Pong

Signed Pong Cabinet

Pong Game Test2

AlAlcorn-Cropped

Pong prototype

157 W. El Camino Real

TeleGames-Atari-Pong

Pong is a table tennis-themed arcade game featuring simple two-dimensional graphics, manufactured by Atari and originally released in 1972. It was one of the earliest arcade video games and created by Allan Alcorn as a training exercise assigned to him by Atari co-founder Nolan Bushnell. Bushnell based the idea on an electronic ping-pong game included in the Magnavox Odyssey, which was the first home video game console. In the game, players control paddles to hit a ball back and forth across the screen.

Gameplay

In Pong, two players control paddles on the screen with knobs or buttons on the arcade cabinet. The goal is to defeat the opponent by earning a higher score, which is achieved by passing the ball past the opponent's paddle. The game simulates the basic concept of table tennis, where the ball accelerates with each hit, making each volley progressively more challenging. The score is kept at the top of the screen, and the game continues until a player reaches a predetermined score, at which point the game ends.

Development and Release

The development of Pong was a result of a training exercise, and its simplicity was not indicative of a lack of innovation but rather a focus on straightforward and engaging gameplay. Upon seeing the prototype, Bushnell and Atari decided to manufacture the game. The first prototype was installed in a local bar, Andy Capp's Tavern, where it quickly became popular. This success led to the commercial production of the game.

Impact and Legacy

Pong is considered one of the foundational blocks of the video game industry, introducing the medium to a wider audience. It was not the first video game, but it was the first to reach mainstream popularity, leading to the creation of a home version of the game and inspiring the development of many other video games and systems. Its success helped establish Atari as a dominant force in the video game industry and set the stage for the future of video games.

Pong has been featured in various forms and on numerous platforms over the years, including dedicated home consoles, as part of video game compilations, and on mobile devices. Its simple gameplay mechanics have made it a classic, often referenced in discussions about the history and evolution of video games.

See Also

• Arcade game
• Video game console
• Atari
• Nolan Bushnell
• Video game industry