They Create Worlds

TCW Podcast Episode 084 - Time Shared

 

We lay the groundwork of computer development that led to some of the earliest influential games that would shape the industry.  We cover how computers were one-program-at-a-time systems, and it was only through experimentation that were computers developed that could handle multiple inputs at once.  We see how Sputnik scared the USA into spending a lot more in the sciences in order to keep up with Russian space development, which benefited computer-based education initiatives.  We finish up looking at the proliferation of computers with remote terminals in universities, high schools, and some grade schools.   That combined with the high level programing language BASIC set the stage for development, and spread of games!

 

Castlevania 2 Runner Pays 400/month for Internet: https://youtu.be/C_3Tdjs0iVA?t=1991

The SAGE Systen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06drBN8nlWg

IRQ, DMA, and Address Ports: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPKXmGkRxQ8

How Computers Work Overview playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAx_6-wdslM&list=PLzdnOPI1iJNcsRwJhvksEo1tJqjIqWbN-

Crash Course Computer Science playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpIctyqH29Q&list=PL8dPuuaLjXtNlUrzyH5r6jN9ulIgZBpdo

The Story of Sputnik: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhJnt3xW2Fc

"The Fun They Had" by Isaac Asimov: https://archive.org/stream/Fantasy_Science_Fiction_v006n02_1954-02/Fantasy__Science_Fiction_v006n02_1954-02#page/n125/mode/2up

1963 MIT Timesharing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q07PhW5sCEk

Machine Code and High Level Languages: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OukpDfsuXE

Birth of BASIC: https://youtu.be/WYPNjSoDrqw

Hello Computer reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkqiDu1BQXY

 

New episodes on the 1st and 15th of every month!

 

TCW Email: feedback@theycreateworlds.com 

Twitter: @tcwpodcast

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theycreateworlds

Alex's Video Game History Blog: http://videogamehistorian.wordpress.com

Alex's forthcoming book will be released through CRC Press!

 

Intro Music: Josh Woodward - Airplane Mode -  Music - "Airplane Mode" by Josh Woodward. Free download:http://joshwoodward.com/song/AirplaneMode 

Outro Music: RolemMusic - Bacterial Love - http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Rolemusic/Pop_Singles_Compilation_2014/01_rolemusic_-_bacterial_love 

Copyright: Attribution: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

TCW Podcast Episode 083 - The Silliwood Era now in FMV!

 

Now that we have set the stage, it's time for glorious FMV!  We examine the critical games released in 1993 that began the interactive movie craze and attracted serious attention from the media companies just beginning to establish "interactive divisions."  We analyze how both media companies and existing video game companies approached using FMV in their products and conclude by discussing how the sudden entrance and exit of the media companies transformed the industry going forward.

 

Micky Mousecapade NES: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8AuYYIG-SU

Sewer Shark Sega CD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTdLjUn6y-0&t=1248s

Night Trap Sega CD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ia29PSVOXL4

Congressional Hearing on violence in Video Games: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nD-Afpg4P2U

FM Towns Demo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Th4c7fTMETI

FM Towns 100 Games: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcM7QaxkL60

Psygnosis Planetside Demo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jlFe-VBK1M

Rebel Assault: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FX3B8yC38U

CGA Graphics - Not as bad as you thought!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niKblgZupOc

The Fool's Errand: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCY_OrFddEc

History of Greenscreen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8aoUXjSfsI

Hunt for Red October end scene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCqR0_a6_so

The 7th Guest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45Z-Q5KVTyI

TCW 072 The MYSTeries of Brøderbund!: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-mysteries-of-br%C3%B8derbund/

MYST PC:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iM64lBQqWY

Lion King Activity Center: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZF8ReMcloc

Spyro the Dragon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrVKjNR0-SE

Crash Bandicoot: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xK-h4M4Aetg

Independence Day PSX: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tD0movLhZo0

Goldeneye N64: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6l6_WKxRck

Wing Commander 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhPlK6yOT3g

Wing Commander 4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcbHuJxqgk0

Red Alert Soviet Story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fx3fK5kve-M

Phantasmagloria: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAXC-MwfpHA

Star Wars Dark Forces II Cut Scenes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmD-HlPAVTw

Hell: A Cyberpunk Thriller: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qM6Qu2kIXVU

 

New episodes on the 1st and 15th of every month!

