Ready Player One: Emeli

[Michelle's Empty Nest, The Challenge Whisperer]

Ready Player One: A Year-Long Reading Challenge
January 1 - December 31st, 2024


Let's read books and complete tasks related to video games you know and love, and maybe a few that are new to you!


On the 1st and 15th of each month I will post a new video game in the Game Console Thread. You will have four tasks to choose from for each game. You only need to complete one. Participate in as many or as few games as you would like.


You will make your Completion Posts here IN YOUR OWN THREAD. Please use this format. {You are welcome to copy and paste the game tasks into your own thread if you would like.}


Completion Post
Video Game:
Book:
Author:
Date Read:
Task:
How it Fits:


If you have any questions, please post them in the Cheat Codes Q & A Thread.


Challenge Rules:
📘 Standard Rules Apply
📘I will create an individual thread for you prior to the start date.
📘Your first video game will be posted on January 1, 2024.
📘Books must be completed after the video game has been posted.

[Emeli]

🕹 🎮 👾 Game 1: January 1st ~ Pong 👾 🎮 🕹






Pong is a table tennis–themed twitch arcade sports video game, featuring simple two-dimensional graphics, manufactured by Atari and originally released on November 29, 1972. It was one of the earliest arcade video games; it was created by Allan Alcorn as a training exercise assigned to him by Atari co-founder Nolan Bushnell, but Bushnell and Atari co-founder Ted Dabney were surprised by the quality of Alcorn's work and decided to manufacture the game. Bushnell based the game's concept on an electronic ping-pong game included in the Magnavox Odyssey, the first home video game console. In response, Magnavox later sued Atari for patent infringement.


Pong was the first commercially successful video game, and it helped to establish the video game industry along with the Magnavox Odyssey. Soon after its release, several companies began producing games that closely mimicked its gameplay. Eventually, Atari's competitors released new types of video games that deviated from Pong's original format to varying degrees, and this, in turn, led Atari to encourage its staff to move beyond Pong and produce more innovative games themselves.


Atari released several sequels to Pong that built upon the original's gameplay by adding new features. During the 1975 Christmas season, Atari released a home version of Pong exclusively through Sears retail stores. The home version was also a commercial success and led to numerous clones. The game was remade on numerous home and portable platforms following its release. Pong is part of the permanent collection of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., due to its cultural impact.


Pong is a two-dimensional sports game that simulates table tennis. The player controls an in-game paddle by moving it vertically across the left or right side of the screen. They can compete against another player controlling a second paddle on the opposing side. Players use the paddles to hit a ball back and forth. The goal is for each player to reach eleven points before the opponent; points are earned when one fails to return the ball to the other.


To Level Up on this game, complete ONE of the following:

🕹 Read a book published in or set during the 1970s.
🕹 Read a book where any type of sport is played.
🕹 Read a book with an MPG of Historical or Historical Fiction.
🕹 Read a book where the letters P-O-N-G are found anywhere in the title.