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A touching video interview with Ralph Baer

Richard Mitchell — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 18:30:00 EST

Anyone with an interest in the history of video games should know the name Ralph Baer. As the creator of the first game console, the Magnavox Odyssey -- giving video table tennis to the world before Pong -- Baer was instrumental in the creation of the video game industry. As part of a video series on inventors, a photographer by the name of David Friedman conducted an interview with Baer.

Though the question doesn't appear in the video, Friedman asked Baer if he had "unleashed a monster" in creating the video game console. "Yeah," answer Baer, "I did a bit." He elaborated that the Odyssey was designed as a family activity, something shared with multiple people. Baer is worried that games have "just sort of degenerated into a one player type thing which was never in my mind." Friedman notes that there might still be hope, with consoles like the Wii encouraging people to play together. We would throw the Kinect and PlayStation Move onto the list as well. Let this be a reminder to always teach your children about the importance of co-op.

Watch the brief (and frankly touching) interview above.

A touching video interview with Ralph Baer originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 09 Mar 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Retro consoles torn apart, ancient innards exposed

Richard Mitchell — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 21:30:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

If you want to see just how far game consoles have come over the last few decades, check out iFixit's teardown of the Atari 2600. As you can see, there's not much to onetime king of home entertainment. Just look at how complex an iPhone 4 is in comparison! The Atari teardown was part of a full week of retro console deconstructions, including the Famicom, Magnavox Odyssey and even the Virtual Boy. Check them out for yourself -- if you think you can handle all that naked, aging PCB.

Retro consoles torn apart, ancient innards exposed originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 Sep 2010 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ralph Baer inducted into Inventors Hall of Fame

Ben Gilbert — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 22:00:00 EST

[SteveO526]

At 88 years young, Ralph Baer is one of our favorite adults (or super adults, as we like to call those over the age of 70 among us). After inventing Pong (and resultantly, the Magnavox Odyssey), Baer went on to create the rage-inducing electronic board game Simon, and just this past week was inducted into the Inventors Hall of Fame for his work. He was the first game developer to have earned the award.

According to the event's fact sheet (warning: download link), inductees need to meet two specific criteria before being considered: "[One] The inventor must hold a US patent, and [Two] the invention must have contributed to the welfare of mankind and have promoted the progress of science and the useful arts." The National Selection Committee (representing "various scientific, industry, and professional groups along with a Blue Ribbon Panel of experts") then chooses said inductees.

In his bio, the committee specifically notes Baer's accolades in the game industry, calling him "a pioneer in the field of interactive video games" -- an assessment we tend to agree with. We've already got a suggestion for next year, though, guys: Shinji Mikami. Obviously for bringing the world the "What're ya buyin' / sellin'?" guy in Resident Evil 4, forever changing the way we conduct business. Come on, NSC! Aren't we buddies?

[Via GameCulture]

Ralph Baer inducted into Inventors Hall of Fame originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 03 Apr 2010 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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