 

TCW Email: feedback@theycreateworlds.com 

Twitter: @tcwpodcast

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theycreateworlds

Alex's Video Game History Blog: http://videogamehistorian.wordpress.com

Alex's forthcoming book will be released through CRC Press!

 

Intro Music: Josh Woodward - Airplane Mode -  Music - "Airplane Mode" by Josh Woodward. Free download:http://joshwoodward.com/song/AirplaneMode 

Outro Music: RolemMusic - Bacterial Love - http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Rolemusic/Pop_Singles_Compilation_2014/01_rolemusic_-_bacterial_love 

Copyright: Attribution: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

TCW Podcast Episode 082 - An Unlikely Pairing of Siliwood

 

We take a look at the circumstances and leadup to what become known as the Siliwood Era.  We discuss how changing technology and an increased focus by certain video game companies on emulating blockbuster movies attracted the attention of the major media companies and set the stage for an unlikely alliance of Hollywood and Silicon Valley.  This pairing led to the interactive movie fad and also led to changes in retail that would alter the course of the video game industry forever.

 

TCW 042 Laser Craze: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/laser-craze/

Night Trap 25th Anniversary PC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBaW40NUCTU

Sewer Shark: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTdLjUn6y-0

Atmosfear: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRMphkKF3M0

Defender of the Crown: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvW6okgy4wA

Errol Flynn Robin Hood: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpqR6Ca-LL8

Defender of the Crown Opening: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwTJn-rVYuE

It came from the Desert: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8LaMMSEs5Q

THEM Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4URRp39XOo

 

New episodes on the 1st and 15th of every month!

 

TCW Email: feedback@theycreateworlds.com 

Twitter: @tcwpodcast

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theycreateworlds

Alex's Video Game History Blog: http://videogamehistorian.wordpress.com

Alex's forthcoming book will be released through CRC Press!

 

Intro Music: Josh Woodward - Airplane Mode -  Music - "Airplane Mode" by Josh Woodward. Free download:http://joshwoodward.com/song/AirplaneMode 

Outro Music: RolemMusic - Bacterial Love - http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Rolemusic/Pop_Singles_Compilation_2014/01_rolemusic_-_bacterial_love 

Copyright: Attribution: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

TCW Podcast Episode 081 - The Meeting of Spacewar

 

We go over the history of Spacewar, and the event at the Smithsonian.  We take a close look at the people involved in bringing Spacewar into existence.   We also look at some of the systems that were the predecessors to the PDP-1 that was used for Spacewar.  We also discuss why games were used to demonstrate the capabilities of computers.  In short an interesting look at one of the first video games.

 

TX-0 Mouse: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0QTTYJv0Yw

PDP-1 Explained and Space War Demo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EWQYAfuMYw

Install a FREE version of Spacewar Via Steam:  Start -> Run -> steam://run/480

Video explaining Free Spacewar on Steam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQ1KcmBUN-Q

Kotaku Article: https://kotaku.com/spacewar-creators-didnt-know-they-were-making-history-1830887504

Variety Article: https://variety.com/2018/gaming/features/spacewars-history-talk-smithsonian-1203067907/

 

 

New episodes on the 1st and 15th of every month!

 

TCW Email: feedback@theycreateworlds.com 

Twitter: @tcwpodcast

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theycreateworlds

Alex's Video Game History Blog: http://videogamehistorian.wordpress.com

Alex's forthcoming book will be released through CRC Press!

