1979 in video gaming

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Events

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Notable releases

Games

• Richard Garriott creates Akalabeth, a role-playing video game for the Apple IIe. It launches Garriott's career and is a precursor to his highly successful Ultima series.
• Namco releases Bomb Bee, the sequel to Gee Bee, Galaxian, the first true color arcade game, and Cutie Q, the second sequel to Gee Bee.
• Cinematronics releases Warrior.
• Atari releases Lunar Lander and Ed Logg & Lyle Rains' Asteroids.
• Atari programmer Warren Robinett releases Adventure (Atari 2600) for the Atari 2600. It is recognized as the first visual adventure game and has one of the first known Easter Eggs in any video game.
• Richard Bartle and Roy Trubshaw create what is commonly recognized as the first playable MUD. (Note: Many say that this happened in 1978, though Bartle has stated 1979.[1])
• October - subLOGIC releases Flight Simulator for the Apple II. It is later released by Microsoft (1982).

Hardware

• Mattel test markets the Intellivision console in Fresno, California. It is released throughout the United States in 1980.
• Milton Bradley Company releases the Microvision handheld.
• Texas Instruments releases the TI-99/4 home computer.
• Warner Communications' Atari creates the Cosmos handheld (unreleased).

Business

• New companies:
  • Activision
  • Infocom
  • Strategic Simulations, Inc.
  • Edu-Ware Services, Inc.