They Create Worlds

TCW Podcast Episode 076 - A Fairchild Story We cover the history of the Fairchild company and their console the Fairchild Channel F.  It is a fascinating journey of how a company was thrust into a role where they could get in on the ground floor of the new video game industry.  Although through bad experiences in other industries, an epic struggle to ger FCC approval, and observations on the turmoil of the video game industry, Fairchild was defeated.  Fairchild's exit from the scene was not so much the initial hurdles they faced, but their lack of will to produce, and market in quantities that would let them gain the market share they needed.   How Integrated Circuits are made: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35jWSQXku74 Fairchild on Integrated Circuits: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z47Gv2cdFtA Fairchild Channel F Hockey: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a45lmvaA3KI Fairchild Channel F Blackjack: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tf5RoJVGh3k Fairchild Channel F Spitfire: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95guwJJGx8I Fairchild Channel F Controller Demonstration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egfNz3XtL90 Overview of the Fairchild Channel F: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIRhnu7sfCY How ROM Cartridges Worked: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLEMsw1SjDY&t   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 075 - Gunning for Light   We look at how shooting peripherals entered the gaming scene.  We start with their introduction in arcades, and move all the way up to today.  We see the technology change, and how different applications were applied to get interesting effects.  With the height of light guns in the 80's and 90's, and their decline in the 2000's, light guns are only seen in the few remaining arcade and fun centers still in operation.  In the home they really say their popularity in the 8-bit and to a lesser extent the 16-bit era.    ABT Target Skill Model F: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mm1qSL4g4eg Shoot the Bear: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41HA_L5sGGo Coon Hunt: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmTDlmULZt0 Keeney Anti-Aircraft Machine Gun Restore: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Odqi1iXnh84 Keeney Air Raider: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=senG1HmruAo Whoopi Goldberg on racial/ethnic stereotypes in old cartoons: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCT1clqci3I Dale model Gun Cabinet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-C1DN24sfCY Magnavox Odyssey Light Gun: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=At6H6SIfWTc Sega Balloon gun Cabinet Picture: http://www.pinrepair.com/arcade/ballgun.htm Qwak Pictures: https://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=9216 Very brief shot of Qwak in Dawn of the Dead: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UVzepqkmts How Light Pens and NES Zapper Worked: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nu-Hoj4EIjU Crossbow: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtsuSH9jylw EXPLICIT WARNING! Chiller: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_19-YbEuSpU Operation Wolf Arcade cabinet tour and gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQqaw_Vf9wk Operation Wolf Generic Gun: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5YZWjSBJts Lethal Enforcers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BAkgAMVcUo Virtua Cop: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcTiaBrJWTs Terminator 2 Judgement Day: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qja3t17C4vw Silent Scope: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3TGQSV54ww&t=58s Area 51: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biJ9kUid84A House of the Dead: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIVa53_NLLI Time Crisis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vT0GjW3oiQM   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 074 - The Japanese PC Industry We cover the Japanese PC industry from the initial pioneers up to the mid 1980's.  The early innovators on the PC, while never having many international successes, laid the groundwork for games that would later be seen on the Famicom, and other platforms.  It is further interesting to note the people who got their start in the video game industry through computer clubs in college, and by programing at department stores.  With the computer industry coming from two sides, hobbyist and professional, they merged together to create an interesting take that in some ways mirrored aspects of the British, and American computer scenes. Heiankyo Alien Arcade: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSxYdeqJAkY Heiankyo Alien Game Boy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vY3qVBkIu74 Evolution of various snake games: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSVBIuPZ1Bc Space Panic Arcade: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLd1xABCsaQ&t=106s Lupin the III Arcade (1980): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYjMxlKOS3Q Exoa PC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzlS6Aamt1U Xevious Arcade: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P24bjcvnxd8 Grobda Arcade: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4B0iUN1GpA THEXDER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVfRGsfnI_c ALPHOS Nec PC-88: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbZokPuZ1oU Xanadu PC-88: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcQpec98nCA   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 073 - Adventuring in the Arcade   We look at the British PC Software market, specifically the Arcade Adventure genre.  