Since this descended into a silly argument about whether or not Duck Hunt or Mario was more popular, I'll post it here, where hopefully we have some more reasonable people. I wasn't the original poster, but it is a discussion that intregues me:
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Lots of games are said to have revitalized genres, boosted platforms, and innovated gameplay. But few can said to have made a major impact on the industry with heavy media attention and in some cases, changing the way games are seen by the public, and the way they're released. So here are 3 such games that rocked the boat for the industry: Mortal Kombat There has been violence in games before, but never before has it been brought to the scrutiny of a Congressional Hearing. Threatended with a govornment leash, the entire industry banded together to set standardized rules for how games would be packaged and for the 1st time, rating labels. MK is attributed to the birth of the ESRB.
EverQuest It wasn't the 1st online game, but it quickly rose to being the most highly recognized, even in the media, and not in the most flattering way. It was recognized for expanding on online multiplayer with the largest community of players in its time. It was also covered in the media giving video games an image of developing obsessive behavior, even being held responsible for failing grades, lost jobs, broken relationships and a few divorces. On the flipside this game is also known for having started relationships, where people met in an online game.
Grand Theft Auto III Without a doubt a series that changed the way we think of games, that they no longer have to be bound by linear structure. Total free roaming was the way to go, and that influence has been seen in many other games across multiple genres. Players want choice in this game gave it to them.... in spades. Of course there was a balcklash to that as well, as many concerned people weren't too thrilled about the idea of letting gamers choose a criminal path. This game stirred fears of corrupting its players (will somebody think of the children) and lets not forget the Hot Coffee scandal. Despite the fears of the media, you can't deny that this is the most imitated game to date, which has encouraged more freedom in games than ever before.
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I also added in Pac Man and E.T., for their part in the videogame crash that claimed Atari, and Sonic the Hedgehog for helping Sega take on Nintendo's dominence in Japan and America, and improving their hold on Europe.
Other posters mentioned Super Mario Bros, which helped drive sales of the NES in America, reviving the American industry after the crash and swung industry dominence from America to Japan.
I'd also add that Mortal Kombat as well as it's part in the congressional hearings also was largely responsible for Nintendo removing the restrictions it plaed on the content that could be created on a Nintendo platform.
Thoughts?
Which game had the biggest impact on the industry
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I would say Tetris, it was the first computer game ANYONE would play. Im not old enough to know what the media impact was but culturally/socially probably had quite a big impact in the same way braintraining has again more recently.
Funny how nobody mentioned Halo seeing that it did for Microsoft what Sonic did for Sega. Blatantly obvious, I know, but it hasn't been mentioned yet.
I don't see Final Fantasy VII anywhere do I? I'd say that game changed the industry in that it brought blockbuster games to the forefront and create a JRPG market in the west.
Also, Chu chu Rocket for being unlike any other game, EVER!
Does farmville count? I know people, loads of people, who play this and still don't think they play games, same for Wii sports, these two games must have got millions of non gamers hooked on video games.
Wii Sports changed the industry almost overnight.
Wherever you want to plant the flag, either Halo or Goldeneye opened the door for the FPS proper on consoles, ignoring Doom/Exhumed etc... If not for that, think of all the misery of call of duty we'd be saved now.
Too cliched to mention Wipeout? The game that gave gaming a level of acceptability in the media that always eluded it beforehand.
Halo changed a lot that people don't even remember, these days. Only carrying two guns, for example is something that nearly every shooter replicates these days thanks to Halo.
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pong
Donkey Kong was the first massmarket handheld, right? And handheld is the future, or so I've heard, so Donkey Kong will prove to have been the most important game ever.
Mariokart wrote:Im not old enough to know what the media impact was but culturally/socially probably had quite a big impact in the same way braintraining has again more recently.All I can say is I am glad the Brain Training tune never got released as a musical single. In one sweep, Tetris made Gameboys popular with mum's and dad's and gave the right generation something to do drugs too. "PLAY THE GAME!" Oh and Russians were cool for a bit as well. I was oblivious of all this at the time as I was playing Tetris on my Gameboy.
Bit off topic, but does anyone know which game was the first to have a gameplay area larger than a standard single screen?
Not really that off topic mate, that's pretty much a game changer!
It seems to be difficult to find information on this, but a guess from me would be Astro Race from 1973.
+1 for Pong. It created the industry. You can't really have a bigger impact than that.