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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
Friday Dec 01, 2017
Friday Dec 01, 2017
TCW Podcast Episode 055 - Blizzard: Hellfire and The World… of WarCraft
Part two of our look into Blizzard Entertainment. We start in the late 90's with the finishing of Diablo, and the development of StarCraft. We see the evolution and cross influences of the Blizzard cinematics department on the course of Diablo. This is also the same time we learn of how Blizzard is not afraid to kill an essentially finished game if it is not up to their standards, Lord of the Clans, and StarCraft: Ghost being the more famous examples of this. We see how Blizzard employees' love for games influences where they take projects. The influence of the game Sacrifice on WarCraft III, Quake on Overwatch, and EverQuest with World of WarCraft. On the business side of things we see how Blizzard is not fully immune from the influences of the parent company that controls them at the time. Conversely, we see how Blizzard's success, specifically with WoW, managed to reshape the entire game industry before finishing with the creation of Activision-Blizzard. We will see how their decisions involving modern game trends may affect things in the future!
Diablo 1 Lore Books: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWXozMHrxrM
Diablo 1 Intro: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w44SmMFy5Dc
Diablo 1 Ending: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGRGxt2-7rc
StarCraft Development Pictures: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52XKCuxDMzo
StarCraft Remastered: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOW9uACXPTo
Lord of the Clans trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gslAG2OEO1c
Curse of Monkey Island Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nh3R8SC6PMc
Diablo II Retrospective: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jv12StvWjX8
Sacrifice Gameplay and Commentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7jw6tord7Q
The Wrathgate: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ch4rc5W4dKY
Everquest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJJT-PZIUwU
World of Warcraft Evolution: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8tAa-MsNjY
Quake Rocket Jump: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aw7xztglYyw
Overwatch Development: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yH0GsOKZHMQ
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/
Wednesday Nov 15, 2017
Wednesday Nov 15, 2017
TCW Podcast Episode 054 - Blizzard: Vikings and WarCraft
Part one of our dive into one of the most influential computer game companies in existence. We cover the founding of Blizzard, which started as Silicon and Synapse, with their start by being independent contractors for PC and console. With the company wanting to transition into being full developers, they accepted an offer to be acquired by Davidson and Associates. Blizzard's first big hit was WarCraft: Orcs and Humans. The first game saw the start of the Blizzard cinematics department, and the voice studio. With Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness we saw the true founding of the legendary Blizzard Lore that accompanies all their games that followed. We wrap up with Blizzard meeting another company at CES, Condor, that was working on a little game called Diablo…
Battle Chess II: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iz4_5Wv6yiY
R.P.M. Racing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JFofJsuEFM
Swords and Serpents: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXlt0XY1tOY
Adventures of Rad Gravity: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-b3-LSC4Vko
Rock N' Roll Racing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8OgEzbJY7s
The Lost Vikings: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZItppVpUwwc
Blackthorne: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPsJEtO86VI
WarCraft Orcs and Humans: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqczlhTpT2I
WarCraft II Cinematic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZU-n8UZM5Cc
WarCraft III All Cinematics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfkiJXnSRM8
SNES Justice League Task Force: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJgY9BCYP8o
Genesis Justice League Task Force: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q42W0cD7OKk
Diablo Gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGaYW-6zOKk&list=PLC6688FBC7423D09A
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/
Wednesday Nov 01, 2017
Wednesday Nov 01, 2017
TCW Podcast Episode 053 - The History and Merger of Enix and Square
We cover the individual histories of the companies Enix and Square. Everything from early projects to influences that helped shape them into the companies they would become. We delve into the dream teams for each company that created their seminal hits, Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy. We cover how they each had problems getting market penetration in the West until Square was able to with the release of Final Fantasy VII. We cover the massive financial disaster that was Final Fantasy The Spirits Within and how it led to Square being acquired by Enix.
The Portopia Serial Murder Case: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eh0Vg0s-pR8
Dragon Quest/Warrior Random Facts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvCVAp2jE1E
Final Fantasy VII Intro: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TD_GqlNtNjo
Final Fantasy IV (II US) Intro: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vi7So5VlB6M
Final Fantasy VI (III US) Intro: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDMWp1oLoA0
Cruise Chaser Blassty: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXwLebC8s2I
3D World Runner NES: https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTbH25YNxE4
Rad Racer NES: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6ngD3ZC1z8
Final Fantasy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veEn0k5u5Ko
Dragon Warrior Commercial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qL5_3EhqK8
Final Fantasy Mystic Quest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lxl_-WPwA0A
7th Saga: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XihYszbkf60
Secret of Evermore: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdV79VbxWOc
Final Fantasy The Spirits Within: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaI7ZPA9I1c
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 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/