Sure, there were other games before it like Pong, but Space Invaders struck a nerve and was massively popular. People realized they liked these new-fangled video games and wanted more - lots more. That was in the late '70s. It's a mere 20 years later and look how far we've come. You can now play Space Invaders on a key chain.

Young people today can't even fathom the concept of waiting in line for two hours to play a simple game like Space Invaders (or any game, for that matter). But it happened, and it was the birth of our industry.

2. Do you think the gaming industry is underestimating one aspect of interactive entertainment that will take us all by surprise in the early 21st century?

George: No. There are too many people making games these days, and too many people are exploiting all available technology to gain an edge on the competition. What's being underestimated is something much more simple.

The fun factor.

Where are all the fun games? Where are all the games that make you want to finish them? Where are the games that make you laugh, scream, and jump out of your chair when you play? Where are the games that make you call your friend on the phone and tell him he has to see this new game? Sadly, there are a mere handful of games a year that meet those criteria, and the rest are landfill material.

There are too many investors/publishers/developers spending "stupid money" to develop games that are simply no fun to play. It's beyond me. And it's sad to watch all that effort and money go down the drain in a day of comments on gaming newsgroups. Here's a tip guys: Hire some select people from the newsgroups that show they have a clue to beta test your game for you and plan in time for design changes from the testing. Duh...

Next: George Broussard and Scott Miller (cont.)