They Create Worlds

TCW Podcast Episode 236 - Jordan Mechner and Karateka   This episode explores the early life of Jordan Mechner and the making of Karateka. We cover his Jewish family’s escape from Nazi Europe, his years at Yale, and his struggle to choose between careers in film, art, and game design. Drawing on lessons from arcade games, Mechner formed core design principles that shaped his approach. He also worked closely with his father, Francis Mechner—best known for composing the game's music—who served as a creative sounding board, contributed gameplay ideas, and performed movements used in the game's rotoscoped animations.   Francis Mechner: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Mechner Replay - Memoir of an Uprooted Family: https://www.jordanmechner.com/en/books/replay/ Jordan Mechner: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jordan_Mechner Jordan Mechner Website: https://www.jordanmechner.com/ TCW 071 - A Story of Brøderbund! :https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/a-story-of%C2%A0br%C3%B8derbund/ TCW 072 - The MYSTeries of Brøderbund!: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-mysteries-of-br%c3%b8derbund/  Choplifter (Apple II): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvDnUHW_pjg Seven Samurai Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XMJY0hYJEw The Making of Karateka journals: https://www.jordanmechner.com/en/books/the-making-of-karateka/ The Making of Karateka (Game + Documentary: https://www.jordanmechner.com/en/games-movies/karateka/ The Making & Remaking of Karateka: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vq31IwKZkt0 Karateka Rotoscoping 1983: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Nqp6U1GYI8 Karateka (Apple II): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKqk9kosCs4     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: RoleMusic - 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 235- Coin-op Legends of Japan   Long before they entered the world of video games, a generation of Japanese entrepreneurs built their fortunes in the coin-operated amusement business. In this episode, we trace the early lives and business ventures of five pioneering founders who helped lay the groundwork for companies like Tehkan (later Tecmo), Sammy, and IPM (later IREM). These are personal stories rarely told in English — tales of hustle, reinvention, and the road from postwar struggle to arcade success.   TCW 052 - The Many Faces of Konami: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-many-faces-of-konami/ TCW 153 - Nintendo Playing With Cards: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/nintendo-playing-with-cards/ TCW 154 - Nintendo Playing with Controversy: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/nintendo-playing-with-controversy/ TCW 155 - Nintendo Playing With Toys: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/nintendo-playing-with-toys/ TCW  008 - Birth of the Japanese Game Center: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/birth-of-the-japanese-game-center/ TCW 077 - Invading Taito Part 1: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/invading-taito-part-1/ TCW 078 - Invading Taito Part 2: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/invading-taito-part-2/ TCW 005 - The Untold History of SEGA: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-untold-history-of-sega/ TCW 033 - The Saga of SEGA: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-saga-of-sega/ TCW 029 - 50 Years of Namco: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/50-years-of-namco/ TCW 201 - Advanced Balls and Paddles Part 1: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/advanced-balls-and-paddles-part-1/ TCW 202 - Advanced Balls and Paddles Part 2: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/advanced-balls-and-paddles-part-2/ 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: RoleMusic - 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 234 - Yu Suzuki   Often called SEGA’s Shigeru Miyamoto, Yu Suzuki redefined arcade gaming through innovation and ambition. He pioneered immersive cabinets like Hang-On's rideable motorcycle and After Burner’s flight sim, and used sprite scaling to simulate 3D in hits like Space Harrier and OutRun. His work culminated in the R360 G-LOC—a gyroscopic cabinet offering full 360° motion. Suzuki later led SEGA into 3D with Virtua Racing and Virtua Fighter, and pushed console design forward with Shenmue. Though he didn’t invent Quick Time Events, he coined the term—and created a living, interactive world filled with dynamic conversations, a fully explorable city, and unprecedented detail for 1999. His vision helped shape what players now expect from immersive game worlds.   Champion Boxing (SC 1000): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkDpaSXTGwE Hang On (Arcade): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TopLKeDqYhw Hang On (Bike Cabinet): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KV6gWzBnJw Space Harrier (Arcade): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXO7HOUaHaQ Space Harrier (Cabinet): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_ljkKcDsKs Roger Dean Album Covers: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Albums_with_cover_art_by_Roger_Dean_(artist) OutRun (Arcade): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tp3GLGu7cfg OutRun (Cabinet): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VK3CpGLk0VU The Cannonball Run (Trailer): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8BNVDUslcE Ferrari Testarossa: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lvfx5z4uMOo After Burner (Arcade): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSvxN7nMNwo After Burner Deluxe (Cabinet): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGWesvT9z8Q Top Gun (Trailor): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xa_z57UatDY