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The games we love reveal something true about who we are, and about the world that made them. They Create Worlds is a podcast about the people, technology, and forces that built the video game industry.
Through video game history, the show looks at how culture, business, and technology shaped what we play, tracing the choices and circumstances that led to the games so many people around the world enjoy.
Each episode digs into where games came from, who made them, and why they were made the way they were. Business decisions, technological shifts, and creative choices all shaped what ended up on screen, and the show covers all of it together, not just one piece in isolation.
Hosted by Alex Smith and Jeffrey Daum, They Create Worlds grew out of long conversations about the strange corners of the industry and the patterns that only show up when you look across companies, platforms, and decades. That conversational feel remains, built on careful research, clear structure and editing that makes even the deepest topics easy to listen to.
History turns out to be less settled than it looks. New documents surface, memories conflict, and the clean stories about why things happened the way they did rarely survive contact with the evidence. The show digs into all of that, following the creative and business forces that pushed and pulled on each other, and uncovering the human stories that lie beneath the games so many people around the world enjoy.
New episodes are released twice a month.
Episodes
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/
Wednesday Mar 01, 2017
Wednesday Mar 01, 2017
TCW Podcast Episode 037 - Nintendo and Gunpei Yokoi
We go over the career of Gumpei Yokoi. From his falling into a job at Nintendo until his untimely death. We cover his contributions to Nintendo, and the game industry, and set the record straight on what he did, and did not have influence on. In the end his true legacy is the talent he mentored, philosophy, and vision that still influences Nintendo to this day.
Game and Watch Collection: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HZiBtXwyHM
Radar Scope: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvAq7Kckid8
Arcade Donkey Kong: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBHJhla8TO4
Arcade Mario Brothers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54olndhqPSA
NES Speed Run Metroid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67kQ3l-1qMs
Kids React to Gameboy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pCp8g-VjOs
Virtual Boy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jjz4bls_gPs
The Wonderswan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPJrmNq-1Ow
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 Feb 15, 2017
Wednesday Feb 15, 2017
TCW Podcast Episode 036 - Raiding Eidos
We go over the rise and fall of Eidos. A company that rose high on the huge success of Tomb Raider, and due to a number of factors ended up being in such dire straits they were ultimately purchased by SquareEnix.
C64 Rick Dangerous: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwBIDlcMU5Y
Sega CD/Mega CD Thunderhawk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPS6ObO7ZdM
Tomb Raider Sega Saturn VS PlayStation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6ZzjgJuo54
Lucozade Commercial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nR2CueIrqoc
Seat Commercial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfslfqn7AwI
Lara Croft U2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvInYhF9CfE
Tomb Raider 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xBFjw7Si_s
Tomb Raider 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MR727qXuk8g
Tomb Raider 4 Ending: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CA5D8pMVvxk
Tomb Raider Chronicles: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FdBd-FZlu0
Tomb Raider Angel of Darkness: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxtaPEQdIYE
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 Feb 01, 2017
Wednesday Feb 01, 2017
TCW Podcast Episode 035 - EA The Teenage Years
We go over the transition of EA from a small idealistic company where programmers are rock stars; to the start of the company becoming the large enterprise it is today. We cover Trip Hawkins later years at the helm of EA and the rising businessman Larry Probst who would later succeed him as president and CEO in the early 90's. We go over the founding of EA Sports one of the most recognizable franchises in videogame history.
C64 one on one Dr. J VS Larry Bird: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URobcuTcBFU
C64 Skyfox: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SurusNWvDmw
Music Construction Set: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6wxP4fipaE
Racing Destruction Set: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGgiMmo_nT8&t=847s
Tales of the unknown Vol 1 The Bard's Tale: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwYrfaJ1iBM
Mail Order Monsters: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Azyqd45WQYA
C64 Skate or Die: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEFp7SOLfxU
Iron Man in Deluxe Paint (Dpaint) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6ZZ5GngCFg
Amiga Earl Weaver Baseball: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKp_fP06f0Q
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
Apple II John Madden Football: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjBnF9gVEeI
Sega Joe Montana Football: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNYZuJ_Lblg
Sega John Madden Football: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaSTAGEGwB4
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 Jan 15, 2017
Sunday Jan 15, 2017
TCW Podcast Episode 034 -The Nutting Associates
We go into the murky history of Nutting Associates. This company's founding, and a large part of its history is still unclear due to the lack of proper documentation along with contradictory evidence and testimony. We look at how Nutting is more than just Computer Space, and by association Nolan Bushnell. Though Nutting Associates did not survive past the 70's it still had some influence in the arcade industry and paved the way for advancements that came later on.
IQ Computer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oh2j3W6me-U
Computer Space: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqMicrUywSY
Computer Space Ball: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U33oajPSzyc
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 Jan 01, 2017
Sunday Jan 01, 2017
TCW Podcast Episode 033 - The Saga of Sega
A brief Namco Update, and then we delve into Sega. We covered them before in episode 5, this time we go into detail of the company's middle and later years. We cover how Sega changed hands from an American to Japanese company, and look at some of the products they produced during this era.
Wild Gunman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzxcsaIxaZg
Electro Dart: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7EgQ0b8Q-Y
Blockade: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXXk8w9yd2s
Frogger: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8ZSOUU5Pt0
Astron Belt: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPLX6HSZsx4
Hang On: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tMqHX-4gMg
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 Dec 15, 2016
Thursday Dec 15, 2016
TCW Podcast Episode 032 - History of the Atari Brand
We go over the history of the Atari brand. We go from its inception all the way to modern times with the only Atari name being owned by a company in France. The brand changes many hands throughout the years. The initial name split occurring under Warner Communications. The Atari name has a bit of an allure and curse. Many companies see the value in the properties, but almost every company that buys the properties enters into financial troubles.
The Atari History Timeline by Michael Current: http://mcurrent.name/atarihistory/
Atari Jaguar Infomercial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-NBFaNSDYs
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 Dec 01, 2016
Thursday Dec 01, 2016
TCW Podcast Episode 031 - An Epic Game
We cover the history of EPIC as one of the few remaining independent developers left. They are most known for the creation of the Unreal Engine, and Gears of War. They have an interesting history of having a distributed business that includes developers from around the world. Love the unreal engine or hate it. Epic's influence on middleware, and the game industry continues to this day.
ZZT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pccbymHpZnU
Kingdom of Kroz: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPz7xVt93Zo
Jill of the Jungle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7E-P4VJbdg
Jazz Jackrabbit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b16upFloYak
Epic Pinball: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uU_7aG_NibI
SolarWinds: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NajV4KUSDo0
Magic Carpet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3zsPl4Ampw
Unreal: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3qc6VIHB40
America's Army: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOzGI1oL1oc
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/