They Create Worlds

TCW Podcast Episode 187 - Atari's Sinking Ship

 

In part two of our look at Atari and the reasons behind the crash of the mid-1980 we see how Atari's handling of the excess product led to its downfall. The idea that they could treat this like any other overstock of products and push through did not consider the consumer's lack of knowledge. Together with the massive price reduction in the hardware for not just the VCS, but also the 5200 further eroded consumer confidence and understanding. By the time Atari started taking the drastic measure they needed to right the company they were sold by Warner because Warner could not afford the depression in stock price. Though logistics may not be the most exciting topic. It really is the core of what lead to the crash, and how Atari got into and failed to manage it speaks volumes about what future companies would need to do in order to survive.

 

ET Commercial Christmas: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7LwjROqsQw

TCW 133 - Rolling Dice with the Parker Brothers: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/rolling-dice-with-the-parker-brothers/

2600 Pitfall: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pslbO6Fddhw

Skeet Shoot: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UWJFOUBxTo

 

New episodes are 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 book, published Dec 2019, is available at CRC Press and at major on-line retailers: http://bit.ly/TCWBOOK1

 

 

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 186 - Atari's Distribution Nightmare

 

In this first part deep dive at the fall of Atari and the video game industry, we look closely at the distribution nightmare and the factors forming it. There is a lot of new information here, and we drill down deep on the factors that led to the early 80's video game crash. Though many wish to blame ET, or bad games causing the crash, in reality, it really was an unsustainable distribution problem that some people saw coming, but a variety of factors was not dealt with. Join us in this part one of learning the truth, at least for what we know now, cause of the great video game crash!

 

Lefty Sells an 8: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfelvI_ikf4

Fleetwood Mac Rumors: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLfcwDZ5GzQ&list=PL6ogdCG3tAWjN3nOVWjA6DCwYYKAMk5-f

 

 

New episodes are 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 book, published Dec 2019, is available at CRC Press and at major on-line retailers: http://bit.ly/TCWBOOK1

 

 

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 185 - A Very Naughty Dog Pt 2

 

In our continuing look at Naughty Dog, we examine the continuing development of Crash Bandicoot and the Jax and Dexter series. After Sony's acquisition of Naughty Dog, and during the development of Jak 2, Andy and Jason decided to part ways with the company to focus more on their personal lives. They did help in training people to take their place. These new people at the helm led to the creation of Naughty Dog's most famous franchises. Uncharted and The Last of Us. Games that really pushed forward what is possible for storytelling in video games.

 

Polygon Man: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polygon_Man

Sony E3 1996: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHTNTuiOt7s

1984 Macintosh Commercial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zfqw8nhUwA

Crash Bandicoot Nintendo Commercial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTi5EaocGaY

All Crash Bandicoot Commercial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLdQczq3NMM

Crash Bandicoot PSX: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xK-h4M4Aetg

Crash Bandicoot Japanese Commercials: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RS3rpyTqoUs

Crash Bandicoot Japanese VS America: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqL2XffOBA0

Crash Bandicoot 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmnq7yedAzI

Crash Bandicoot Warped: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HG-NRnGp3RA

Crash Team Racing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQDWEIiKN6E

Jax and Daxter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lpq3zVXs9A

Michael Jordan Chaos in the Windy City: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJcIjxfFKdA

Legacy of Kain Overview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ysxs_oErmWo

Jak 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLIWS4QDc6Q

Uncharted Drake's Fortune: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0XhMMjFjBU

Gears of War PC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yecvln9dTOI&t=72s

Kill Switch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1zW5X0CwTs

ICO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZC_FzeRz4Y

Uncharted 2 Among Thieves: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EhpxpPeTKE

Uncharted 2 Train Fight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXaOguzFHTE

DAVID BENIOFF on City of Thieves: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9P_QI0FoTnE

John Hartigan - Sin City: https://sincity.fandom.com/wiki/John_Hartigan

Intro to The Last of Us: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BC_HB7wDYg8

Quark about Humans: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-D2SHNqkjbY

 

New episodes are 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 book, published Dec 2019, is available at CRC Press and at major on-line retailers: http://bit.ly/TCWBOOK1

 

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 184 - A Very Naughty Dog Pt 1

 

Before "The Last of Us" what eventually became Naughty Dog was founded by two teens Andy Gavin, and Jason Rubin. They were drawn into the uncharted waters of computers by making their first published game Ski Crazed. From there they put on the rings of power to become the youngest game developers for EA releasing a game to outdo Ultima on the Sega Genesis. But EA pulled a thieving move and denied them a reprint of the ambitious game. The dream of them being game developers would have died there had it not been for a new warrior in the console market to challenge them to make a game for the 3DO. With that glorious victory, they went to Hollywood and found that they could get universal recognition by getting Sony to use a Bandicoot to crash onto the world stage.

