A Trip Down Memory Card Lane

In 2000, \Hitman: Codename 47\ introduced players to Agent 47 and a new breed of stealth gaming built on improvisation, experimentation, and precision. In this episode, we trace how a small team of Danish demoscene veterans formed IO Interactive, built the Glacier Engine from scratch, and turned a 'simple shooter' concept into one of the most influential stealth franchises in history. We follow the evolution from Codename 47’s experimental beginnings to Silent Assassin’s refinement and Contracts’ atmospheric retelling, exploring how each installment shaped IO’s design philosophy. Our conversation also touches on IO’s roots, ragdoll physics innovation, and the World of Assassination era that followed. Join us as we slip into the shadows and revisit Hitman’s origin story on today’s trip down Memory Card Lane.Read transcript

In 1979, Mattel entered the console wars with the \Intellivision\, a machine that promised to outthink Atari with its 'intelligent television' design. This week, we explore how a toy company known for Barbie and Hot Wheels transformed into a technological powerhouse, creating one of the first true competitors to Atari’s 2600. We discuss the innovations that made the Intellivision stand out, its 16-bit processor, unique keypad controllers, and focus on realism, and the missteps that led to its fall amid the 1983 crash. Our conversation dives into its visionary add-ons, the Blue Sky Rangers, and the legacy that still shapes console design today. Join us as we plug in and power on the story of Mattel’s Intellivision on today’s trip down Memory Card Lane.Read transcript

In 2006, Epic Games released Gears of War, a brutal and cinematic reinvention of the third-person shooter. In this episode, we trace Cliff Bleszinski’s journey from teenage shareware designer to creative director at Epic, and how his vision helped transform a scrapped Unreal prototype into one of gaming’s most iconic franchises. We explore the birth of the Lancer, the evolution of cover-based combat, and how Epic’s technical mastery of Unreal Engine 3 changed console gaming forever. Our conversation covers Gears’ critical and commercial success, its influence on modern shooters, and how it became a defining moment for the Xbox 360. Join us as we reload, rev up, and fight through the Locust Horde on today’s trip down Memory Card Lane.Read transcript

In 1981, a trio of writers—Arnie Katz, Bill Kunkel, and Joyce Worley—released Electronic Games, the first magazine dedicated entirely to video games. In this episode, we trace how their early ‘Arcade Alley’ column evolved into a full publication that gave the gaming world its first real voice. Our conversation explores the magazine’s creation, from pitch meetings and prototype covers to its bold editorial vision that treated games as art rather than toys. We discuss the rise and fall of the magazine through the video game crash, its 1990s revival, and how its writers shaped the language, ethics, and spirit of game journalism that persist today. Join us as we flip through the pages of history and celebrate the magazine that started it all on today’s trip down Memory Card Lane.Read transcript

In 1990, Nintendo released Super Mario Bros. 3, the NES encore that pushed 8-bit gaming to its absolute limit. In this episode, we explore how Shigeru Miyamoto and his team built a theatrical masterpiece from the ground up, transforming technical constraints into creative brilliance. Our conversation traces the journey from Donkey Kong to the Mushroom Kingdom’s final curtain call, covering the team’s innovations in overworld maps, new power-ups like the Super Leaf and Tanooki Suit, and the MMC3 chip that made it all possible. We discuss the game’s debut through The Wizard, its massive cultural impact, and how it became one of the best-selling and most beloved platformers of all time. Join us as we take flight one last time on the NES and relive the magic of Super Mario Bros. 3 on today’s trip down Memory Card Lane.Read transcript

In 1997, Ensemble Studios released Age of Empires, a real-time strategy game that transformed history into spectacle. We trace Tony Goodman’s journey from running a Dallas software company to founding Ensemble, and how veteran designer Bruce Shelley brought board game and Civilization experience to the team. The episode highlights the creation of “Dawn of Man,” the challenges of pathfinding and dial-up multiplayer, and Microsoft’s gamble on a game that mixed Warcraft’s immediacy with Civilization’s scope. Our conversation explores critic reviews praising its balance of history and playability, as well as fan memories of chopping wood, raising wonders, and fighting to the population cap. We also cover Rise of Rome, sequels, Definitive Editions, and Age of Empires IV. Join us as we build, march, and conquer through Age of Empires on today’s trip down Memory Card Lane.Read transcript

In 2010, Ninja Theory released Enslaved: Odyssey to the West, a post-apocalyptic reimagining of the Chinese epic Journey to the West. We trace Tameem Antoniades’ turbulent path from Kung Fu Chaos and Heavenly Sword to founding Ninja Theory and building Enslaved on a shoestring budget. The episode highlights the extraordinary creative lineup—Andy Serkis shaping Monkey, Alex Garland embedding with the team as co-designer, and Nitin Sawhney composing its score. Our conversation explores its lush environments, groundbreaking performance capture, and the dynamic between Monkey and Trip that critics compared to ICO and Prince of Persia. While sales fell short of expectations, expansions like Pigsy’s Perfect 10 and cult acclaim cemented its legacy. Join us as we climb, fight, and journey west through Enslaved on today’s trip down Memory Card Lane.Read transcript

In 2011, Edmund McMillen and Florian Himsl released The Binding of Isaac, a crude Flash project that grew into one of the most influential indie games of its era. We trace McMillen’s path from comics to Super Meat Boy, his partnership with Himsl, and the deeply personal religious themes that shaped Isaac’s grotesque story. The episode highlights its Zelda-inspired dungeons, roguelike randomization, and item transformations that turned every run into a new tale of survival. Our conversation explores critic and fan reactions, Nintendo’s rejection over “blasphemous” content, and how expansions, remakes, and community mods expanded it into Rebirth, Afterbirth, and Repentance. From small experiment to genre-defining giant, we explore how Isaac sparked the roguelike revival. Join us as we dodge, cry, and descend into Isaac’s basement on today’s trip down Memory Card Lane.Read transcript

In 1990, Origin Systems released Wing Commander, Chris Roberts’ groundbreaking space combat simulator that aimed to feel like a movie you could play. We trace Roberts’ path from teenage programmer on the BBC Micro to his time at Origin, where Times of Lore shaped his cinematic ambitions. The episode explores how Roberts taught himself 3D tricks, pitched Squadron, and assembled a small team to bring branching campaigns, cockpit chatter, and dynamic music to life. Our conversation highlights critic and fan praise for its spectacle, the rush of expansions and sequels, and its leap into full-motion video with Mark Hamill in Wing Commander III. We also follow Roberts beyond Origin, from Freelancer to Star Citizen. Join us as we dogfight, dive, and dream big through Wing Commander on today’s trip down Memory Card Lane.Read transcript

In 2002, Battlefield 1942 redefined multiplayer shooters by combining infantry, tanks, ships, and planes on massive, team-based maps. We rewind to the roots of DICE and Refraction Games, from digital pinball tables to the ambitious Codename Eagle, and how their merger set the stage for Battlefield’s debut. The episode highlights EA’s role in finally backing the project, the Refractor engine’s technical leap, and the launch maps that turned every match into a story generator. Critics praised its scale and innovation, though single-player bot matches left some underwhelmed. Our conversation explores emergent stunts, early fan culture, influential mods like Desert Combat, and Battlefield’s long legacy in shaping online play. Join us as we storm, soar, and shell our way through Battlefield 1942 on today’s trip down Memory Card Lane.Read transcript