Play History
@playhistory.bsky.social
Independent games researcher, Ethan Johnson. Preserving gaming history!
Patreon: http://tinyurl.com/pdp5pdrj
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@play_history/videos
Blog: https://thehistoryofhowweplay.wordpress.com/
Editor of Gaming Alexandria
Patreon: http://tinyurl.com/pdp5pdrj
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@play_history/videos
Blog: https://thehistoryofhowweplay.wordpress.com/
Editor of Gaming Alexandria
Pinned
Play History
@playhistory.bsky.social
· Oct 17
Play History
Play History is all about the history of video games. From their origins, to how they influence the world today, together we explore the phenomenon that's captured the world. Video game design, art, a...
www.youtube.com
Hi!
Here's my YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@play_history
Here's my blog: thehistoryofhowweplay.wordpress.com
I help @gamingalexandria.bsky.social www.gamingalexandria.com/wp/
I have a book on classic 80s arcade companies coming out in the near future!
That's my starter kit.
Here's my YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@play_history
Here's my blog: thehistoryofhowweplay.wordpress.com
I help @gamingalexandria.bsky.social www.gamingalexandria.com/wp/
I have a book on classic 80s arcade companies coming out in the near future!
That's my starter kit.
I've been asked a few times about if Spotlight Golf should count as a video game.
Like many games from this period, it's more fascinating than you think, though it's digital potential is overblown. Still, wild to think this existed in the 1930s.
Like many games from this period, it's more fascinating than you think, though it's digital potential is overblown. Still, wild to think this existed in the 1930s.
Spotlight Golf contained very state-of-the-art technology for its time, which enabled it to create a unique gameplay experience.
According to the Australasian Golf Museum, this tech qualifies it as the "first computer game" and maybe the first electronic computer.
Let's investigate this.
According to the Australasian Golf Museum, this tech qualifies it as the "first computer game" and maybe the first electronic computer.
Let's investigate this.
November 14, 2025 at 11:31 PM
I've been asked a few times about if Spotlight Golf should count as a video game.
Like many games from this period, it's more fascinating than you think, though it's digital potential is overblown. Still, wild to think this existed in the 1930s.
Like many games from this period, it's more fascinating than you think, though it's digital potential is overblown. Still, wild to think this existed in the 1930s.
40 Years - 1986
Arkanoid breaths life into the venerable ball-and-paddle genre, forever changing the way "Breakout style" games are thought of.
One of the creators did a history of Arkanoid published by Beep magazine some years back.
web.archive.org/web/20190601...
Arkanoid breaths life into the venerable ball-and-paddle genre, forever changing the way "Breakout style" games are thought of.
One of the creators did a history of Arkanoid published by Beep magazine some years back.
web.archive.org/web/20190601...
November 13, 2025 at 10:15 PM
40 Years - 1986
Arkanoid breaths life into the venerable ball-and-paddle genre, forever changing the way "Breakout style" games are thought of.
One of the creators did a history of Arkanoid published by Beep magazine some years back.
web.archive.org/web/20190601...
Arkanoid breaths life into the venerable ball-and-paddle genre, forever changing the way "Breakout style" games are thought of.
One of the creators did a history of Arkanoid published by Beep magazine some years back.
web.archive.org/web/20190601...
Reposted by Play History
Still at it! Championship Soccer was delayed from its intended fall 1980 release window, coming along in February, with an endorsement by Pele and an early example of a cutaway scene in a video game: www.atariarchive.org/blog/peles-c...
(Pele’s) Championship Soccer (Soccer) – February 1981, Atari Archive
Atari didn’t take long to open up 1981 with a new release, as Championship Soccer – or Pele’s Championship Soccer, as it was quickly rebranded -...
www.atariarchive.org
November 13, 2025 at 3:44 AM
Still at it! Championship Soccer was delayed from its intended fall 1980 release window, coming along in February, with an endorsement by Pele and an early example of a cutaway scene in a video game: www.atariarchive.org/blog/peles-c...
Reposted by Play History
As part of my site's 30th anniversary celebration, I've revamped the Space Quest 7 section. The page now offers a detailed look at Sierra's cancelled Space Quest VII project (1997-1999) and Escape Factory's unfinished 2002 reboot.
Concept art! Leaked footage! Never-before-revealed plot details!
Concept art! Leaked footage! Never-before-revealed plot details!
The True Story Behind Space Quest 7 - The Virtual Broomcloset
Discover the full story behind Sierra’s cancelled Space Quest 7 and Escape Factory’s unreleased Space Quest platformer, including timelines, concept art, creator interviews, and why both were shelved.
wiw.org
November 12, 2025 at 8:16 PM
As part of my site's 30th anniversary celebration, I've revamped the Space Quest 7 section. The page now offers a detailed look at Sierra's cancelled Space Quest VII project (1997-1999) and Escape Factory's unfinished 2002 reboot.
