HT Games
No single "first" — depends on criteria:
| Claimant | Year | Why It Counts | Why It Might Not |
|---|---|---|---|
| OXO (Tic-Tac-Toe) | 1952 | First digital graphical game on computer (EDSAC) | Research demo; no video output (CRT teleprinter) |
| Tennis for Two | 1958 | First *interactive* analog video game (oscilloscope); public demo | Not digital; not programmable; dismantled |
| Spacewar! | 1962 | First *digital* video game widely distributed (source code shared) | Required $120K PDP-1; not commercial |
| Computer Space | 1971 | First *commercial* arcade video game (coin-op) | Failed commercially (1,500 units) |
| Magnavox Odyssey | 1972 | First *home* video game console | No microprocessor; cartridges = circuit jumpers |
| Pong (Arcade) | 1972 | First *successful* commercial arcade game | Not first — Computer Space preceded |
| Home Pong | 1975 | First *successful* home console (single-game) | Not programmable |
Ralph Baer (Odyssey) = "Father of Home Video Games." Nolan Bushnell (Pong/Atari) = "Father of Video Game Industry."