They Create Worlds

https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/feed.xml

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Episodes

Love of the worlds created by video game designers and personalities drives Alex Smith & Jeffrey Daum (history, law, CS degrees) to provide a scholarly yet light-hearted discussion of how arcade, home console, and PC games merged into a Video Game Industry. Emphasis is on the combination of business and creative elements needed for financial success. Interviews of Atari, EA, Activision, & other execs with detailed source evaluations produce the insights you hear in these 140+ hours!

Episodes

Sunday Jul 01, 2018

Sega VS Nintendo Round 2

Sunday Jul 01, 2018

TCW Podcast Episode 069 - Sega VS Nintendo Round 2

We cover Nintendo and Sega entering the US Market with their 8-bit consoles. With the early release, marketing, and connections Nintendo dominated the market. Sega tried to break in with a technologically superior system, but due to lack of third party software, due to Nintendo's exclusivity contracts, they were unable to make a significant impact. Briefly partnering with Tonka, of Tonka trucks, they tried to get a larger penetration onto store shelves. However Tonka overextending themselves, and were unable to properly market the Sega Master System like both companies hopped. Sega was gearing up though for the 16 bit era, and were first to the market with a new console starting the true fight between Sega and Nintendo.

Nintendo Game and Watch Commercial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ss3gZ6yV79c

Miyamoto on World 1-1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRGRJRUWafY

Super Mario Tutorial 1: https://kotaku.com/5531665/if-super-mario-bros-was-made-in-2010

Super Mario Brothers Tutorial 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFMbaNfqY6Y

NES Zelda 1 Nerd Rap: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uI3rO3PbYOo

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

Friday Jun 15, 2018

Sega VS Nintendo Round 1

Friday Jun 15, 2018

TCW Podcast Episode 068 - Sega VS Nintendo Round 1

Recorded live in front of fans on YouTube Live! Alex and Jeffrey start the dive into the Sega VS Nintendo rivalry. We lay the groundwork of how Sega came to enter the console market in Japan. We see the first clash with Nintendo, and the reasons that Nintendo won the first round cementing their hold on Japan in a way that would not be broken until the PlayStation era. Sega was able to convert their home computer hardware into a console, and was only able to get the sales numbers that that did due to a recall of the original Famicom console.

Game and Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUvFA7Ut8f0

Sega SC-3000: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdfurnWIvJI

Original Famicom: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbduBEeJZqE

Epoch Super Cassettevision: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIzftg1nb8g

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

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

Friday Jun 01, 2018

The Birth of the Japanese Consoles

Friday Jun 01, 2018

TCW Podcast Episode 067 - The Birth of Japanese Consoles

We cover the start of Japanese home consoles beginning with the early dedicated systems and working up to the development of the Famicom and the Sega SC-3000. Japan differed from the US in that companies had the opportunity to sell consoles that bridged the gap from dedicated consoles to programable consoles with LSI-cartridge-based consoles. Epoch was the only company that stuck with home consoles during this era. Always remember the Famicom is not the first Nintendo console!

Before Mario Blog: http://blog.beforemario.com/

Bandai TV Jack 1000: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BW9lDLJgkus

Nintendo Color TV 15: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrVwYgYdaak

Nintendo Color TV Racing 112: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xK3nLfWWJ6s

Epoch TV Baseball: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCZDqJTOP48

Epoch TV Block: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZ4z1wtK9HM

Atari Video Pinball: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSdH1I80ESQ

Epoch TV Cassetevision: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aARzm5NTol0

Epoch TV Vader Console Overview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fO7hQvGXg0

Epoch TV Vader Gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOcUmpZErdk

Epoch Cassetevision Galaxian: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsGs9KcEc3k

*** LIVE STREAM Sunday June 3rd at 12:30 CDT (UTC - 5) ***

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClGlSl-zgLdxhJEbo_NKr4w/live

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

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

Tuesday May 15, 2018

Half of a Life

Tuesday May 15, 2018

TCW Podcast Episode 066 - Half of a Life

We cover the founding of Valve and the development processes that led to Half-Life 1 & 2. Originally made using the Quake II engine, Half-Life was an ambitious project that ran into the same kind of hurdles other companies have experienced. Valve was able to take the needed time to create a truly outstanding product. This was due in no small measure to the founders being Microsoft millionaires. Even today, the sophistication in technology, storytelling, and level design in Half-Life 2 made possible through the development of the Source engine is something that other companies are only just now duplicating with regularity.

