Ralph Baer, credited as the creator of the first home video game system, is part of the 2010 class of the Inventors Hall of Fame.

Baer created the machine that Magnavox would release as the Odyssey Home Video Game System. Baer also created games including ping-pong and soccer, not to mention the pattern matching game Simon that would go on to become one of the bestselling toys of the ’70s and ’80s.

Performers for the April 1, 2010, Video Games Live PBS concert have been confirmed.

During the recording of the concert at Kenner Pontchartrain center, fans can expect to see special appearances by Ralph Baer, Marty O’Donnel (Halo), Russell Brower (Blizzard), Gerard Marino (God of War), Christopher Tin (Civilization IV), Tommy Tallarico (Earthworm Jim/Advent Rising) and Jack Wall (Myst/Mass Effect) as well as performances by Solo artists Martin Leung on Piano and Laura “Flute Link” Intravia along with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra to name a few.

Wired Magazine has posted a collection of 40 years worth of video game goodness, highlighting consoles through 47 images of hardware, ads and screenshots. Beginning with Baer’s Brown Box through the Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii, it includes body shot of most of the main systems including NES, Neo-Geo, SNES, Famicom, Sega, Intellivision, Colecovision… oh, more »