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    History

    They Create Worlds

    The games we love reveal something true about who we are, and about the world that made them. They Create Worlds is a podcast about the people, technology, and forces that built the video game industry. 

    Through video game history, the show looks at how culture, business, and technology shaped what we play, tracing the choices and circumstances that led to the games so many people around the world enjoy. 

    Each episode digs into where games came from, who made them, and why they were made the way they were. Business decisions, technological shifts, and creative choices all shaped what ended up on screen, and the show covers all of it together, not just one piece in isolation. 

    Hosted by Alex Smith and Jeffrey Daum, They Create Worlds grew out of long conversations about the strange corners of the industry and the patterns that only show up when you look across companies, platforms, and decades. That conversational feel remains, built on careful research, clear structure and editing that makes even the deepest topics easy to listen to. 

    History turns out to be less settled than it looks. New documents surface, memories conflict, and the clean stories about why things happened the way they did rarely survive contact with the evidence. The show digs into all of that, following the creative and business forces that pushed and pulled on each other, and uncovering the human stories that lie beneath the games so many people around the world enjoy. 

    New episodes are released twice a month. 

    Advertise

    Copyright: © Copyright 2015-2019 . All rights reserved.

    • Apple Podcasts
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    • Spotify

    Latest Episodes:
    Jordan Mechner and Price of  Persia Jul 01, 2025
    Show notes

    TCW Podcast Episode 237 - Jordan Mechner and Price of Persia

    We continue our look at Jordan Mechner with the development of Prince of Persia. Its cinematic inspirations include Castles of Dr. Creep, the opening of Raiders of the Lost Ark, and the 1938 Robin Hood. To animate the prince, Mechner filmed his brother performing stunts, then manually painted key frames, painting his brother white and the background black to make the footage compatible with a limited digitizer. Memory constraints forced creative solutions, like XORing the prince and bit shifting him to create Shadow Man. A promising film project delayed the game’s release, but Prince of Persia launched on the Apple II with groundbreaking animation. A strong Macintosh port and renewed interest following Disney’s Aladdin helped turn the game into a hit across the early 1990s.

    The Making of Prince of Persia: https://www.jordanmechner.com/en/books/journals/

    TCW 172 - The Computer Price Wars Part 1: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-computer-price-wars-part-1/

    TCW 173 - The Computer Price Wars Part 2: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-computer-wars-part-2/

    TCW 174 - The Computer Price Wars Part 3: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-computer-wars-part-3/

    TCW 019 - The Great Video Game Crash Part 1: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-great-video-game-crash-part-1/

    TCW 020 - The Great Video Game Crash Part 2: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-great-video-game-crash-part-2/

    TCW 021 - The Great Video Game Crash Part 3: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-great-video-game-crash-part-3/

    TCW 071 - A Story of Brøderbund!: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/a-story-of%C2%A0br%C3%B8derbund/

    TCW 072 - The MYSTeries of Brøderbund!: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-mysteries-of-br%C3%B8derbund/

    The Castles of Dr. Creep: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mi2dvxcioBw

    First 10 minutes of Raiders of the Lost Ark: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUWYmTpYdP4

    The Thief of Bagdad (1924): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTXZSVIIk-c

    How Prince of Persia Defeated Apple II Memory Limitations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sw0VfmXKq54

    Prince of Persia (Apple II): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZDAPp61aak

    Robin Hood (1938): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USpQGE5sVAY

    Prince of Persia (PC DOS): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKQX75dBlEI

    Prince of Persia (Amiga): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukSECkajKYA

    Prince of Persia (NES): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6hylvkCh-8

    Prince of Persia (SNES): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZtkPZih-3s

    Prince of Persia (Macintosh): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjR_AhxPnVM

    Prince of Persia Re-Release Box: https://bigboxcollection.com/PrinceOfPersia.3DBox

    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: RoleMusic - Bacterial Love: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Rolemusic/Pop_Singles_Compilation_2014/01_rolemusic_-_bacterial_love

    Copyright: Attribution: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/


    Jordan Mechner and Karateka Jun 15, 2025
    Show notes

    TCW Podcast Episode 236 - Jordan Mechner and Karateka

    This episode explores the early life of Jordan Mechner and the making of Karateka. We cover his Jewish family’s escape from Nazi Europe, his years at Yale, and his struggle to choose between careers in film, art, and game design. Drawing on lessons from arcade games, Mechner formed core design principles that shaped his approach. He also worked closely with his father, Francis Mechner—best known for composing the game's music—who served as a creative sounding board, contributed gameplay ideas, and performed movements used in the game's rotoscoped animations.

