Video games have become a cornerstone of popular culture, with millions of people worldwide immersing themselves in virtual worlds. Yet, while many of us can recount the plot of our favorite games in great detail, the stories behind their creation often remain untold. This slideshow will unravel the fascinating tales behind the birth of some of the most renowned video games, delving into the unexpected secrets that shaped their development. From the inception of an idea to the final product, every game has a unique journey that is often as captivating as the game itself.
The Birth of Super Mario Bros
The iconic Super Mario Bros was born out of necessity. Nintendo, in the mid-80s, was struggling with the failure of its game, Radarscope. Shigeru Miyamoto, a young artist at Nintendo, was tasked with converting the unsold Radarscope units into a new game. The result was Donkey Kong, and its success led to the creation of Super Mario Bros. The game was revolutionary, introducing side-scrolling platform gameplay and a colorful world that captivated players.
The Legend of Zelda’s Unexpected Inspiration
The Legend of Zelda, another Nintendo classic, drew inspiration from Miyamoto's childhood experiences. He spent his days exploring the countryside around his home, including venturing into forests and caves. This sense of exploration and discovery was the foundation of The Legend of Zelda, a game that broke the mold with its non-linear gameplay and sprawling world.
The Pac-Man Phenomenon
Toru Iwatani, the creator of Pac-Man, wanted to create a game that appealed to women as well as men. He noticed that most arcade games were violent and decided to create something different. The result was Pac-Man, a game inspired by a pizza missing a slice. Its simplicity and non-violent gameplay made it a hit among a wide audience.
The Tetris Tangle
Tetris was born in the Soviet Union, created by Alexey Pajitnov while he was working at the Soviet Academy of Sciences. The game was a sensation, but Pajitnov didn't see any profits due to Soviet policies. It was only after the fall of the Soviet Union that he was able to start earning from his creation.
The Doom Revolution
Doom, created by id Software, revolutionized the gaming industry with its 3D graphics and networked multiplayer gameplay. The game was inspired by the creators' love for Dungeons & Dragons and the Alien movies. Its success led to the birth of the first-person shooter genre.
The Warcraft Saga
Warcraft was born out of a failed attempt to acquire the rights to make a game based on the Warhammer franchise. Blizzard Entertainment decided to create their own fantasy universe, resulting in the Warcraft series. The game's success led to the creation of World of Warcraft, one of the most successful MMORPGs in history.
The Myst-ery of Myst
Myst, created by brothers Rand and Robyn Miller, was a game that defied conventions. Inspired by text-based adventure games and children's books, Myst offered a unique experience with its immersive world and non-linear gameplay. The game was a massive success, becoming the best-selling PC game until The Sims surpassed it in 2002.
The Rise of Street Fighter
Street Fighter II revolutionized the fighting game genre with its diverse cast of characters and deep gameplay. The game was a response to the success of the beat 'em up genre, with Capcom wanting to create a game that offered more depth and strategy. The result was a game that became a staple in arcades worldwide.
The Sonic Boom
Sonic the Hedgehog was created as a mascot for Sega to rival Nintendo's Mario. The game's focus on speed was a response to the slower-paced platformers of the time. Sonic's design was inspired by various sources, including Michael Jackson's boots and Santa Claus's color scheme.
The Pokemon Phenomenon
Pokemon was inspired by Satoshi Tajiri's childhood hobby of bug collecting. He wanted to create a game that captured the excitement of catching and collecting creatures. The game's success led to a multimedia franchise, including TV shows, movies, and trading cards.
The Final Fantasy Miracle
Final Fantasy was aptly named as it was a last-ditch effort by Square to avoid bankruptcy. The game's success not only saved the company but also led to one of the most successful RPG franchises in history. The game's focus on story and characters set it apart from other RPGs of the time.
The Resident Evil Experiment
Resident Evil was born out of Capcom's desire to create a horror game. The game was inspired by the horror movie "Sweet Home" and was initially intended to be a remake of Capcom's earlier horror game, Sweet Home. The game's success led to the birth of the survival horror genre.
The Silent Hill Nightmare
Silent Hill was Konami's attempt to create a game that appealed to the western audience. The game's focus on psychological horror and complex storytelling set it apart from other horror games. Silent Hill's unique atmosphere was inspired by various sources, including the works of David Lynch.
The Halo Effect
Halo was initially conceived as a real-time strategy game for the Mac. However, the game's development took a turn when Microsoft acquired Bungie, the game's developer. Halo was reimagined as a first-person shooter for the Xbox, and its success helped establish the console's place in the market.
The Call of Duty Call
Call of Duty was created as a response to the success of Medal of Honor. Infinity Ward, made up of former Medal of Honor developers, wanted to create a more realistic and immersive World War II game. The game's success led to one of the most successful game franchises in history.
The Minecraft Blockbuster
Minecraft was created by Markus Persson and inspired by games like Dwarf Fortress and Infiniminer. The game's focus on creativity and exploration struck a chord with players, leading to its massive success. Minecraft's blocky graphics, initially a result of Persson's limited art skills, became one of its most distinctive features.
The Last of Us: A Post-Apocalyptic Masterpiece
The Last of Us was born out of Naughty Dog's desire to create a more mature game. The game's focus on story and characters set it apart from other action games. The game's post-apocalyptic world was inspired by various sources, including the book "The World Without Us" and the documentary "Life After People."
These stories illuminate the creative processes, inspirations, and often surprising circumstances that led to the creation of some of the most influential video games. Each game has its unique tale, filled with unexpected twists and turns, mirroring the captivating narratives they offer to players. By understanding these stories, we gain a deeper appreciation for the art of video game creation and the astonishing secrets behind our favorite virtual worlds.
