The Strong National Museum of Play has announced the induction of four new video games into the World Video Game Hall of Fame, including The Last of Us, Barbie Fashion Designer, Computer Space, and Wii Sports. These games will be displayed when the hall opens on June 30 as part of an expansion to the New York-based museum. The Strong has been inducting games since 2015, and this years entrants join previous inductees like Sonic The Hedgehog and The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time.

Barbie Fashion Designer: A Jumping-off Point for the Girls’ Games Movement

Barbie Fashion Designer was one of the first games that sparked debate over the consequences of gendering games. This 1996 CD-ROM game was designed for young girls who were interested in fashion and style. Kristy Hisert, collections manager at The Strong, described the game as a jumping-off point for the girls games movement, and a catalyst for discussions about the need for gender-inclusive games. The games success paved the way for future games that targeted female players and contributed to the industrys shift towards more inclusive and diverse game development.

Computer Space: Laying the Foundations for the Game Industry

Computer Space, released in 1971, was the first arcade video game and laid the foundation for the game industry by showing that games could reach paying audiences outside of computer labs. The Strongs Jeremy Saucier praised Computer Space for its contribution to the development of the game industry, stating that it demonstrated the commercial viability of video games and paved the way for the rise of the arcade culture in the 1980s.

The Last of Us: A Game that Continues to Captivate Players

The Last of Us, released in 2013, is a post-apocalyptic action-adventure game that follows the journey of a smuggler and a young girl as they navigate a world ravaged by a deadly fungus. The game was praised for its gameplay and storytelling, and continues to captivate players today. The games recent TV adaptation by HBO was lauded as one of the best video game adaptations ever made. The Strongs video game curator, Lindsey Kurano, noted that The Last of Us remains popular because of its quality of gameplay and strength of story.

Wii Sports: A Gaming Phenomenon that Transcends Generations

Wii Sports, released in 2006, is a sports simulation game that became a gaming phenomenon and introduced millions of people around the world to gaming. The games true influence, according to Aryol Prater, research specialist for Black play and culture, lies in the fact that it made gamers out of people who had never thought about playing games before. Wii Sports’ popularity was due to its ability to bring people together and transcend generations. News stories proliferated about the game getting diverse groups of people, including those at many senior centers, off their couches and breaking a sweat with virtual bowling, tennis, and more.

The Strong National Museum of Plays induction of these games into the World Video Game Hall of Fame highlights the importance of these games in the evolution of the video game industry. The Strongs recognition of these games as culturally and historically significant helps to preserve the industrys history and celebrate the contributions of developers, designers, and players alike.

Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) and their corresponding answers based on the research conducted:

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is The Strong National Museum of Play?

  The Strong National Museum of Play is a museum located in Rochester, New York, that is dedicated to the exploration and preservation of play. It houses the world’s largest collection of toys, dolls, games, and other play-related objects and exhibits, including the World Video Game Hall of Fame.

• What is the World Video Game Hall of Fame?

  The World Video Game Hall of Fame is an exhibit within The Strong National Museum of Play that honors video games that have made a significant impact on the industry and culture. It was established in 2015 and selects new inductees each year based on their longevity, icon-status, geographical reach, and influence.

• What is The Last of Us?

  The Last of Us is a post-apocalyptic action-adventure game developed by Naughty Dog and published by Sony Computer Entertainment. It was released in 2013 for PlayStation 3 and later remastered for PlayStation 4. The game follows the story of Joel, a smuggler, and Ellie, a teenage girl, as they travel across a United States ravaged by a fungal pandemic, encountering hostile survivors and infected creatures along the way. It is praised for its engaging storytelling, immersive gameplay, and impressive graphics.

• What is Barbie Fashion Designer?

  Barbie Fashion Designer is a CD-ROM game developed by Mattel Media and published by Mattel Interactive in 1996. It allows players to design their own virtual clothes for a 2D model of the Barbie doll using a variety of fabrics, patterns, and accessories. The game was notable for being one of the first mainstream video games targeted towards girls and was influential in sparking debates about the gendering of video games and the need for more diversity in the industry.

• What is Wii Sports?

  Wii Sports is a sports video game developed and published by Nintendo for the Wii console in 2006. It features five different sports mini-games that use the Wii Remote’s motion controls, including tennis