A strange little side quest
A quick detour while 3D Dino Run waits for your next move: Sonic the Hedgehog launched in 1991 and turned speed itself into a defining platform-game mechanic. The broader history adds one more wrinkle. Early computer role-playing games helped turn rules, inventories, exploration and character progression into systems that could support long-form digital adventures. It is a good reminder that simple game mechanics can carry a surprising amount of history.