Rise

In 1888, the German Stovik designed a machine called an "automatic egg laying machine" based on the principle of a coin machine of a vending machine. As long as a coin was put into the machine, the "automatic laying chicken" would be Lay an egg with a cry. People regard the machine invented by Stovik as the prototype of the coin-operated game machine.

But the real gaming machine used in the entertainment industry is the "sound box" gaming machine that appeared in Germany at the beginning of the last century. As long as the player puts a coin, the revolver in the sound box will automatically rotate, driving a series of unevenly distributed teeth to strike different lengths of steel to play music.

Later, the famous magician Burlem designed coin-operated video game consoles. Although it is a video, it is still mechanical, and the operator can see the puppets and the background moving performance from the observation hole after inserting coins.

In an era of economic depression, the gaming industry around the world is extremely prosperous, so many coins such as poker machines (commonly known as mouses), horse racing machines, and golf pinball machines abound, once replacing the healthy entertainment industry. It was not until the 1930s that the United States developed a simulation game against competition, in which "one-armed robber" game consoles that simulate gun battles were very popular. Since then, game machines that simulate various sports (such as shooting, basketball, and fishing talent) have also appeared in casinos.

From the end of the nineteenth century to the fifties and sixties of the twentieth century, coin-operated game machines were mostly mechanical or simple circuit structures. The players were mostly young people and adults. The occasions were limited to playgrounds, the programs were less interesting, and the content was single. . But at the same time, with the rapid development of global electronic technology, the first electronic computer appeared in 1946 after the war, its technical achievements penetrated into various fields, and a entertainment revolution was also brewing.

Birth

After the Second World War, electronic computer technology has developed by leaps and bounds. First, the bulky vacuum tubes were replaced by transistors, and later integrated circuits and large-scale integrated circuits emerged, enabling electronic computers to be updated from generation to generation, and software technology was also developing rapidly. In the United States, many computer software design talents are concentrated. After working, they often like to compile a "game" that can fight people's wisdom, so as to exercise the programming ability. There are many kinds of "games", but their characteristics are to use computer software to design the "analysis" and "judgment" capabilities in turn to compete with people. Due to constant revisions and updates, the "intelligence" of computers is indistinguishable from others.

Nolan Bushner, an electrical engineer in California, sees the prospect of this "game." As early as in college, Bushnell had operated a casino and knew the know-how of the casino. So, in 1971, Bushnell designed the world's first commercial video game machine based on his "tennis" game. This electronic tennis game has a rather dramatic experience: In order to see if it was accepted by people, Bushnell negotiated with the owner of a nearby casino and placed it in the corner of the casino. Less than two days later, the boss called to tell him that the so-called "video game machine" was broken and he was asked to repair it. Bushnell opened the case, and accidentally found that the coin box was full of coins, so it just filled the coin slot. Successfully inspiring Bushnell to further develop and produce video game machines, for which he founded the world's first video game company-Atari.

Today, when we look back at why video games are attractive at the beginning, it is not difficult to understand the reason that video games satisfy people's desire for competition and confrontation, and it always gives competitors new challenges. At the same time, it can also provide a new picture and music enjoyment for the winners. After all, street casinos are not as casual and economical as playing at home. As a result, electronic game consoles began to develop in the direction of "family". The breakthrough of electronic technology promoted the development of "family" of game consoles. The popularity of color TV sets made the picture tubes and scanning boards of large game consoles completely color-coded. The TV set replaced the microprocessor part and the display screen. The game machine made at this time is only equivalent to a signal generator, which is connected to a television to form a closed circuit television system. This kind of electronic game machine is generally called "home computer game machine", or simply called "TV game machine".