History of Video Games from Coursera

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Syllabus

Module 1: Before Video Games

Video games emerge from a number of existing historical factors and cultural practices. In this module, we will explore how global gaming cultures, coin-operated amusements, and technical experimentation with computers helped make video games possible.

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Explores the pre-digital influences on video games, offering a unique perspective on the medium's origins and its relationship to other forms of entertainment and technology

Examines arcade cultures and their critical role in the development of video games, providing insights into early game design principles and their lasting impact on the industry

Covers text adventures and companies like Infocom, highlighting the possibilities of interactive text games and their influence on shaping early game design and narrative structures

Analyzes the console wars and the post-crash arcade market, offering a historical perspective on competition, market share, and the evolution of the gaming industry's business models

Discusses gaming publics and the increasing diversity of players, emphasizing the importance of considering multiple audiences and the various reasons people turn to video games

Highlights indie games and the increased access to game-making tools, showcasing the growth of independent game development and the infrastructure that supports it, such as festivals and online marketplaces

Reviews summary

Comprehensive journey through video game history

According to learners, this course offers a comprehensive overview of the history of video games. Students appreciate the way it covers not just the technical evolution but also the cultural contexts and pre-digital influences, making it a well-rounded experience. The lectures are generally considered engaging and informative, guiding students through different eras from arcades to modern indie games. While many found the course highly enjoyable and a great introduction to the subject, some felt certain topics could benefit from more in-depth exploration. The assessments are seen by some as straightforward, reinforcing the material.

Assessments reinforce learning without being overly difficult.

"The quizzes and final assessment were fair and tested understanding of the key concepts presented."

"Assessments felt designed to check comprehension rather than trick students."

"I found the workload manageable, with assessments directly tied to the lecture material."

"The final assessment required me to think critically about the course themes."

Covers many topics, but sometimes lacks depth.

"While the breadth of topics covered is impressive, I sometimes wished for more detail on particular genres or console generations."

"It felt like some modules moved through significant periods quite quickly, only scratching the surface."

"Could benefit from more in-depth coverage on specific technical innovations or design philosophies within different eras."

"Understandably, a survey course can't cover everything deeply, but it left me wanting more on certain areas."

Great starting point for understanding game history.

"This course is a fantastic entry point for anyone curious about how video games came to be."

"As someone new to studying game history academically, I found this course very accessible and foundational."

"It gave me a strong base to understand future developments and dig deeper into specific areas on my own."

"Perfect for hobbyists and casual gamers who want to learn more about the background of their pastime."

Lectures and materials are interesting and informative.

"The lecture videos were really well-produced and kept my attention throughout each module."

"I found the course content to be consistently interesting and easy to follow."

"The instructor's passion for the subject really came through in the presentations."

"The readings and supplementary materials added great value to the core lecture content."

Covers a wide range of eras and topics effectively.

"The course does an excellent job of covering the history of video games from the very beginning up to the modern era, touching on arcades, consoles, and PC gaming."

"I really appreciated the way the course didn't just list facts but put the games and technologies into their historical and cultural context."

"It provides a solid overview of major developments and shifts in the industry and culture surrounding video games."

"Learned so much about the origins and evolution of gaming beyond what I already knew from playing games."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in History of Video Games with these activities:

Review History of Computing

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Solidify your understanding of the technological underpinnings of video games by reviewing the history of computing. This will provide a stronger foundation for understanding the evolution of gaming technology.

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Review key milestones in computing history.
Identify the major figures in the history of computing.
Understand the evolution of computer hardware and software.

Review 'Replay: The History of Video Games'

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Gain a deeper understanding of the historical context of video games. This book provides a comprehensive overview of the industry's evolution.

View Replay: The History of Video Games on Amazon

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Read 'Replay: The History of Video Games'.
Take notes on key events and figures.
Reflect on the major trends in video game history.

Read 'Ready Player One'

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Explore the cultural impact of video games through a popular science fiction novel. This will help you understand the broader social context of gaming history.