 

Internet Archive Byte Magazine: https://archive.org/details/byte-magazine?tab=collection

How to use a Drawing Tablet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sb8FtNJOGS4

Ski Crazed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVuE_NegOdg

Ski Crazed Box Art and Manual: https://mirrors.apple2.org.za/ftp.apple.asimov.net/documentation/applications/misc/Ski%20Crazed%20manual.pdf

Dream Zone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCX5pMzyX8A

Keef the Thief: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pinzMVl4Tx0

Rings of Power Genesis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fjTHAd2wYs

(Explicit) 1994 Wolf - Werewolf Transformation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzH9gsafQpo

Way of the Warrior: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7q_xRzWTI4E

7th Guest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45Z-Q5KVTyI&pp=ygUJN3RoIGd1ZXN0

Crash Bandicoot: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xK-h4M4Aetg

 

New episodes are 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 book, published Dec 2019, is available at CRC Press and at major on-line retailers: http://bit.ly/TCWBOOK1

 

 

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 183 - A Working Model of Vending

 

The arcade industry had many influences. From traveling fairs, clockmakers, and more. Eventually, with the invention of putting a coin-activated door on tobacco boxes in bars, the idea inspired others to make coin-operated vending machines and cast iron banks that were marked as toys but were used for gambling in bars. This is a deep dive into where the coin-op industry came from and we can see some of these influences that carried on to the modern day.

 

Penny-in-the-Slot Automata and the Working Model: https://www.amazon.com/Penny-Slot-Automata-Working-Model/dp/0709074085

Glockenspiel in Munich: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsfxTyhCzr8

Cuckoo Clocks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6lCQvEUf-U

Lost art of Automatons alive again: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7oSFNKIlaM

HUGO Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FG9rvNhdOX8

Revolutions S3: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/484J9T0QdvFdlaq5M5tUcs

Exposition des Produits de I'industrie Française: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exposition_des_produits_de_l%27industrie_fran%C3%A7aise

Virtual Tour of the Great Exhibition: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSlP6jQLPwI

The Surprising History of Vending Machines: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6lxjx4ZzBM

10 Church Bell Cover Songs: https://www.readersdigest.co.uk/culture/music/10-incredible-church-bell-cover-songs

The Penny Arcade - The Working Model: https://penny-arcade.info/working-models

Penny Cast Iron Bear and Indian Bank: https://www.pbs.org/video/antiques-roadshow-appraisal-cast-iron-penny-bank-ca-1900/

Horse Race Mechanical Bank: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLSN3MTEDP0

 

TCW 007 - History of the Arcade: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/history-of-the-arcade/

 

New episodes are 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 book, published Dec 2019, is available at CRC Press and at major on-line retailers: http://bit.ly/TCWBOOK1

 

 

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 182 - The KOEI Dynasty

 

We continue our look at KOE and their move onto the console space. This transition is rocky due to the increased costs of cartridge manufacturing. They were able to secure funding by holding a luncheon at the Imperial Hotel for distributors. They were able to start production on Nobunaga's Ambition for the NES. From there they continue to improve setting up development groups to explore new opportunities. The company was still niche until Dynasty Warriors 2 where they could finally move to mainstream gaming. When KOEI acquired Taito, doors opened to other companies' intellectual properties. This led to games like Dynasty Warriors Gundam, Hyrule Warriors, Dragon Quest Heroes, and Fire Emblem Warriors. The company continues to expand and thrive today by helping Nintendo produce the popular Fire Emblem Three Houses, and the RPG NIOH. Still led by the founders in their 70s Yoichi and Keiko Erikawa are truly the power couple of the video game industry!

