The “save point” mechanic in video games, a beloved feature that allows players to pause and resume their progress, has a surprisingly mundane origin. Believe it or not, it was inspired by the need to take bathroom breaks.
Early video games, especially those on consoles with limited storage, often required players to finish lengthy sessions in one go. Difficulty increased significantly if a player had to abruptly stop.
Shigesato Itoi, a Japanese game designer, came up with the idea of creating designated “save points” within games, inspired by real-life restroom breaks. These points would allow players to temporarily save their progress, providing relief from pressure and enabling smoother gameplay.
i-Toy’s idea proved incredibly popular and quickly became a staple in video games ever since The simple act of pausing for a bathroom break revolutionized the gaming experience, allowing players to enjoy longer adventures without fear of losing too much
Prompt:
What game mechanic, common today, started as a quirky experimental feature with a surprising real-world inspiration?