gaminglikeits1991

[gaminglikeits1991]

Introduction: Quest Accepted! History of Video Games (1991)

Hello and welcome to my Tumblr! My blog will cover the history of video games, pop culture and historical events that occurred during the great year of 1991! This is an academic project for English 107, Professor Macias. Project created by Cyan. 

Feel free to click around the blog, it’s somewhat interactive and a description is provided in “Player Info”. There is also music on the right side of the screen (hidden somewhat due to the cloud in the background). 

[gaminglikeits1991]

Popular Gaming Consoles/Platforms

Sega Genesis

“Genesis does what Nintendon’t!”

The first 16-bit console to bless the market! Though released in ‘88, Sega Genesis remained the king of consoles for those 3 long years. It supported sprites, tiles and scrolling.  It was created to beat out Nintendo's old NES (Nintendo Entertainment System) as Nintendo was the #1 name in the gaming market at the time. Sega was determine to switch up the game and flip Nintendo on their heads. This was just the start of the famous “console battle” between Sega and Nintendo.

Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES)

Nintendo’s newest console to rise on the market! It was the upgraded version of the previous console: the NES. A 16-bit console that had improved graphics and sound which made it all the rave! The advanced design was meant to accommodate various versions of enhancement chips within game cartridges which gave it a leg up on the competition. Despite it’s discontinuation in 2003, it is still a popular console among gamers today!

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Popular Video Game Genres

Platform 

Considered a sub genre of action as this genre revolves around the actions of jumping, running, climbing  and avoiding obstacles. The levels often start off simplistic and easy and get harder after progressing. Sonic the Hedgehog  was the most notable platform release during this year as well as Mega Man 4.

Action-Adventure

A popular hybrid genre that combined elements from both, well, you guessed it: action and adventure! Action consists of any form of fighting (swords, guns, fists, etc.) while adventures are typically situational, putting the player in an environment where they need to use clues and their wits to solve the problem at hand. The combination creates games that test reflexes and problem-solving.  The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and Metroid II: Return of Samus were very iconic action-adventure games released in 1991 that carried on two amazing franchises. 

Role-Play

Role-play games are often a more complicated type as a lot more elements are thrown into the game. It typically revolves around the player who plays a fictional character or persona within a fictional world and takes on quests in order to progress (rhymes!). This genre has transformed from text-based to immersive, 3-D games. Often, the player has some form of control over the game from their fate or maybe just their characters skills. Final Fantasy IV was a very popular role-play game released in 1991.

Fighting

Combat based games in which the player often fights one or more people within the boundaries of the stage. The end goal is to be able to out-last your opponent health wise. This genre became a popular one in 1991 as Street Fighter II: The World Warrior rose to console and arcade. It revolutionized the arcade game industry as it was extremely popular.

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Top Games within each Genre

Platform:

Sonic the Hedgehog

Developer: Sega

Platform: Sega Genesis

Now known today as Sega’s mascot (like Mario is to Nintendo), Sonic is a global icon. The blue, anthropomorphic hedgehog who has the power of extreme speed is on the run, attempting to stop the evil Dr. Robotnik from collecting all  seven chaos emeralds as he turns all the animals of the land into evil robot minions along the way. Sonic is the only one who can stop him with his super sonic speed!

Sonic the Hedgehog was just the beginning for Sega’s new mascot. He has been featured in 70+ games and even had all sorts of toys, accessories and even comics made after him.

Role-play:

Final Fantasy IV

Developers: Square, Tose, Sting Entertainment

Platform: Super Nintendo Entertainment System

Cecil Harvey, the captain of the Red Wings of Baron has raided Mysidia to take the Water Crystal. The Red Wings of Baron question their kings order after completing the raid as they disagree with stealing from the Mysidians. The king is angered by their questioning and Cecil has his title as captain taken away.  He’s told in order to gain the king’s trust back, he must team up with his childhood friend and adoptive brother, Kain Highwind to venture to the village of Mist. This is just only the beginning for the the two brothers are they begin to uncover what truly happens within the kingdom of Baron.

Action-Adventure:

Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past

Developer: Nintendo

Platform: Super Nintendo Entertainment System

In the midst of the night, a young boy named Link, a citizen of Hyrule, is awakened by a telepathic message from the Princess Zelda, begging for him to come rescue her from the castle’s dungeon as she has been held prisoner. As Link is about to leave on his quest to save Zelda, he finds his Uncle with a sword and shield in his hands. He tells Link not to follow him as he goes to pursue Zelda himself and that it would be dangerous if he followed. Being the hero he is, Link disobeys his Uncle and makes his way to the castle’s dungeon only to find his Uncle gravely wounded, begging Link to save the Princess and run. Though, it’s not all that easy as it sounds...Link must stop Agahnim from re-opening the Dark World and reviving the demon lord, Ganon who will wreak havoc on the land of Hyrule. His only chance of doing so is by obtaining the Master Sword and recovering the Triforce. 

As the Legend of Zelda timeline is not exactly chronological and linear and more so “this game is what would happen if _____ occurred!”. A Link to the Past takes place after the 1998 game Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and is meant to be what happens if Link was defeated by Ganon. Pretty neat concept!

Fighting:

Street Fighter II: The World Warrior

Developer: Capcom

Platforms: Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Arcade game

A very straight-forward, 1v1 fighting game. It overshadows its predecessor Street Fighter so much that its often forgotten about. Due to its success at improving the game overall. The visuals were iconic just by themselves, arguably having the best and most recognizable “character select” screen. They had also expanded on having more than just 2 set characters (but technically you could only play one due to the npc playing the other when you were on single player...) and introduced 6 more characters. These characters were different in nationality and in their fighting styles which made it completely unique and added a more fun experience overall (they also had one of the first playable female characters). The creation of a single player tournament also  added a completely new feature to the game, having the player face off against 1 of 4 new boss characters to determine their final position in the tournament. It also introduced the combo move system which is now used in many games today. 

