Overlooked No More: Mabel Addis, Who Pioneered Storytelling in Video Gaming
Overlooked No More: Mabel Addis, Who Pioneered Storytelling in Video Gaming
Overlooked No More: Mabel Addis, Who Pioneered Storytelling in Video Gaming
Anna Diamond
August, 24, 2024
Summary
Mabel Addis, an elementary school teacher from New York, pioneered storytelling in video games with her creation of the Sumerian Game in the 1960s. The game, designed to teach economic theory, allowed students to simulate ruling a Sumerian city-state. It introduced narrative-driven gameplay, becoming an early example of "edutainment" and the first game to feature in-game characters and stories. Addis’s work made her the first known female video game designer. Though the game was short-lived, its influence endured through adaptations. Addis received a posthumous Pioneer Award in 2023 for her contributions to the gaming industry.
Reference
Diamond, A. (2024, August 24). Overlooked No More: Mabel Addis, Who Pioneered Storytelling in Video Gaming. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/24/obituaries/mabel-addis-overlooked.html