They Create Worlds

TCW Podcast Episode 086 -  Itsa Me Marioooo!   Itsa the most iconic character in video game history: Mario. We explore the origins of Mario and examine how his entire design was born of necessity. We discuss how the character evolved through the Donkey Kong series and Mario Bros. before taking a deep dive into the design of Super Mario Bros. Then it’s a quick tour through the rest of Mario's NES and SNES adventures, setting the stage for his transition into 3D worlds.   Nintendo Radar Scope: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kbliYx51ok TCW Gumpai Yokoi episode: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/nintendo-and-gunpei-yokoi/ Donkey Kong Arcade: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJagEKVJ8x4 Mario Bros.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHlUEJXaxfY Devil World: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08q_WmEMh4g Excite Bike: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRgMCtaWoSU Kung Fu: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-gyVEqS1Ts Pac Land: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=558zv3tHdu4 Baraduke: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYRfKffrMVM Super Mario Retrospective: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSssHzHam_o Famicom Super Mario Bros. 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hj-U1ggYRKw How NES Controller Works: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVnwfwXnNiQ&feature=youtu.be&t=318 Doki Doki Panic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Px3KTewBGrA Speed Racer Intro: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suCm1w_KTiY Japanese Super Mario Box Art: http://thedoteaters.com/?attachment_id=5723 Super Mario Bros. 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2LTcQwmOV4 Super Mario World: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vxg5eOPmzHI Yoshi's Island: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8btNneN8ew   New episodes 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 forthcoming book will be released through CRC Press!   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 085 - Computer Game BASICs   Now that we have explained how timesharing works, it's time to discuss games! In the 1960s, students and professional programmers alike created computer games that were played by dozens, if not hundreds of their peers on timeshared computers. In the early 1970s, some of these programs began to spread across the country thanks to the efforts of early pioneers in computer book and magazine publishing like Bob Albrecht and David Ahl. By the time the first microcomputers appeared in the late 1970s, these games were so widespread that they started being converted to platforms like the Apple II and TRS-80 as well.  As a result, games like Lunar Lander, Star Trek, and The Oregon Trail continued to be played decades after they were first created and became recognized as some of the earliest classic computer games.   Kill us all on sight reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2Lc_1aNdZA 1969 Lander: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TkFCo4F0_U Making Games by Year (Remaking Lunar Lander in Python): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJxNUdsnsos Atari Lunar Lander: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McAhSoAEbhM The Oregon Trail Franchise: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fEWA3WGkZ0 The Oregon Trail Card Game: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kg8lCvF1-Oc Hamurabi: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sb9Z8FaaVZU 101 BASIC Computer Games: http://www.ccapitalia.net/descarga/docs/1975-101-basic-computer-games.pdf Star Trek Text Version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLKw4AU4KHU&t=86s Star Trek C64: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4p6qQEDp0Ug Hunt the Wumpus Text: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETjYJBJrfq4 Hunt the Wumpus Graphical: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkWJMU16GrU   New episodes 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 forthcoming book will be released through CRC Press!   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 084 - Time Shared   We lay the groundwork of computer development that led to some of the earliest influential games that would shape the industry.  We cover how computers were one-program-at-a-time systems, and it was only through experimentation that were computers developed that could handle multiple inputs at once.  We see how Sputnik scared the USA into spending a lot more in the sciences in order to keep up with Russian space development, which benefited computer-based education initiatives.  We finish up looking at the proliferation of computers with remote terminals in universities, high schools, and some grade schools.   That combined with the high level programing language BASIC set the stage for development, and spread of games!   Castlevania 2 Runner Pays 400/month for Internet: https://youtu.be/C_3Tdjs0iVA?t=1991 The SAGE Systen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06drBN8nlWg IRQ, DMA, and Address Ports: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPKXmGkRxQ8 How Computers Work Overview playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAx_6-wdslM&list=PLzdnOPI1iJNcsRwJhvksEo1tJqjIqWbN- Crash Course Computer Science playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpIctyqH29Q&list=PL8dPuuaLjXtNlUrzyH5r6jN9ulIgZBpdo The Story of Sputnik: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhJnt3xW2Fc "The Fun They Had" by Isaac Asimov: https://archive.org/stream/Fantasy_Science_Fiction_v006n02_1954-02/Fantasy__Science_Fiction_v006n02_1954-02#page/n125/mode/2up 1963 MIT Timesharing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q07PhW5sCEk Machine Code and High Level Languages: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OukpDfsuXE Birth of BASIC: https://youtu.be/WYPNjSoDrqw Hello Computer reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkqiDu1BQXY   New episodes 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 forthcoming book will be released through CRC Press!   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 083 - The Silliwood Era now in FMV!   