They Create Worlds

TCW Podcast Episode 128 - Nintendo in 1985   We look at that special time during 1985 when Nintendo did a holiday test market in New York City!  By being in the right place at the right time they were able to, along with market forces, revive the dead home console industry.  They  had quite a challenge with retailers, and a public that were hostile towards games.  Knowing this Nintendo worked to distance itself from the precious era with marketing that did not use the terms video game, or cartridges.  Instead this was an entertainment system.  You used Game Paks.  Not to mention the introduction of R.O.B. everyone's favorite Robotic Operating Buddy!  By the time of Christmas 1985 with a lot of hard work Nintendo was able to set the stage for a nationwide launch the following year.    TCW 104 - A Holistic View of ET: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/a-holistic-view-of-et/ TCW 014 - Nintendo Playing with Power: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/nintendo-playing-with-power/ TCW 110 - Books of Hist

TCW Podcast Episode 127 - Dreams of Sega   We look at the rapid decline of SEGA.  A company mired in infighting between executives.  This led to the disasterous  launch of the Sega Saturn.  Which was launched early as a panic move when faced with the competition from the SONY PlayStation.  SEGA tried again with the Dreamcast, but was hindered by NEC only able to produce a quarter of the promised chips.  Continued infighting and an exodus of middle management led to more problems.  Resulting in the eventual merger, after a second attempt, with Sammy  where SEGA currently resides as SEGA Sammy Holdings!   TCW 005 - The Untold History of SEGA: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-untold-history-of-sega/ TCW033 - The Saga of SEGA: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-saga-of-sega/ TCW068 - Sega VS Nintendo Round 1: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/sega-vs-nintendo-round-1/ TCW069 - Sega VS Nintendo Round 2: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/sega-vs-nintendo-round-2/ TCW070 - Sega VS Nin

TCW Podcast Episode 126 - Activision and Atari   We look at the video games that Activision made for the Atari VCS/2600 when the founders of Activision split from Atari.  Activision focused on graphics and presentation as a key factor in the game creation process.  They were able to push the limits of the Atari VCS to do things that were thought impossible by the base system.  The sunset employed in the game with Stampede is used again in later games and became a kind of hallmark of some Activision games.  With the release of Pitfall 2,  the inclusion of a special chip providing enhanced graphics, and music hints at where the VCS could have gone had the crash not occurred!   TCW 009 - The History of Mediagenic Part 1: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/history-of-mediagenic-part-i/ TCW 010 - The History of Mediagenic Part 2: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/history-of-mediagenic-part-ii/ How CRT Televisions Work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4UgZBs7ZGo Dragster: https://www.youtube.com/watc

TCW Podcast Episode 125 - The Visions of Coleco Part 2   In our second part look at Coleco we dive into the electronics and transition into programable consoles.  We see how they influenced the post crash consoles of Nintendo and Sega.  With the release of Colecovision we saw one of the most advanced consoles of the pre crash era.  The system was able to do faithful recreations of many popular arcade games.  This is most exemplified with the release Donkey Kong.  Coleco tried to transition into computers with the release of ADAM.  However this turned into a disaster for the company and marked the turning point into a rapid decline.  They were able to stay afloat for a little while with the release of Cabbage Patch Kids, however Coleco was unable to recover from the downward spiral.   TCW 025 - Mattel Electronics?: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/mattel-electronics/ Coleco Quarterback Commercial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93u6POODKQY Coleco Head to Head Commercial: https://www.youtube.com/watc

TCW Podcast Episode 124 - The Visions of Coleco Part 1   We look at the Connecticut Leather Company otherwise known as Coleco!  We see how a simple company starting with leather goods transformed into a toy company that spanned multiple generations.  Coleco started exploring electronic toys with games like electric football.  They found themselves uniquely suited to take advantage of the coming Pong on a chip craze.  With their early entry allowing them to outpace the competition when the chip shortage struck.  However due to complications Coleco decided to pull out of video games after the Pong fad started to fade.   Howdy Doody: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=674LDaMpDnU Eagle Toys Hockey: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUlDXHXNCYs Coleco Electric Football: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8y0_XVnCII Electric Football Mini Documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMyaWCroBg8 TCW 051 - Sons of Pong: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/sons-of-pong/ Coleco Telstar Commercial: https://www.youtu

