When Were Computer Games Invented? 1958-1980 Evolution

No single "invention date"—computer games evolved across three decades.

• 1958 – "Tennis for Two" (William Higinbotham, Brookhaven Lab): Oscilloscope display, analog computer, two-player tennis. First *interactive* electronic game with visual feedback.
• 1962 – "Spacewar!" (MIT, PDP-1): First *digital* computer game—two ships, gravity star, real-time combat. Distributed via DECUS; inspired Nolan Bushnell.
• 1971 – "Computer Space" (Nutting Associates): First *commercial* arcade game (Spacewar clone). Commercial flop but proved coin-op viability.
• 1972 – "Pong" (Atari): First *hit* arcade game; launched video game industry.
• 1980 – "Pac-Man" (Namco): Maze chase, character IP, power pellets, cutscenes—mainstream cultural explosion.

Depending on definition (interactive electronic, digital, commercial, cultural phenomenon), "invention" spans 1958–1980. Many pioneers contributed.