Now that we have set the stage, it's time for glorious FMV!  We examine the critical games released in 1993 that began the interactive movie craze and attracted serious attention from the media companies just beginning to establish "interactive divisions."  We analyze how both media companies and existing video game companies approached using FMV in their products and conclude by discussing how the sudden entrance and exit of the media companies transformed the industry going forward.   Micky Mousecapade NES: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8AuYYIG-SU Sewer Shark Sega CD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTdLjUn6y-0&t=1248s Night Trap Sega CD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ia29PSVOXL4 Congressional Hearing on violence in Video Games: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nD-Afpg4P2U FM Towns Demo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Th4c7fTMETI FM Towns 100 Games: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcM7QaxkL60 Psygnosis Planetside Demo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jlFe-VBK1M Rebel Assault: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FX3B8yC38U CGA Graphics - Not as bad as you thought!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niKblgZupOc The Fool's Errand: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCY_OrFddEc History of Greenscreen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8aoUXjSfsI Hunt for Red October end scene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCqR0_a6_so The 7th Guest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45Z-Q5KVTyI TCW 072 The MYSTeries of Brøderbund!: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-mysteries-of-br%C3%B8derbund/ MYST PC:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iM64lBQqWY Lion King Activity Center: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZF8ReMcloc Spyro the Dragon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrVKjNR0-SE Crash Bandicoot: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xK-h4M4Aetg Independence Day PSX: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tD0movLhZo0 Goldeneye N64: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6l6_WKxRck Wing Commander 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhPlK6yOT3g Wing Commander 4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcbHuJxqgk0 Red Alert Soviet Story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fx3fK5kve-M Phantasmagloria: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAXC-MwfpHA Star Wars Dark Forces II Cut Scenes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmD-HlPAVTw Hell: A Cyberpunk Thriller: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qM6Qu2kIXVU   New episodes 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 forthcoming book will be released through CRC Press!   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 082 - An Unlikely Pairing of Siliwood   We take a look at the circumstances and leadup to what become known as the Siliwood Era.  We discuss how changing technology and an increased focus by certain video game companies on emulating blockbuster movies attracted the attention of the major media companies and set the stage for an unlikely alliance of Hollywood and Silicon Valley.  This pairing led to the interactive movie fad and also led to changes in retail that would alter the course of the video game industry forever.   TCW 042 Laser Craze: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/laser-craze/ Night Trap 25th Anniversary PC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBaW40NUCTU Sewer Shark: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTdLjUn6y-0 Atmosfear: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRMphkKF3M0 Defender of the Crown: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvW6okgy4wA Errol Flynn Robin Hood: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpqR6Ca-LL8 Defender of the Crown Opening: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwTJn-rVYuE It came from the Desert: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8LaMMSEs5Q THEM Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4URRp39XOo   New episodes 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 forthcoming book will be released through CRC Press!   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 081 - The Meeting of Spacewar   We go over the history of Spacewar, and the event at the Smithsonian.  We take a close look at the people involved in bringing Spacewar into existence.   We also look at some of the systems that were the predecessors to the PDP-1 that was used for Spacewar.  We also discuss why games were used to demonstrate the capabilities of computers.  In short an interesting look at one of the first video games.   TX-0 Mouse: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0QTTYJv0Yw PDP-1 Explained and Space War Demo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EWQYAfuMYw Install a FREE version of Spacewar Via Steam:  Start -> Run -> steam://run/480 Video explaining Free Spacewar on Steam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQ1KcmBUN-Q Kotaku Article: https://kotaku.com/spacewar-creators-didnt-know-they-were-making-history-1830887504 Variety Article: https://variety.com/2018/gaming/features/spacewars-history-talk-smithsonian-1203067907/     New episodes 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 forthcoming book will be released through CRC Press!   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 080 - Vector Lights   We look at the arcade industry and the circumstances that led to the use of vector monitors in arcade games.  While not as well remembered today, and with fewer systems still around, vector played an important role in the development of video games.  Vector provided the detail and capabilities that were not yet available in traditional raster-based systems.  However in due time Raster met, and then exceeded, the capabilities of vector systems, and with the lower cost of maintenance for raster vector has faded into history.   