TCW Podcast Episode 123 - A Casual World Part 2   In our continued exploration of casual games we see the rise of match three in popularizing the genre.  Exemplified by games such as Klax, Columns, Bejewed, and Candy Crush.  The continued development and migration to the web further fueled the popularization of casual games.  Reaching the apex today with the help of casual games on Facebook.  That apex exemplified with the company PopCap Games.  Enjoy the casual world of games!   The Tetris God: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Alw5hs0chj0 Klax: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amH4q0TV384 Lucy and the Chocolate Factory: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkQ58I53mjk Columns: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCZ_2d_oF8Y Acccustic coupler: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bSMJQbUpL0 TCW 039 - On-Line Systems: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/on-line-systems/ TCW 040 - Sierra On-Line: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/sierra-on-line/ Space Jam Website: https://www.spacejam.com/ Castle Crashers: h

TCW Podcast Episode 122 - A Casual World Part 1   We look at the changes in the industry, mindset, and accessibility of games that lead to the formation of casual games.  The early groundwork is set with casual games like Shanghai, Rubix, Reversi, Solitaire, and Tetris.  The development happened organically, almost by accident.  The tales of some of the pioneers that opened the door to what is arguably the biggest segment of the modern gaming industry is a tale not well told.  We start that tale in this episode!   Shanghai: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujw9y_m41WM History of Mediagenic Part 1: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/history-of-mediagenic-part-i/ History of Mediagenic Part 2: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/history-of-mediagenic-part-ii/ Rubix the Amazin Cube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6A6Ey_FHJkk Reversi Windows 1.0: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcIDOdZu5GA- The Complete Tetris Story: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-complete-tetris-story/   New episodes on

TCW Podcast Episode 121 - The Whole Video Game Industry Part 4   In this, our conclusion of the whole video game industry, we start with a look at Xerox Park, and the technologies that came from their endeavors. We see the true formation, merging, and maturation of videogames as an entertainment fixture!  This of course is not without the challenges that stand before any new industry, including infighting, a congressional hearing, and espionage!  Enjoy our conclusion and look at the whole video game industry!   Livestream Recording Part 4:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApvgGf4xpjM   TCW 083 - An Unlikely Pairing of Siliwood: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/?s=An+Unlikely+Pairing+of+Siliwood TCW 087 - Virtual History: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/virtual-history/ Space Rogue: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vetUbjRB_0k TCW 030 - DOOM!: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/?s=doom Congress Violence in Videogames: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhwM3ZMTCR0 TCW 003 - What Makes an Indus

TCW Podcast Episode 120 - The Whole Video Game Industry Part 3   This is our third part looking at the entire video game industry.  We start with looking at the European PC industry, and then transitioning into the Arcade industry.  We look at the arcades from both the United States, and Japanese standpoints.   We then see the creation of the Famicom, and its debut in the west as the Nintendo Entertainment System.  Next episode we will conclude our epic look at the whole industry!   Live Recording Part 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdAC0_F4I6Y   TCW 017 - The British 8-Bit Computer Market: Hardware: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-british-8-bit-computer-market-hardware/ TCW 028 - Picking up the Pieces: The US Arcade Industry After the Crash: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/picking-up-the-pieces-the-us-arcade-industry-after-the-crash/ TCW 057 - Foundation of the Japanese Video Arcade Game Industry : http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/foundation-of-the-japanese-video-arcade-game

TCW Podcast Episode 119 -The Whole Video Game Industry Part 2   We continue our look at the entire video game industry!  In the second part we start looking at the industry leading up to the crash!  We continue the story where part 1 left off.  We see the evolution of the industry along the three lines of arcade, home console, and PC.  We see the pervasive influence of Dungeons and Dragons on the industry.  Particularly the PC scene.  A lot of crazy, and a lot of fun!  Check out the companion video is you want to know how the original recording was!   Archive Live Stream Recording  on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQ5gDXPUV8g   TCW 078 - Invading Taito Part 2: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/invading-taito-part-2/ TCW 057 -Foundation of the Japanese Video Arcade Game Industry : http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/foundation-of-the-japanese-video-arcade-game-industry/ TCW 008 -  Birth of the Japanese Game Center: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/birth-of-the-japanese-game-center

