Sega’s Downfall Was… Sega?

Jun 11, 2024

Acclaimed author Blake Harris discusses Sega and Nintendo's rivalry, revealing internal conflicts at Sega. He talks about the impact of Oculus on tech, Larry David's upcoming book, and writing about cultural icons. Harris shares insights on persistence, research, and storytelling.

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Intro

00:00 • 2min

Exploring the Video Game Industry Tales with Author Blake Harris

01:40 • 9min

Connecting with Former Sega Employees and Making Gaming History Accessible

10:32 • 6min

Passion, Courage, and the Evolution of Gaming

16:08 • 10min

Sega, Sonic, and the Console Wars

25:38 • 21min

Reflections on the Evolution of Communication Technology

46:56 • 2min

Exploring the Intrusiveness of Headsets and Modern Social Interactions

48:28 • 8min

Being an Extra and Larry David Documentary

56:21 • 6min

The Speaker's Focus on Completing a Book over Marketing

01:02:39 • 2min

Episode 27: Blake Harris is the acclaimed author of "Console Wars" and "The History of the Future." Blake shares his journey from a struggling screenwriter to a successful author, diving into the intense rivalry between Sega and Nintendo that defined a generation of gaming.

He reveals insights into the internal conflicts at Sega that contributed to their downfall and discusses the revolutionary impact of Oculus and virtual reality on the tech landscape.

Blake also offers a sneak peek into his upcoming book about comedy legend Larry David, creator of "Seinfeld" and "Curb Your Enthusiasm," complete with humorous anecdotes and behind-the-scenes stories. From the challenges of getting in touch with industry giants like Seth Rogen to the joys and struggles of writing about beloved cultural icons, this episode is packed with compelling stories and valuable lessons on persistence, research, and the art of storytelling.

Check out Blake's Resources:
https://twitter.com/blakejharrisNYC
https://www.amazon.com/Console-Wars-Nintendo-Defined-Generation/
https://www.amazon.com/History-Future-Facebook-Revolution-Virtual/
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/author-blake-j-harris-and-the-history-of-the-future/
Console Wars Documentary

(00:00) - Connecting with Seth Rogen: A Game-Changing Experience
(00:33) - Interview with Blake Harris: Insights and Takeaways
(01:38) - Blake Harris's Journey: From Console Wars to New Projects
(04:22) - The Fascinating World of Sega and Nintendo
(07:34) - From Video Games to Authorship: Blake's Path
(20:35) - Challenges and Triumphs in Writing Console Wars
(29:34) - The Impact of Sega's Internal Conflicts
(33:21) - The Oculus Story: A Mind-Blowing Experience
(34:49) - Challenges in VR: Monetization and Market Penetration
(35:58) - The Evolution of VR Hardware
(36:59) - The Search for VR's Killer App
(40:22) - The Social and Practical Applications of VR
(50:31) - The Impact of Politics on Oculus
(54:15) - Larry David: From Seinfeld to Curb Your Enthusiasm
(55:24) - The Joy of Writing About Larry David
(57:59) - Conclusion and Future Projects

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