Concept art! Leaked footage! Never-before-revealed plot details!
Concept art! Leaked footage! Never-before-revealed plot details!
Reposted by Play History
Med Systems published a catalog of four "adventure blobber" games from 1980 to 1982, made outside the regular arc of adventure game history.
Recently, I found a fifth game. It is not in any catalog or advertisement. It is a ghost from time that shouldn't exist.
bluerenga.blog/2025/11/12/m...
Recently, I found a fifth game. It is not in any catalog or advertisement. It is a ghost from time that shouldn't exist.
bluerenga.blog/2025/11/12/m...
Madhouse (1981?)
We have — or at least had — the early timeline of Med Systems well-understood. They were founded by William Denman out of North Carolina, and they were the ones responsible for Reality …
bluerenga.blog
November 12, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Med Systems published a catalog of four "adventure blobber" games from 1980 to 1982, made outside the regular arc of adventure game history.
Recently, I found a fifth game. It is not in any catalog or advertisement. It is a ghost from time that shouldn't exist.
bluerenga.blog/2025/11/12/m...
Recently, I found a fifth game. It is not in any catalog or advertisement. It is a ghost from time that shouldn't exist.
bluerenga.blog/2025/11/12/m...
50 Years - 1976
Fairchild's Video Entertainment System introduces interchangeable games to the world.
My word on the console came out 2 years ago, and has just reached 900K views! Still very proud of it.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nio3...
Fairchild's Video Entertainment System introduces interchangeable games to the world.
My word on the console came out 2 years ago, and has just reached 900K views! Still very proud of it.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nio3...
November 11, 2025 at 11:33 PM
50 Years - 1976
Fairchild's Video Entertainment System introduces interchangeable games to the world.
My word on the console came out 2 years ago, and has just reached 900K views! Still very proud of it.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nio3...
Fairchild's Video Entertainment System introduces interchangeable games to the world.
My word on the console came out 2 years ago, and has just reached 900K views! Still very proud of it.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nio3...
We join you for another installment of Torturing @quarterpast.bsky.social
The mid 70s proves to be our greatest hurdle. As we plunge into the era of disco: Will Dale survive?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Du8Y...
The mid 70s proves to be our greatest hurdle. As we plunge into the era of disco: Will Dale survive?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Du8Y...
Dating Arcade Games! (Not That Way) Part 4
YouTube video by Play History
www.youtube.com
November 11, 2025 at 3:05 PM
We join you for another installment of Torturing @quarterpast.bsky.social
The mid 70s proves to be our greatest hurdle. As we plunge into the era of disco: Will Dale survive?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Du8Y...
The mid 70s proves to be our greatest hurdle. As we plunge into the era of disco: Will Dale survive?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Du8Y...
Reposted by Play History
Britain in the mid-1930s does not seem like a time or place of leisure innovation with the circumstances of war in Europe, yet it proved a fertile ground for the evolution of #arcade games.
Today we'll look at one of the most fascinating games from this period: Spotlight Golf!
Today we'll look at one of the most fascinating games from this period: Spotlight Golf!
November 10, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Britain in the mid-1930s does not seem like a time or place of leisure innovation with the circumstances of war in Europe, yet it proved a fertile ground for the evolution of #arcade games.
Today we'll look at one of the most fascinating games from this period: Spotlight Golf!
Today we'll look at one of the most fascinating games from this period: Spotlight Golf!
Reposted by Play History
We've added 100 new CDs to our collection of press CDs from GamePro magazine, with thousands of pieces of game art, screenshots, and more
So, what's the GamePro press CD collection? We put together an explainer
So, what's the GamePro press CD collection? We put together an explainer
The art of GamePro | VGHF Library Highlights
YouTube video by The Video Game History Foundation
www.youtube.com
November 10, 2025 at 6:02 PM
We've added 100 new CDs to our collection of press CDs from GamePro magazine, with thousands of pieces of game art, screenshots, and more
So, what's the GamePro press CD collection? We put together an explainer
So, what's the GamePro press CD collection? We put together an explainer
Reposted by Play History
In 1988, Sega prepared to launch the Mega Drive and sought to strengthen its position in the console market. This resulted in a change of tools, the launch of a newsletter -SPEC-, and a change in Rieko Kodama's career.
vgdensetsu.net/riekokodama7
Dispo en VF
vgdensetsu.net/riekokodamavf7
vgdensetsu.net/riekokodama7
Dispo en VF
vgdensetsu.net/riekokodamavf7
November 10, 2025 at 6:39 AM
In 1988, Sega prepared to launch the Mega Drive and sought to strengthen its position in the console market. This resulted in a change of tools, the launch of a newsletter -SPEC-, and a change in Rieko Kodama's career.
vgdensetsu.net/riekokodama7
Dispo en VF
vgdensetsu.net/riekokodamavf7
vgdensetsu.net/riekokodama7
Dispo en VF
vgdensetsu.net/riekokodamavf7
25 Years - 2001
Microsoft releases the Xbox, a culmination of their efforts to keep the living room from being dominated by alternative computing devices.
