Lecture on Developers' First Video Games

Introduction

• Scott discusses his first teaching experience at Low Aspirations High.
• Teaching about developers' first video games.
• Reflection on teaching techniques and the importance of formative years for children and game developers.

Importance of First Video Games

• Game studios often stereotype into specific franchises/genres.
• Early games can be drastically different from later known titles.
• Developers' early games can hint at future potential and direction.

Examples of Developers' First Games

Capcom

• First game: Vulgus
• Known for: Resident Evil, Monster Hunter, Street Fighter

Game Freak

• First game: Mendle Palace
• Known for: Pokémon series
• Not surprising to see different genres in early years.

Electronic Arts (EA)

• First game: Skate or Die on Commodore 64
• Known for: Madden NFL series

Konami

• First game: Blockyard (1977)
• Known for: Various successful franchises
• Early games often clones of existing titles (e.g., Breakout)

Bungie

• First game: Gnop, a Pong clone
• Known for: Halo series
• Early work focused on functionality.

Modern Developer Beginnings

Rocksteady Studios

• First game: Urban Chaos: Riot Response
• Known for: Batman Arkham series

Hello Games

• First game: Joe Danger
• Known for: No Man’s Sky

Sucker Punch

• First game: Rocket: Robot on Wheels
• Known for: Sly Cooper, inFamous series

Naughty Dog

• First game: Math Jam
• Known for: Crash Bandicoot, Uncharted, The Last of Us

Other Notable Beginnings

• Gorilla Games: Started with Tiny Toon Adventures
• Insomniac Games: First game was Disruptor
• THQ: First game was Peter Pan and the Pirates
• Ubisoft: Started with Zombi
• Bethesda: First game was Gridiron

Notable Patterns and Observations

• Some developers start with clones or student projects.
• Many developers transition drastically from their first games.
• Some aim for greatness from the start (e.g., Valve with Half-Life).
• Some developers reincorporated elements from their first games in later works.

Conclusion

• Early games often do not define developers.
• Development teams evolve; people and ideas shift over time.
• Many developers start from humble beginnings and grow into major industry players.
• First games are interesting trivia but often unrelated to later successes.
• Encouragement to spread creatively despite initial typecasting.