The Strong National Museum of Play Announces 2024 World Video Game Hall of Fame Nominees
The Strong National Museum of Play has recently revealed the 12 games shortlisted for the 2024 World Video Game Hall of Fame. These esteemed titles will compete for a spot in the 10th class of inductees to the renowned Hall of Fame.
Games That Shaped the World of Video Gaming
The 2024 nominees for the World Video Game Hall of Fame include some of the most iconic and influential games from different eras. The finalists for this prestigious honor are Asteroids, Elite, Guitar Hero, Metroid, Myst, Neopets, Resident Evil, Tokimeki Memorial, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, Ultima, and You Don’t Know Jack.
Recognizing the Contributions to Pop Culture
The Strong’s International Center for the History of Electronic Games director, Jon-Paul C. Dyson, emphasized the remarkable influence of these games on pop culture and the gaming industry. Each nominee represents a different era, offering gamers unique experiences and defining moments over the years. For example, Asteroids is known for its impact on arcades in the late 70s, while Myst showcased the potential of CD-ROM technology in the 90s. Additionally, Neopets, a browser-based free game, became a staple in the 2000s, while the relatively young Guitar Hero has already proved its staying power.
Public Vote and Selection Process
The general public has the opportunity to vote for their favorite games on the World Video Game Hall of Fame website. From March 14 to March 21, gamers around the world can choose their top picks, and the three games with the highest number of votes will be added to the final ballot. The remaining ballot slots will be filled by the International Selection Advisory Committee, consisting of journalists and scholars deeply familiar with the history and impact of video games.
Inductions and Announcement
All 2024 inductees to the World Video Game Hall of Fame will be announced in a thrilling, in-person ceremony on May 9. Video game enthusiasts and fans eagerly look forward to discovering which games will join the acclaimed Hall of Fame and secure their place in gaming history.
A Proud Legacy
The World Video Game Hall of Fame has already recognized 44 games for their significant contributions to the gaming world. The 2023 inductees include Barbie Fashion Designer, Computer Space, The Last of Us, and Wii Sports. These games triumphed over the likes of Age of Empires, Angry Birds, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, FIFA International Soccer, GoldenEye 007, NBA 2K, Quake, and Wizardry, attesting to the immense competition and the industry’s evolution.
Game Highlights
Asteroids: Released in 1979 by Atari, Asteroids captivated players with its challenging gameplay, vibrant graphics, and immersive sound effects in a thrilling space setting. The game’s popularity soared and outpaced Space Invaders in countless arcades. Atari’s home version of Asteroids further amplified its success, reaching millions of living rooms.
Elite: Developed in 1984 in Great Britain, Elite introduced innovative 3D graphics and the open-world concept, allowing players to roam the vastness of space with their controllable ships. This groundbreaking game went on to influence countless titles, such as Grand Theft Auto 3 and Eve Online, earning its place as one of the most beloved games during the thriving British personal computer boom.
Guitar Hero: Harmonix’s Guitar Hero, launched in 2005, revolutionized the music game genre, inviting players to unleash their inner rock star by strumming along to popular songs on a specialized plastic guitar. The game’s widespread appeal, extensive licensed music library, and captivating social gameplay paved the way for similar titles, including the acclaimed Rock Band series. The enormous success of Guitar Hero led to releases on various platforms, raking in over $2 billion in revenue.
Metroid: Released in 1986 by Nintendo, Metroid offered gamers a futuristic world teeming with adventure and evocative music. The game merged platforming elements from Super Mario Bros. and non-linear storytelling from The Legend of Zelda, delivering a captivating gameplay experience. Notably, Metroid unveiled the industry’s first playable human female character and ignited a successful franchise with 13 core titles, selling over 20 million units worldwide.
Myst: Broderbund’s Myst, unveiled in 1993, fascinated players with its enigmatic puzzles and haunting landscapes. By harnessing the capabilities of early CD-ROM technology, Myst created an immersive and contemplative gaming experience. The game reached unprecedented success and became the best-selling computer game of the 1990s, with over six million copies sold.
Neopets: Debuting in 1999, Neopets swiftly became a cornerstone of browser-based free-to-play games. Within the online world of Neopia, players explored different lands, cared for virtual pets, and engaged in robust social interactions, including chatting and forming guilds. As a testament to its trailblazing nature, Neopets exemplified the potential of the internet for gaming and incorporated innovative cyber safety mechanisms and immersive advertising. The game boasted 25 million active users at its peak in 2005 and continues to captivate a devoted following even after two decades.
Resident Evil: Capcom’s Resident Evil (known as Biohazard in Japan) became a pillar of the horror genre, offering gripping gameplay that captivated gamers upon its release in 1996. The game’s success spawned a billion-dollar media franchise and showcased video games as a platform for mature entertainment. The Resident Evil film series, based on the game, has generated over $1.2 billion at the box office, solidifying its place in popular culture.
SimCity: Maxis released SimCity in 1989, attracting a broad audience with its innovative city-building simulator tailored to both adults and children. Grounded in real-life urban design principles, the game allowed players to construct and manage their own virtual metropolis while tackling various challenges. SimCity spawned numerous sequels and influenced the development of subsequent city-building and real-time strategy games, leaving an indelible mark on the genre.
Tokimeki Memorial: Konami’s Tokimeki Memorial, launched in 1994, transformed the dating simulator genre with its cohesive narrative, vivacious graphics, diverse choices, and engaging gameplay. Although never localized outside Japan, the game’s impact on game design reverberated worldwide, inspiring the incorporation of personal relationships in future titles across diverse genres such as graphic adventures, visual novels, dating sims, and roleplaying games.
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater: Developed by Neversoft/Activision in 1999, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater introduced the sport and culture of skateboarding to millions of households. The game allowed players to perform high-point tricks while seamlessly exploring interactive environments, complemented by an unforgettable soundtrack. Legendary skateboarder Tony Hawk himself acknowledged the game’s pivotal role in his career, as it propelled the sport into the video game realm and went on to earn record-breaking sales of approximately $1.4 billion.
Ultima: In 1981, Ultima: The First Age of Darkness reshaped the computer role-playing genre. Created by Richard Garriott, Ultima combined role-playing mechanics, an expansive fictional universe, and fantasy and science fiction elements. The game’s pioneering gameplay acted as a cornerstone, inspiring many notable game designers and leading to enduring series such as Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy.
You Don’t Know Jack: Redefining the televised game show format for video game platforms, You Don’t Know Jack emerged in 1995 as a multiplayer party game. Offering witty questions and humorous gameplay, the franchise spawned successful sequels, spinoffs, and adaptations on various platforms, including mobile and Facebook. Particularly during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, the streaming versions found significant popularity among gaming enthusiasts and trivia aficionados.
It is indeed a momentous occasion as gaming enthusiasts worldwide eagerly await the announcement of the latest World Video Game Hall of Fame inductees in 2024. With such an incredible lineup of nominees, the selection process will be intense. All eyes are now on the public vote and the esteemed International Selection Advisory Committee. The gaming industry owes these nominees a great deal of gratitude for their enduring contributions and the immense joy they have brought to countless players. Everyone eagerly anticipates the grand revelation during the remarkable in-person ceremony scheduled for May 9.
