org/chess [Last accessed: 27 February 2010]
History of computer chess research
Crawford, Chris (1982) ‘Eastern Front (1941)’. In: Salen, Katie and Zimmerman, Eric (editors) (2006) The Game Design Reader: A Rules of Play Anthology. Cambridge, Massachusetts: The MIT Press. pp714-724
Background on early computer stragy games
DigiBarn Computer Museum (2004) ‘Maze War 30 Year Retrospective’. 7 November 2004. [Online] www.digibarn.com/history/04-VCF7-MazeWar/index.html [Last accessed: 6 March 2010]
History of Maze / Maze War
Dingler, David A. (2006) ‘Where flight simulation really began’. FlightSim.com. 10 January 2006. [Online] www.flightsim.com/main/feature/link.htm [Last accessed: 6 March 2010]
History of flight simulations
‘Gaming Our Way Through History: The Oregon Trail: Education, Nostalgia, and Memory’ (no date) American Studies Program, The College of William & Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia. [Online] http://web.wm.edu/amst/370/2005F/sp1/home.htm [Last accessed: 6 March 2010]
Background on The Oregon Trail game
Hafner, Katie (1994) ‘Will Crowther Interview’. The Internet Archive. [Online] http://ia301514.us.archive.org/0/items/WillCrowtherInterview/WC111.txt [Last accessed: 6 March 2010]
Interview with Will Crowther
Jerz, Dennis G. (2007) ‘Somewhere nearby is Colossal Cave: Examining Will Crowther’s original Adventure in code and in Kentucky’. Digital Humanities Quarterly. Volume 1, Number 2, Summer 2007. [Online] http://digitalhumanities.org/dhq/vol/001/2/000009/000009.html [Last accessed: 6 March 2010]
History of Will Crowther’s Adventure
Library Information Network (no date) ‘A bibliography of the Edwin A. Link Collection of the Evans Library at Florida Institute of Technology’. [Online] www.lib.fit.edu/pubs/linkbib [Last accessed: 6 March 2010]
Background on Edwin A. Link
Microchess (no date) [Mail order form] Toronto, Ontario, Canada: Micro-Ware Ltd.
Information of Micro-Ware
O’Neill, Judy (1990) ‘An interview with William Crowther’. 12 March 1990. Charles Babbage Institute, Centre for the History of Information Processing, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. [Online] www.cbi.umn.edu/oh/pdf.phtml?id=97 [Last accessed: 6 March 2010]
Interview with Will Crowther about his non-game work
Poundstone, William (2006) ‘Game theory’. In: Salen, Katie and Zimmerman, Eric (editors) (2006) The Game Design Reader: A Rules of Play Anthology. Cambridge, Massachusetts: The MIT Press. pp382-408
Background on Kriegsspiel
Rheingold, Howard (1991) Virtual Reality. 1992 edition. London: Mandarin Paperbacks.
Background on flight simulation history
‘Sierra On-Line Inc.’ (1996) International Directory of Company Histories, Volume 15, St. James Press (1996). [Online] www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/Sierra-OnLine-Inc-Company-History.html [Last accessed: 11 March 2010]
History of Sierra On-Line
Smith, Steve (1994) PC Pilot: The Complete Guide to Computer Aviation. New York, New York: Avon Books
Background on early flight simulations
‘The Joy of Computer Gaming’ (1983) In: The Best of 99’er Volume 1 (1983). Eugene, Oregon: Emerald Valley Publishing Co., pp223-225
Notes confusion about what to do with home computers
Thompson, Greg (2004) The amazing history of Maze – it’s a small world after-all. [Presentation] Vintage Computer Festival, Mountain View, California. 7 November 2004. [Online] www.digibarn.com/collections/presentations/maze-war/The-aMazing-History-of-Maze.ppt [Last accessed: 6 March 2010]
History of Maze / Maze War
Wells, H.G. (1913) Little Wars. 2004 edition. Whitefish, Montana: Kessinger Publishing
The sci-fi author’s Kriegsspiel rule book
Wozniak, Steve with Smith, Gina (2006) iWoz. 2007 paperback edition. London, UK: Headline Review
Steve Wozniak’s account of Apple’s formation and the creation of the Apple II computer
6. High-Strung Prima Donnas
Amis, Martin (1982) Invasion of the Space Invaders. London, UK: Hutchinson & Co.
