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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
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/
Monday May 15, 2017
Monday May 15, 2017
TCW Podcast Episode 042 - Laser Craze
We cover the brief, yearlong, craze that was the laserdisc. We go into great detail on Dragon's Lair the game that really kicked it off in the United States. Though many other companies tried to take advantage of the medium, unfortunately it was unable to sustain itself. There were a few games that did as well, if not better than Dragon's Lair, they all ended up being part of what was just a brief fad in the downward trend of the arcade scene.
Quarter Horse: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Imd1acT2qc
Astron Belt: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPLX6HSZsx4
Dragon's Lair Promotion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZrgeI0DDP8
Dragon's Lair Playthrough: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6uEx5gWovA
Dragon's Lair NES: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyGTMTJ6egU
Dragon's Lair Coleco Adam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSinFyg6Y5Q
The Making of Dragon's Lair: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bIxeYYSm-c
Cliff Hanger Operator Promotion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mc5MKWJ7j6Y
M.A.C.H. 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qm5u4ErDPF4
Star Rider: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=soQbVEb3-TQ
Bega's Battle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4J2JVgUqSdE
Cobra Command: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VN1LC2s4P-w
Firefox: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnHl0fyejqc
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/
Monday May 01, 2017
Monday May 01, 2017
TCW Podcast Episode 41 - Beating Them All Up
We delve into beat 'em ups, and fighters. We cover why they did not take hold until computer technology progressed far enough to allow for human analogs to be animated well. We go into the beat 'em up craze, and then the transition to fighting games that occurred with the release of Street Fighter II. We touch on the fall of fighting games from the mainstream with Tekken and Soul Calibur. The scene is still out there, and has a dedicated following. However fighters are not the system sellers they once were.
Warrior: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HX4NspoYD8o
Jungle Hunt: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPATWODXlh4
Apple II Karateka: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKqk9kosCs4
Spartan X: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jncBelS_Nhk
Karate Champ: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwV3xqS9_aQ
Renegade: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1fl38u9I9k
Double Dragon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfZz-1e-dUQ
Yie Ar Kung Fu: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXOL8tZQX20
Street Fighter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8al2U4xSFNQ
Final Fight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyAHGHo22Og
Fatal Fury: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nG17S8yRz6A
Street Fighter II World Warrior: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xI284D4y1q4
An Oral History of Street Fighter II: http://www.polygon.com/a/street-fighter-2-oral-history
NARC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3jonU-XrK4
Mortal Kombat: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7F82XAvCuVc
Virtual Fighter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-9TUlCcib0
Tekken: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GmSF_PqL84
Soul Edge: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bgb64WBw_Ww
Soul Calibur Arcade VS Dreamcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_Rdg6A-KJs
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 Apr 15, 2017
Saturday Apr 15, 2017
TCW Podcast Episode 40 - Sierra On-Line
We delve into the second half of the story of Sierra. We cover how they managed to regroup, and rebuild from the company being close to a complete collapse. We cover many of the classics of the era. Even though many of them are not as fondly remembered today; they are still important for pushing gaming on the PC to new and impressive heights. Unfortunately we also cover how Sierra was torn apart after its acquisition, and Ken Williams leaving the company shortly thereafter in the late 90's and early 2000's.
Wizard of OZ Black and White to Technicolor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6D8PAGelN8
Police Quest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCgFYW1--JI
Space Quest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4-e6T4sqXc
Leisure Suit Larry The Land of the Lounge Lizards: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wyvi1pdDPUc
Secret of Monkey Island on Various Sound Cards (Including PC Speaker): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fr-84mjV3CI
King's Quest IV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCqDIRMRTTY
Ways to Die in King's Quest 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLPXP5KkcMQ
A-10 Tank Killer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8hQTLwkGuE
Gabriel Knight Sins of the Fathers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbjXuPa1uW0
Quest For Glory I: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxbfd8eB89Y
Phantasmagoria: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAXC-MwfpHA
Half Life 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoV9o6b91Sc
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 Apr 01, 2017
Saturday Apr 01, 2017
TCW Podcast Episode 039 - On-Line Systems
On-Line systems is the company that eventually becomes Sierra Online. The brainchild of Ken and Roberta Williams. We go over the reasons for the company's founding, and the unique makeup of the company's initial titles. Unfortunately due to backing the proverbial wrong horse multiple times after investment by a venture capital firm they are on the brink of failure during the mid to late 80's.
Shadow of Yserbius: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnJ7BBwKZI0&t=762s
PDP8E Running Adventure with a Z52 Terminal: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJdq3gK6M78
Colossal Cave Adventure: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhFrWH0na0A
Mystery House: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiwHwPvIHBs
The Wizard and the Princess: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUHATnGbwl0
Time Zone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBE8K0XG65I
The Dark Crystal: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBNMWnn0I6g
PC JR King's Quest 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymLvOunSuoQ
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/
Wednesday Mar 15, 2017
Wednesday Mar 15, 2017
TCW Podcast Episode 038 - Origin Story
We cover the rise and fall of Origin Systems. A company that is very much defined by one of its founders Richard Garriott. We cover the company's pre-founding as Richard tried to get his games published, and distributed to the public. We then delve into its founding and growth into one of the great influencers of the video game industry. Ultimately ending up with the company's dissolution by EA in 2004, we see what factors led up to how we see Origin, and EA today.
Escape: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjqTn93cZOc
Akalabeth: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmq-cO1RCoA
Ultima I: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uv22hlykLM
Time Bandits Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwnjENpIyq0
Ultima II: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHftrFz1gjs
Times of Lore: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwzRVKi8pZ4
Space Rogue: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEyx6evq360
Wing Commander: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9Z4q8y-FhY
Ultima Underworld: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuNymTPko3Y
Ultima Online: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhDvJ8RketA
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/