    Francis Mechner: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Mechner

    Replay - Memoir of an Uprooted Family: https://www.jordanmechner.com/en/books/replay/

    Jordan Mechner: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jordan_Mechner

    Jordan Mechner Website: https://www.jordanmechner.com/

    TCW 071 - A Story of Brøderbund! :https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/a-story-of%C2%A0br%C3%B8derbund/

    TCW 072 - The MYSTeries of Brøderbund!: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-mysteries-of-br%c3%b8derbund/

    Choplifter (Apple II): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvDnUHW_pjg

    Seven Samurai Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XMJY0hYJEw

    The Making of Karateka journals: https://www.jordanmechner.com/en/books/the-making-of-karateka/

    The Making of Karateka (Game + Documentary: https://www.jordanmechner.com/en/games-movies/karateka/

    The Making & Remaking of Karateka: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vq31IwKZkt0

    Karateka Rotoscoping 1983: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Nqp6U1GYI8

    Karateka (Apple II): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKqk9kosCs4

    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: RoleMusic - Bacterial Love: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Rolemusic/Pop_Singles_Compilation_2014/01_rolemusic_-_bacterial_love

    Copyright: Attribution: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/


    Coin-op Legends of Japan Jun 01, 2025
    Show notes

    TCW Podcast Episode 235- Coin-op Legends of Japan

    Long before they entered the world of video games, a generation of Japanese entrepreneurs built their fortunes in the coin-operated amusement business. In this episode, we trace the early lives and business ventures of five pioneering founders who helped lay the groundwork for companies like Tehkan (later Tecmo), Sammy, and IPM (later IREM). These are personal stories rarely told in English — tales of hustle, reinvention, and the road from postwar struggle to arcade success.

    TCW 052 - The Many Faces of Konami: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-many-faces-of-konami/

    TCW 153 - Nintendo Playing With Cards: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/nintendo-playing-with-cards/

    TCW 154 - Nintendo Playing with Controversy: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/nintendo-playing-with-controversy/

    TCW 155 - Nintendo Playing With Toys: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/nintendo-playing-with-toys/

    TCW 008 -

    Birth of the Japanese Game Center: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/birth-of-the-japanese-game-center/

    TCW 077 - Invading Taito Part 1: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/invading-taito-part-1/

    TCW 078 - Invading Taito Part 2: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/invading-taito-part-2/

    TCW 005 - The Untold History of SEGA: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-untold-history-of-sega/

    TCW 033 - The Saga of SEGA: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-saga-of-sega/

    TCW 029 - 50 Years of Namco: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/50-years-of-namco/

    TCW 201 - Advanced Balls and Paddles Part 1: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/advanced-balls-and-paddles-part-1/

    TCW 202 - Advanced Balls and Paddles Part 2: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/advanced-balls-and-paddles-part-2/

    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: RoleMusic - Bacterial Love: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Rolemusic/Pop_Singles_Compilation_2014/01_rolemusic_-_bacterial_love

    Copyright: Attribution: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/


    Yu Suzuki May 15, 2025
    Show notes

    TCW Podcast Episode 234 - Yu Suzuki

    Often called SEGA’s Shigeru Miyamoto, Yu Suzuki redefined arcade gaming through innovation and ambition. He pioneered immersive cabinets like Hang-On's rideable motorcycle and After Burner’s flight sim, and used sprite scaling to simulate 3D in hits like Space Harrier and OutRun. His work culminated in the R360 G-LOC—a gyroscopic cabinet offering full 360° motion. Suzuki later led SEGA into 3D with Virtua Racing and Virtua Fighter, and pushed console design forward with Shenmue. Though he didn’t invent Quick Time Events, he coined the term—and created a living, interactive world filled with dynamic conversations, a fully explorable city, and unprecedented detail for 1999. His vision helped shape what players now expect from immersive game worlds.

