1979 in video gaming

Events

Notable releases

• Richard Garriott creates Akalabeth, a computer role-playing game for the Apple IIe. It launches Garriott's career and is a precursor to his highly successful Ultima series.
• Namco releases Bomb Bee, the sequel to Gee Bee, Galaxian, the first true color arcade game, and Cutie Q, the second sequel to Gee Bee.
• Cinematronics releases the Warrior arcade game.
• SEGA releases the Monaco GP arcade game.
• Atari releases the Lunar Lander and Ed Logg & Lyle Rains' Asteroids arcade games.
• Richard Bartle and Roy Trubshaw create what is commonly recognized as the first playable MUD. (Note: Many say that this happened in 1978, though Bartle has stated 1979.)
• October - subLOGIC releases Flight Simulator for the Apple II. It is later released by Microsoft (1982).

Hardware

• Mattel test markets the Intellivision console in Fresno, California. It is released throughout the United States in 1980.
• Milton Bradley Company releases the Microvision handheld
• Texas Instruments releases the TI-99/4 home computer
• Warner Communications' Atari creates the Cosmos handheld (unreleased)

Business

• New companies:
  • Activision
  • Capcom Inc.
  • Infocom
  • Strategic Simulations, Inc.
  • Edu-Ware Services, Inc.