Castle in the Sky (English Trailer): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lMRfLJGXSM Power Drift (Arcade): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZZMU2HPmTE Power Drift (Cabinet): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cs0slBdnArg R 360 SEGA G-Loc: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OrXW5vCurc G-Loc Air Battle (Arcade): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58JKeizTZF0 Virtua Racing (Arcade): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssPfEPaTaGo Kenji (Manga): https://mangapill.com/manga/2249/kenji Virtua Fighter (Arcade): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7HQ2vspMHA Virtua Fighter 2 (Arcade): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7OYlmdhOZY Shenmue (Dreamcast): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkuWoz6RbgE   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: RoleMusic - 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 233 - Baldur's Gate   When three doctors, a prolific dungeon master, a database programmer, and a writer come together to make video games, you get Baldur’s Gate! Often credited with saving the Western RPG, Baldur’s Gate became a phenomenal hit, taking full advantage of Microsoft’s new DirectX API and Windows 95. With this technology, the team created massive, beautiful maps for players to explore. They began shopping their new Infinity Engine around—drawing attention from top figures at Virgin Interactive—but ultimately secured a deal with Interplay, after an initial rejection. This partnership allowed them to shift from an original pantheon-based RPG to using the Dungeons & Dragons license that Interplay had acquired from TSR. They focused on the Sword Coast and the city of Baldur’s Gate—an underdeveloped region of the Forgotten Realms that stayed true to the classic swords-and-sorcery motif. The result was a game that captured the spirit of D&D while delivering the fast-paced action that gamers of the late '90s craved!   VGA Standard Explained: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5exFKr-JJtg SSI Gold Box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBodtk1JnxQ Dungeon Master (Atari ST): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3UdUWU4j1Y Shattered Steel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zvyi0l4s-wI&list=PLFTDBbYrcivppTQ8bupD3DQ7U23qTv5cK What is DirectX and Why is it important?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfSk6kwWBuE Why Windows 95 was a big deal: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DCNt0cqTQY Volo's Guide to the Sword Coast: https://archive.org/details/tsr09460addfrvolosguidetotheswordcoast Baldur's Gate Playthrough: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooqFu_enV30&list=PLNU3jYa35cy3gahj5NBKymMB6grIGykOr   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: RoleMusic - Bacterial Love: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Rolemusic/Pop_Singles_Compilation_2014/01_rolemusic_-_bacterial_love    Copyright: Attribution: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

The podcast dives into the overlooked history of the home Pong market in the 1970s, revealing fascinating stories of lesser-known competitors like Coleco and Magnavox. It highlights groundbreaking 'Pong-on-a-Chip' technology that revolutionized console manufacturing, allowing anyone to build their own gaming system. Amid humorous anecdotes, discussions about market missteps and the unique challenges of the European gaming scene illustrate the era's wild evolution. Listeners discover how niche strategies shaped the competitive landscape as the industry surged forward.

TCW Podcast Episode 231- Street Fighter 2   Street Fighter 2 is often credited with reviving the arcade scene in the early 1990s. While it successfully brought back the must-have arcade game mentality, it couldn’t stop the overall decline of arcades. The original Street Fighter was influenced by many sources, including Bruce Lee’s Game of Death, anime like Fist of the North Star, and Space Battleship Yamato. With the rise of beat 'em ups following Double Dragon, Capcom released Street Fighter 89, later renamed Final Fight. Taking lessons from Final Fight, Street Fighter 2 introduced an expanded roster, streamlined special moves, combos, and more. Its popularity led to the release of two enhanced versions: Championship Edition and Turbo. Come explore the history and influences of this legendary game!   TCW 041 - Beating Them All Up: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/beating-them-all-up/ Tower of Death Fight Scenes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWMW1drldWc Kung Fu Master: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ko3zG-YG41k The Final Game of Death: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzriAzTAXs0 Yie Ar Kung-Fu: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2h6jQ4A1To Enter the Dragon trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RGju9NuoOU Karate Champ: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwV3xqS9_aQ Fist of the North Star: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYsAklHsWd0 Space Battleship Yamato: http://y2u.be/LtwtV91fwd8 Street Fighter Big Button Cabinet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_XvCNGhmZ0 Street Fighter Gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVLCv-YgWco Polygon Street Fighter Oral History: https://www.polygon.com/a/street-fighter-2-oral-history Double Dragon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfZz-1e-dUQ Side Arms Hyper Dyne: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Esgm7Gk99P4 Forgotten Worlds: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYJfoesXYC8 Final Fight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8gYGfL_p2o Street Fighter 2 - The World Warrior: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xI284D4y1q4 But She's Got a New Hat!