The success of Space Invaders. And yes, it is that Martin Amis
‘Ask Hal: Frequently asked questions to the Blue Sky Rangers’ (no date) IntellivisionLives.com [Online] www.intellivisionlives.com/bluesky/people/askhal/askhal.html#A1 [Last accessed: 6 March 2010]
Details on Mattel’s move into home consoles
Atlas, Terry (1978) ‘Simon toy an elusive bestseller’. Evening Independent. St Petersburg, Florida. Thursday 21 December 1978. p5-C
Simon sells out
Baer, Ralph H. (2005) Videogames: In the Beginning. Springfield, New Jersey: Rolenta Press
The creation of Simon
Bloom, Steve (1983) ‘Parker Brothers strikes back’. Video Games, Volume 1, Number 4, January 1983. pp50-53 & 56
Parker Brothers’ involvement in the handheld business/p>
Cook, Wanda (1979) ‘Electronic games a real challenge’. The Blade. Toledo, Ohio. Thursday 6 December 1979. p41
The popularity of handheld games in the late 1970s
DeMaria, Rusel and Wilson, Johnny L. (2002)
High Score! The Illustrated History of Electronic Games. Berkeley, California: McGraw-Hill/Osborne
Background on Space Invaders and early consoles
Edwards, Benj (2009) ‘Jerry Lawson, Black Video Game Pioneer’. Vintage Computing and Gaming. 24 February 2009. [Online] www.vintagecomputing.com/index.php/archives/545 [Last accessed: 5 March 2010]
Interview with the Fairchild Channel F designer
Gielens, Jaro (2000) Electronic Plastic. Berlin, Germany: Die Gestatlen Verlag
Information on early handhelds
Kemp, Leslie (1979) ‘Electronic toys top list of Polk buyers’. The Ledger. Lakeland, Florida. Monday 3 December 1979. pp1A & 6A.
Report on sales of handhelds
Kent, Steven L. (2001) The Ultimate History of Video Games. New York, New York: Three Rivers Press
Background on early handhelds and consoles, also Space Invaders
Mattel Dimension 78 (1978) [Toy fair catalog] Mattel
Information on Mattel’s handheld games
Old Computers (no date) [Online] http://old-computers.com [Last accessed: 2 March 2010]
Information on late 1970s consoles
Skow, John (1979) ‘Those beeping, thinking toys’. Time. Monday 10 December 1979. [Online] www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,912568-1,00.html [Last accessed: 6 March 2010]
Report on the handheld game boom
Sullivan, George (1983) ‘Looking to the future’. Blip, Volume 1, No. 4, May 1983, pp20-21
Profile of Coleco
Williams, Dmitri (2006) ‘A (brief) social history of video games’. In: Vorderer, Peter and Bryant, Jennings (editors) (2006) Playing Computer Games: Motives, Responses and Consequences. Mahwah, New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum [Online] http://dmitriwilliams.com/research.html [Last accessed: 6 March 2010]
Sales data for the US video game industry
7. Pac-Man Fever
Allison, Anne (2004) ‘Cuteness as Japan’s Millennial product’. In: Tobin, Joseph (editor) (2004) Pikachu’s Global Adventure: The Rise and Fall of Pokémon. Durham, North Carolina: Duke University Press. pp34-49
The kawaii art style defined and explained
Amis, Martin (1982) Invasion of the Space Invaders. London, UK: Hutchinson & Co.
UK-centric view on the video game boom
Atari Inc. (1980) The Book: A Guide to Electronic Game Operation and Servicing. Sunnyvale, California: Atari Inc. pp3-3 to 3-6
Replay: The History of Video Games Page 60