Acquired

Nintendo's Origins

743 snips
Mar 16, 2023
Discover the surprising origins of Nintendo, starting as a playing card company and evolving into a gaming giant. Dive into the transformational leadership of Hiroshi Yamauchi, who never played a video game himself. Explore the rise of iconic games like Donkey Kong, changing gameplay narratives and introducing beloved characters like Mario. The discussion also touches on innovative strategies that revitalized the gaming industry in the 80s, showcasing how Nintendo turned challenges into incredible successes and shaped modern gaming culture.
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ANECDOTE

Bushnell's Background

  • Nolan Bushnell, Atari's founder, worked at carnivals and studied electrical engineering.
  • This unique background gave him the vision to bring video games to arcades.
ANECDOTE

Computer Space

  • Bushnell saw the potential of video games after seeing Spacewar at the University of Utah.
  • He aimed to make a cheaper version for arcades, leading to Computer Space, the first commercial video game.
INSIGHT

Early Games' Lack of Narrative

  • Early video games lacked narrative and escapism, hindering their appeal.
  • Relatable games like Pong resonated better with consumers.
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