View Ready Player One: A Novel on Amazon

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Read the novel 'Ready Player One'.
Identify the video game references in the book.
Reflect on the cultural significance of these references.

Three other activities

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Create a Presentation on Arcade Culture

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Solidify your understanding of arcade culture by creating a presentation. This will help you synthesize information and present it in a clear and engaging manner.

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Research the history of arcade culture.
Gather images and videos of classic arcade games.
Create a presentation with key information and visuals.
Practice delivering the presentation.

Research a Specific Game Genre

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Deepen your knowledge of a specific game genre by conducting in-depth research. This will allow you to explore the evolution, key titles, and cultural impact of the genre.

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Choose a video game genre to research.
Identify key titles and developers in the genre.
Explore the evolution of the genre over time.
Analyze the cultural impact of the genre.

Create a Timeline of Video Game Consoles

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Reinforce your understanding of console history by creating a visual timeline. This will help you visualize the evolution of gaming hardware and the console wars.

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Research the history of major video game consoles.
Create a timeline with key milestones and releases.
Include images and brief descriptions of each console.

Career center

Learners who complete History of Video Games will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Video Game Historian

As a video game historian, you would research, document, and analyze the development, cultural impact, and evolution of video games over time. The "History of Video Games" course is essential for gaining a comprehensive overview of the technical and cultural forces that have shaped the industry. You may conduct research, write articles or books, or work in museums or archives. Understanding pre-digital influences and the console wars helps inform your historical analysis, while examining gaming publics provides insights into the social impact of video games. This role typically requires an advanced degree.

See salaries and explore the career path for Video Game Historian

Academic Researcher

An academic researcher conducts scholarly research on video games, exploring their cultural, social, and technological impact. The "History of Video Games" course helps in providing a strong foundation for conducting in-depth research. Analyzing the arcade cultures, text adventures, and graphical computer games through a historical lens can lead to groundbreaking discoveries. Examining gaming publics can inform research on the social dynamics and cultural significance of video games. This role typically requires an advanced degree.

See salaries and explore the career path for Academic Researcher

Game Designer

A game designer is responsible for conceiving and designing the rules, mechanics, and overall gameplay experience of a video game. Understanding the history of video games, including the arcade era, text adventures, and console wars, as covered in this course, helps you create games that resonate with players and build upon established conventions. This course may be useful by providing the historical context needed to innovate within the industry, and understanding the evolution of gaming publics can inform design choices to appeal to diverse audiences.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Designer

Game Journalist

A game journalist reports on the video game industry, covering news, trends, and developments. The "History of Video Games" course helps by providing a broad understanding of the industry's past, present, and future. Reporting on topics like console wars, the rise of CD-ROM technology, and the emergence of indie games requires a strong historical foundation. Understanding gaming publics allows for informed coverage of the diverse audiences and their evolving relationship with video games.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Journalist

Game Critic

A game critic evaluates and reviews video games, providing insights into their design, gameplay, narrative, and overall quality. This course may provide a strong foundation for understanding the historical context of video games, enabling you to provide informed and insightful critiques. Learning about the arcade cultures, text adventures, and graphical computer games helps one to assess the innovations and shortcomings of modern games in relation to their predecessors. Analyzing the evolution of gaming publics from this course can inform critiques on how well games cater to diverse audiences.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Critic

Museum curator

A museum curator is responsible for acquiring, preserving, and exhibiting artifacts related to video game history. This course may be useful by providing essential knowledge about the technical and cultural evolution of video games. Understanding the significance of arcade cultures, text adventures, and console wars enables you to create engaging and informative exhibits. Also, the course's exploration of gaming publics allows for exhibits that highlight the diverse communities that have embraced video games.

See salaries and explore the career path for Museum curator

Archivist

An archivist preserves and manages historical records and documents related to video games. This course is useful by providing a framework for understanding the historical significance of various materials. Learning about pre-digital influences, console wars, and the rise of indie games can assist you in organizing and cataloging archival collections. Understanding gaming publics can inform decisions about how to make these collections accessible and relevant to a wider audience. This role typically requires an advanced degree.