    Champion Boxing (SC 1000): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkDpaSXTGwE

    Hang On (Arcade): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TopLKeDqYhw

    Hang On (Bike Cabinet): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KV6gWzBnJw

    Space Harrier (Arcade): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXO7HOUaHaQ

    Space Harrier (Cabinet): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_ljkKcDsKs

    Roger Dean Album Covers: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Albums_with_cover_art_by_Roger_Dean_(artist)

    OutRun (Arcade): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tp3GLGu7cfg

    OutRun (Cabinet): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VK3CpGLk0VU

    The Cannonball Run (Trailer): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8BNVDUslcE

    Ferrari Testarossa: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lvfx5z4uMOo

    After Burner (Arcade): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSvxN7nMNwo

    After Burner Deluxe (Cabinet): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGWesvT9z8Q

    Top Gun (Trailor): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xa_z57UatDY

    Castle in the Sky (English Trailer): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lMRfLJGXSM

    Power Drift (Arcade): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZZMU2HPmTE

    Power Drift (Cabinet): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cs0slBdnArg

    R 360 SEGA G-Loc: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OrXW5vCurc

    G-Loc Air Battle (Arcade): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58JKeizTZF0

    Virtua Racing (Arcade): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssPfEPaTaGo

    Kenji (Manga): https://mangapill.com/manga/2249/kenji

    Virtua Fighter (Arcade): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7HQ2vspMHA

    Virtua Fighter 2 (Arcade): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7OYlmdhOZY

    Shenmue (Dreamcast): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkuWoz6RbgE

    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: RoleMusic - Bacterial Love: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Rolemusic/Pop_Singles_Compilation_2014/01_rolemusic_-_bacterial_love

    Copyright: Attribution: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/


    Baldur's Gate May 01, 2025
    Show notes

    TCW Podcast Episode 233 - Baldur's Gate

    When three doctors, a prolific dungeon master, a database programmer, and a writer come together to make video games, you get Baldur’s Gate! Often credited with saving the Western RPG, Baldur’s Gate became a phenomenal hit, taking full advantage of Microsoft’s new DirectX API and Windows 95. With this technology, the team created massive, beautiful maps for players to explore. They began shopping their new Infinity Engine around—drawing attention from top figures at Virgin Interactive—but ultimately secured a deal with Interplay, after an initial rejection. This partnership allowed them to shift from an original pantheon-based RPG to using the Dungeons & Dragons license that Interplay had acquired from TSR. They focused on the Sword Coast and the city of Baldur’s Gate—an underdeveloped region of the Forgotten Realms that stayed true to the classic swords-and-sorcery motif. The result was a game that captured the spirit of D&D while delivering the fast-paced action that gamers of the late '90s craved!

    VGA Standard Explained: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5exFKr-JJtg

    SSI Gold Box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBodtk1JnxQ

    Dungeon Master (Atari ST): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3UdUWU4j1Y

    Shattered Steel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zvyi0l4s-wI&list=PLFTDBbYrcivppTQ8bupD3DQ7U23qTv5cK

    What is DirectX and Why is it important?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfSk6kwWBuE

    Why Windows 95 was a big deal: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DCNt0cqTQY

    Volo's Guide to the Sword Coast: https://archive.org/details/tsr09460addfrvolosguidetotheswordcoast

    Baldur's Gate Playthrough: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooqFu_enV30&list=PLNU3jYa35cy3gahj5NBKymMB6grIGykOr

    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: RoleMusic - Bacterial Love: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Rolemusic/Pop_Singles_Compilation_2014/01_rolemusic_-_bacterial_love

    Copyright: Attribution: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/


    All the Other Home Pongs Apr 15, 2025
    Show notes

    TCW Podcast Episode 232 - All the Other Home Pongs

    The home Pong market of the mid-1970s extended far beyond the big three—Atari, Coleco, and Magnavox. Numerous smaller companies entered the scene, not only in the United States but also across Europe and other parts of the world. As the home gaming industry rapidly evolved, many manufacturers introduced unique systems powered by integrated circuits. The market truly took off with the advent of “Pong-on-a-Chip” technology, which made it possible for virtually anyone to build a Pong console. Combined with affordable manufacturing in the Far East, this innovation drove costs down and helped the market reach new heights.

