They Create Worlds

TCW Podcast Episode 050 - Civilizing Sid Meier We go over Sid's transition into the video game industry.  Starting with meeting "Wild Bill" and their break out game HellCat Ace, and the iterations that lead to F-15 Strike Eagle that cemented MicroProse as a company.  We cover the how/why of Sid Meier's name being on the boxes particularly for the simulation and 4X games.  We wrap it all up with the seminal piece Sid Meier's Civilization, the industry changing  concepts it brought to the table, and Sid's leaving to form Firaxis where he works today! Interview with Sid Meier: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyH24CHTlHA Atari Red Baron: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oa7_mdJLUw HellCat Ace: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwYaQS59UGQ Solo Flight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqjQscY_IZQ F-15 Strike Eagle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XC0FPKCSWhM Floyd of the Jungle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKuH6oXD8Pg Seven Cities of Gold: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57qE1arvo3U Sid Meier's Pirates!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ro-1dXuRBM Covert Action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-VAwGlghoU Sid Meier's Railroad Tycoon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ths0tQL2qu4 Sid Meier's Civilization: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3bA818U15c Sid Meier's Gettysburg: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nS986jTnWBA FreeCiv: http://www.freeciv.org/   New episodes on the 1st and 15th of every month! TCW Email: feedback@theycreateworlds.com  Twitter: @tcwpodcast Alex's 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 049 - Old and Elite  We go over a classic from Great Britain!  Elite is unique in the ambition and execution of creating a massive open world space, complete with a 3d perspective, on such  limited hardware.  The game has influenced a variety of others most notably Grand Theft Auto. Demo of Elite on a BBC B: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owz7XExO-Wk Elite Comparison of BBC B VS Zx Spectrum: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ov4OAteeGWs Elite Gameplay Starting Out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cni8ZInHQXs Procedural Generation In Games: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRfdN4L2SUg Elite on the NES: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSPmQYI4ju8 Frontier Elite 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqhP_e855C4 Elite Dangerous Alien Encounter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vsga26eiDPE New episodes on the 1st and 15th of every month! TCW Email: tcwpodcast@gmail.com  Twitter: @tcwpodcast Alex's 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 048 - Driving Games and Technology We go over the wild ride of driving games.  These games were used as a vehicle to demonstrate advances in graphics technology.  Starting with electro-mechanical games, and ending up with textured polygons; we cover the whole track of an era where cars were king!  There are a lot of examples in this episode drawn from the arcade, consoles, and computer games. Drive Mobile: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aw_N10xuv2Q Speedway: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97DAio1M1xc Super Road 7 Projection System: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xU0HkKUQ-0 Super Road 7 Gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vO6BZIEZ8xw Wild Cycle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjSKnPjnhyc Gran Track 10: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R014taK2pZM Life inside Life: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xP5-iIeKXE8 Taito Speed Race: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BRDxZiK-1s History of Racing Games: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IoGZ-4tAww Night Driver: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqZlxpLKm_E Sega Turbo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWhcBydheRE Namco Pole Position: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeYZGtwydIA Mach Rider NES: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M18w8fL28Ho Sega Monaco GP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZY_LPhkzUk Sega Hang On: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rUsQdd39_o Sega Outrun: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMv0Pg1AxFc Revs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L18wG4p5fQE F-Zero: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlA3vEB0jzY Hard Drivin': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6JC-HCNcio Namco Winning Run: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7KIXb0U2oc Sega Virtua Racer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Js8tZhKcfWc Namco Ridge Racer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qkXMZYQfiA Sega Daytona USA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAcMqFTkAs8 Wipe Out PSX: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XASEBvDri4U Gran Turismo PSX: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49CpLM81TvM New episodes on the 1st and 15th of every month!   TCW Email: tcwpodcast@gmail.com  Twitter: @tcwpodcast Alex's 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 047 - Vestiges of Atari   In our fourth and final episode investigating the rise and fall of the original Atari we delve into the factors that caused the fall of Atari.  We cover the lead up to and tipping point of the variety of factors that lead to the crash.  No one entity can take the blame for it.  The major factors including distribution, overzealous sales forecasts, and  Warner interference came to a head by the end of 1982 leading to the fracturing of the company a year and a half later.    Pacman Atari 2600: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCPpgt0s70U   ET Retrospective: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZ7TtE4hb1k   Indiana Jones Raiders of the Lost Ark Atari 2600: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OP-e0-0PpLc   Mrs Pac Man 2600 vs 7800: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WD4z0u_QZp8&t=220s   New episodes on the 1st and 15th of every month!   TCW Email: tcwpodcast@gmail.com  Twitter: @tcwpodcast Alex's 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 046 - Atari, Ray Kassar and Warner   We continue on to part three of our four part look into Atari.  We delve into Atari under the leadership of Ray Kassar.  It becomes apparent that while Ray did make mistakes the leadup to the fall of Atari cannot be entirely placed at his feet.  We also explore the role of Warner in the direction Atari took and the difficult decision on whether to concentrate on home console or PC.  We also delve into the Arcade side of things and how, while successful, they were not without their growing problems.    Atari Pinball: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqcDFAphThY   Space Invaders Atari 2600: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opru6qPsPa4   Atari Arcade Battlezone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymrYkbEbnEQ   Atari 400 and 800: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-InWwzs8Em0   Asteroids Arcade: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYSupJ5r2zo   New episodes on the 1st and 15th of every month!   