The World Video Game Hall of Fame recently inducted five groundbreaking games into its ranks, recognizing their significant impact on the video game industry and popular culture. The inductees represented various eras and platforms, ranging from the 1970s to the present day, and spanned multiple genres. Let’s take a closer look at each game and its significance.
First up is the classic Atari game, Asteroids. Originally released in arcades in 1979, the game has since appeared on over 70,000 arcade machines and millions of home consoles. Its enduring popularity can be attributed to its simple yet addictive gameplay, featuring glowing spaceships and asteroids that players must blast into oblivion. As Jeremy Saucier, Assistant Vice President for Interpretation and Electronic Games at The Strong Museum, noted, “Through endless variants and remakes across dozens of arcade, home, handheld, and mobile platforms, Asteroids made a simple, yet challenging game about blasting rocks into one of the most widely played and influential video games of all time.”
Next up is Ultima, a pivotal figure in the development of the computer role-playing genre. Designed by Richard Garriott and first released in 1981, Ultima: The First Age of Darkness spawned eight subsequent sequels and is credited with inspiring later RPGs such as Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy. Andrew Borman, Digital Preservation Director, highlighted its importance, stating that “Ultima appealed to players who wanted intellectually stimulating fun on their newly bought personal computers.”
In 1989, Maxis unleashed SimCity onto the world, allowing players to build and manage their very own virtual cities. Unlike many games of the era, which focused on action and arcade-style gameplay, SimCity targeted adults and children alike, challenging them to respond to emergencies and build thriving metropolises. Aryol Prater, Research Specialist for Black Play and Culture, praised its cultural significance, noting that “SimCity offered players something different, something intellectually stimulating that wasn’t just about shooting things or solving puzzles.”
Myst, released by Broderbund in 1993, was a pioneering title in the use of CD-ROM technology. The game’s immersive environments and engaging storyline set new standards for player immersion, selling over six million copies in the 1990s and earning a place in the World Video Game Hall of Fame. Kristy Hisert, Collections Manager, gushed, “Few other games can match Myst’s ability to open imaginative worlds. It was a work of artistic genius that captured the imagination of an entire generation of computer game players, and its influence can be seen in many of today’s open-world games.”
Last but not least, Resident Evil, created by game director Shinji Mikami, is considered a founding father of the survival horror genre. Released by Capcom in 1996, the game combined cheesy B-movie dialogue, gripping gameplay, and bone-chilling suspense, appealing to older teenagers and adults. Lindsey Kurano, Video Game Curator, lauded its contribution to gaming history, stating that “Resident Evil helped popularize the survival horror genre, offering mature entertainment that wasn’t just about killing monsters.”
Anyone can nominate a game for induction into the World Video Game Hall of Fame, and the committee is chosen through a rigorous process. Members of the international selection advisory committee submit their top three choices from a shortlist of finalists, while fans can also provide input via an online poll. As the Hall of Fame puts it, “the public as a whole is treated as a single committee member.” Games are judged based on their historical significance, popularity over time, longevity, and influence on the industry and pop culture.
These five games join an impressive roster of past inductees, including Tetris, Street Fighter II, Super Mario Bros., Pac-Man, and Doom, to name just a few. The World Video Game Hall of Fame continues to celebrate and preserve the rich cultural heritage of video games, highlighting their contributions to society and their enduring appeal to people worldwide.
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