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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 Oct 15, 2017
Sunday Oct 15, 2017
TCW Podcast Episode 052 - The Many Faces of Konami
We go over the whole history of Konami at the macro level. The origin, founding, and the initial setup that continues to influence the company to the present day. Though much of the history is shrouded behind a language barrier, or simply lost, there is still plenty of information out there. We cover the hits they had in the video game arena, and show how they are in the middle of another transition to mobile.
Konami Logo: https://vignette4.wikia.nocookie.net/logopedia/images/7/70/Old-Konami-Logo.jpg
Scramble: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pmC_reyGpI
Defender: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjgu1JtWbA4
Why VHS beat Betamax: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddYZITaxlTQ
Frogger Cabinet Overview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ebybyW-ozE
Track and Field: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKPYPV4BuFo
Gradius: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hz9OkKo9rW0
Metal Gear NES VS MSX: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMLDAxu5Tmg
The Goonies NES: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fn63XyKp80U
The Goonies 2 NES: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdpmDqR4ZDc
Top Gun NES: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCXNXGvYfVk
Original Comic TMNT Overview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuuHANeSLxg
TMNT NES: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kK8mFYbl1s
Simpsons Arcade: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yw43-DbT84
DDR Modern Japan Documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jywza4So-eU
New episodes on the 1st and 15th of every month!
TCW Email: tcwpodcast@gmail.com
Twitter: @tcwpodcast
Alex's 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/
Sunday Oct 01, 2017
Sunday Oct 01, 2017
TCW Podcast Episode 051 - Sons of Pong
Starting off with a discussion of the unique setting of the time leading into Pong's debut, we transition over to the various companies that created clones of Pong, and their reasons for doing so. We discover that the company that created the most Pong-style games was not Atari, nor one of the big Chicago companies, but a company based in Florida called Allied Leisure. We then cover the various innovations that occurred to try to keep the fad market alive as long as possible ending with a stop at Big Jeffery's Cocktail Pong Emporium.
Pong Cabinet in detail: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGu7sMAoOUo
Computer Space Ball: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U33oajPSzyc
Wild Cycle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjSKnPjnhyc
Paddle Battle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eu7LAP3ug6E
Pong Doubles: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqtp1bxIA8s
Ramtek Volly: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAc41mFmP3k
Elimination: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOV9c8WkWsw
Ramtek Wipe Out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_TmOD0IHFM
Clean Sweep: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTO5JjwbXv0
Flim Flam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVKOjKl3dPU
New episodes on the 1st and 15th of every month!
TCW Email: tcwpodcast@gmail.com
Twitter: @tcwpodcast
Alex's 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/
Friday Sep 15, 2017
Friday Sep 15, 2017
TCW Podcast Episode 050 - Civilizing Sid Meier
We go over Sid's transition into the video game industry. Starting with meeting "Wild Bill" and their break out game HellCat Ace, and the iterations that lead to F-15 Strike Eagle that cemented MicroProse as a company. We cover the how/why of Sid Meier's name being on the boxes particularly for the simulation and 4X games. We wrap it all up with the seminal piece Sid Meier's Civilization, the industry changing concepts it brought to the table, and Sid's leaving to form Firaxis where he works today!
Interview with Sid Meier: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyH24CHTlHA
Atari Red Baron: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oa7_mdJLUw
HellCat Ace: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwYaQS59UGQ
Solo Flight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqjQscY_IZQ
F-15 Strike Eagle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XC0FPKCSWhM
Floyd of the Jungle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKuH6oXD8Pg
Seven Cities of Gold: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57qE1arvo3U
Sid Meier's Pirates!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ro-1dXuRBM
Covert Action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-VAwGlghoU
Sid Meier's Railroad Tycoon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ths0tQL2qu4
Sid Meier's Civilization: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3bA818U15c
Sid Meier's Gettysburg: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nS986jTnWBA
FreeCiv: http://www.freeciv.org/
New episodes on the 1st and 15th of every month!
TCW Email: feedback@theycreateworlds.com
Twitter: @tcwpodcast
Alex's 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/
Friday Sep 01, 2017
Friday Sep 01, 2017
TCW Podcast Episode 049 - Old and Elite
We go over a classic from Great Britain! Elite is unique in the ambition and execution of creating a massive open world space, complete with a 3d perspective, on such limited hardware. The game has influenced a variety of others most notably Grand Theft Auto.
Demo of Elite on a BBC B: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owz7XExO-Wk
Elite Comparison of BBC B VS Zx Spectrum: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ov4OAteeGWs
Elite Gameplay Starting Out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cni8ZInHQXs
Procedural Generation In Games: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRfdN4L2SUg
Elite on the NES: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSPmQYI4ju8
Frontier Elite 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqhP_e855C4
Elite Dangerous Alien Encounter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vsga26eiDPE
New episodes on the 1st and 15th of every month!
TCW Email: tcwpodcast@gmail.com
Twitter: @tcwpodcast
Alex's 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/
Tuesday Aug 15, 2017
Tuesday Aug 15, 2017
TCW Podcast Episode 048 - Driving Games and Technology
We go over the wild ride of driving games. These games were used as a vehicle to demonstrate advances in graphics technology. Starting with electro-mechanical games, and ending up with textured polygons; we cover the whole track of an era where cars were king! There are a lot of examples in this episode drawn from the arcade, consoles, and computer games.