With the popularity of the ZX Spectrum as a home computer, and its hardware limitations lent itself to the development of the Arcade Adventure.  With multiple influences the Arcade Adventure enjoyed side scrolling, top down, and isometric gameplay.  We also see the start of the career of Tim and Chris Stamper with Sabre Wulf, Knight Lore, and Alien 8.  We end looking at the panicle games of the genre with Dizzy, and Head over Heels.  Unfortunately as technology advanced the slower paced Arcade Adventure gave way to more action packed gamed allowed by newer systems.   TCW 018: The British 8-bit Computer Market: Software: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-british-8-bit-computer-market-software/ Miner 2049er C64: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JF9gTknSK8 Manic Miner ZX Spectrum: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgUzteADsRI Jet Set Willy ZX Spectrum: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94Ywx6uVn9E Knight Lore with Commentary ZX Spectrum: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fd8RchGHxyo Atic Atac with Commentary ZX Spectrum: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJrS9WYn3X8 Sabre Wulf ZX Spectrum: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lt4FqqLW8LI Alien 8 ZX Spectrum: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDhSH-GJDqE Automania ZX Spectrum: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBvI1uzRwwo Pajamarama ZX Spectrum: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pe9yFqledKE Dizzy ZX Spectrum: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlMZsTlOYuE Treasure Island Dizzy ZX Spectrum: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwNgWFbPuWo Batman (1986) ZX Spectrum: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b53lGkwINPE Head over Heels ZX Spectrum: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJYhckbQmg4   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 072 - The MYSTeries of Brøderbund!   We cover the later years of Brøderbund looking at their "evergreen" products.  Print Shop being the first one to really put them on the map.  We then look at the series of successes, and challenges that the company faced throughout the 80's and 90's.  We then see how the meteoric success of MYST ultimately dead to the downfall of Brøderbund in 1998.  Still Brøderbund was a fascinating company which was willing to take risks on some of the influential games, and software that built the PC industry we know today.   Bank Street Writer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHQVD25Y3Gg Apple ][ E Print Shop: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJV1nAeHkQ8 TCW Where in the game is Carmen Sandiego?: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/where-in-the-game-is-carmen-sandiego/ Quick and Dirty Desktop Publishing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEqQlEgQ3_4 Dawn of Desktop Publishing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rCNnMZrFUQ Sim City Retrospective: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O42kxeilMaQ Living Books "Just Grandma and Me": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1qVm133XJg&list=PLCAF301BEC1CA0D5D PC DOS Prince of Persia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xv20j8ChtRY HyperCard: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMFscTOazS0 The Manhole 30th aniversary with Robyn Miller: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kX5E7yOHJg Cosmic Osmo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K30UmVsqTn8 A Brief History of Myst: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4wWITMUop0&t=1352s Myst VS RealMYST: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZOxPlWGiL8&t=151s Gone Home Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRjJ5LY6tX8 Stanley Parable Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBtX0S2J32Y   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 071 -A Story of Brøderbund! We cover the founding of Brøderbund by the Carlston brothers.  We delve into their initial forays into the PC game market.  The used a unique business model that supported developers, and creators, but did not bring them on as employees.  However they did retain staff to assist in polishing up games that showed potential.  Brøderbund even started exploring consoles with a few of their games until they decided to transition to evergreen products.   Galactic Trader: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=waxrpG-19jM  Alien Rain Apple II: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_q5z3wbF9vo Choplifter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ao9VAgyAgY4 David's Midnight Magic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1a9Y55NJy0 Space Panic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLd1xABCsaQ Lode Runner: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7JY5nEOUGA Lode Runner Championship: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDVYa4q9Qhg Karateka: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKqk9kosCs4 Laughing Gas Charlie Chaplin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZrsuEWw9m8 The Close up and Cross Cutting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osTF3zsplt0 Lode Runner NES: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwxLChxi8WA Karateka NES: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJoHgELbO5s Raid on Bungeling Bay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKeelD1VmnA Raid of Bungeling Bay NES: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiuU5FHYaiE   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 070 - Sega VS Nintendo Round 3 The fight heats up with the 16 bit era in the United States.  