The Year of the Shark

1969: The Year of the Shark was a mechanical arcade game released in 1969 by Midway. It was one of the first arcade games to feature a moving object that players could control, and it quickly became popular due to its simple but addictive gameplay.

The game was played on a small, tabletop unit with a moving shark at the top. Players used a joystick to move the shark around the screen, eating fish and avoiding hazards. The goal of the game was to score as many points as possible before the shark was eaten by a larger shark or ran out of time.

1969: The Year of the Shark was a notable example of the simple arcade games that were becoming popular at the time. It was easy to play and understand, but it was also challenging enough to keep players coming back for more. The game was a commercial success, and it helped to pave the way for the more complex and sophisticated arcade games that would follow.

Here are some additional details about the game:

• The game was designed by Al Alcorn, who would later go on to design other classic arcade games such as Pong and Breakout.
• The shark in the game was actually a toy shark that was mounted on a spinning rod.
• The fish in the game were also toy fish, but they were made of plastic and were attached to strings.
• The hazards in the game included rocks, jellyfish, and other sharks.
• The game had a timer, and players had to score as many points as possible before the timer ran out.
• The game was a commercial success, and it was one of the most popular arcade games of 1969.

1969: The Year of the Shark is a significant game in the history of arcade games. It was one of the first games to feature a moving object that players could control, and it helped to pave the way for the more complex and sophisticated arcade games that would follow. The game is still a popular choice for collectors and arcade enthusiasts today.