Who was the first video game boss? (And why do we call them that?)

Summary

This video explores the origin of the term 'boss' in video games, tracing its evolution from early games like 'The Game of Dungeons' (1974) to modern gaming. It covers the historical background of the word 'boss,' its ties to organized crime, and how it became a standard term for powerful enemies at the end of levels. The video also delves into the influence of Japanese gaming culture and how the term spread through gaming magazines and manuals. Through this journey, viewers learn how the term 'boss' became synonymous with major antagonists in video games.

Takeaways

• 😀 The term 'boss' in video games refers to powerful, often unavoidable enemies that appear at the end of levels, requiring the player to defeat them to progress.
• 😀 The first video game boss appeared in 1974 in 'The Game of Dungeons,' where a golden dragon guarded the orb the player needed to retrieve.
• 😀 Early video game bosses were found in space shooters like 'Destroyer' and 'Phoenix' in the 1980s, where bosses appeared but typically had no unique identities or challenges.
• 😀 In the mid-80s, games like 'Kung Fu Master' began to feature bosses with unique traits and fighting styles, solidifying the boss as a distinct challenge in gameplay.
• 😀 The term 'boss' in video games likely originates from organized crime, particularly the idea of a 'mob boss' who leads a group of villains, reflecting the hierarchy seen in games.
• 😀 The word 'boss' comes from the Dutch word 'baas,' meaning master or authority figure, and was introduced into English in the 17th century.
• 😀 The term 'boss' became more common in gaming through the 1980s, with publications like 'Nintendo Power' and games like 'Donkey Kong' contributing to its spread.
• 😀 The influence of Japanese language and culture played a key role in the spread of the word 'boss' in gaming, with terms like 'Bosu' appearing in Japanese manuals as early as the 1980s.
• 😀 Early examples of the word 'boss' in games include 'Galaga' (1981) and 'Metal Gear' (1987), where enemies were referred to as 'bosses' in both Japanese and English translations.
• 😀 Game manuals and strategy guides from the 1980s and 90s helped popularize the term 'boss' as they became widely available to players, offering consistent use of the term across various games.
• 😀 While the term 'boss' evolved organically over time, it became a standard gaming term by the mid-90s, supported by increased media coverage and the influence of Japanese game terminology.

Q & A

What is the origin of the first video game boss?

The first video game boss appeared in 1974 in the game 'The Game of Dungeons' created by Gary Weisenhut and Ray Wood. The boss was a golden dragon guarding a magical orb in a dungeon.

How did the concept of bosses evolve in early video games?

Initially, video games didn't have clear endings, and the goal was to survive and score high. However, games like 'The Game of Dungeons' introduced the idea of a final challenge, leading to the inclusion of bosses. Later, space shooters in the 1980s incorporated boss-like enemies.

What makes a game boss different from regular enemies?

A game boss is typically much more powerful than regular enemies, with greater health, stronger attacks, and often unique abilities. Bosses are unavoidable and must be defeated to progress in the game.

How did the use of the word 'boss' in gaming terminology emerge?

The term 'boss' likely originated from organized crime, where a 'mob boss' or 'crime boss' was the head of a criminal organization. It eventually translated to gaming as a powerful antagonist that the player must defeat, with the term becoming widely used in the 1980s.

Why is it difficult to pinpoint the exact origin of the term 'boss' in gaming?

The evolution of language and gaming terminology is gradual, and there is no single moment when the term 'boss' was officially adopted. Different game manuals, magazines, and publications used various terms, making it hard to trace the exact moment the word became standard.

What role did Japanese influence play in the spread of the term 'boss' in gaming?

The term 'boss' was adopted into Japanese gaming culture from the English word 'boss,' which itself came from Dutch settlers. Japanese game manuals began using the term 'boss' in the 1980s, and this usage was then translated into English gaming lingo.

What was the significance of the 1981 game 'Galaga' in the history of gaming bosses?

In 'Galaga' (1981), one of the enemies was referred to as the 'boss Galaga' in Japanese. This marked an early example of a game using the term 'boss' to describe a stronger enemy, which would later influence how bosses were portrayed in other games.

When did 'boss' become more common in gaming publications?

The term 'boss' began to appear more frequently in gaming publications around the late 1980s, particularly in magazines like 'Nintendo Power.' However, the use of the term was inconsistent, often depending on how the game itself referred to these enemies.

Why did 'Nintendo Power' refer to some game characters as 'bosses' while others were called different names?

Nintendo Power often deferred to the terminology used by the game designers. If the game referred to an enemy as a 'boss,' the magazine used the same term. However, in some cases, like 'Bayou Billy' (1988), the magazine chose alternative terms like 'Godfather' or 'Boss' based on context or concerns about violence.

How did the use of terms like 'mini boss' and 'final boss' develop in the 1980s?

The terms 'mini boss' and 'final boss' started to gain popularity in the mid-1980s as games began featuring multiple levels with different types of boss characters. These terms became standardized as the idea of bosses evolved and spread across various genres.