 

Ishin no Arashi: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DPZoxThbiA

Pictures of Nobunaga's Ambition Famicom Cart: https://japanretrodirect.ocnk.com/product/1834
Imperial Hotel Advertisement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKbnsY3uxO4

Imperial Hotel Tokyo Dinning: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kG0tOFciWRw

Uncharted Waters NES: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbwY4TGd5M4

Winning Post: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMoXa_hgmns

Angelique: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXdUcDBM0s4

WinBack: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwELCSF0YBg

Dynasty Warriors 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-p0keIVNNHA

Dynasty Warriors 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4GpDnf4wqk

Nobunaga's Ambition Online Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kqx101PC3w

Dynasty Warriors Gundam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqtJwFIv3OQ

Hyrule Warriors Definitive Edition: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L79pjJAZ14Q

Dragon Quest Heroes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAABK1M0PII&list=PLGKJJhcJXlNzN9nddSJPe0HtjMuhtymL7

Fire Emblem Warriors: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGzTii3RBDA&list=PLtJifsYDxDHGZtOx2H7IkHEksUj9kN3sc

Fire Emblem Three Houses: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhLqZh8DkZc

NIOH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aa1GrqelJC8

 

 

New episodes are 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 book, published Dec 2019, is available at CRC Press and major online retailers: http://bit.ly/TCWBOOK1

 

 

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 180 - Space Invaders Part II

 

In part two of our look at Space Invaders we explore the impact of the game on Japan and the world. Space Invaders started off rocky, but operators soon realized that players were crazy for the game. Popularity exploded, and Taito was unable to fulfill the orders coming in. This led to the licensing of popular products to other companies in Japan. A move that would see itself repeated as the golden age of arcades continued. We also clarify the 100 Yen Myth/Truth of Japan. Where the legend came from, and what we think the reality is. Finally, we look at the expansion into the United States and Europe, and how the end of the boom in Japan helped to bring Space Invaders into Europe and other nationalities.

Blue Shark: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5P692hzleQ

I'm in danger: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8ZbpxV382U

Space Invaders Attract Mode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvomS1YMV90

Disco Space Invaders: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byQnpyLod6Y

Best of Yellow Magic Orchestra: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrBAVAaREd8&t=3s

Jatre Specter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aj8PwZaWLo

IPM Invader: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ircX-nH5J9I

Space Invaders and the 100 Yen Myth: https://www.academia.edu/3672374/Insert_Coin_to_Play_Space_Invaders_and_the_100_Yen_Myth

Space Invaders Targets Coins: https://www.academia.edu/2568838/Space_Invaders_targets_coins

Spaces Invaders Part II: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ul7epE6Fryw

 

New episodes are 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 book, published Dec 2019, is available at CRC Press and at major on-line retailers: http://bit.ly/TCWBOOK1

 

 

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 178 - The Intellivision Part 2

 

In part two we look at how Mattel starts aggressively marketing the Intellivision by directly attacking Atari in its advertisements. New leadership by Josh Denham helped to foster this and to rework the production of the Intellivision to make it for cheaper. This lower cost model was released as the Intellivision II. Still some in the company were still wanting to do a computer, but it proved to be too complicated and expensive to bring to market. They settled on releasing a lesser computer attachment that allowed for some peripherals. Ultimately through a combination of their own problems, and the looming home console crash Mattel nearly went out of business, and spun off Intellivision where it continued to limp along in the shadows all the way to the early 90's.

 

1983 Pepsi Challenge: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghMYzo0rgrw

1981 Pepsi Challenge: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FhxujFUJlQ

Grey Poupon Commercial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvDazrJuSdA

Most Interesting Man in the World: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guMrgRKKENI

Intellivision VS Atari: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCgG7Y-XqEw
George Plimpton For Intellivision: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYLly625cXE

PBA Bowling: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-X8MFOGuRo

TCW 027 - The Magnavox Patent Lawsuit: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-magnavox-patent-lawsuits-friday-september-16-2016-1003-am/

Triple Action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Li_LM6t6smo

Blockcade: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5v-0CwiabZA

Snafu: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCmEcc4c1tk

Space Armada: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEL0Ufhnb4w

Astrosmash: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osSe8nzu1m0

Atari VS Other Companies: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqTxWZerumo

Space Games Commercial Intellivision: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1O17bGSd9SU

Intellivision Master Component and Keyboard Component: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdveJuwHuGM
ECS and Music Keyboard: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5NMV-nEh6Q

 

 

New episodes are 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 book, published Dec 2019, is available at CRC Press and at major on-line retailers: http://bit.ly/TCWBOOK1

 

 

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/