    Rocko's Modern Life - Dracula: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ycpsJOtxx8

    TCW 105 - The Big Voice of Magnavox: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-big-voice-of-magnavox/

    TCW 106 - The Small Voice of Magnavox: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-small-voice-of-magnavox/

    TCW 027 - The Magnavox Patent Lawsuits: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-magnavox-patent-lawsuits-friday-september-16-2016-1003-am/

    TCW 051 - Sons of Pong: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/sons-of-pong/

    Overkal: https://prehistoricgaming.com/en/overkal-history/

    TCW 165 - Allied Leisure: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/allied-leisure/

    Universal Research Laboratory (URL) Video Action Systems: https://www.pong-story.com/url.htm

    Mike the TV 99.99.99: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zt2xW8nh864

    Executive Games: https://www.pong-story.com/executivegames.htm

    First Dimension: https://www.pong-story.com/firstdim.htm

    Executive Games - Face Off: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UB-pSaZ1e28

    TCW 124 - The Visions of Coleco Part 1: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-visions-of-coleco-part-1/

    TCW 125 - The Visions of Coleco Part 2: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-visions-of-coleco-part-2/

    Pong In a Chip: https://www.pong-story.com/gi.htm

    Videomaster: https://www.pong-story.com/vm.htm

    Videomaster Home TV Game: https://prehistoricgaming.com/en/videomaster-home-tv-game/

    Interton Video 2000: https://www.pong-story.com/v2000.htm

    AY3-8500 System on a Chip: https://nerdstuffbycole.blogspot.com/2018/09/games-and-field-generation-in-ay-3-8500.html

    Zanussi: https://www.pong-story.com/zanussi.htm

    TCW 077 - Invading Taito Part 1: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/invading-taito-part-1/

    TCW 078 - Invading Taito Part 2: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/invading-taito-part-2

    APF TV Fun: https://retrogamingconsoles.com/consoles/apf-tv-fun/

    APF Fun Demonstration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmIE3k2BGs0

    Unisonic Pong Console: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFOkE1_52NA

    Interton Video 2400: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLCnacjnBOs

    Videomaster Superscore: https://www.pong-story.com/vm8.htm

    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: RoleMusic - Bacterial Love: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Rolemusic/Pop_Singles_Compilation_2014/01_rolemusic_-_bacterial_love

    Copyright: Attribution: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/


    Street Fighter 2 Apr 01, 2025
    Show notes

    TCW Podcast Episode 231- Street Fighter 2

    Street Fighter 2 is often credited with reviving the arcade scene in the early 1990s. While it successfully brought back the must-have arcade game mentality, it couldn’t stop the overall decline of arcades. The original Street Fighter was influenced by many sources, including Bruce Lee’s Game of Death, anime like Fist of the North Star, and Space Battleship Yamato. With the rise of beat 'em ups following Double Dragon, Capcom released Street Fighter 89, later renamed Final Fight. Taking lessons from Final Fight, Street Fighter 2 introduced an expanded roster, streamlined special moves, combos, and more. Its popularity led to the release of two enhanced versions: Championship Edition and Turbo. Come explore the history and influences of this legendary game!

