magnavox-odyssey
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Internet Archive uploads retro games to play online for free
The Internet Archive has launched a beta version of the Console Living Room, a new initiative that makes hundreds of classic video games available for free, in-browser play. Part of the Internet Archive's preservation-focused Historical Software Collection, the Console Living Room uses the JSMESS emulator to reproduce games for the Atari 2600, Atari 7800, the Magnavox Odyssey 2, the Colecovision, and the Bally Astrocade. The collection features many cartridges that defined the golden age of gaming, including Atari 2600 classics like Yars' Revenge, H.E.R.O. and River Raid. The Colecovision sees its share of representation with standouts like BC's Quest for Tires and a prototype port of the arcade hit Burgertime, while history buffs can judge for themselves if the Odyssey 2's K.C. Munchkin rightfully earned a 1982 lawsuit over its similarities to Pac-Man.
Minecraft belongs in a museum, according to MoMA
New York's Museum of Modern Art has announced that it is adding six video games, including Minecraft, and a console to its famous collection of contemporary art. The Museum chose to honor fourteen games last year (including Pac-Man, SimCity 2000, EVE Online, and Portal) based on their traits of behavior, aesthetics, space, and time. This year, the museum is adding Atari classics Pong, Space Invaders, Asteroids, Tempest, and Yar's Revenge, as well as Mojang's modern hit, Minecraft. MoMA's also adding the Magnavox Odyssey to the collection, remembering it not only as the first commercial home video game console, but as "a masterpiece of engineering and industrial design." As part of the museum's collection, all of these games and the console will periodically show up in exhibits put together by MoMA's Architecture and Design department.
Ralph Baer, video game mastermind, sits down for inventor portrait video
Ralph Baer is a name synonymous with gaming lore, credited with the invention of the Magnavox Odyssey and thinking that digital table tennis was a good idea long before Pong proved him right. These days, he's 90 years young, and still inventing as if his best days are ahead of him. Photographer David Friedman has embarked on quite the interesting side project, lining up a number of interviews that profile some of the world's most quietly influential folk; in the effort of concealing spoilers, we'll simply encourage you to tap the play button below after you're settled in. It's a solid watch, regardless of whether you're familiar with the man, the myth or the legend.
A touching video interview with Ralph Baer
Anyone with an interest in the history of video games should know the name Ralph Baer. As the creator of the first game console, the Magnavox Odyssey -- giving video table tennis to the world before Pong -- Baer was instrumental in the creation of the video game industry. As part of a video series on inventors, a photographer by the name of David Friedman conducted an interview with Baer.Though the question doesn't appear in the video, Friedman asked Baer if he had "unleashed a monster" in creating the video game console. "Yeah," answer Baer, "I did a bit." He elaborated that the Odyssey was designed as a family activity, something shared with multiple people. Baer is worried that games have "just sort of degenerated into a one player type thing which was never in my mind." Friedman notes that there might still be hope, with consoles like the Wii encouraging people to play together. We would throw the Kinect and PlayStation Move onto the list as well. Let this be a reminder to always teach your children about the importance of co-op.Watch the brief (and frankly touching) interview above.
Retro consoles torn apart, ancient innards exposed
If you want to see just how far game consoles have come over the last few decades, check out iFixit's teardown of the Atari 2600. As you can see, there's not much to onetime king of home entertainment. Just look at how complex an iPhone 4 is in comparison! The Atari teardown was part of a full week of retro console deconstructions, including the Famicom, Magnavox Odyssey and even the Virtual Boy. Check them out for yourself -- if you think you can handle all that naked, aging PCB.
iFixit tears apart a Magnavox Odyssey 100, doesn't find a disco ball inside
The fine people at iFixit have taken the extremely awesome step of tearing down some very retro gear this week, and up first, they've got the Magnavox Odyssey 100 which dates from 1975. The gaming console, which boasted two (count them ) games -- Tennis and Hockey -- was built around four Texas Instruments chips and powered by six C batteries. It was also the first home gaming console, so we were pretty interested in seeing its insides. What struck us in looking at the photos was the most obvious thing: how much emptier it is than modern gadgets. It was also completely dismantled in just seven steps. Hit the source for more photos and keep your eye out for more vintage disassemblies as the week progresses.
Ralph Baer inducted into Inventors Hall of Fame
[SteveO526] At 88 years young, Ralph Baer is one of our favorite adults (or super adults, as we like to call those over the age of 70 among us). After inventing Pong (and resultantly, the Magnavox Odyssey), Baer went on to create the rage-inducing electronic board game Simon, and just this past week was inducted into the Inventors Hall of Fame for his work. He was the first game developer to have earned the award. According to the event's fact sheet (warning: download link), inductees need to meet two specific criteria before being considered: "[One] The inventor must hold a US patent, and [Two] the invention must have contributed to the welfare of mankind and have promoted the progress of science and the useful arts." The National Selection Committee (representing "various scientific, industry, and professional groups along with a Blue Ribbon Panel of experts") then chooses said inductees. In his bio, the committee specifically notes Baer's accolades in the game industry, calling him "a pioneer in the field of interactive video games" -- an assessment we tend to agree with. We've already got a suggestion for next year, though, guys: Shinji Mikami. Obviously for bringing the world the "What're ya buyin' / sellin'?" guy in Resident Evil 4, forever changing the way we conduct business. Come on, NSC! Aren't we buddies? [Via GameCulture]
