The Origins of Hidden Secrets in Video Games
The concept of hidden secrets within video games did not originate where many players assume. For a long time, the Atari title Adventure was credited with introducing the first Easter egg. However, this is not entirely accurate.
In 2017, former Microsoft executive Ed Fries discovered evidence that an earlier game, Starship 1, contained an Easter egg two years before Adventure. Released in July 1977, Starship 1 featured a hidden message programmed by engineer Ron Miller. This message displayed “Hi Ron!” and rewarded players with ten extra lives.
Miller secretly integrated this “backdoor” into the game at Atari. It remained a mystery for over 30 years because the trigger was extremely specific. Players had to insert a coin while holding certain controls and then quickly switch inputs within a tight timing window. This complexity explains why it stayed hidden for so long.
Fries confirmed the existence of this Easter egg when he examined the game’s ROM. He later recreated it using both emulation and original hardware.
Thanks to Fries’ research, Starship 1 is now recognized as the game that featured the first Easter egg, surpassing previously known examples like Adventure and Video Whizball.
From Secret Messages to Gaming Traditions
What began as a simple message in Starship 1 eventually evolved into a defining aspect of game design. By the time Adventure was released, Easter eggs were no longer one-off experiments—they were becoming a standard feature.
As the gaming industry progressed, developers became more inventive. A notable example is the message “There are no Easter eggs up here” placed at the top of the Gant Bridge in GTA: San Andreas. This highlighted how players had long been on the lookout for hidden content.
The predecessor to GTA: San Andreas, GTA: Vice City, took the reference even further. The game includes a hidden room containing a giant chocolate Easter egg.
Modern games have taken Easter eggs mainstream. One of the most famous examples is the phrase “the cake is a lie” from Portal. This hidden message has since been referenced in games such as Borderlands 2 and Dragon Age: Origins.
In Grand Theft Auto V, developers went even further by creating large-scale mysteries like the Mount Chiliad puzzle, which features clues scattered across the map.
What started as Ron Miller’s quiet “Hi Ron!” has grown into a fundamental part of gaming culture.