TCW Podcast Episode 118 - The Whole Video Game Industry Part 1   This is part one of our four part series looking at the entire video game industry at a very macro level.  We look at the start of computers all the way through to the early video arcades and beyond!  We see the evolution of games on PC, the arcade, and the initial forays into the home.  We even see a hybrid of sorts with games like Seawolf combining electro-mechanical and video elements.  We did a live recording of four episodes, including this one, on June 28th, 2020.  Archival video of that is available on our YouTube channel!   YouTube Livestream Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwLh3ptIkhM Ahoy "The First Video Game": https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=uHQ4WCU1WQc Ethan's Response: https://thehistoryofhowweplay.wordpress.com/2019/10/16/a-response-to-ahoys-the-first-video-game/ TCW 089 - The Dawn of Computers and Gaming: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-dawn-of-computers-and-gaming/ TCW 081 - The Meeti

TCW Podcast Episode 117 - Wing Commander   We look at one of the great space flight simulators of the 90's!  Wing Commander is largely attributed to Chris Roberts. However we find out in this episode the many other people who were instrumental in not just the story, but gameplay of Wing Commander.  We can see the true potential of the Siliwood era with the live action cut scenes used in both Wing Commander III and IV.    We of course look at the inspirations for Wing Commander, and take a look at the history of the people involved!  Grab your flight suit, and strap yourself in commander!   TCW 017 - The British 8-Bit Computer Market: Hardware: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-british-8-bit-computer-market-hardware/ TCW 018 - The British 8-Bit Computer Market: Software: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-british-8-bit-computer-market-software/ Wizadore: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Frec-Bh6XfE Stryker's Run: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78Q6qrzYw5I TCW 038 - Origin Story: http://p

TCW Podcast Episode 116 - The Atari Games You Are Looking For   In this episode we continue our tradition of looking at Atari!  This time a deep look at Atari Games.  We look at the company starting with it's acquisition by Namco.  We look at its progression through the 80's and 90's with many notable games.  Unfortunately during the Siliwood era Atari was reacquired by Time Warner.  After limited success the remnants of the company were sold off to Williams' where the name of Atari was given up in a legal dispute with Hasbro.    TCW 029 - 50 Years of Namco: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/50-years-of-namco/ TCW 032 - The History of the Atari Brand: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-history-of-the-atari-brand/ TCW 029 - Picking up the Pieces: The US Arcade Industry After the Crash http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/picking-up-the-pieces-the-us-arcade-industry-after-the-crash/ Marble Madness - Atari 1984: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jazxSQz0yL4 Star Wars Arcade Atari: https://www.y

TCW Podcast Episode 115 - The Return of the Sdraziw of Sir-Tech   Our second part look at Sir-Tech Software!  The company continues to struggle with the release of wizardry V, but makes the transition away from the Apple II with the release of Wizardry VI.  The Wizardry franchise is a major hit in the Japanese PC space.  This leads to Wizardry anime, manga, and Japanese only games.  Sir-Tech still continued to struggle to maintain a presence as the US PC industry continued to consolidate.  Despite some success bringing foreign software to the states, Sir-Tech closed operations in the 2000s.     TCW 071 - A Story of Brøderbund!: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/a-story-of%c2%a0br%c3%b8derbund/ TCW 074 - The Japanese PC Industry: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-japanese-pc-industry/ Wizardry OAV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGYMeuiFyv8 Wizardry V: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJVrsR1kKT4 Wizardry VI: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxdBGJsMD4g The Bard's Tale C64: https://www.yout

TCW Podcast Episode 114 - The Wizards of Sir-Tech   We look at the company Sir-Tech.  Known as "the Wizardry company", and founded by Norman Sirotek and Robert Woodhead.  The company was originally founded to market Info Tree, a database program.  The shift was made into video games starting with the release of Galactic Attack.  With the heavy influences of the games on the PLATO system.  Andrew Greenberg and Woodhead would meet, and would start collaboration on what would eventually be Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord.  One of the best produced games at the time, it was a major hit on the Apple II platform.  Sustainability for the franchise was hamstrung with lack of innovation, and the requirement of the first game to play Wizardry II and III.  This culminated with the major disaster that was the release of Wizardry IV.     TCW 084 - Time Shared: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/time-shared/ CARDIAC - Computer Teaching Tool: https://www.cs.drexel.edu/~bls96/museum/cardiac.html Free P

