They Create Worlds

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/

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/