 

Intro Music: Josh Woodward - Airplane Mode -  Music - "Airplane Mode" by Josh Woodward. Free download:http://joshwoodward.com/song/AirplaneMode 

Outro Music: RolemMusic - Bacterial Love - http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Rolemusic/Pop_Singles_Compilation_2014/01_rolemusic_-_bacterial_love 

Copyright: Attribution: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

TCW Podcast Episode 080 - Vector Lights

 

We look at the arcade industry and the circumstances that led to the use of vector monitors in arcade games.  While not as well remembered today, and with fewer systems still around, vector played an important role in the development of video games.  Vector provided the detail and capabilities that were not yet available in traditional raster-based systems.  However in due time Raster met, and then exceeded, the capabilities of vector systems, and with the lower cost of maintenance for raster vector has faded into history.

 

Slow Motion TV Drawing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BJU2drrtCM&t

CGA Graphics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niKblgZupOc

Larry Rosenthal from 2014 at California Extreme: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apg3W7yXULY

Space Wars: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOtqX8r2rcE&t

Warrior: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUp0lzFiscs

Omega Race: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80L9fnSvbTk

Atari Lunar Lander: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPtoFQDc2MU

Atari Asteroids: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUveu3Dm_Fo

Atari Red Barron: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oa7_mdJLUw

Atari Battle Zone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdfKy4c7yuc

Cinematronics Tailgunner: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbm5sw2eHQs&t

Gremlin Space Fury: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Igp8-oNKejI

Atari Tempest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMto2HJJSSA&t

Atari Star Wars: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgDdexv--ZA

Jed Margolin The Secret Life of Vector Generators: https://www.jmargolin.com/vgens/vgens.htm

Major Havoc: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3o_vG2m7X0

 

New episodes on the 1st and 15th of every month!

 

TCW Email: feedback@theycreateworlds.com 

Twitter: @tcwpodcast

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theycreateworlds

Alex's Video Game History Blog: http://videogamehistorian.wordpress.com

Alex's forthcoming book will be released through CRC Press!

 

Intro Music: Josh Woodward - Airplane Mode -  Music - "Airplane Mode" by Josh Woodward. Free download:http://joshwoodward.com/song/AirplaneMode 

Outro Music: RolemMusic - Bacterial Love - http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Rolemusic/Pop_Singles_Compilation_2014/01_rolemusic_-_bacterial_love 

Copyright: Attribution: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

TCW Podcast Episode 079 - The Six Children of EA

 

We take a closer look at the six launch titles from EA.  We cover each in more detail going into the background of the creators, as well as the development of each game.  We take a look at how the games were received both commercially, and historically.  Today Archon, Pinball Construction Set, and M.U.L.E. are the games that are best remembered from the initial six titles.  Worms, Axis Assassin, and Hard Hat Mack are not well remembered today.

 

TCW 006 - The Early History of Electronic Arts: https://goo.gl/kR9ppF

Archon C64: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdfIfC9BHwQ

Hard Hat Mack: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmQJNy2FBm0

Raster Blaster Apple II: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiUIlGoJdW0

Pinball Construction Set Building a table: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ow0X7IrzzO8

Pinball Construction Set Complete Overview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R46Cj21c_Bc

Axis Assassin Apple II: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BwNMTRqG3I

Axis Assassin C64: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYfN8Ckf1So

Tempest Arcade: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOZomej48c0

Play WORMS?: https://archive.org/details/a8b_Worms_1983_Electronic_Arts_US_a_k_file

Worms? Gameplay Atari 800: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4JASQ7EsFY

M.U.L.E. C64: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cs3G6dxx2FQ

 

New episodes on the 1st and 15th of every month!

 

TCW Email: feedback@theycreateworlds.com 

Twitter: @tcwpodcast

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theycreateworlds

Alex's Video Game History Blog: http://videogamehistorian.wordpress.com

Alex's forthcoming book will be released through CRC Press!