Drive Mobile: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aw_N10xuv2Q
Speedway: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97DAio1M1xc
Super Road 7 Projection System: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xU0HkKUQ-0
Super Road 7 Gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vO6BZIEZ8xw
Wild Cycle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjSKnPjnhyc
Gran Track 10: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R014taK2pZM
Life inside Life: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xP5-iIeKXE8
Taito Speed Race: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BRDxZiK-1s
History of Racing Games: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IoGZ-4tAww
Night Driver: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqZlxpLKm_E
Sega Turbo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWhcBydheRE
Namco Pole Position: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeYZGtwydIA
Mach Rider NES: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M18w8fL28Ho
Sega Monaco GP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZY_LPhkzUk
Sega Hang On: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rUsQdd39_o
Sega Outrun: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMv0Pg1AxFc
Revs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L18wG4p5fQE
F-Zero: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlA3vEB0jzY
Hard Drivin': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6JC-HCNcio
Namco Winning Run: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7KIXb0U2oc
Sega Virtua Racer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Js8tZhKcfWc
Namco Ridge Racer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qkXMZYQfiA
Sega Daytona USA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAcMqFTkAs8
Wipe Out PSX: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XASEBvDri4U
Gran Turismo PSX: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49CpLM81TvM
New episodes on the 1st and 15th of every month!
TCW Email: tcwpodcast@gmail.com
Twitter: @tcwpodcast
Alex's 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/
Tuesday Aug 01, 2017
Tuesday Aug 01, 2017
TCW Podcast Episode 047 - Vestiges of Atari
In our fourth and final episode investigating the rise and fall of the original Atari we delve into the factors that caused the fall of Atari. We cover the lead up to and tipping point of the variety of factors that lead to the crash. No one entity can take the blame for it. The major factors including distribution, overzealous sales forecasts, and Warner interference came to a head by the end of 1982 leading to the fracturing of the company a year and a half later.
Pacman Atari 2600: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCPpgt0s70U
ET Retrospective: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZ7TtE4hb1k
Indiana Jones Raiders of the Lost Ark Atari 2600: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OP-e0-0PpLc
Mrs Pac Man 2600 vs 7800: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WD4z0u_QZp8&t=220s
New episodes on the 1st and 15th of every month!
TCW Email: tcwpodcast@gmail.com
Twitter: @tcwpodcast
Alex's 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/
Saturday Jul 15, 2017
Saturday Jul 15, 2017
TCW Podcast Episode 046 - Atari, Ray Kassar and Warner
We continue on to part three of our four part look into Atari. We delve into Atari under the leadership of Ray Kassar. It becomes apparent that while Ray did make mistakes the leadup to the fall of Atari cannot be entirely placed at his feet. We also explore the role of Warner in the direction Atari took and the difficult decision on whether to concentrate on home console or PC. We also delve into the Arcade side of things and how, while successful, they were not without their growing problems.
Atari Pinball: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqcDFAphThY
Space Invaders Atari 2600: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opru6qPsPa4
Atari Arcade Battlezone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymrYkbEbnEQ
Atari 400 and 800: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-InWwzs8Em0
Asteroids Arcade: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYSupJ5r2zo
New episodes on the 1st and 15th of every month!
TCW Email: tcwpodcast@gmail.com
Twitter: @tcwpodcast
Alex's 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/
Saturday Jul 01, 2017
Saturday Jul 01, 2017
TCW Podcast Episode 045 - Atari, Ventures and Acquisitions
In our second of four episodes detailing the rise and fall of the core Atari company we go over the rapid expansion of the company, and its ever increasing need for capital. Atari had to court venture capital, and got the patronage of Don Valentine. Later on to secure the funding needed for the VCS launch they had to be acquired by a larger company; that company was Warner Communications. This acquisition as we start to explore was a blessing and a curse. It ultimately led to the ouster of Nolen Bushnell, and Joe Keenan from Atari. Now it would start a new era under the leadership of Ray Kassar.
Atari Arcade Tank: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OsBUzYBJgU
Atari Home Pong: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqBlrULrbsg
Atari VCS Hardware Tour: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7n5o5Wq3q4
New episodes on the 1st and 15th of every month!
TCW Email: tcwpodcast@gmail.com
Twitter: @tcwpodcast
Alex's 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/
Thursday Jun 15, 2017
Thursday Jun 15, 2017
TCW Podcast Episode 044 - Founding, Syzygy to Atari
Part one of our four-part dive into Syzygy/Atari! We cover the personal histories of the founders, and how the company would not really be a company without the efforts of Nolan Bushnell. We go into the controversy of where he learned of Spacewar. Then off to the debut hit for Atari of PONG. We cover the rocky road Atari had after its initial launch, and how it nearly could have just been a flash in the pan like many companies that came after.
The Mandela Effect: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMXnCCFS2-Q
Full Nolan Interview in '73: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hp0BBnBdsVo
Computer Space: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nhdu2Jh9cuc
Space Race: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDtdKxZ9vWk
Pong Doubles: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09qHnr1DMwA
Gotcha: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FoDZoZqsHF8
Gran Trak 10: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R014taK2pZM
New episodes on the 1st and 15th of every month!
TCW Email: tcwpodcast@gmail.com
Twitter: @tcwpodcast
Alex's 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/
Thursday Jun 01, 2017
Thursday Jun 01, 2017
TCW Podcast Episode 043 - Personal Gaming Histories
We go over some of our early memories of being introduced to video games. Joys, tragedies, and hilarity. Very much in the vein of what inspired us to start doing this podcast. This is a light hearted episode that may help you to reflect on favorite memories from your past. So stay a while and listen as we reminisce!
Gray and Orange Zapper: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQnYsEKzJKw
Necromancer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hg-XP-4LbVo
Archon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdfIfC9BHwQ
Think Quick: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYmMs_eo4c8
Civilization: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpW9jTULNmM
Dune 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tppjzT-su0Q
Dragon Quest/Warrior Overview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_TlZFCabiM
Tie Fighter Overview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4-EnCc-JKk
New episodes on the 1st and 15th of every month!
TCW Email: tcwpodcast@gmail.com
Twitter: @tcwpodcast
Alex's 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/