Mabel Addis was born on this day, marking the beginning of a life that would eventually intersect with the nascent field of computer gaming. Her early life and education laid the foundation for her future role as a teacher and, unexpectedly, as a game writer.

Mabel Addis dedicated a significant portion of her career to teaching, specifically in the North Castle school district in Armonk, New York. This role honed her communication skills and understanding of how to engage and educate an audience, qualities that would prove valuable when crafting the narrative for 'The Sumerian Game'.

This period marks the genesis of Mabel Addis's groundbreaking contribution. She collaborated with programmer William McKay to create 'The Sumerian Game' (later renamed 'Hamurabi'), an economics simulation designed to teach students about resource management and decision-making in ancient Sumer. Addis wrote the scenarios, providing the narrative context and feedback that made the game engaging and educational. This established her as the first known video game writer.

'The Sumerian Game' was released for use on mainframe computers, primarily within educational settings. While simple by today's standards, the game's combination of economic simulation and narrative elements was revolutionary. Mabel Addis's writing provided crucial context, immersing players in the role of a ruler managing resources to ensure the prosperity and survival of their city-state.

After her work on 'The Sumerian Game', Mabel Addis continued her teaching career and remained active in writing and educational projects. While she didn't pursue further video game development, her pioneering work left an indelible mark on the industry, inspiring future generations of game writers and designers.

Mabel Addis Mergardt passed away on this date. Although her contribution to video game history was not widely recognized during her lifetime, she is now increasingly acknowledged as a foundational figure in the field. Her work on 'The Sumerian Game' paved the way for the integration of narrative into interactive entertainment, leaving a legacy that continues to shape the industry today.