The creation of the system has been thoroughly told many times - including quite credibly by Microsoft itself.
www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
Microsoft releases the Xbox, a culmination of their efforts to keep the living room from being dominated by alternative computing devices.
The creation of the system has been thoroughly told many times - including quite credibly by Microsoft itself.
www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
November 9, 2025 at 10:36 PM
25 Years - 2001
Microsoft releases the Xbox, a culmination of their efforts to keep the living room from being dominated by alternative computing devices.
The creation of the system has been thoroughly told many times - including quite credibly by Microsoft itself.
www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
Microsoft releases the Xbox, a culmination of their efforts to keep the living room from being dominated by alternative computing devices.
The creation of the system has been thoroughly told many times - including quite credibly by Microsoft itself.
www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
Reposted by Play History
Intellivision Archive opens 1982 wirh Star Strike, Mattel’s knock off of Star Wars’ trench run that wound up as a high selling, critically (and artistically) acclaimed game youtu.be/lO0pup2Wizs
Star Strike: Intellivision Archive Episode 8
YouTube video by Atari Archive
youtu.be
November 9, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Intellivision Archive opens 1982 wirh Star Strike, Mattel’s knock off of Star Wars’ trench run that wound up as a high selling, critically (and artistically) acclaimed game youtu.be/lO0pup2Wizs
Reposted by Play History
Hard to believe it's already been ten years that Gaming Alexandria has been around. Here's a (late) article about our history, as well as special thanks and small blurbs from others of what Gaming Alexandria has meant to them. Here's to another ten years! www.gamingalexandria.com/wp/2025/11/g...
November 9, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Hard to believe it's already been ten years that Gaming Alexandria has been around. Here's a (late) article about our history, as well as special thanks and small blurbs from others of what Gaming Alexandria has meant to them. Here's to another ten years! www.gamingalexandria.com/wp/2025/11/g...
Reposted by Play History
Why were there gender-balanced teams at Sega in the late 80s, and why was this never the case again afterwards? I also provide a chronology of the industry's pioneers in Japan, while addressing the issue of gender discrimination, before discussing working conditions more broadly in a later chapter.
An overview of the status of women in the video game industry in Japan and in Japanese society more generally
(+ a focus on the career of Miki Morimoto, the second known woman to have directed a game at Sega)
vgdensetsu.net/riekokodama6
dispo en VF
vgdensetsu.net/riekokodamavf6
(+ a focus on the career of Miki Morimoto, the second known woman to have directed a game at Sega)
vgdensetsu.net/riekokodama6
dispo en VF
vgdensetsu.net/riekokodamavf6
November 3, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Why were there gender-balanced teams at Sega in the late 80s, and why was this never the case again afterwards? I also provide a chronology of the industry's pioneers in Japan, while addressing the issue of gender discrimination, before discussing working conditions more broadly in a later chapter.
40 Years - 1986
The ambitious open world game Starflight is published by Electronic Arts.
The last vestige of their experimental era, the enormous game sets a new standard of 2D exploration and inspires a new era of game developers.
The ambitious open world game Starflight is published by Electronic Arts.
The last vestige of their experimental era, the enormous game sets a new standard of 2D exploration and inspires a new era of game developers.
November 8, 2025 at 12:40 AM
40 Years - 1986
The ambitious open world game Starflight is published by Electronic Arts.
The last vestige of their experimental era, the enormous game sets a new standard of 2D exploration and inspires a new era of game developers.
The ambitious open world game Starflight is published by Electronic Arts.
The last vestige of their experimental era, the enormous game sets a new standard of 2D exploration and inspires a new era of game developers.
Reposted by Play History
This week on The Digital Antiquarian: "The Space Sim's Last Hurrah" www.filfre.net/2025/11/the-...
» The Space Sim’s Last Hurrah The Digital Antiquarian
www.filfre.net
November 7, 2025 at 4:46 PM
This week on The Digital Antiquarian: "The Space Sim's Last Hurrah" www.filfre.net/2025/11/the-...