TCW Podcast Episode 113 - Primordial Computer Game Industry   A big episode looking at two major companies that bridged the gap between the mainframe time sharing age, and the trinity of home computers.  We also look at the lead up to those companies with type in listings in books, and magazines.  We look at the evolution of early PCs, and the eventual development of video display cards designed to hook up computers to television sets.  An almost forgotten era of PC development, pioneering magazines, and games that would have influence on the home PC market yet to come.     Guest Appearances The 42 Cast: http://42cast.com/index.php/2020/03/23/the-42cast-episode-70-they-create-worlds/ Pixelated Audio: https://pixelatedaudio.com/earlygames-tcw/   A Critical Hit! - Kate Willaert: https://www.acriticalhit.com/best-box-art-part-2-computer-games-on-printed-paper/ Popular Electronics Jan 1975 ALTAIR 8800: https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Poptronics/70s/1975/Poptronics-1975-01.pdf TCW 016 - Ear

TCW Podcast Episode 112 - And Landing on it!   We continue our dive into platforming games.  We look at the three main "schools" of thought brought about in the 2-D era.  We start with the fast platforming pioneered by Sonic with Crash Bandicoot.  The cinematic platformer of Prince of Persia is continued with Tomb Raider.  Nintendo, makes its shift into 3-D with Starfox, and the development of the N64.  This culminates with the release of Super Mario 64.  These early transitions continue to evolve into the modern action platformers of Uncharted, and Super Mario Sunshine.   How Crash Bandicoot Hacked The Original Playstation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izxXGuVL21o Crash Bandicoot: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xK-h4M4Aetg TCW 082 - An Unlikely Pairing of Siliwood: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/an-unlikely-pairing-of-siliwood/ Crash Bandicoot Commercial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTi5EaocGaY Sega Saturn Tomb Raider: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfTnITt-vkU TCW 036 - Raiding Eido

TCW Podcast Episode 111 - Jumping to It!   We leap around to the myriad of games that were influential in the development of  platformer genre.  Starting with an evolution from Space Invaders into Heiankyo Alien; the concept was thrown onto its side with Space Panic.  Further refinement brought in jumping with Donkey Kong.  Platformers were not as suited for the arcade scene, and ended up truly finding a place in the home on consoles and computers.   Load Runner: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWwyhymcDxI Space Invaders: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opru6qPsPa4 TCW 074 - The Japanese PC Industry : http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-japanese-pc-industry/ Heiankyo Alien Arcade: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSxYdeqJAkY Heiankyo Alien Game Boy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vY3qVBkIu74 Space Panic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLd1xABCsaQ Donkey Kong: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U24OcmpZ6fA Gaming Historian YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/mcfrosticles Raiders of the lost

TCW Podcast Episode 110 - Books of History   We look at the many books dealing with video game history.  Starting off with books that were primarily strategy guides, and had tidbits of historical interest woven in.  As time progressed journalists, and industry insiders started to write books that included more history and even interviews with the people involved.  As time moved on more comprehensive books, written by journalists, tried to capture the entire history in a complete narrative.  However because of the near complete reliance on oral accounts, limited ability to fact check, and time of the authors these early works are plagued with inaccuracies.  Though they still have value with a snapshot of the history as viewed at the time.   Before Mario: http://blog.beforemario.com/ Screen Play: https://archive.org/details/ScreenPlaytheStoryofVideoGames Video Invaders: https://archive.org/details/book_video_invaders/mode/2up The Winner's Book of Video Games: https://archive.org/details/Winners_Book_of_V

TCW Podcast Episode 109 - Adventuring with LucasArts Part 2   This our second half looking at LucasArts adventure games.  We look at a company that for a time could do no wrong!  Innovative storytelling, and gameplay with Monkey Island 2, Day of the Tentacle, and Sam & Max hit the Road being prime examples.  However due to retail outlets, competition, and the continuing technological advancement of the computer industry; LucasArts was unsuccessful in transitioning into the 3-D space.  The commercial flop of Grim Fandango, and Escape from Monkey island was the last attempts at adventure games using 3-D.    Tim Schafer Resume: https://www.kotaku.com.au/2009/09/how-tim-schafer-got-his-job-at-lucasarts/ PC  Monkey Island 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AerjOGn6jGo PC Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZZXJ3zCRDQ Dragonslayer Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHJ-gZUqD2o Batteries Not Included Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJmvsb13dA8 The Dig: