Mark your calendars for the annual celebration of National Video Game Day on July 8th - a day designed to honor the tremendous evolution of video games, from their birth in primitive computer labs to today’s breathtaking virtual reality experiences. This day is for everyone - whether you’re a casual mobile gamer or a hardcore console devotee - to appreciate the combination of skill, creativity, and advanced technology that brings these digital realms to life.
National Video Game Day is all about recognizing the thrill, challenge, and fantastic storytelling that have become integral parts of our modern entertainment. So, get ready to celebrate the captivating world of video games on this special day!
History of National Video Game Day
Every year in the United States, we recognize National Video Game Day on July 8th, and its sister holiday - National Video Games Day - follows on September 12th.
Video games go back to the mid-twentieth century, when research scientists and university professors initially developed simplistic games and simulations while conducting computer science research. These early predates to the video games we love today weren’t available for commercial purchase and were largely in the experimental phase.
The 1970s saw the emergence of public arcade games, where popular titles such as Pong and Space Invaders made their notable debuts. We saw the first inklings of the home video game industry with the release of the Magnavox Odyssey, the first home console, in 1972.
National Video Game Day is typically celebrated with gaming events and activities, like social meetups, tournaments, launch of new games and the sharing of fond gaming-related memories. Retailers and game developers often introduce sales and special deals to mark the occasion.
National Video Game Day Timeline
Tennis for Two
William Higinbotham, a physicist, created 'Tennis for Two' as a way to entertain visitors at the Brookhaven National Laboratory in Upton, New York.
Spacewar!
Designed by Steve Russell at MIT, 'Spacewar!' is one of the earliest digital computer games.
Pong by Atari
Atari released its first arcade game, 'Pong.' The game became very popular and marked the beginning of the commercial video game industry.
Release of 'Pac-Man'
Namco released Pac-Man, the first game character, widely recognized in popular culture.
Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)
The NES was released in the U.S., introducing a new era of home video gaming with games like Super Mario Bros and Zelda.
Introduction of 'World of Warcraft'
Blizzard Entertainment released World of Warcraft, one of the most popular and influential MMORPGs of all time.
PlayStation 4 and Xbox One
Sony releases the PlayStation 4 and Microsoft releases the Xbox One, marking the start of the 8th generation of video game consoles.
Pokemon Go
Niantic released Pokemon Go, an augmented reality mobile game that leveraged location technology, resulting in a global phenomenon.
Ideas to Celebrate National Video Game Day
Host a Gaming Tournament
Invite your friends and family for an epic gaming tournament. Utilize various consoles or PC games that everyone can participate in. (Even novices!) This can be a fun and lively way to celebrate Video Game Day.
Attend a Gaming Convention
If available and physically possible, attend a gaming convention. This is a great opportunity to meet like-minded gamers, try out new games, or indulge in some gaming nostalgia.
Game Stream Party
Do gaming streams either individually or with friends. This could be on Twitch, YouTube or other gaming platforms. Engage with your audience, discuss game strategies and provide exciting commentary to make it a fun virtual event.
Do a Retro Gaming Day
Dedicate the day to retro gaming. Dust off your old gaming consoles and games and take a trip down memory lane. It could be a fantastic way to relive cherished childhood memories and share them with younger generations.
Video Game Themed Party
Organize a video game themed party where attendees dress up as their favourite gaming characters. This will not only give everyone a chance to show off their creative side but also appreciate the design that goes into making these characters.
Create a Game Music Playlist
Games aren’t just about visuals and gameplay; they also have incredibly atmospheric music. Create a playlist featuring the scores from some of your favorite games and share it with your friends to appreciate this often overlooked aspect of gaming.
8 Interesting Facts About Video Games
The First Ever Video Game
The first ever video game to be created was 'Tennis for Two'. It was developed by American physicist William Higinbotham in 1958.
Pac-Man's High Score
The highest possible score in Pac-Man is 3,333,360 points. This can only be achieved by navigating through each of the game's 256 levels.
Mario Was Not Always a Plumber
Nintendo's iconic character Mario was originally a carpenter, not a plumber. He was given the identity of a plumber with the release of the game 'Mario Bros.' in 1983.
The Most Expensive Video Game Ever Made
Red Dead Redemption 2 is known to be the most expensive video game ever made, costing approximately $560 million to create and market.
Pokemon's Initial Idea
The idea for Pokemon was inspired by the childhood hobby of its creator, Satoshi Tajiri, who enjoyed collecting insects.
Record-Breaking Fortnite Concert
The online concert by rapper Travis Scott in Fortnite set an all-time record for the game, drawing an audience of more than 12 million simultaneous players.
The First Easter Egg in a Video Game
The first known Easter egg in a video game can be found in the 1979 game, 'Adventure' for the Atari 2600. The game's creator, Warren Robinett, was not credited in the game's instructions and decided to hide his name in a secret room within the game's castle.
Largest Game World
The largest game world currently belongs to 'No Man's Sky' with an outrageous 18 quintillion planets to explore.
National Video Game Day FAQs
Next National Video Game Day Dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | July 8th | Saturday |
| 2024 | July 8th | Monday |
| 2025 | July 8th | Tuesday |
| 2026 | July 8th | Wednesday |
| 2027 | July 8th | Thursday |
| What is the pattern? | Every July 8th | |
National Video Game Day Word Search
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