The First Video Game War (3/3) [Tech Wars]

The first video game war pitted the Atari 2600 against the Fairchild Channel F and Magnavox Odyssey 2. In this episode, we'll see how decisions made by Atari, both good and bad, resulted in a resounding victory, and what happened in the aftermath.
If you are coming in late, here's part 1: • The First Video Game W...
Part 2: • The First Video Game W...
This is the first story in a new series called TECH WARS, all about the technology battles that shaped recent history. These stories are adapted from a new book I'm writing.
Connect with me:
My site: vantonspraul.com
Twitter: / vantonspraul
Facebook: / thinklikeaprog

[@kingKabali]

Please extend this series further to today's game market. Thankyou for this amazing series.

[@alignb2283]

It breaks my heart that you have left this channel and 1 year ago man i just found this

[@vantonspraul]

I haven't abandoned the channel, although it may feel that way. I started a new job last fall and I've been too busy to create new videos, but I have some ideas and hope to get back to putting videos up this summer.

[@alignb2283]

@@vantonspraul wish you do great with your job man! I'll look forward to what ever you make in future

[@mauriciofreeman8026]

PLEASE SPRAUL MAKE MORE CONTENT I NEED MORE VIDEOS IM FAILING MY PROGRAMMING CLASS!!!!!!!!

[@codernhi_erisuxisla814]

Please make more programming videos. It helps me a lot in my training for gold career. Subscribed

[@psycopomp2519]

mr spraul this video was 3 years ago we want a new video :)

[@rpgspree]

Thanks for doing this! It was well done and I really enjoyed it. While the 2600 clearly dominated its generation, ColecoVision and Intellivision were more popular than the Odyssey 2 or Channel F. Nonetheless, I'm glad you covered these lesser known systems. Never seen them in person or knew anyone who had them, I only heard of their existence years later. Other youtubers who cover game history and industry rivalries rarely cover any before the 4th gen consoles. Other than the showdown between Coleco, Atari and Nintendo at CES, they gloss over everything else. Would you consider a sequel covering the later 2nd gen through the 3rd gen (around 1980-85)?

[@vantonspraul]

Thanks! Although history has officially defined all those systems as "second generation," I've always felt that the Intellivision, and especially, the ColecoVision, really aren't part of the same generation as the first three cartridge systems. The 2600, Odyssey2, and Channel F were all attempts at developing the concept of a video game console, while all later systems were effectively reactions to the success of the Atari 2600. (Btw, I actually had an Odyssey2 as a child. Actually, my family had one of the original Odysseys as well). I have other ideas outlined for stories in this "Tech Wars" series, including others about console wars. At this point, though, I don't think the views warrant more videos. Hopefully I can figure out a way to get them to pick up in the future.

[@patcoston]

I loved this series. I wish it had continued. I had never heard of Channel F. I remember playing some pretty awful ATARI games. I have an XBox 360, but I prefer playing on PC rather than console. I find the keyboard/mouse combo to be more natural for gaming, especially 3D games where you need to point-and-shoot. Using a mouse is faster, and more accurate than using a thumb lever. You'll see speed-runs on KZbin where they indicate whether it was done on a console or PC, because it's harder on a console.

[@vantonspraul]

Thanks! When you say you wish it had continued, do you mean you'd like to see more Tech Wars on other topics, more material on video game history, or...? And I'm also mainly a PC gamer myself, these days. Part of that is that a lot of the games I like are turn based and work better with mouse anyway, but like you, I play shooters much better with a mouse. I do have a controller I use for some games, though.

[@ndayizeyeanaclet5479]

I really like your tutorial. I am new to programming and only have little basics on programming, and I need to learn and develop some apps. Therefore, I need your support.

[@OmarZing]

Hey Anton! Is there any chance you could provide an update to your book "Think Like a Programmer, Pyhton Edition" ? I was really looking forward to reading it

[@frisosmit8920]

This was a great series. I didn't know Activision was founded by ex-programmers of Atari.

[@vantonspraul]

I'm sure I didn't either at the time--you never thought about the people behind the games. I remember when Electronic Arts first arrived. They took out these glossy full-page ads in computer magazines with stylish photos of the programming team, and had slogans like "Can a computer make you cry?" That was the first time I remember anyone promoting the game developers instead of just the game.

[@walanbrown]

And, now Atari makes...Speakerhats?!?

[@vantonspraul]

I hadn't heard about the Speakerhat before. Now I wish I hadn't. They should let the name die. At this point, it's like a touring band where none of the current members played on any of the albums.