See salaries and explore the career path for Archivist

Game Localization Specialist

A game localization specialist adapts video games for different cultural markets. This course may be helpful by providing insights into the diverse contexts in which video games are produced and consumed. Also, this course is useful by discussing the console wars, CD-ROM technologies, and the rise of indie games, which can inform localization strategies. Understanding gaming publics is crucial for tailoring games to resonate with specific cultural audiences.

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Instructional Designer

An instructional designer creates educational materials, such as courses or training programs, about video games. This course provides valuable content and context for developing curricula on the history, culture, and technology of video games. The modules on arcade cultures, text adventures, and console wars can be adapted into engaging lesson plans. Additionally, insights into gaming publics can inform the design of inclusive and accessible educational resources.

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Community Manager

A community manager builds and maintains relationships with players of video games. As the community manager is the voice of the company, knowing what the player base likes and dislikes is immensely helpful. This course may be useful by providing insights into the diverse motivations and preferences of different gaming publics. Learning about the evolution of gaming communities from early arcade cultures to modern online platforms can inform strategies for fostering engagement and addressing community concerns.

See salaries and explore the career path for Community Manager

Marketing Manager

A marketing manager develops and executes marketing campaigns for video games. The "History of Video Games" course may be useful by providing an understanding of how marketing strategies have evolved over time. Learning about console wars, CD-ROM technologies, and the rise of indie games can inform contemporary marketing approaches. Understanding gaming publics is crucial for targeting the right audiences and crafting effective marketing messages.

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Game Producer

A game producer oversees the development and production of video games. This course may be useful by providing a broader understanding of the industry's evolution, helping you navigate the complexities of modern game development. An understanding of topics discussed in the course, such as the console wars, CD-ROM technologies, and the rise of indie games, can inform strategic decision-making. Understanding gaming publics can inform development strategies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Producer

User Experience Researcher

A user experience researcher studies how people interact with video games. This course may be useful by providing a historical perspective on user interfaces and gameplay mechanics. Learning about the design choices in arcade games, text adventures, and graphical computer games can inform research on user preferences and usability. Understanding gaming publics is crucial for designing inclusive and accessible user experiences that cater to diverse needs and preferences.

See salaries and explore the career path for User Experience Researcher

Intellectual Property Lawyer

An intellectual property lawyer specializes in the legal aspects of video games, including copyright, trademarks, and licensing. Learning the history of video games may be useful by providing context for understanding the evolution of intellectual property rights in the industry. Studying topics like console wars, CD-ROM technologies, and the rise of indie games can inform legal strategies related to game development and distribution. Understanding gaming publics may inform legal considerations related to user-generated content and online communities. This role typically requires an advanced degree.

See salaries and explore the career path for Intellectual Property Lawyer

Software Developer

A software developer creates and maintains the code that powers video games. This course may be useful by providing insights into the relationship between hardware and software in the history of video games. Learning about the challenges and innovations in early arcade games, text adventures, and graphical computer games, as covered by this course, can inspire creative solutions in modern game development. Also learning about CD-ROM can help the modern developer.

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Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in History of Video Games.

Replay

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Provides a comprehensive overview of the history of video games, from their early beginnings to the modern era. It covers key events, influential figures, and technological advancements that shaped the industry. This book useful reference tool for understanding the historical context of video games and is commonly used as a textbook at academic institutions.

Replay: The History of Video Games

Audible Audiobook

Ready Player One

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Ready Player One science fiction novel that heavily references 1980s video game culture. It provides a fictional, but engaging, look at the cultural impact of early video games and their influence on society. While not a historical text, it offers a valuable perspective on the nostalgia and cultural significance associated with classic games. is more valuable as additional reading than it is as a current reference.

Ready Player One: A Novel

Paperback

Ready Player One 2 Books Set by Ernest Cline

Paperback

History of Video Games

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What's inside

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Comprehensive journey through video game history

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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