Summary

• Release Year: 1952
• Genres: Puzzle, Strategy
• Platforms: EDSAC, PC (Microsoft Windows)
• Developers: Alexander Shafto “Sandy” Douglas, University of Warwick
• Publishers: Alexander Shafto “Sandy” Douglas, University of Warwick

OXO (1952): The World’s First Video Game

OXO, developed in 1952 by Alexander S. Douglas for the EDSAC computer, holds the title of being the world’s first video game. It is a simple game of noughts and crosses (also known as tic-tac-toe) played against an AI opponent, but its significance lies in its groundbreaking use of a video display to present the game.

Gameplay

OXO is played on a 3×3 grid, with the player taking turns placing either an ‘X’ or an ‘O’ in an empty square. The player uses a rotary telephone controller to enter their move, and the computer responds by making its own move. The first player to get three of their symbols in a row, either horizontally, vertically, or diagonally, wins the game.

The AI opponent in OXO is surprisingly competent, and it can be a challenge to beat, even for experienced tic-tac-toe players. The computer uses a minimax algorithm to evaluate the board position and choose the best move to make. This algorithm is still used in many modern AI game-playing programs.

Technical Details

OXO was developed for the EDSAC computer, which was one of the earliest stored-program computers. The EDSAC had a 35×16 dot matrix cathode ray tube display, which OXO used to display the game board and the player’s and computer’s moves.

The game’s code was written in EDSAC’s assembly language, and it consisted of about 100 lines of code. OXO was a very efficient program, and it could run on the EDSAC’s limited hardware resources.

Historical Significance

OXO is not only the world’s first video game, but it is also one of the earliest examples of artificial intelligence in video games. The game’s AI opponent was able to provide a challenging and engaging experience for players, and it helped to pave the way for the development of more sophisticated AI in later video games.

OXO also played a role in the development of computer graphics. The game’s use of a video display to present the game board was a groundbreaking innovation, and it helped to inspire the development of more advanced graphics technologies in later video games.

Legacy

OXO remains an important historical artifact in the world of video games. It is a testament to the ingenuity and creativity of early computer scientists, and it continues to be studied and enjoyed by gamers and computer scientists alike.

In 2008, OXO was inducted into the World Video Game Hall of Fame. The game is also available to play online at the Virtual EDSAC website.

Conclusion

OXO is a simple game, but it is also a significant one. It is the world’s first video game, and it played an important role in the development of artificial intelligence and computer graphics in video games. OXO is a reminder of the humble beginnings of the video game industry, and it continues to inspire and entertain gamers to this day.

Review Score

9/10

Art

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