They Create Worlds

TCW Podcast Episode 180 - Space Invaders Part II   In part two of our look at Space Invaders we explore the impact of the game on Japan and the world. Space Invaders started off rocky, but operators soon realized that players were crazy for the game. Popularity exploded, and Taito was unable to fulfill the orders coming in. This led to the licensing of popular products to other companies in Japan. A move that would see itself repeated as the golden age of arcades continued. We also clarify the 100 Yen Myth/Truth of Japan. Where the legend came from, and what we think the reality is. Finally, we look at the expansion into the United States and Europe, and how the end of the boom in Japan helped to bring Space Invaders into Europe and other nationalities. Blue Shark: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5P692hzleQ I'm in danger: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8ZbpxV382U Space Invaders Attract Mode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvomS1YMV90 Disco Space Invaders: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byQnpyLod6Y Best of Yellow Magic Orchestra: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrBAVAaREd8&t=3s Jatre Specter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aj8PwZaWLo IPM Invader: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ircX-nH5J9I Space Invaders and the 100 Yen Myth: https://www.academia.edu/3672374/Insert_Coin_to_Play_Space_Invaders_and_the_100_Yen_Myth Space Invaders Targets Coins: https://www.academia.edu/2568838/Space_Invaders_targets_coins Spaces Invaders Part II: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ul7epE6Fryw   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: 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 179 - Space Invaders and Nishikado   We look at the life and career of Tomohiro Nishikado, and the life influences that led to his creation of one of the most influential games ever made. Space Invaders! Starting life at the tail end of World War II, Nishikado always had a rebellious streak wanting to get into electronics then follow his mother into education. After some difficulty with school he eventually graduated from Denki University with an electronics degree, during this time, this time he fell in love with coin-op arcade games. Eventually through the help of a friend he landed a job at Taito's subsidiary, Pacific Amusements. Despite not liking his placement at the company, Nishikado continued to work there out of loyalty for his friend. He eventually worked on Sky Fighter, Basketball, and Super Road 7.  Eventually as the industry shifted to microprocessors, and TTL  hardware he eventually made Space Invaders!   TCW 077 - Invading Taito Part 1: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/invading-taito-part-1/ TCW 078 - Invading Taito Part 2:  http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/invading-taito-part-2 Sky Fighter II: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxpCrYBWdtk Taito Basketball: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiTrWumX00s Super Road 7: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vO6BZIEZ8xw Super Road 7 Internals: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ja8x_ZCklg0 Speed Race US and Japan Ver: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jc9_xrD2_M Western Gun: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbnYBB42J6c Interceptor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50zEbS2cgEc Midway Sea Wolf: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipssJjkN2bY Space Invaders: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJMr36hLY38 Space Invaders Cocktail: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3hyLWCuMew   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: 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 178 - The Intellivision Part 2   In part two we look at how Mattel starts aggressively marketing the Intellivision by directly attacking Atari in its advertisements. New leadership by Josh Denham helped to foster this and to rework the production of the Intellivision to make it for cheaper. This lower cost model was released as the Intellivision II. Still some in the company were still wanting to do a computer, but it proved to be too complicated and expensive to bring to market. They settled on releasing a lesser computer attachment that allowed for some peripherals. Ultimately through a combination of their own problems, and the looming home console crash Mattel nearly went out of business, and spun off Intellivision where it continued to limp along in the shadows all the way to the early 90's.   1983 Pepsi Challenge: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghMYzo0rgrw 1981 Pepsi Challenge: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FhxujFUJlQ Grey Poupon Commercial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvDazrJuSdA Most Interesting Man in the World: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guMrgRKKENI Intellivision VS Atari: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCgG7Y-XqEw George Plimpton For Intellivision: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYLly625cXE PBA Bowling: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-X8MFOGuRo TCW 027 - The Magnavox Patent Lawsuit: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-magnavox-patent-lawsuits-friday-september-16-2016-1003-am/ Triple Action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Li_LM6t6smo Blockcade: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5v-0CwiabZA Snafu: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCmEcc4c1tk Space Armada: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEL0Ufhnb4w Astrosmash: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osSe8nzu1m0 Atari VS Other Companies: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqTxWZerumo Space Games Commercial Intellivision: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1O17bGSd9SU Intellivision Master Component and Keyboard Component: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdveJuwHuGM ECS and Music Keyboard: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5NMV-nEh6Q     