In an era before gaming was driven by in-app purchases and advertising, as well as a load of invasive data collection, there were video arcades and stacks of quarters. In player vs. player, the winner stayed, and every arcade had its top gamers, who would draw a crowd of competitors and spectators. There was no Twitch, no YouTube; you were either there or didnât see it, with the occasional videotaping of a game.
The over-the-top Midway game NBA Jam debuted in 1993 and featured 2-on-2 arcade-style basketball, with no fouls, superhuman moves, and Easter eggs, including unlocking a playable Bill Clinton. According to Guinness World Records, the arcade game generated over a billion dollars in its first year, setting a revenue record.