 

Intro Music: Josh Woodward - Airplane Mode -  Music - "Airplane Mode" by Josh Woodward. Free download:http://joshwoodward.com/song/AirplaneMode 

Outro Music: RolemMusic - Bacterial Love - http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Rolemusic/Pop_Singles_Compilation_2014/01_rolemusic_-_bacterial_love 

Copyright: Attribution: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

TCW Podcast Episode 078 - Invading Taito Part 2

 

We go into part two of Taito.  We start off looking at Space Invaders which is arguably the highest point of success and fame for the company.  The company continued on with many notable hits in the following years.  They continued to survive despite not having a succession plan with the death of Michael Kogan.  The company was hurt by their delay in transitioning to 3d, and a lack of direction in regards to the home market.  Taito still lives today as a wholly owned subsidiary of Square-Enix.

 

Space Invaders arcade cabinet tour: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=waY3svOHGGI

Seinfeld Arcade Frogger: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dj3kXXIw02s

Blue Shark: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEzhHccmK0w

Space Invaders Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7waFiZV0vf4

Galaxian: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2NFboPZVdc

Qix: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNJSk6XilCk

Jungle King: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFKzPGRj9_g

Jungle Hunt: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJbt_CUXrA4&t=779s

Bubble Bobble: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuXOSBb4hQw

Arkanoid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTLyYclUL4E

Breakout: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hW7Sg5pXAok&t=

Taito Double Dragon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uy0LRZvyyW8

Lufia and the Fortress of Doom Intro: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FK4cMp34RcI

Modern day Densha De Go: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuEeUlJe9JE

Densha De Go PlayStation + Controller: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuxf5QhdWIo

 

New episodes on the 1st and 15th of every month!

 

TCW Email: feedback@theycreateworlds.com 

Twitter: @tcwpodcast

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theycreateworlds

Alex's Video Game History Blog: http://videogamehistorian.wordpress.com

Alex's forthcoming book will be released through CRC Press!

 

Intro Music: Josh Woodward - Airplane Mode -  Music - "Airplane Mode" by Josh Woodward. Free download:http://joshwoodward.com/song/AirplaneMode 

Outro Music: RolemMusic - Bacterial Love - http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Rolemusic/Pop_Singles_Compilation_2014/01_rolemusic_-_bacterial_love 

Copyright: Attribution: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

TCW Podcast Episode 077 - Invading Taito Part 1

We look back at the history of the company Taito.  Started by a Russian who through unique circumstances in World War II managed to grow up, and become educated in Japanese society.  The name Taito means "Far East", and the company went through three iterations before it became the icon we know it today.  We wrap up part one just before the release of the iconic Space Invaders in 1978.

Pachi-Slot in Japan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5LIgutUeig

Sky Fighter 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxpCrYBWdtk

Taito Basketball (Pickup and Machine Tour): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCo-9hYLBjQ

TV Basketball Midway: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMV_meVa7m8

Speed Race: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJC59DxL4K0

Sega Gun Fight Machine Tour: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8GorudW3Dk

Sega Gun Fight Gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97lkaMb_I-0

Gun Fight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhMAAJ2SgoU&t=44s

TT Block: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTpha-l6ve4

 

 

New episodes on the 1st and 15th of every month!

 

TCW Email: feedback@theycreateworlds.com 

Twitter: @tcwpodcast

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theycreateworlds

Alex's Video Game History Blog: http://videogamehistorian.wordpress.com

Alex's forthcoming book will be released through CRC Press!

 

Intro Music: Josh Woodward - Airplane Mode -  Music - "Airplane Mode" by Josh Woodward. Free download:http://joshwoodward.com/song/AirplaneMode 

Outro Music: RolemMusic - Bacterial Love - http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Rolemusic/Pop_Singles_Compilation_2014/01_rolemusic_-_bacterial_love 

Copyright: Attribution: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

TCW Podcast Episode 076 - A Fairchild Story

We cover the history of the Fairchild company and their console the Fairchild Channel F.  It is a fascinating journey of how a company was thrust into a role where they could get in on the ground floor of the new video game industry.  Although through bad experiences in other industries, an epic struggle to ger FCC approval, and observations on the turmoil of the video game industry, Fairchild was defeated.  Fairchild's exit from the scene was not so much the initial hurdles they faced, but their lack of will to produce, and market in quantities that would let them gain the market share they needed.

