Gran Turismo B.C.
and A.D.
The pre-history of racing games
A selection of arcade
racing games
Gran Trak 10 (1974), manufactured by Atari Corp.
Motorcycle (1970), manufactured by Chicago Coin Machine
Co.
Drive Master (1969), manufactured by Chicago Coin
Machine Co.
Road Racer (1961), manufactured by Williams Mfg. Co.,
Chicago.
Motorama (1957), manufactured by Genco.
Drive-Mobile (1940), manufactured by International
Mutoscope Co.
Le Parcour Automobile (1934), manufactured by Autoreflex.
Motor Car Game (with Electric Shock) (1924),
manufactured by Pessers, Moody, Wright, and Gurr.
Make one of these
propositions to your
1. I’ve found something
really interesting
reader
Let me entertain you
2. I’ve found a solution to a practical problem
important to you
Let me help you solve a problem
3. I’ve found an answer to a question important
to you
Let me help you understand something
better
The problem
statement
Topic: I am studying X
Question: because I want to
understand Y
Conceptual significance: in order to
help my readers understand how Z
(understanding: pure research)
Potential practical application: so
that it it will be possible to solve the
problem W (applied research)
My paper as example
I’m interested in car racing games and need to
write an historical overview, but how do I make
that an interesting chapter in my dissertation?
Everybody knows that digital games were
preceded by analog arcade games
However, there is a conflict with existing
research:
Contrary to a common assumption in
computer game studies, the transition from
analog to digital games was a gradual one

My problem
statement
Topic: I am studying
the transition from
mechanical arcade machines to digital arcade
machines
 Question: because I want to understand how
mechanical game genres shape computer
game genres
▪ Significance:
in order to improve the genre
taxonomy in computer game studies
▪ Practical
application: so that game designers
will be able to develop existing genres more
efficiently and create better, more interesting
games
Period 1: Pre-history
(-1972)
Please notice:
Joysticks
Atari Pong
Atari Pong arcade console poster
(November 1972)
Quiz time: When were
these arcade games
produced?
Period 2: Ancient
history (1972-1977)
Magnavox Odyssey (May 1972)
Comes with another
familiar technology
QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
Period 3a: Home
consoles with
cartridges (1977-)
Atari VCS (1977)
Period 3b: Home
computers (1977-)
The most succesful
brand
IBM 5150 Personal Computer (1981)
IBM 5100
The long-awaited portable
follow-up to the 1981 IBM
PC?
Actually, this picture is from
a 1975 Scientific American
ad
C64 ad
Commodore 64
Nintendo
Entertainment
System (NES)