A Brief History of Graphics

A Brief History of Graphics

2014, Technology  -   8 Comments
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It all started with a little game called Pong. The world's first massively successful video game was scarcely more than a redundant ping pong match; a small dot struck back and forth across a monochrome screen. Its graphics were rudimentary at best, and contained only the minimal amount of imaginative flair needed to accommodate the game's primitive functionality.

To the younger generations of today, Pong would no doubt appear hopelessly antiquated and pedestrian, but when it was first unveiled by Atari in 1972, it was our hypnotic entry point into the exciting world of video game technology. From that moment, we were hooked and insatiable for ever more grandiose and immersive interactive experiences.

In many respects, the graphic artist is the key figure in the evolution of the video game from a mere novelty to a way of life for many millions of players across the globe. Separated into five distinct chapters, the new documentary A Brief History of Graphics outlines the stepping stones of that evolution and how the role of the graphic designer altered the face of entertainment by contributing to the success of one of the most profitable industries on the planet.

The story of how the video game journeyed from basic pixelization to 3D photo-realism is enriched by innovative thinking and unlimited imagination. The demands of the medium sparked an unprecedented creative fervor in these artists, as they were challenged to push the possibilities farther with every game they produced. These innovations included the employment of multiple colors, fully formed characters, naturalistic movement, engrossing story-lines, and three-dimensional player environments.

A Brief History of Graphics is a pleasurable and informative look behind the curtain of video game design that appeals to both the polished professional and the technologically unsavvy. From the gobble-gobble nostalgia of Pac-Man to the hauntingly realistic warfare of Crysis, the film pays tribute to the wizardry and artistic achievement that has forever shaped our perception of game play and interactive media. These pioneering artists have crafted worlds that we could not have possibly imagined just three decades ago, and they will continue to forge beyond the unknown in decades to come.

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Oluchi .m. Mbah
Oluchi .m. Mbah
9 years ago

I don't like video games bt really this one has given me the full orientation that i needed.thanks alot i do appreciate.

Crab_Nebula
Crab_Nebula
9 years ago

I was 8. It was 1980. Folks are sitting in the waiting area waiting for a table at the "Ground Round". I'm wandering around the place...sneaking into a dark smokey bar room, I sense an eerie glow in the corner behind me.. I turn around a there it was ...a giant Pac Man arcade game. The Future had officially begun.

MrFess
MrFess
9 years ago

Nicely walked through, but how can one go through the history of graphics, without touching upon any of the Metal Gear Solid titles?
And the FoxEngine of Hideo Kojima?

hasanhh
hasanhh
9 years ago

I personally do not like video games, but I liked this orientation very much. I was "there" for Pong and BattleZone, but let others play DonkeyKong and all.
I watched the whole 5 parts and from watching the graphics, my eyes and head feel a little numb. Most games have too much speed, and some games have realistic graphics but there scenarios are unbelievable.
A good documentary.

Patrick Adrien Varencaus
Patrick Adrien Varencaus
9 years ago

Dont know, but i feel old today lol !

Fabien L'Amour
Fabien L'Amour
9 years ago

Worth a watch for any gamer that is interested in the evolution of graphics in video games either on consoles or PCs. One shortcoming is that the last parts focused mostly on FPS games. I got a great kick seeing the games I played on my Vic20 when I was a kid though like Dig-Dug, PacMan and Asteroids. Yep, I am that old :P