    TCW 041 - Beating Them All Up: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/beating-them-all-up/

    Tower of Death Fight Scenes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWMW1drldWc

    Kung Fu Master: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ko3zG-YG41k

    The Final Game of Death: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzriAzTAXs0

    Yie Ar Kung-Fu: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2h6jQ4A1To

    Enter the Dragon trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RGju9NuoOU

    Karate Champ: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwV3xqS9_aQ

    Fist of the North Star: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYsAklHsWd0

    Space Battleship Yamato: http://y2u.be/LtwtV91fwd8

    Street Fighter Big Button Cabinet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_XvCNGhmZ0

    Street Fighter Gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVLCv-YgWco

    Polygon Street Fighter Oral History: https://www.polygon.com/a/street-fighter-2-oral-history

    Double Dragon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfZz-1e-dUQ

    Side Arms Hyper Dyne: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Esgm7Gk99P4

    Forgotten Worlds: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYJfoesXYC8

    Final Fight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8gYGfL_p2o

    Street Fighter 2 - The World Warrior: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xI284D4y1q4

    But She's Got a New Hat!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaOgZwk9rN8

    Street Fighter 2 - Champion Edition: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJne-82X4L0

    Street Fighter 2 - Rainbow Edition: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNIfE7A9q7Y

    Street Fighter 2 - Hyper Fighting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rrGLH0WByc

    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: RoleMusic - Bacterial Love: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Rolemusic/Pop_Singles_Compilation_2014/01_rolemusic_-_bacterial_love

    Copyright: Attribution: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/


    Crafting the World of WarCraft Mar 15, 2025
    Show notes

    TCW Podcast Episode 230 - Crafting the World of WarCraft

    World of Warcraft has stood the test of time for twenty years, and now we can explore the fascinating history behind its creation. The developers drew inspiration from MMOs like Ultima Online, EverQuest, Anarchy Online, Dark Age of Camelot, and more, incorporating what they loved while tackling unique challenges. From art style and storytelling to quest design, factions, and PvP, every aspect of the game presented obstacles to overcome. Despite launching with several rushed elements, WoW captivated a gaming audience eager for an accessible MMO—and went on to set records for years to come

    TCW 054 - Blizzard: Vikings and WarCraft: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/blizzard-vikings-and-warcraft/

    TCW 055 - Blizzard: Hellfire and The World… of WarCraft: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/blizzard-hellfire-and-the-world%E2%80%A6-of-warcraft/

    How to play Necromunda: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqAxPXd5y8g

    Place Nice: The Rise, Fall, and Future of Blizzard Entertainment (Affiliate): https://amzn.to/41MvT5c

    The WoW Diary: A Journal of Computer Game Development [Second Edition] (Affiliate): https://amzn.to/4kzpxNT

    EverQuest Launch Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AJdrc8ZsEI
    TCW 219 - Diablo 1: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/diablo-1/

    TCW 220 - Diablo 2: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/diablo-2/

    A Brief History of Chess: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeB-1F-UKO0

    Tabula Rasa Gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGQ0Nb3U9kw

    Tabula Rasa Box Art: https://cdn.mobygames.com/covers/4266351-richard-garriotts-tabula-rasa-pre-order-bonus-pack-windows-front.jpg

    World of Warcraft Box Art: https://i.etsystatic.com/19063773/r/il/3b9985/2196312265/il_fullxfull.2196312265_13ii.jpg

    WarCraft 1 Intro: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SA40KEDV6Dc

    WoW V0.53: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RszVOPx1apI&t=0s

    Duskwood Retrospective: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2suPQAZMqc

    TCW 030 - Doom!: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/doom-1479057917/

    Ed Bighead Campaign: https://www.facebook.com/RememberWhenNick/videos/remember-when-bigheads-campaign/279376435941596/

    Snow White Trailer (1937): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L16P0rip9E4

    13th Warrior Cave: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTVze7cfwWU

    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: RoleMusic - Bacterial Love: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Rolemusic/Pop_Singles_Compilation_2014/01_rolemusic_-_bacterial_love

    Copyright: Attribution: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/


    US Gold Mar 01, 2025
    Show notes

    TCW Podcast Episode 229 - US Gold

    US Gold started as an importer of American games before becoming a dominant force in the British gaming industry. Partnering with Ocean Software, they formed a duopoly that shaped the UK and European gaming markets, bringing top titles to 8-bit computers and later expanding into consoles—US Gold backing SEGA while Ocean focused on Nintendo. When competitors began importing Japanese games, US Gold responded by securing a deal with Capcom to port its arcade hits to home computers. As its parent company, CentreGold, went public, US Gold also acquired Core Design—unknowingly setting the stage for gaming history. Because within Core, something legendary was in development: Tomb Raider. Join us as we dive into the rise of US Gold, its influence on British gaming, and its unexpected connection to one of gaming’s biggest icons.

