A simple game with plenty of fun to offer. Today we’ll be diving deep into the fascinating history of Tic Tac Toe to learn more about the game.
Remember those small breaks at school where you’ll challenge your friend to a quick game of X’s and O’s? Well, it’s grown up to become Tic Tac Toe and it’s come very far from those humble beginnings. The game has to be the king when it comes to “simple rules, endless fun” because there literally isn't anything to understand. You just mark on the grid and, try to make that line of three to win. However, the article is a bit more than this. We’re here to discuss the history of Tic Tac Toe and how it’s risen to the top in the digital age as well.
The origins
Time to go a bit back. In fact, way back to when it was played on paper. Some historians believe a version of the game dates back to ancient Egypt around 1300 BC. But, guess what? They didn’t mark their X’s and O’s on the paper. The game was played in a bit different manner back then. Instead of using pen and paper, they carved grids into stone and used rocks or other small objects as their markers. Like we’ve said, they didn’t call it Tic Tac Toe but, the idea and goal was the same and that was to get 3 in a row.
Ancient Rome also had a game similar to Tic-tac-toe. They called it “Terni Lapilli.” It was a little different from what we play today. They also, instead of marking X’s and O’s, used small pieces and moved them around, trying to get three in a row. The point is, the game existed but, with a different name and different playing styles. The journey has been a fun one for Tic Tac Toe to become what it is today, as you can see. Travelled from Egypt, to Rome, and, now to our smart devices.
The name: Tic Tac Toe
The name "Tic-tac-toe" came much later. At first, it didn’t even refer to the game we know today. In the 19th century, "Tic-tac-toe" was the name of a British children’s game. In that game, kids would throw objects at a target. The version we play today was originally called "Noughts and Crosses" in Britain. The "noughts" were the O’s, and the "crosses" were the X’s. This name became common across the UK. It wasn’t until the 20th century that Americans started calling the game Tic-tac-toe. Once that name caught on, it stayed. And soon, the game became popular everywhere.
Tic-tac-toe sure sounds old-fashion, like one of the handful of grandma's games that she often reminisce about, but it actually played a role in early computer development. In 1952, a computer scientist named A.S. Douglas created one of the first-ever graphical computer games, and guess what it was? Tic-tac-toe! The game, called “OXO. Tic-tac-toe became one of the first games that many people played on their home computers if or when they wanted to play free puzzle games.
Global appeal
Tic-tac-toe isn’t just a Western game. It has versions all over the world. In Japan, a game called “Sanmoku Narabe” follows the same idea. You place pieces on a grid, trying to get three in a row. The fact that so many cultures have similar games shows just how universal the appeal is. The rules are easy, but the strategy can get surprisingly deep. Maybe that’s why it has remained popular for so long.
Even though the game seems simple, it’s played by people of all ages. Kids often learn it as one of their first games, and adults enjoy it as a quick way to pass the time, making it one of the best Games for Boomers. It’s also used in education, teaching kids about strategy, planning, and even early math skills. The game’s adaptability has allowed it to stay a part of everyday life.