TCW Email: tcwpodcast@gmail.com  Twitter: @tcwpodcast Alex's 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 045 - Atari, Ventures and Acquisitions   In our second of four episodes detailing the rise and fall of the core Atari company we go over the rapid expansion of the company, and its ever increasing need for capital.  Atari had to court venture capital, and got the patronage of Don Valentine.  Later on to secure the funding needed for the VCS launch they had to be acquired by a larger company; that company was Warner Communications.  This acquisition as we start to explore was a blessing and a curse.  It ultimately led to the ouster of Nolen Bushnell, and Joe Keenan from Atari.  Now it would start a new era under the leadership of Ray Kassar.   Atari Arcade Tank: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OsBUzYBJgU   Atari Home Pong: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqBlrULrbsg   Atari VCS Hardware Tour: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7n5o5Wq3q4   New episodes on the 1st and 15th of every month!   TCW Email: tcwpodcast@gmail.com  Twitter: @tcwpodcast Alex's 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 044 - Founding, Syzygy to Atari   Part one of our four-part dive into Syzygy/Atari! We cover the personal histories of the founders, and how the company would not really be a company without the efforts of Nolan Bushnell.  We go into the controversy of where he learned of Spacewar.  Then off to the debut hit for Atari of PONG.  We cover the rocky road Atari had after its initial launch, and how it nearly could have just been a flash in the pan like many companies that came after.    The Mandela Effect: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMXnCCFS2-Q Full Nolan Interview in '73: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hp0BBnBdsVo Computer Space: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nhdu2Jh9cuc Space Race: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDtdKxZ9vWk Pong Doubles: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09qHnr1DMwA Gotcha: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FoDZoZqsHF8 Gran Trak 10: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R014taK2pZM   New episodes on the 1st and 15th of every month!   TCW Email: tcwpodcast@gmail.com  Twitter: @tcwpodcast Alex's 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 043 - Personal Gaming Histories   We go over some of our early memories of being introduced to video games.  Joys, tragedies, and hilarity.  Very much in the vein of what inspired us to start doing this podcast.  This is a light hearted episode that may help you to reflect on favorite memories from your past.  So stay a while and listen as we reminisce!   Gray and Orange Zapper: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQnYsEKzJKw Necromancer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hg-XP-4LbVo Archon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdfIfC9BHwQ Think Quick: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYmMs_eo4c8 Civilization: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpW9jTULNmM Dune 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tppjzT-su0Q Dragon Quest/Warrior Overview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_TlZFCabiM Tie Fighter Overview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4-EnCc-JKk   New episodes on the 1st and 15th of every month!   TCW Email: tcwpodcast@gmail.com  Twitter: @tcwpodcast Alex's 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 042 - Laser Craze   We cover the brief, yearlong, craze that was the laserdisc.  We go into great detail on Dragon's Lair the game that really kicked it off in the United States.  Though many other companies tried to take advantage of the medium, unfortunately it was unable to sustain itself.  There were a few games that did as well, if not better than Dragon's Lair, they all ended up being part of what was just a brief fad in the downward trend of the arcade scene.   Quarter Horse: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Imd1acT2qc Astron Belt: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPLX6HSZsx4 Dragon's Lair Promotion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZrgeI0DDP8 Dragon's Lair Playthrough: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6uEx5gWovA Dragon's Lair NES: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyGTMTJ6egU Dragon's Lair Coleco Adam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSinFyg6Y5Q The Making of Dragon's Lair: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bIxeYYSm-c Cliff Hanger Operator Promotion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mc5MKWJ7j6Y M.A.C.H. 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qm5u4ErDPF4 Star Rider: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=soQbVEb3-TQ Bega's Battle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4J2JVgUqSdE Cobra Command: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VN1LC2s4P-w Firefox: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnHl0fyejqc   New episodes on the 1st and 15th of every month!   TCW Email: tcwpodcast@gmail.com  Twitter: @tcwpodcast Alex's 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 41 - Beating Them All Up   We delve into beat 'em ups, and fighters.  We cover why they did not take hold until computer technology progressed far enough to allow for human analogs to be animated well.  We go into the beat 'em up craze, and then the transition to fighting games that occurred with the release of Street Fighter II.  We touch on the fall of fighting games from the mainstream with Tekken and Soul Calibur.  The scene is still out there, and has a dedicated following.  However fighters are not the system sellers they once were.   Warrior: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HX4NspoYD8o Jungle Hunt: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPATWODXlh4 Apple II Karateka: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKqk9kosCs4 Spartan X: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jncBelS_Nhk Karate Champ: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwV3xqS9_aQ Renegade: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1fl38u9I9k Double Dragon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfZz-1e-dUQ Yie Ar Kung Fu: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXOL8tZQX20 Street Fighter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8al2U4xSFNQ  Final Fight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyAHGHo22Og Fatal Fury: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nG17S8yRz6A Street Fighter II World Warrior: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xI284D4y1q4 An Oral History of Street Fighter II: http://www.polygon.com/a/street-fighter-2-oral-history NARC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3jonU-XrK4 Mortal Kombat: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7F82XAvCuVc Virtual Fighter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-9TUlCcib0 Tekken: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GmSF_PqL84 Soul Edge: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bgb64WBw_Ww Soul Calibur Arcade VS Dreamcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_Rdg6A-KJs   New episodes on the 1st and 15th of every month!   TCW Email: tcwpodcast@gmail.com  Twitter: @tcwpodcast Alex's 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/