The World Video Game Hall of Fame has announced its class of 2024 inductees at a ceremony held at The Strong National Museum of Play. The winners include Asteroids, Myst, Resident Evil, SimCity, and Ultima, all of which have made significant contributions to popular culture and the video game industry.
Asteroids, released in 1979 by Atari, quickly became a bestseller, surpassing the popularity of Space Invaders in arcades and selling over 70,000 units. The home version on the Atari 2600 further solidified its success, reaching millions of households.
Myst, released in 1993 by Broderbund, captivated players with its mysterious puzzles and haunting visuals, becoming the best-selling computer game of the 1990s with over six million copies sold.
Resident Evil, created by Capcom in 1996, popularized the survival horror genre and spawned a billion-dollar media franchise, showcasing mature entertainment for older audiences.
SimCity, released by Maxis in 1989, expanded the audience for video games by offering a city-building simulator that appealed to adults and children alike, influencing the development of city-building and real-time strategy games.
Ultima: The First Age of Darkness, designed by Richard Garriott in 1981, defined the computer role-playing genre and inspired many top game designers with its innovative gameplay.
These games are now enshrined in the World Video Game Hall of Fame at The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York, where they will be on permanent display. The Hall of Fame recognizes games that have enjoyed sustained popularity and exerted influence on the industry and society as a whole.