10 Questions
Where was Atari's Pong first tested?
Sunnyvale, California
Why did Al Alcorn and Nolan Bushnell choose Andy Capp's Tavern as a test site?
The manager was always cooperative
What was the reception of Pong at Andy Capp's Tavern?
It was a huge success, with the machine overflowing with quarters
Why did Bushnell decide to manufacture Pong himself rather than sell it to an established game maker?
He believed in the potential of the game
Who sued Atari for patent infringement over Pong?
Magnavox
What was the outcome of the lawsuit between Magnavox and Atari over Pong?
Magnavox became Atari's sole licensee
What advantage did the settlement with Magnavox give Atari?
The rights to any product Magnavox released in the next 365 days
Why did Atari decide not to release any consumer products for a year?
They wanted to keep their mouths shut
How did Bushnell use the legal action over Pong to his advantage?
He used it to make a deal with Magnavox
Who is credited with inventing the first home video game console?
Ralph Baer
Study Notes
- Andy Capp's Tavern was a beer bar in Sunnyvale, California where Atari first tested Pong.
- Al Alcorn and Nolan Bushnell selected the bar as a good test site because the manager had always been cooperative.
- Pong was a huge success at Andy Capp's Tavern, with the machine overflowing with quarters.
- Bushnell decided to manufacture Pong himself rather than sell it to an established game maker.
- Magnavox took Atari to court, arguing that Pong violated several of Ralph Baer's patents.
- Atari settled with Magnavox and became their sole licensee, paying a small licensing fee.
- Future competitors would have to pay stiff royalties to Magnavox.
- The settlement agreement gave Magnavox the rights to any product Atari released in the next 365 days.
- Atari decided not to release any consumer products for a year to keep their mouths shut.
- Bushnell played the legal action like a chess game, using settlement to his advantage.
- Ralph Baer invented the first home video game console, the Magnavox Odyssey.
- Nolan Bushnell and Atari copied Baer's invention and created Pong.
- Magnavox sued Atari for patent infringement and won.
- Bushnell and Baer met to settle the lawsuit out of court.
- Magnavox agreed to help Atari beat up on their competitors as part of the settlement.
- Bushnell became a national celebrity as the "father of video games."
- Baer finally told his story to the press in the late 1970s.
- Baer did not make any loud press for himself because Bushnell was a client and licensee.
- Bushnell later introduced Baer as "the father of video games" at a trade show.
- Bushnell had played the tennis game on the Odyssey at the Burlingame show.
Test your knowledge of the history of video games with this quiz on the legal battles and controversies surrounding the creation of Pong. From the testing site at Andy Capp's Tavern to the patent infringement lawsuit with Magnavox, learn about the key players and events that shaped the early days of the video game industry. See if you can identify the true "father of video games" and understand the impact of these legal battles on the industry's future.
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