**The Game That Started It All**
Pong, released by Atari in 1972, marks the true beginning of the commercial video game industry. Created by Allan Alcorn as a training exercise assigned by Atari founder Nolan Bushnell, this simple table tennis simulation became an unexpected phenomenon that laid the groundwork for the entire gaming industry.
What began as a simple black-and-white bouncing ball between two paddles captivated players with its accessible gameplay and competitive spirit. The first Pong cabinet was installed at Andy Capp’s Tavern in Sunnyvale, California, where legend has it that the machine stopped working after just one day because it was stuffed full of quarters from eager players. Its success launched Atari as a dominant force in the early gaming industry and inspired countless imitators.
**How to Play:**
Use the W and S keys to move your paddle up and down. Click on the game area to start. The first player to score 11 points wins!
**System Requirements:**
Pong had minimal hardware requirements even by 1970s standards. The original arcade cabinet used simple analog circuits rather than a microprocessor. Each cabinet was hand-wired by Atari employees, containing basic components like resistors, capacitors, and transistors. The display was a standard black and white television modified to work as a monitor, housed in a wooden cabinet with simple controls. No computer memory or storage was required, as the game’s logic was entirely implemented in hardware. This simplicity allowed Atari to manufacture the cabinets relatively inexpensively at around $500 per unit – an investment that many bar owners found was recovered within the first week of installation.
This website was created with AI Engine, celebrating the simplicity and enduring appeal of the game that started it all.