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The Morning Call, Allentown, Pa., Dewayne Bevil on Attractions column [The Morning Call, Allentown, Pa.](Morning Call (Allentown, PA) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) June 30--An exhibit that spotlights video-game development has been awarded a bonus life by the Orange County Regional History Center. "Games People Play: The Evolution of Video Games" opens Saturday. It was previously seen as a companion piece to "Kid Stuff: Great Toys from Our Childhood" at the history center in 2008. New elements have been incorporated with old favorites for the 2011 version. Old-school video games -- think Pac-Man era -- are included, as well as games that would be considered downright ancient, such as a 1930s-era pinball machine that works without electricity. "That one is an artifact, so folks can look at it, but we can't play with it," says Michael Perkins, curator of exhibits. A 1950s driving game called Chicago Coin Speedway makes a return trip. It's a stand-up game with steering wheel, gas pedal and a screen where the player can see other cars and try to pass them. "If you crash, the steering wheel shakes, a little violently, not too much," Perkins says. "It's not even what we'd call a video game today, but you're watching the image move as you're controlling the car, so in that aspect, we'd consider it an early video game." The space race of the 1950s and '60s elevated the interest in technology and, eventually, gaming, Perkins says. An MIT student developed a game called Computer Space, which was enhanced by friends who added features such as gravitational pull. However, you needed the coding skills of a computer engineer to play. "Then people realized there could be a market for those, and that's where Pong came from," Perkins says. "Then that really started Atari, and it took off from there in the '70s." The interactivity of the exhibit has been improved, Perkins says, including the chance to play Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, Space Invaders and Asteroids. And there have been updates to reflect modern developments, including drones, remote operation and miniaturization in defense and medical fields. "At first, defense and space led into the gaming technology. Now you could even argue that some of the gaming technology is being used the other way," Perkins says. See for yourself 'Games People Play: The Evolution of Video Games' Where: Orange County Regional History Center, 65 E. Central Blvd., Orlando When: Center hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday. The history center is closed Monday, July 4. Cost: $9 general, $6 ages 5-12 Phone: 407-836-8500 Online: TheHistoryCenter.org ___ To see more of The Morning Call, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.mcall.com. Copyright (c) 2011, The Morning Call, Allentown, Pa. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For more information about the content services offered by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services (MCT), visit www.mctinfoservices.com, e-mail [email protected], or call 866-280-5210 (outside the United States, call +1 312-222-4544) |