Slow Motion TV Drawing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BJU2drrtCM&t CGA Graphics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niKblgZupOc Larry Rosenthal from 2014 at California Extreme: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apg3W7yXULY Space Wars: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOtqX8r2rcE&t Warrior: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUp0lzFiscs Omega Race: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80L9fnSvbTk Atari Lunar Lander: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPtoFQDc2MU Atari Asteroids: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUveu3Dm_Fo Atari Red Barron: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oa7_mdJLUw Atari Battle Zone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdfKy4c7yuc Cinematronics Tailgunner: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbm5sw2eHQs&t Gremlin Space Fury: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Igp8-oNKejI Atari Tempest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMto2HJJSSA&t Atari Star Wars: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgDdexv--ZA Jed Margolin The Secret Life of Vector Generators: https://www.jmargolin.com/vgens/vgens.htm Major Havoc: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3o_vG2m7X0   New episodes 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 forthcoming book will be released through CRC Press!   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 079 - The Six Children of EA   We take a closer look at the six launch titles from EA.  We cover each in more detail going into the background of the creators, as well as the development of each game.  We take a look at how the games were received both commercially, and historically.  Today Archon, Pinball Construction Set, and M.U.L.E. are the games that are best remembered from the initial six titles.  Worms, Axis Assassin, and Hard Hat Mack are not well remembered today.   TCW 006 - The Early History of Electronic Arts: https://goo.gl/kR9ppF Archon C64: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdfIfC9BHwQ Hard Hat Mack: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmQJNy2FBm0 Raster Blaster Apple II: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiUIlGoJdW0 Pinball Construction Set Building a table: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ow0X7IrzzO8 Pinball Construction Set Complete Overview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R46Cj21c_Bc Axis Assassin Apple II: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BwNMTRqG3I Axis Assassin C64: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYfN8Ckf1So Tempest Arcade: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOZomej48c0 Play WORMS?: https://archive.org/details/a8b_Worms_1983_Electronic_Arts_US_a_k_file Worms? Gameplay Atari 800: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4JASQ7EsFY M.U.L.E. C64: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cs3G6dxx2FQ   New episodes 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 forthcoming book will be released through CRC Press!   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 078 - Invading Taito Part 2   We go into part two of Taito.  We start off looking at Space Invaders which is arguably the highest point of success and fame for the company.  The company continued on with many notable hits in the following years.  They continued to survive despite not having a succession plan with the death of Michael Kogan.  The company was hurt by their delay in transitioning to 3d, and a lack of direction in regards to the home market.  Taito still lives today as a wholly owned subsidiary of Square-Enix.   Space Invaders arcade cabinet tour: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=waY3svOHGGI Seinfeld Arcade Frogger: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dj3kXXIw02s Blue Shark: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEzhHccmK0w Space Invaders Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7waFiZV0vf4 Galaxian: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2NFboPZVdc Qix: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNJSk6XilCk Jungle King: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFKzPGRj9_g Jungle Hunt: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJbt_CUXrA4&t=779s Bubble Bobble: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuXOSBb4hQw Arkanoid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTLyYclUL4E Breakout: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hW7Sg5pXAok&t= Taito Double Dragon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uy0LRZvyyW8 Lufia and the Fortress of Doom Intro: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FK4cMp34RcI Modern day Densha De Go: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuEeUlJe9JE Densha De Go PlayStation + Controller: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuxf5QhdWIo   New episodes 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 forthcoming book will be released through CRC Press!   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 077 - Invading Taito Part 1 We look back at the history of the company Taito.  Started by a Russian who through unique circumstances in World War II managed to grow up, and become educated in Japanese society.  The name Taito means "Far East", and the company went through three iterations before it became the icon we know it today.  We wrap up part one just before the release of the iconic Space Invaders in 1978. Pachi-Slot in Japan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5LIgutUeig Sky Fighter 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxpCrYBWdtk Taito Basketball (Pickup and Machine Tour): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCo-9hYLBjQ TV Basketball Midway: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMV_meVa7m8 Speed Race: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJC59DxL4K0 Sega Gun Fight Machine Tour: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8GorudW3Dk Sega Gun Fight Gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97lkaMb_I-0 Gun Fight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhMAAJ2SgoU&t=44s TT Block: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTpha-l6ve4     New episodes 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 forthcoming book will be released through CRC Press!   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/