Half-Life E3 Trailer 1997: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gD_4JLIdpkk

Half-Life Introduction: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsTEoGoAxUk

Dr. Paul Eckman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9i-9_QuetA

Gabe and Valve Discuss Half-Life 2 Leak: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=908dFzfvjeA

Half-Life 2 Leak VS Release: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jMx5Wp0Gwc

Half-Life Alpha 0.52: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2h7bTo5xLyQ

Half-Life 2 - 2003 Tech Demo E3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ddJ1OKV63Q

Team Fortress Classic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaTE1NYIjBU

Counter Strike 5v5: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2tTgPPtxc0

*** LIVE STREAM Sunday June 3rd at 12:30 CDT (UTC - 5) ***

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClGlSl-zgLdxhJEbo_NKr4w/live

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

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

Tuesday May 01, 2018

The Rise and Fall of Infogrames Part 2

Tuesday May 01, 2018

TCW Podcast Episode 065 - The Rise and Fall of Infogrames Part 2

We go into the mass consolidation that sprung Infogrames into an international powerhouse. It was due to these quick consolidations that led them to have a high value on the stock market. When the tech bubble burst in the early 2000's the stock value plummeted, and Infrogrames was unable to service the massive debt consolidation has built up. This eventually led to the outer of Bruno Bonnell from Infrogrames. We go over the parade of leadership as the company collapses and sheds all the assets that they have.

V Ralley: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swYrhyCLblE

Terminator Dawn of Fate: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEVx4OGZv9w

Enter the Matrix: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaGQ8v5G3_I

Matrix Path of Neo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRvSJYxVAhA

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

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

Sunday Apr 15, 2018

Rise and Fall of Infogrames Part 1

Sunday Apr 15, 2018

TCW Podcast Episode 064 - Rise and Fall of Infogrames Part 1

The rise and fall of a French company founded by Bruno Bonnell. We cover the rocky start of the company and the games that helped them gain notoriety. Through some chance connections through family and fellow employees Infogrames was able to skyrocket onto the international stage with their game Alone in the Dark.

Captain Blood: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=od3jvPPugGc

Sim City: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A54blk-ojA4

Tintin on the Moon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-rYm-cAER4

North and South: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lISIBipdoao

Fantasia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ctc7i3Y9PPs

Microsoft Encarta 1994: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEE8bXCxhsE

Alone in the Dark: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lWaQe8LPW0

Popcorn: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SygD93F95js

Popcorn Download: http://www.ludoid.fr/site/index.php/popcorn

Drakkhen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7MqcOp0J9E

Alpha Waves: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9qAtVwSIV8

Starglider 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78PQ8tKTAiA

Asterix (NES): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pnRL2G9nLA

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

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

Sunday Apr 01, 2018

Lawsuits for Nintendo

Sunday Apr 01, 2018

TCW Podcast Episode 063 - Lawsuits for Nintendo

We delve into the legal hurdles that Nintendo faced during its rise to power in the '80s and '90s. We see how they were able with the guidance of Howard Lincoln to weather the first of many lawsuits, and triumph! In their long history they have used the court systems in the United States to their advantage; even wining a case almost everyone thought that they would lose.

Japanese-English Marketing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZ-dBHCHo3E

Zelda CDI Games: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TN8-Pdz-ns8

How Shift Registers Work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BLj9Ak2Djs

Nintendo PPU Scrolling: http://wiki.nesdev.com/w/index.php/PPU_scrolling

NES SMB3 Loading Seam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfrNnwJrujw

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

TCW Email: feedback@theycreateworlds.com

Twitter: @tcwpodcast

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

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

Thursday Mar 15, 2018

Lawsuits for Everyone!

