|
Countdown to CGE 2007 ~ July 2007 ~ 28 JUL 2007 |
Classic Gaming Expo Distinguished Guest:
JAY SMITH
During classic video gaming's
early years, Jay Smith, then president of Western Technologies and Smith
Engineering, had a vision.
In 1979, he designed Milton Bradley's Microvision, which was the
world's first handheld system to use cartridges. The compact design was
incredibly innovative, featuring game cartridges that contained their own
micro processors and overlays. Though the world wasn't quite ready for the
Microvision, the concept of independent, portable game systems and
exchangeable screen overlays would experience a rebirth of sorts in Mr.
Smith's next innovation.
In 1981, he presented the concept of the "Mini Arcade" - a
self-contained game system featuring vector graphics and its own 5"
monitor. The idea was initially pitched to Kenner but rejected. A few
tweaks to the design - most notably a bigger, 9" monitor - attracted
another company, General Consumer Electronics (GCE). In the summer of
1982, GCE's Vectrex was launched.
Both of these systems still have a great following, and they're both
extraordinarily unique even by today's standards. Meet the man who made it
all happen at Classic Gaming Expo.