Street Fighter II: The World Warrior is still seen as one of the most iconic arcade games today as it was so wildly successful. Arguably (but not really), it is the most important game of its genre.

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Similarities and Common Themes within Games

Action!!

The main, common factor of these games is action. 

Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and Final Fantasy IV have the most in common as one is action-adventure and the other role-play. They both are based on fighting enemies in order to progress. The major differences include:

-Role-play games are turn-based when it comes to combat, action-adventures are not.

-Role-play games often have XP (experience points) built in to help your character grow stronger 

etc.

Meanwhile, Sonic the Hedgehog is a fast-paced platform game based upon action. You hit enemies who are in the way and fight the boss at the end.  As for Street Fighter II: World Warrior...well...that’s pretty obvious. 

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Console Marketing and Targeted Audience

Sega Genesis

Former Sega of America’s chief executive officer, Thomas Kalinske, was the mastermind behind the Genesis. When he took position as CEO, Kalinske was determined to beat out Nintendo with new technology and market against them as other game companies feared to do this, knowing if they didn’t side with Nintendo they would be punished. This caused the world’s first console battle”. Sega’s new catchphrases when releasing the Genesis included “the other guys just don’t stack up!” and “Genesis does what Nintendon’t!”. The anti-Nintendo marketing really caught the eyes of gamers and the price point was even better for teens and college students. Sports games, popular US franchises and role-playing/strategy games were the genres Sega was also determined to popularize amongst gamers as well with the Genesis’ release.

Nintendo SNES

As Sega was soaking up their newly found market share space, Nintendo waited patiently on the sidelines, noting Sega’s success. The NES remained successful and so did Nintendo until…they eventually started to fall. Sega had succeeded with introducing its new mascot and Nintendo became jealous. Determine to get their spot back, Nintendo had developed the SNES. This new console had sold over 49 million units while the Genesis only sold 29 million. Nintendo clearly seemed to remain unbothered from all of this as they succeeded in their mission to get their space back but that move by Sega had permanently changed the gaming world forever as they had became as their competitors and successfully introduced an amazing, new iconic character who would later compete against Mario in their own game! (Oops…that might’ve been a spoiler for the future! Sorry!)

Nintendo’s games remained marketed towards children as their games were (mostly) kid-friendly and welcomed the release of third-party games. Their graphics were better as well, improving on 16-bit art.

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How did the Real World Inspire the Digital World?

Despite being fictional, the birth of a video game can be influenced by what’s going on in the real world. Historical events, wars, culture, etc. A big title that was influenced by the real world was...

Sonic the Hedgehog!

While Sonic the Hedgehog was designed to look good in 16-bit and be simple enough for children to draw, the inspiration for his creation goes deeper than just that. 

The concept of Sonic the Hedgehog was truly just a nature versus environmental development conflict. During the early ‘90s, many began to discuss the condition of environment and the need to be more eco-friendly. This sparked a large awareness amongst people that it even made its way into the media (the popular children’s tv show Captain Planet and the Planeteers being an example of this besides Sonic). 

The beautiful backgrounds of the hills and animals you see along the way are a clear sign that Sega was promoting this idea and movement (and also most likely used it in hopes of those involved in the movement would buy their game *cough cough*).

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Works Cited

Writings Referenced:

Freedman, Andrew E. “SNES Classic Edition: Everything You Need to Know.” Tom's Guide, Tom's Guide, 22 Aug. 2017, www.tomsguide.com/us/snes-classic-edition-faq,news-25418.html.

Freedman, Andrew E. “SNES Classic vs. NES Classic: Which Retro Console Is For You?” Tom's Guide, Tom's Guide, 24 Sept. 2017, www.tomsguide.com/us/nes-classic-vs-snes-classic,review-4684.html.

Grubb, Jeff. “Sega Genesis Genius Tom Kalinske on Its 25 Year Legacy: Battling Nintendo, Launching Sonic, and Birthing the 'Street Date'.” VentureBeat, VentureBeat, 14 Aug. 2014, www.venturebeat.com/2014/08/14/sega-genesis-genius-tom-kalinske-on-its-25-year-legacy-battling-nintendo-launching-sonic-and-birthing-the-street-date/.

McWhertor, Michael. “The Origins of Sonic the Hedgehog.” Polygon, Polygon, 22 Mar. 2018, www.polygon.com/2018/3/21/17149990/sonic-the-hedgehog-history-gdc-naoto-oshima-hirokazu-yasuhara.

Miller, Michael. “Informit.” InformIT, 1 Apr. 2005, www.informit.com/articles/article.aspx?p=378141&seqNum=5.

Plunkett, Luke. “Let's Talk About The Very First Street Fighter.” Kotaku, Kotaku, 20 June 2013, kotaku.com/lets-talk-about-the-very-first-street-fighter-5787456.

Rignall, Jaz. “Definitive Years in Gaming History: 1991.” Eurogamer.net, Eurogamer.net, 7 May 2012, www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-05-07-definitive-years-in-gaming-history-1991.

Schreier, Jason. “Final Fantasy IV Retrospective: Ahead Of Its Time.” Kotaku, Kotaku, 15 Feb. 2017, kotaku.com/final-fantasy-iv-was-ahead-of-its-time-1785708699.

Serafino, Jay. “10 Game-Changing Facts About the Super Nintendo.” Mental Floss, 27 Sept. 2017, www.mentalfloss.com/article/504762/facts-about-super-nintendo.

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END! Thanks for reading!