    Compute Magazine Archive: https://archive.org/details/compute-magazine

    Galactic Chase: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVNM1JH6GNU

    TCW 136 - Ocean Software: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/ocean-software/

    Beach Head (C64): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ex9mchOPG1o

    Forbidden Forest (C64): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j86veyiIcS8

    Aztec Challenge (C64): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLO2mGBID8I

    Zaxxon (C64): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cB-Tt6O9Onc

    TCW 103 - Elite Systems: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/elite-systems/

    Commando (ZX Spectrum): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKom2O2H0pQ

    OutRun -US Gold EU (C64): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnuYHmSLUY4

    Flashback: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owuUW4DL4cg

    TCW 129 - The Crash That Almost Was: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-crash-that-almost-was/

    TCW 036 - Raiding Eidos: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/raiding-eidos/

    TCW 017 - The British 8-Bit Computer Market Hardware: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-british-8-bit-computer-market-hardware/

    TCW 018 - The British 8-Bit Computer Market Software: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-british-8-bit-computer-market-software/

    TCW 131 - Sir Clive of ZX: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/sir-clive-of-zx/

    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: RoleMusic - Bacterial Love: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Rolemusic/Pop_Singles_Compilation_2014/01_rolemusic_-_bacterial_love

    Copyright: Attribution: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/


    PopCap Games Feb 15, 2025
    Show notes

    TCW Podcast Episode 228 - PopCap Games

    PopCap Games was initially overlooked by the larger gaming industry due to its focus on fun, well-designed, and polished casual games. Their first major hit, Bejeweled, became a consistent source of income, allowing PopCap to invest time in developing new titles. This led to the creation of Peggle, which helped solidify PopCap’s reputation, particularly after developers at Valve became hooked on the game’s deeper skill-based mechanics and puzzles. The success of Bejeweled and Peggle continued with their ports to the iPod and, eventually, the iPad, further expanding PopCap’s popularity. This growth culminated in the release of Plants vs. Zombies, which debuted on PC before being adapted for iOS. The game’s seamless touchscreen integration made it a standout app for the newly launched iPad. As the gaming industry evolved, PopCap struck a deal with EA, which acquired the company, leading to the departure of its founders over the following years.

    Attack Retrieve Capture: https://alchetron.com/Attack-Retrieve-Capture

    Shariki Gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMwGy1fv41g

    Play Dimond Mine: https://www.crazygames.com/game/diamond-mine

    Bejeweled: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvLtaf1PFVM

    Palm OS - PDA Gaming: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nfg4YIoYas

    TCW 122 - A Casual World Part 1: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/a-casual-world-part-1/

    TCW 123 - A Casual World Part 2: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/a-casual-world-part-2/

    Zuma Deluxe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwpuOhuVnnQ

    Alchemy Deluxe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p902uQ_y3r4

    Play Alchemy Deluxe: https://archive.org/details/alchemy-deluxe

    Bookworm Deluxe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FA1NSyldUQ8

    The Oral History of PopCap: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwzxWLonObo

    Burnout 3 Takedown: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6vHTQv9JHY

    Peggle Deluxe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlnieE-h6k8

    Peggle Extreme: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAKLiepJDrM

    Peggle Extreme (Steam - Free): https://store.steampowered.com/app/3483/Peggle_Extreme/

    Bejeweled (iPod): https://www.youtube.com/shorts/7iHTM0ryWm0

    Peggle (iPod): https://www.youtube.com/shorts/qhWSm0zNSrk

    Insaniquarium Deluxe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U04weIAra20

    Plants VS Zombies (PC): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XENla8M3910

    Plants VS Zombies (iPad): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvopYLzwb90

    PopCap Games on Internet Archive: https://archive.org/search?query=creator%3A%22PopCap+Games%22

    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: RoleMusic - Bacterial Love: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Rolemusic/Pop_Singles_Compilation_2014/01_rolemusic_-_bacterial_love

    Copyright: Attribution: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/


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