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaOgZwk9rN8 Street Fighter 2 - Champion Edition: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJne-82X4L0 Street Fighter 2 - Rainbow Edition: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNIfE7A9q7Y Street Fighter 2 - Hyper Fighting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rrGLH0WByc   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: RoleMusic - 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 230 - Crafting the World of WarCraft   World of Warcraft has stood the test of time for twenty years, and now we can explore the fascinating history behind its creation. The developers drew inspiration from MMOs like Ultima Online, EverQuest, Anarchy Online, Dark Age of Camelot, and more, incorporating what they loved while tackling unique challenges. From art style and storytelling to quest design, factions, and PvP, every aspect of the game presented obstacles to overcome. Despite launching with several rushed elements, WoW captivated a gaming audience eager for an accessible MMO—and went on to set records for years to come   TCW 054 - Blizzard: Vikings and WarCraft: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/blizzard-vikings-and-warcraft/ TCW 055 - Blizzard: Hellfire and The World… of WarCraft: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/blizzard-hellfire-and-the-world%E2%80%A6-of-warcraft/ How to play Necromunda: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqAxPXd5y8g Place Nice: The Rise, Fall, and Future of Blizzard Entertainment (Affiliate): https://amzn.to/41MvT5c The WoW Diary: A Journal of Computer Game Development [Second Edition] (Affiliate): https://amzn.to/4kzpxNT EverQuest Launch Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AJdrc8ZsEI TCW 219 - Diablo 1: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/diablo-1/ TCW 220 - Diablo 2: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/diablo-2/ A Brief History of Chess: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeB-1F-UKO0 Tabula Rasa Gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGQ0Nb3U9kw Tabula Rasa Box Art: https://cdn.mobygames.com/covers/4266351-richard-garriotts-tabula-rasa-pre-order-bonus-pack-windows-front.jpg World of Warcraft Box Art: https://i.etsystatic.com/19063773/r/il/3b9985/2196312265/il_fullxfull.2196312265_13ii.jpg WarCraft 1 Intro: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SA40KEDV6Dc WoW V0.53: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RszVOPx1apI&t=0s Duskwood Retrospective: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2suPQAZMqc TCW 030 - Doom!: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/doom-1479057917/ Ed Bighead Campaign: https://www.facebook.com/RememberWhenNick/videos/remember-when-bigheads-campaign/279376435941596/ Snow White Trailer (1937): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L16P0rip9E4 13th Warrior Cave: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTVze7cfwWU     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: RoleMusic - 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 229 - US Gold   US Gold started as an importer of American games before becoming a dominant force in the British gaming industry. Partnering with Ocean Software, they formed a duopoly that shaped the UK and European gaming markets, bringing top titles to 8-bit computers and later expanding into consoles—US Gold backing SEGA while Ocean focused on Nintendo. When competitors began importing Japanese games, US Gold responded by securing a deal with Capcom to port its arcade hits to home computers. As its parent company, CentreGold, went public, US Gold also acquired Core Design—unknowingly setting the stage for gaming history. Because within Core, something legendary was in development: Tomb Raider. Join us as we dive into the rise of US Gold, its influence on British gaming, and its unexpected connection to one of gaming’s biggest icons.   Compute Magazine Archive: https://archive.org/details/compute-magazine Galactic Chase: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVNM1JH6GNU TCW 136 - Ocean Software: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/ocean-software/ Beach Head (C64): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ex9mchOPG1o Forbidden Forest (C64): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j86veyiIcS8 Aztec Challenge (C64): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLO2mGBID8I Zaxxon (C64): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cB-Tt6O9Onc TCW 103 - Elite Systems: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/elite-systems/ Commando (ZX Spectrum): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKom2O2H0pQ OutRun -US Gold EU (C64): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnuYHmSLUY4 Flashback: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owuUW4DL4cg TCW 129 - The Crash That Almost Was: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-crash-that-almost-was/ TCW 036 - Raiding Eidos: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/raiding-eidos/ TCW 017 - The British 8-Bit Computer Market Hardware: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-british-8-bit-computer-market-hardware/ TCW 018 - The British 8-Bit Computer Market Software: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-british-8-bit-computer-market-software/ TCW 131 - Sir Clive of ZX: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/sir-clive-of-zx/   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: RoleMusic - 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 228 - PopCap Games   PopCap Games was initially overlooked by the larger gaming industry due to its focus on fun, well-designed, and polished casual games. Their first major hit, Bejeweled, became a consistent source of income, allowing PopCap to invest time in developing new titles. This led to the creation of Peggle, which helped solidify PopCap’s reputation, particularly after developers at Valve became hooked on the game’s deeper skill-based mechanics and puzzles. The success of Bejeweled and Peggle continued with their ports to the iPod and, eventually, the iPad, further expanding PopCap’s popularity. This growth culminated in the release of Plants vs. Zombies, which debuted on PC before being adapted for iOS. The game’s seamless touchscreen integration made it a standout app for the newly launched iPad. As the gaming industry evolved, PopCap struck a deal with EA, which acquired the company, leading to the departure of its founders over the following years.   