Last updated: October 2026 Β· 3 min read
From simple blips on a screen to vast virtual worlds, video games have grown into one of the biggest entertainment industries on Earth. Here are 10 incredible facts.
10 incredible facts about video games
1. One of the first games was tennis
In 1958, physicist William Higinbotham created “Tennis for Two” on an oscilloscope, one of the earliest video games.
2. Pong started the arcade boom
Atari’s Pong, released in 1972, was one of the first commercially successful video games.
3. Gaming is bigger than films and music
The global video game industry earns more revenue each year than the film and recorded music industries combined.
4. Tetris was created in the Soviet Union
Alexey Pajitnov, a researcher in Moscow, created Tetris in 1984. It became one of the best-selling games of all time.
5. Mario was first called “Jumpman”
Nintendo’s famous plumber first appeared in Donkey Kong (1981) as a character called Jumpman.
6. Pac-Man was inspired by pizza
Creator Toru Iwatani has said Pac-Man’s shape was inspired by a pizza with a slice missing.
7. Minecraft is a record-breaker
Minecraft has sold more than 300 million copies, making it the best-selling video game of all time.
8. India loves mobile gaming
India has one of the largest numbers of gamers in the world, and most of them play on smartphones.
9. Esports won Asian Games medals
Esports were a medal event for the first time at the Asian Games held in Hangzhou in 2023.
10. Games can train real skills
Studies suggest some video games can improve hand-eye coordination, spatial awareness and problem-solving, though balance and screen-time limits matter.
Frequently asked questions
What was the first video game?
There is debate, but early examples include “Tennis for Two” (1958) and “Spacewar!” (1962).
What are esports?
Organised, competitive video gaming, often played by professional teams in front of large audiences.
How much gaming is healthy?
Moderation is key. Balance gaming with sleep, exercise, study and time with family and friends.
Keep exploring
- How animated movies are made
- What is an operating system?
- More Technology explainers on Tiwaripedia
- Browse all incredible facts
Facts are based on widely accepted scientific, historical and official sources at the time of writing. Spotted something that needs updating? Let us know.
