Major Japanese contributions to video games
Monday, September 24th, 2007 at 5:08pm by Blake
I wrote an article for GamePro last week in which I documented the major Japanese contributions to video games since the birth of the medium. Here’s a relevant snippet for Infendo Nation:
1889 - Nintendo is formed in late September by Fusajiro Yamauchi to produce handmade hanafuda cards which are used for several popular Japanese games. Over the years the company will transform into one of the most powerful and influential video game companies in the world. (full article here)
Before writing the article, I errantly thought that American and International game developers paled in comparison to the Japanese. Upon further research, however, I realized the extent to which everyone has contributed: Americans invented/commercialized gaming, Japan saved the industry and still leads in terms of risk-taking, and Europeans largely introduced mature content (Grand Theft Auto).
It was fun to take in, analyze, and appreciate all the major milestones achieved in gaming since its inception — something I’ve personally taken for granted up until now.
It’s good to be a gamer.
September 24th, 2007 at 5:13 pm
wow………………video games started A LOT earlier than i thought XDDDDDDD might want to fix that year….
September 24th, 2007 at 5:14 pm
oh wait. is that nmm….i feel stupid
September 24th, 2007 at 5:19 pm
I’ve always thought that about European developers, with games like Max Payne, Tomb Raider, and GTA being a staple of their styles. And they seem to have a pretty stylized way of expressing themselves. Take a look at the menus for WipEout Pure and Colin McCrae DiRT and you’ll see what I mean. They’re beautiful. Most games I see these days are too simplified, adding in very little style.
September 24th, 2007 at 5:51 pm
@ cronotrigger, killer7/no more heroes. (yes i see that you said “most” i just love any opportunity i get to pump myself up for NMH)…
September 24th, 2007 at 6:26 pm
Nice timeline, life can turn wildy as Sony and Nintendo had exoerienced.
September 25th, 2007 at 10:59 am
So the Europeans introduced nothing significant and changed our internet discourse into games that are “mature” and games that are “not mature,” Whereas Japan and America are the real movers and shakers when it comes to design, development, finance, and risk.
September 25th, 2007 at 12:19 pm
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