 

How Integrated Circuits are made: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35jWSQXku74

Fairchild on Integrated Circuits: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z47Gv2cdFtA

Fairchild Channel F Hockey: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a45lmvaA3KI

Fairchild Channel F Blackjack: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tf5RoJVGh3k

Fairchild Channel F Spitfire: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95guwJJGx8I

Fairchild Channel F Controller Demonstration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egfNz3XtL90
Overview of the Fairchild Channel F: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIRhnu7sfCY

How ROM Cartridges Worked: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLEMsw1SjDY&t

 

New episodes on the 1st and 15th of every month!

 

TCW Email: feedback@theycreateworlds.com 

Twitter: @tcwpodcast

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theycreateworlds

Alex's Video Game History Blog: http://videogamehistorian.wordpress.com

Alex's forthcoming book will be released through CRC Press!

 

Intro Music: Josh Woodward - Airplane Mode -  Music - "Airplane Mode" by Josh Woodward. Free download:http://joshwoodward.com/song/AirplaneMode 

Outro Music: RolemMusic - Bacterial Love - http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Rolemusic/Pop_Singles_Compilation_2014/01_rolemusic_-_bacterial_love 

Copyright: Attribution: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

TCW Podcast Episode 075 - Gunning for Light

 

We look at how shooting peripherals entered the gaming scene.  We start with their introduction in arcades, and move all the way up to today.  We see the technology change, and how different applications were applied to get interesting effects.  With the height of light guns in the 80's and 90's, and their decline in the 2000's, light guns are only seen in the few remaining arcade and fun centers still in operation.  In the home they really say their popularity in the 8-bit and to a lesser extent the 16-bit era. 

 

ABT Target Skill Model F: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mm1qSL4g4eg

Shoot the Bear: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41HA_L5sGGo

Coon Hunt: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmTDlmULZt0

Keeney Anti-Aircraft Machine Gun Restore: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Odqi1iXnh84

Keeney Air Raider: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=senG1HmruAo

Whoopi Goldberg on racial/ethnic stereotypes in old cartoons: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCT1clqci3I

Dale model Gun Cabinet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-C1DN24sfCY

Magnavox Odyssey Light Gun: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=At6H6SIfWTc

Sega Balloon gun Cabinet Picture: http://www.pinrepair.com/arcade/ballgun.htm

Qwak Pictures: https://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=9216

Very brief shot of Qwak in Dawn of the Dead: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UVzepqkmts

How Light Pens and NES Zapper Worked: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nu-Hoj4EIjU

Crossbow: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtsuSH9jylw

EXPLICIT WARNING! Chiller: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_19-YbEuSpU

Operation Wolf Arcade cabinet tour and gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQqaw_Vf9wk

Operation Wolf Generic Gun: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5YZWjSBJts

Lethal Enforcers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BAkgAMVcUo

Virtua Cop: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcTiaBrJWTs

Terminator 2 Judgement Day: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qja3t17C4vw

Silent Scope: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3TGQSV54ww&t=58s

Area 51: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biJ9kUid84A

House of the Dead: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIVa53_NLLI

Time Crisis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vT0GjW3oiQM

 

New episodes on the 1st and 15th of every month!

 

TCW Email: feedback@theycreateworlds.com 

Twitter: @tcwpodcast

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theycreateworlds

Alex's Video Game History Blog: http://videogamehistorian.wordpress.com

Alex's forthcoming book will be released through CRC Press!

 

Intro Music: Josh Woodward - Airplane Mode -  Music - "Airplane Mode" by Josh Woodward. Free download:http://joshwoodward.com/song/AirplaneMode 

Outro Music: RolemMusic - Bacterial Love - http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Rolemusic/Pop_Singles_Compilation_2014/01_rolemusic_-_bacterial_love 

Copyright: Attribution: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/