They Create Worlds

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 

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

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  Originally made using the Quake II engine, Half-Life was an ambitious project that ran into the same kind of hurdles other companies have experienced.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 

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

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 

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

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 

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

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 

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

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 

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

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 

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

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

Revenge From Mars: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAue8sKJcuY

Star Wars Ep. 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQkPMpiKKDY

 

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 

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

TCW Podcast Episode 059 - Williams' Crazy Story

Part one of a look at the history of Williams Manufacturing Company.  Starting with Harry Williams' monumental contributions to the pinball industry with the creation of the tilt mechanism and later on adding electromechanical elements to the machines.  We cover the sordid history of the company as it changes hands multiple times, and the pinball/video games that made them a valuable asset to be traded around.  We continue with looking at the designers responsible for some of the major hits Williams had in both pinball and video.  Finally we note how because they invested in the development of pinball during the rise of video before the crash this uniquely helped them weather the crash by being able to rely on pinball for revenue.

All American Baseball: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4nOA2S2KTw

Flash: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWUERAj0ROo

Firepower: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBJNag4OmrY

Gorgar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vylGtiR0HVA

Defender Cabinet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZiUH41fZ2c

Defender Gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gss3lxeqCok

Stargate: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i20vwYTf6mI

Robotron 2084: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOVA2Axxfdk

Joust: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWoiLNri0OM

Space Shuttle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZx9-S5SGxU

High Speed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoSDLKe1dQo

 

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 

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

TCW Podcast Episode 058 - EA Sports: It's in the Game!

We revisit EA with a deep dive into EA Sports.  Some information that was in our EA: The Teenage Years episode, but with more detail!  We start off with some of the early ventures into sports, and how EA evolved into the sports juggernaut it is today.  We cover the origins of the EA sports brand, how hats were a deciding factor in getting the name to be accepted by other developers, and how a trademark dispute with ESPN led to the mass market appeal of Madden Football.  We also cover the origin of EA Sports hockey, and FIFA.  Finally wrapping up with how the current head of EA being from the sports division is taking those concepts and trying to apply them to the rest of the industry. 

C64 one on one Dr. J VS Larry Bird: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URobcuTcBFU

John Madden Miller Lite Commercial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OD81-vYUt2E

John Madden Football Apple II: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EbPghLpK6c

Gridiron Bethesda Softworks (Atari ST): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvzLpJkY5e0&t=18s

Amiga Earl Weaver Baseball: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKp_fP06f0Q

Space Jam Website: http://spacejam.com

5 Version of Jordan VS Bird One on One: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQS5VuUANJg

PC Lakers vs Celtics NBA Playoffs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHw9Xu89jEM

TV Sports Football: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvA0qlecPNI

Sega Joe Montana Football: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNYZuJ_Lblg

Sega John Madden Football: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaSTAGEGwB4

PGA Tour Golf (PC): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAQDRc8H8Wg

Madden '92 Ambulance Montage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_138p6uzhUk

Genesis NHL Hockey: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdwS6-TELIo

NHLPA '93: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4ZbynfAJFU

NHL '94: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLQ59_u_9TU

FIFA Soccer Genesis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0uV9QWA8kM

 

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 

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