The various developments in the world of technology have affected our lives in countless ways. From how we stay in touch with others and get around town to entertainment options, we can notice many changes. For example, avid gamers have certainly seen their favourite genres evolve over time. Some of the most popular kinds of games are definitely football and casino games. So, let’s go over the history of these two genres and how they became what they are today.
How football games evolved
While the FIFA franchise might be the most popular at the moment, it’s vital to note that football games existed before the first edition of this series came out in 1993.
In the 1970s, Atari’s game Pong, which came out in 1972, was adapted and allowed players to play tennis, squash, hockey, and football. However, it didn’t feel like watching or playing a real game. In 1979, Mattel came out with Intellivision Soccer, which added color to football games.
In the 1980s, the genre saw more titles that were slowly but surely improving the quality of the game. First of all, there was Pelé’s Soccer from 1981 that was released for Atari 2600. Then, International Soccer on the Commodore 64 came out in 1983. While there were no fouls or offsides, this game was a huge leap in terms of experience as it introduced animated crowds. Kevin Toms’ Football Manager and Match Day were launched around the same time, thus providing players with more options. However, it was Dino Dini’s Kick Off that took football games to the next level. With a bird’s eye view, overhead kicks, and other features, this game and its sequel really made football games enjoyable.
The 1990s saw another Dini game Goal! as well as Sensible Soccer and Championship Manager (which evolved into Football Manager – not Toms’ – later on). In 1993, EA released its first football game, FIFA International Soccer, which featured an isometric view instead of a bird’s eye one. It became the best-selling video game of the year and EA releases new titles annually. Since 1996, they were allowed to use real players’ names as well. Actua Soccer also had four editions in the 1990s while there was also a video game to support the Euro ’96 tournament. Furthermore, Manchester United had its own official game as well, from 1990 to 2005.
The 2000s started the battle between the FIFA series and Pro Evolution Soccer, which was developed and released by Konami. If you’re a passionate FIFA player, you’ve surely followed how the game evolved over the last two decades and the whole FIFA vs PES (now eFootball) rivalry. You surely know that they are both among the best-selling video game franchises and that they both have a huge following that even led to esports leagues that players can compete in.
How casino games evolved
On the other hand, there are casino games. Various kinds of games of chance have been available for centuries. For example, some records even date their existence back to 2300 BC. However, casinos that offer these types of games started appearing much later. The first casino ever built was Casino di Venezia, which was constructed in Venice and opened in 1638. Then, Monaco changed the game in the 18th century when it started offering slot games and blackjack, in what became the first modern casino. Casinos reached Europe and the US by the 19th century and there was a huge rise in the popularity of these games.
While games of this sort used to be available only in land-based venues, there are now various online operators that offer games like baccarat, poker, and slots from the comfort of one’s home or when on the go. The selection of games covers a huge range like never before, which makes it appealing to a wide audience. However, this didn’t happen overnight.
Although there were some similar games before, it is thought that the Sittman and Pitt of Brooklyn developed a precursor to the modern slot machine in 1891 while, during the same period, Charley Fey devised a new automatic mechanism that could pay out winnings. The latter – called Liberty Bell – is what is considered the first real slot machine. Over time, different games were released and they became very popular. Then, in 1963, Money Honey, the first fully electromechanical slot, was developed by Bally. 1976 saw the first video slot machine, which slowly but surely paved the way toward online slots that are now easily accessible to players all over the world.
Video poker is another popular entertainment option. It was first introduced in 1979 and as technology progressed, many players found it more accessible than regular table games. This is one of the reasons why video poker still attracts a wide audience.
All other games that are available through online casinos also went through their own transformations thanks to the advancements that technology made in the last thirty years.
No matter if you prefer football or casino games or if you like both equally, you’re surely interested in seeing how this field will develop further. Stay tuned.