How Videogames Changed the World – TV Spot Mini Review

It’s not often that a programme about video games gets a prime time slot on national TV, so I thought I’d take the time to enlighten those who missed it.

Hosted by the ever-sarcastic Charlie Brooker (a self-confessed video game junkie), How Videogames Changed the World (Channel 4) is a countdown of the top 25 games that influenced, shocked and pushed the boundaries of technology, shaping the world of today. The journey was peppered with accounts from celebrities like Jonathan Ross and Dara O’Briain to games journalists and video game design pioneers such as Peter Molyneux and Tim Schaefer.

The programme begins (as it should) with the foundation of gaming with titles such as Pong and Space Invaders, moving then through to controversial and parent-worrying games such as Mortal Kombat, Doom and Grand Theft Auto and finally finishing on an existential idea of gaming that influences thousands, if not millions, of people on a daily basis.

Funny, engrossing and somewhat insightful at times, How Videogames Changed the World’s slightly off-kilter viewpoint came as a refreshing alternative to the generic countdowns of the Best X Ever or the Top 10 of X. There was an innate sense of hope as I watched the show move from game to game hoping that the ones that influenced me growing up and indeed ones today, would make the list.

I’m happy to say that I wasn’t disappointed.

 Check out the whole thing here on 4oD and also, on YouTube

The catch up show on 4oD will be available to watch for a month, however this is a UK only service. If you are outside the UK, use the YouTube link.

Were your favourite/most influential games featured? Tell us in the comment section below.

Enjoy, Citizens!