Attack Retrieve Capture: https://alchetron.com/Attack-Retrieve-Capture Shariki Gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMwGy1fv41g Play Dimond Mine: https://www.crazygames.com/game/diamond-mine Bejeweled: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvLtaf1PFVM Palm OS - PDA Gaming: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nfg4YIoYas TCW 122 - A Casual World Part 1: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/a-casual-world-part-1/ TCW 123 - A Casual World Part 2: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/a-casual-world-part-2/ Zuma Deluxe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwpuOhuVnnQ Alchemy Deluxe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p902uQ_y3r4 Play Alchemy Deluxe: https://archive.org/details/alchemy-deluxe Bookworm Deluxe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FA1NSyldUQ8 The Oral History of PopCap: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwzxWLonObo Burnout 3 Takedown: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6vHTQv9JHY Peggle Deluxe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlnieE-h6k8 Peggle Extreme: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAKLiepJDrM Peggle Extreme (Steam - Free): https://store.steampowered.com/app/3483/Peggle_Extreme/ Bejeweled (iPod): https://www.youtube.com/shorts/7iHTM0ryWm0 Peggle (iPod): https://www.youtube.com/shorts/qhWSm0zNSrk Insaniquarium Deluxe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U04weIAra20 Plants VS Zombies (PC): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XENla8M3910 Plants VS Zombies (iPad): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvopYLzwb90 PopCap Games on Internet Archive: https://archive.org/search?query=creator%3A%22PopCap+Games%22   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: RoleMusic - 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 227 - Donkey Kong   Donkey Kong, a game and character that stands as one of the foundational elements of video game history, has a popular narrative with some inaccuracies that need correction. Thanks to the efforts of Kate Willaert and Norman Caruso, we can better understand the influences and origins of Donkey Kong. Nintendo’s use of hardware from another game, Radar Scope, imposed technical limitations that prevented them from securing the desired Popeye license. Donkey Kong drew inspiration from games like Crazy Climber and Space Panic, and its four stages even incorporate elements of the Eastern storytelling structure known as Kishōtenketsu. Join us as we delve into the fascinating origins of Donkey Kong like never before!   Futurama - Quarters! A Million Allowances Worth of Quarters!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbPWti2CoRg "Critical Kate" Willaert: https://www.acriticalhit.com/ Norman Caruso "The Gaming Historian": https://thegaminghistorian.com/ In The Year 2525 - Zager & Evans: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gb7poHQuMWg Wikipedia (Donkey Kong - 1981 Video Game): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donkey_Kong_(1981_video_game) Space Firebird (Arcade): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0MSz55Ct-0 Radar Scope (Arcade): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kbliYx51ok Galaxian (Arcade): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0OTi8hLYpg How the Famicom was Born: https://glitterberri.com/developer-interviews/how-the-famicom-was-born/ Shmuplations - Shigeru Miyamoto – 2000 Developer Interview: https://shmuplations.com/miyamoto2000/ Shmuplations - Donkey Kong - A Record of Struggle: https://shmuplations.com/donkeykong/ Popeye The Sailor Man - A Dream Walking: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2rt7c6 Crazy Climber (Arcade): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZxndttbLIY Space Panic (Arcade): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLd1xABCsaQ Design Bytes SMB 1-1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=La2aGhZxLkQ Barrel Jumping Championship 1957: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvuK8NNSOnI Scramble (Arcade): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yk6BTqzLLfk Kishōtenketsu Explained: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7to8TC5sJVc Lionel Hutz Explains "The Truth": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Nc88_ZEfxg Gaming Historian - How the Mario Characters Got Their Names: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTyxQfpOEbE Disinclined to acquiesce…: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SLGgIMCUzk Donkey Kong (Arcade): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBHJhla8TO4 Donkey Kong Cereal Commercials: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGvDhBdClFY Donkey Kong Cartoon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zyfayak2djo&list=PLP9LnKF6J6Lod1PYlsQ2zJ9OsZT-ALBga   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: RoleMusic - Bacterial Love: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Rolemusic/Pop_Singles_Compilation_2014/01_rolemusic_-_bacterial_love    Copyright: Attribution: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/