CAN YOU PROVE OTHERWISE? In 1983, the National Security Agency (NSA) developed a prototype video game console called the NIC (Networked Interactive Console). It was designed to allow up to 16 players to play against each other on the same screen through a network connection. The console was designed to allow users to connect remotely via modem or telephone line, allowing them to compete with one another in real-time. Despite its potential, the project was abandoned due to high costs and technical limitations at the time.