Reposted by Play History
Another game capitalizing on war-time anxiety: Ace Bomber by International Mutoscope!
Lighting up the sky with artillery fire as in the Battle of Britain, this was among the most sophisticated war "simulators" before America was confronted with the real thing.
Lighting up the sky with artillery fire as in the Battle of Britain, this was among the most sophisticated war "simulators" before America was confronted with the real thing.
November 6, 2025 at 11:36 PM
Another game capitalizing on war-time anxiety: Ace Bomber by International Mutoscope!
Lighting up the sky with artillery fire as in the Battle of Britain, this was among the most sophisticated war "simulators" before America was confronted with the real thing.
Lighting up the sky with artillery fire as in the Battle of Britain, this was among the most sophisticated war "simulators" before America was confronted with the real thing.
Reposted by Play History
Is there a game designer you wish you could have a conversation with more than any other?
I've been lucky to interview some people I think are very important creators, but who would you like to go to lunch with?
thehistoryofhowweplay.wordpress.com/2016/09/29/f...
I've been lucky to interview some people I think are very important creators, but who would you like to go to lunch with?
thehistoryofhowweplay.wordpress.com/2016/09/29/f...
February 2, 2025 at 5:05 AM
Is there a game designer you wish you could have a conversation with more than any other?
I've been lucky to interview some people I think are very important creators, but who would you like to go to lunch with?
thehistoryofhowweplay.wordpress.com/2016/09/29/f...
I've been lucky to interview some people I think are very important creators, but who would you like to go to lunch with?
thehistoryofhowweplay.wordpress.com/2016/09/29/f...
POV: You are watching the stream with @quarterpast.bsky.social and I.
www.twitch.tv/play_history
We're going live and in your bedroom to DATE and DEBATE every arcade game.
www.twitch.tv/play_history
We're going live and in your bedroom to DATE and DEBATE every arcade game.
November 6, 2025 at 12:50 AM
POV: You are watching the stream with @quarterpast.bsky.social and I.
www.twitch.tv/play_history
We're going live and in your bedroom to DATE and DEBATE every arcade game.
www.twitch.tv/play_history
We're going live and in your bedroom to DATE and DEBATE every arcade game.
Reposted by Play History
sure this seems like equivalent entertainment to watching paint dry, but after a few hours I get loopy and do things like call Zort on long-since disconnected phone numbers
here's a sneak peak at the kind of trouble I could get in tonight trying to make the pamphlet robot cry
fun starts in an hour
here's a sneak peak at the kind of trouble I could get in tonight trying to make the pamphlet robot cry
fun starts in an hour
November 6, 2025 at 12:00 AM
sure this seems like equivalent entertainment to watching paint dry, but after a few hours I get loopy and do things like call Zort on long-since disconnected phone numbers
here's a sneak peak at the kind of trouble I could get in tonight trying to make the pamphlet robot cry
fun starts in an hour
here's a sneak peak at the kind of trouble I could get in tonight trying to make the pamphlet robot cry
fun starts in an hour
50 Years - 1976
Death Race by Exidy.
The infamous car-crashing game that sparked some of the first evaluation of the content of video games.
@retrohistories.bsky.social had much to say on this topic a few years ago, but perhaps there's yet more to say...
gamehistory.org/media-vs-dea...
Death Race by Exidy.
The infamous car-crashing game that sparked some of the first evaluation of the content of video games.
@retrohistories.bsky.social had much to say on this topic a few years ago, but perhaps there's yet more to say...
gamehistory.org/media-vs-dea...
The Media vs. Death Race | Video Game History Foundation
Over 15 years before Mortal Kombat, Exidy's destruction derby caused video gaming's first moral panic.
gamehistory.org
November 5, 2025 at 10:39 PM
50 Years - 1976
Death Race by Exidy.
The infamous car-crashing game that sparked some of the first evaluation of the content of video games.
@retrohistories.bsky.social had much to say on this topic a few years ago, but perhaps there's yet more to say...
gamehistory.org/media-vs-dea...
Death Race by Exidy.
The infamous car-crashing game that sparked some of the first evaluation of the content of video games.
@retrohistories.bsky.social had much to say on this topic a few years ago, but perhaps there's yet more to say...
gamehistory.org/media-vs-dea...
Reposted by Play History
Don't climb on the #pinball!
Well, if you have to, make sure there's stirrups.
Some lovely promotional pics for J. H. Keeney's Stable Mate as pointed out by @ftb1979.bsky.social
Well, if you have to, make sure there's stirrups.
Some lovely promotional pics for J. H. Keeney's Stable Mate as pointed out by @ftb1979.bsky.social
November 4, 2025 at 11:08 PM
Don't climb on the #pinball!