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: 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 177 - The Intellivision Part 1   In part one of our look at the Intellivision we look at the rocky road that made the system almost not come to market. The system had issues with both settling on chipsets to use as well as production problems. Not only was the system delayed multiple times, but the price kept going up. The Intellivision was marketed as an a gateway into computing in the home. It had a keyboard that was delayed for price reasons that was supposed to ship with the console itself. Software for the console was initially four titles. Though other games came out after launch more towards the late 1980's. The console was met with a luke-warm reception, and it looked like it would be doomed to failure. In part 2 we will see how the Intellivision eventually became a beloved classic console only to be taken out by the great video game crash.   Star Fire: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwELyhziVmc Math Fun: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6abEkPjF5S0 Backgammon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Yep6Hw_ASk Black Jack and Poker: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hohwmmlwtLQ Armor Battle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Co3Wuc4JGDA Football: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkFnN49ayo8 Basketball: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9VpZ-1fmMo Baseball: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bU9EQqQIDD0 Hockey: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aErbUNzmsU Soccer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7TCqhw9_yc Tennis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9o9ZIRhAjLA Skiing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G746FCsE_ko Roulette: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-wg3gutags Horse Racing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXKFQEq675o Word Fun: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Q4kJdGK-v8 Sea Battle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpurLrUYuqo Space Battle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQ8T5bojWgE   TCW 025 - Mattel Electronics?: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/mattel-electronics/   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: 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 176 - The SEGA Technical Institute   SEGA has had a long history of mixing the west and Japanese ideas. To that end, we look at the SEGA Technical Institute or STI. A project to blend the best of Japanese and American developers to create unique games with worldwide appeal. Many talented people worked for STI, and this blending was realized with the release of Sonic the Hedgehog 2. However, success was short-lived as interpersonal issues with the staff lead to a fracturing of the team. Each side put out interesting product, but nothing quite like the success of Sonic.   Marble Madness: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzlA1JTPMto Captain EO (1986): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qy8w2xRpIIg SEGA Scope 3D: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYUBSV6u0Z8 SEGA Scope 3D Commercial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMoMbXZCbT4 Shinobi Arcade: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFlTWKccFLg Dick Tracey Movie Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4rzqSsqaqA Dick Tracey Mega Drive/Genesis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6e5qK7sGPQ Phantasy Star: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3P-3GsiRIw Ghouls 'n Ghosts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsMiyr9M6lM Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Bonus Stages: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kg6cIOsVojg STUN Runner: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6CPtjyr19M Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Genesis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cr1rqVcIhA Castle of Illusion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eueZcpay-lQ Sonic Spinball: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzPpRPDRQvA Casino Night Zone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmdseeZBiz4 SEGA SVP Chip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZHFbLfvb8w Pinball Drams: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UNGMiPETXo Comix Zone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yS-F0UFezFA A-ha - Take On Me: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djV11Xbc914 The Ooze: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoIXkIgiyuc Nights Into Dreams: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkXKYJ0SBl4 Die Hard Arcade: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkVdJXolW_0     Other episodes on SEGA! ===================== TCW 005 - The Untold History of SEGA: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-untold-history-of-sega/ TCW 033 - The Saga of SEGA: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-saga-of-sega/ TCW 068 - SEGA VS Nintendo Round 1: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/sega-vs-nintendo-round-1/ TCW 069 - SEGA VS Nintendo Round 2: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/sega-vs-nintendo-round-2/ TCW 070 - SEGA VS Nintendo Round 3: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/sega-vs-nintendo-round-3/ TCW 088 - Gotta Go Fast!: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/gotta-go-fast-1555215841/ TCW 127 - Dreams of SEGA: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/dreams-of-sega/   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: 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 175 - Shady Cocktail Cabinets   We look at the formation of cocktail cabinets in lounges and cocktail bars. There was an untapped market in these upscale establishments. The problem came from being able to break into the established coin-op industry. This led to some shady practices by various marketers targeting investors who did not know the industry. The cocktail cabinet design promoted quiet play while sitting down enjoying drinks and food unlike most upright cabinets. Cocktail cabinets were somewhat popular for a few years, but ultimately was a fad that was short lived. The companies involved in the industry mostly went under when their popularity dwindled.   