Report: Ralph Baer, The Father of Video Games, Has Passed Away

[Sanji Himura]

Sad news to report this evening, Ralph Baer, widely regarded as the Father of Video Games, has passed away this evening at age 92.

Holder of over 150 patents, Baer's most famous work formed the basis of the Magnavox Odyssey, the world's first video game console. Every console and handheld that has emerged since has roots in the Odyssey. Here is footage of Bear testing the console back in 1969.



Baer was born in Germany in 1922, Baer's family fled the Nazis only two months before the infamous Kristallnacht attacks on Jewish stores and homes. From Holland they moved to America, where Baer's work in electronics would culminate in 2006 with him being awarded the National Medal of Technology by President George W Bush for his work in pioneering the video game industry.

Source: Kotaku by way of Gamasutra

 

[Dennisch]

92 is a respectable age to logout for good.

R.i.p.

 

[MisterWhiskers]

Wow, quite sad. Imagine not having all of these games. This man made it possible. Thank you Mr. Baer!

 

[Rich S]

Baer was born in Germany in 1922, Baer's family fled the Nazis only two months before the infamous Kristallnacht attacks on Jewish stores and homes. From Holland they moved to America, where Baer's work in electronics would culminate in 2006 with him being awarded the National Medal of Technology by President George W Bush for his work in pioneering the video game industry.

Source: Kotaku by way of Gamasutra

Just in the nick of time. Maybe we wouldn't be able to drive 500 different Skylines & other Japanese models in GT6 without him!

 

[mister dog]

RIP and thanks for making this happen. The millions of hours people around the world have enjoyed entertaining themselves with videogames so far is all thanks to this man.

Also i've known this "first ever rage quit" GIF for some time now but didn't have a clue the father of videogames was actually the subject:

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