Thursday Mar 15, 2018

TCW Podcast Episode 062 - Lawsuits for Everyone!

Thanks @MyMac for suggesting this topic! We delve into some of the landmark court cases that helped shape the video game industry. Specifically we looked at the sphere of copyright law. Starting with looking at what constitutes an infringement. How similar can two works be, and where is the line if you modify the game. We wrap up looking at the Game Genie, and how they managed to stay in business because they did not make permeant changes to the games that were modified.

Article linked by @MyMac: http://www.goliath.com/gaming/11-video-games-that-resulted-in-major-lawsuits/

Defense Command: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WoNaXAsBbns

Defender: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcQ4l_KeO0s&t=16s

KC Munchkin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07JtE4pIq8U

Pac-Man: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dScq4P5gn4A

Lady Bug Arcade: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_K7BHmrEsSk

Mouse Trap: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZ5y3JvOMDo

Super Mario Bro Movie Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtMZKYnLg5c

Zelda Cartoon Excuse me Princess: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPxY8lpYAUM

Super Missile Command: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DuVjvl4FDs

Game Genie Explained: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C86OsYRACTM

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

TCW Email: feedback@theycreateworlds.com

Twitter: @tcwpodcast

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

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

Thursday Mar 01, 2018

Where in the Game is Carmen Sandiego?

Thursday Mar 01, 2018

TCW Podcast Episode 061 - Where in the Game is Carmen Sandiego?

We go into the development, creation, and surprise smash hit that is the Carmen Sandiego franchise. Starting off as a video game that flopped at launch; it grew into one of the biggest things of the mid 80's through to the 90's spanning not just video games, but also a game show, a cartoon, and other entertainment media.

Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? Apple II: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEB9M_1XOP0

Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? PC-DOS 1985: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScvM9pecFOo

Where in the USA is Carmen Sandiego? CD-ROM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cu5PyQbFNI

Where in Europe is Carmen Sandiego? MS-DOS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UidxgSOoMsA

Where in time is Carmen Sandiego?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-J21Og1YN0&list=PLCCC6AE567E396E23

Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? Theme Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1EIUP8tvbE

Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? TV Game Show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12CpbySx3rw&list=PLNVJERnYYcB3AGI1LfL6ZouPXRzJDgPF

Carmen Sandiego Board Game: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pEAC-G_ITI

Where on Earth is Carmen Sandiego? Cartoon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LigDMelE89A&list=PLjJh7KucCudsLVfXHU2kK7MLHkc6uvXQS

GI-Joe PSA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0eD5ABK0wc&list=PLfp_r1A709h8xiXhm1hCehdvvCOMi3_zb

Wheel of Morality: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwNS9_13L4c

Carmen Sandiego Returns: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQv_j64ATEo

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

TCW Email: feedback@theycreateworlds.com

Twitter: @tcwpodcast

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

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

Thursday Feb 15, 2018

Williams' Crazy Story Pt 2

Thursday Feb 15, 2018

TCW Podcast Episode 060 - Williams' Crazy Story Pt 2

Part two of our look at Williams' story of how a pinball company grew through a combination of mergers and hit products to become one of the dominate players in the industry during the early to mid-90's. They had many successes in the arcade utilizing the digitization technology that they helped pioneer. Not only were they successful in the video game sphere; they were also successful in the pinball arena as well. Unfortunately, by the end of the 90s the company's video and pinball divisions were spun off or closed while the rest of the company focused more on gambling machines. Now Williams is just a name held for its history, and is not an independent company, or even a subsidiary anymore.

Q*bert: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKIbhaQfs-A

NARC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTgyjEgnxo0

Running Man Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2FMhBg0h_8

Robocop Commercials: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LKQ3eX9pEg

Smash TV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLeL6ONPNiw

Terminator 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hy86CYUm6aI

Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLpZ_5bHmo8

Mortal Kombat: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2pQJU9E21c

NBA JAM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vg-Yj0XOuFM

Cruis'n USA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tCrFFUSqh4

Fun House: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhPsXaQkqlM

Addams Family: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0ifZv940Io