TCW 051 - Sons of Pong: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/sons-of-pong/ Barrel Pong: https://i.redd.it/w7iyqqalrvk41.jpg Flim Flam: https://www.aussiearcade.com/topic/81095-flim-flam-1975-pong-clone-pcb-by-meadows-games-inc/   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 online 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: 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 174 - The Computer Wars Part 3   In our conclusion of the live stream, and our look at the computer price wars we see the implosion of the home computer market in the 1980s. The main players were trapped in a race to the bottom. Eventually, Commodore was able to beat out Texas Instruments. This also took out the smaller players like Coleco and Mattel. In the end Commodore was able to dominate the market for a few years. Eventually, they were overcome by the PC clones. But that is another story.   Commodore 64: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpXFB8ZEH30 TCW 124 - The Visions of Coleco Part 1: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-visions-of-coleco-part-1/ TCW 125 - The Visions of Coleco Part 2: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-visions-of-coleco-part-2/ TCW 016 Early Computer Game Platforms: The Trinity, and the Disciples: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/early-computer-game-platforms-the-trinity-and-the-disciples/   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: 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 173 - The Computer Price Wars Part 2   In part two of our look at the computer price wars, we dive deep into the major players. Commodore with the VIC-20 and Texas Instruments with the TI99/4A were the major players. Other players included Apple, the TRS-80 Color, and even the US version of the ZX Spectrum.  As fears mounted that Japanese PC makers would eventually price out the US computer makers, efforts were made to drive the prices of home computers lower and lower. The opening shots of the price war included using celebrity endorsements for the major players. Discover the history of how Commodore and Texas Instruments took down a whole industry!   SRAM and DRAM More in Depth: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rNEtAz3wJQ What is DRAM?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=waU7U_7-mpk TCW 131 -  Clive of ZX: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/sir-clive-of-zx/ 8-Bit Guy - The VIC 20: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yg04GyhS3ss TRS-80 Color: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUa1s9uFKHs Commodore VIC-20 William Shatner Commercials: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JAU9Ntpoms TI 99/4a: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0puBoKpvEjY Bill Cosby Texas Instruments: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eV0t4QIINLI   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 major online 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: 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 172 - The Computer Price Wars part 1   Part one of our live recording as we cover the Computer Price Wars. We focus on the development of the PC market. The state of computers in the home. The hobbyist computer market, and the major players involved. We see the rapid development of computers and the shift to pre-assembled PCs. We wrap up by looking at the major players of the late 70s and early 80s.  The build-up to a price war that would eventually devastate the entire industry.   TCW 025 - Mattel Electronics?: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/mattel-electronics/ The Story of the Mattel Aquarius: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReUNJLwqSbo APF Imagination Machine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvgpcZ1m4XY Atari 800 Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gA-euwYrAzw TRS 80 Model 1 Overview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-6_D3cRXws Star Raiders: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxbYwekgRz4   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: 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 171 - A Rogue's Survival Part 2   In part two we look more closely at the evolution of rogue and its descendants. The game Hack which lead to the development of NetHack, and Moria.  These games continued down branching paths to have influences on MMOs, Diablo, and others. We then jump ahead to the modern indie scene, and how the random generation aspects were adapted to create Spelunky.  Spelunky in turn inspired other creators to create games using random generation elements. The most notable of these being The Binding of Isaac, FTL, and Crypt of the Necrodancer.  It is through these four games that we can see that the concept of randomly generated maps and scenarios are not limited to dungeon crawls, or ASCII art. The concepts can be brought into other genres including platforming, real time strategy, and rhythm games.     NetHack: https://www.nethack.org/ uMoria: https://umoria.org/ Castle of the Winds: https://archive.org/details/win3_CasWin1 Spelunky: https://spelunkyworld.com/original.html Spelunky Gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=em8cU6qcUkw Kagirinaki Tatakai: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFHdvrn6_MM Dwarf Fortress: http://www.bay12games.com/dwarves/ The Binding of Isaac: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oU8EEHy9vR0 FTL Faster Than Light: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNc06T_ywcs Red November: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ox9vubjkZ8s Battlestar Galatica: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0elLcYrPq0 Crypt of the Necrodancer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcCW2gx4YvA     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: 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/