Sega being first to market was able to take control, and dominate the market for a few years.  However this short lived victory was bought at a price.  With the low margins on consoles Sega was unable to sustain the growth once things started to change in Europe.  Nintendo meanwhile was always able to turn a tidy profit even without a controlling market share.  Nintendo's control of the handheld market, Japan, and the 8-bit consoles allowed them to have the financial reserve to weather the Sonly PlayStation entering the market.  We go over some of the misconceptions regarding Sega of America and Sega of Japan, and show how even Nintendo was swayed by the marketing done by Sega. Genesis Does what Nintendon't Commercial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7nsBoqJ6s8 Altered Beast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I075dM_AZ2g Master System Golden Axe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHbJLhumzUs Genesis Golden Axe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiHjrQlO2RQ Master System Sonic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQPvA0OvR24 Genesis Sonic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJJnxHcv1z4 Welcome to the Next Level Commercial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MY61zUle52g Genesis Commercials from 1991-1993: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIBmBy9APaU Play it Loud Nintendo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stvktzVjZJw F-Zero: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIe4AvKLSa4 Donkey Kong Country: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4EUEsEM328   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 069 - Sega VS Nintendo Round 2 We cover Nintendo and Sega entering the US Market with their 8-bit consoles.  With the early release, marketing, and connections Nintendo dominated the market.  Sega tried to break in with a technologically superior system, but due to lack of third party software, due to Nintendo's exclusivity contracts, they were unable to make a significant impact.  Briefly partnering with Tonka, of Tonka trucks, they tried to get a larger penetration onto store shelves.  However Tonka overextending themselves, and were unable to properly market the Sega Master System like both companies hopped.  Sega was gearing up though for the 16 bit era, and were first to the market with a new console starting the true fight between Sega and Nintendo.   Nintendo Game and Watch Commercial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ss3gZ6yV79c Miyamoto on World 1-1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRGRJRUWafY Super Mario Tutorial 1: https://kotaku.com/5531665/if-super-mario-bros-was-made-in-2010 Super Mario Brothers Tutorial 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFMbaNfqY6Y NES Zelda 1 Nerd Rap: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uI3rO3PbYOo   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 068 - Sega VS Nintendo Round 1 Recorded live in front of fans on YouTube Live!  Alex and Jeffrey start the dive into the Sega VS Nintendo rivalry.  We lay the groundwork of how Sega came to enter the console market in Japan.  We see the first clash with Nintendo, and the reasons that Nintendo won the first round cementing their hold on Japan in a way that would not be broken until the PlayStation era.  Sega was able to convert their home computer hardware into a console, and was only able to get the sales numbers that that did due to a recall of the original Famicom console. Game and Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUvFA7Ut8f0 Sega SC-3000: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdfurnWIvJI Original Famicom: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbduBEeJZqE Epoch Super Cassettevision: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIzftg1nb8g   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   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 067 - The Birth of Japanese Consoles We cover the start of Japanese home consoles beginning with the early dedicated systems and working up to the development of the Famicom and the Sega SC-3000.  Japan differed from the US in that companies had the opportunity to sell consoles that bridged the gap from dedicated consoles to programable consoles with LSI-cartridge-based consoles. Epoch was the only company that stuck with home consoles during this era.  Always remember the Famicom is not the first Nintendo console!   Before Mario Blog: http://blog.beforemario.com/ Bandai TV Jack 1000: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BW9lDLJgkus Nintendo Color TV 15: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrVwYgYdaak Nintendo Color TV Racing 112: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xK3nLfWWJ6s Epoch TV Baseball: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCZDqJTOP48 Epoch TV Block: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZ4z1wtK9HM Atari Video Pinball: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSdH1I80ESQ Epoch TV Cassetevision: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aARzm5NTol0 Epoch TV Vader Console Overview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fO7hQvGXg0 Epoch TV Vader Gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOcUmpZErdk Epoch Cassetevision Galaxian: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsGs9KcEc3k   *** LIVE STREAM Sunday June 3rd at 12:30 CDT (UTC - 5) *** https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClGlSl-zgLdxhJEbo_NKr4w/live   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   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/