Well, if you have to, make sure there's stirrups.
Some lovely promotional pics for J. H. Keeney's Stable Mate as pointed out by @ftb1979.bsky.social
Well, if you have to, make sure there's stirrups.
Some lovely promotional pics for J. H. Keeney's Stable Mate as pointed out by @ftb1979.bsky.social
He said it couldn't be done, but @quarterpast.bsky.social is back with entertainment of the sort you've never seen before.
We'll be live on Twitch tomorrow, circa 7PM CST, dating all the arcade games that we care to.
We'll be live on Twitch tomorrow, circa 7PM CST, dating all the arcade games that we care to.
November 4, 2025 at 4:09 PM
He said it couldn't be done, but @quarterpast.bsky.social is back with entertainment of the sort you've never seen before.
We'll be live on Twitch tomorrow, circa 7PM CST, dating all the arcade games that we care to.
We'll be live on Twitch tomorrow, circa 7PM CST, dating all the arcade games that we care to.
Reposted by Play History
6 years to the day since I released this video about gaming 'firsts' and the bias of history.
Probably the most atypical video I ever made, both visually and as a call to action on something I deeply believe. Never got much traction, but it's probably my favourite work.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoj
Probably the most atypical video I ever made, both visually and as a call to action on something I deeply believe. Never got much traction, but it's probably my favourite work.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoj
First Principles | Retrohistories
We love to talk about historical firsts, but it's fraught with risk.
Retrohistories is funded by generous supporters on Patreon. Rewards include names/avatars in the credits and behind-the-scenes updates. If you enjoyed this video and are interested in helping me tell more stories, go to https://www.patreon.com/retrohistories to learn more!
Footage from Ready Player One © 2018 Warner Bros. Pictures.
Games in montage, in order of appearance, with links to source videos:
Sewer Shark
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTdLjUn6y-0
Mutant League Football
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCPrBFokTLo
Adventures of Lolo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUU4Jfj9Gjs
Little Computer People
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwVHCG0guMk
Mercenary
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47PfAI18eTc
The Incredible Machine
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTbSMKGQ_rU
Links LS: Championship Course
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9i3yf5QpvU
Culdcept Saga
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNOJrochOVQ
Emergency Call Ambulance
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbaxADGcA9s
Ecco the Dolphin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=It_eOIPgCdE
Dark Cloud 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAu2KvwPJyg
Vib-Ribbon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8taMzEeCiOk
Tropical Angel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhFlquAajEw
Tobal 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtU4p4wqd8s
Tin Star
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2s6ikhOa1I
Robinson’s Requiem
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k55A0s8Grto
Republic: The Revolution
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5WUvw2qLEc
Densha de Go! Ryojōhen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6o2hl6-0qw
Raw Danger!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bepQbWcrJxU
Echochrome
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6NFvkzzKSY
Transarctica
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60OkMuX_H2o
Exile
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uOSNCLEH68
Gangsters: Organized Crime
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGa8CFqmn_0
Anachronox
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9D_ucIpvyCQ
Laser Squad
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4DhpUn3Hkw
Comix Zone
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4V4csjRgaXs
Music:
Sigma Tauri / Assembling the Fleet
from the Stellaris soundtrack by Andreas Waldetoft
© 2016 Paradox Interactive AB. www.paradoxplaza.com
Stills and screenshots from MobyGames, Shmuplations, Keith Smith, Ed Fries and RT-55J.
www.youtube.com
November 4, 2025 at 10:19 AM
6 years to the day since I released this video about gaming 'firsts' and the bias of history.
Probably the most atypical video I ever made, both visually and as a call to action on something I deeply believe. Never got much traction, but it's probably my favourite work.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoj
Probably the most atypical video I ever made, both visually and as a call to action on something I deeply believe. Never got much traction, but it's probably my favourite work.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoj
2025 was a year of many big anniversaries in video game history, but 2026 will be just as interesting.
I'll be posting about the big fifty, forty, and twenty five year anniversaries over the next few weeks as we ready ourselves for a fine year of retrospective!
I'll be posting about the big fifty, forty, and twenty five year anniversaries over the next few weeks as we ready ourselves for a fine year of retrospective!
November 3, 2025 at 10:50 PM
2025 was a year of many big anniversaries in video game history, but 2026 will be just as interesting.
I'll be posting about the big fifty, forty, and twenty five year anniversaries over the next few weeks as we ready ourselves for a fine year of retrospective!
I'll be posting about the big fifty, forty, and twenty five year anniversaries over the next few weeks as we ready ourselves for a fine year of retrospective!