They Create Worlds

TCW Podcast Episode 140 - The Console Market of the 70's and 80's Part 1   We look at the early dedicated hardware systems in the United States.  We have talked about many of these companies in the past.  However we have not brought the story together at a large scale looking at the influences these companies had on each other, the consumer market in general, and what the market could handle.  We see the reasons behind the transition to programable systems as being the logical course for an industry where dedicated hardware had reached a limit.  We will continue in part two seeing how the programable systems brought a new shift to the market.   TCW 106 - The Small Voice of Magnavox: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-small-voice-of-magnavox/ The Slide Rule "Bringing 1916 to 2016": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CblhxhnSymg The Odyssey 100: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8y03hn64dHY Pong Console C-100: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCmYgAw6qmI Sears Tele-Games Pong: https://www.youtube.com/w

TCW Podcast Episode 139 - Tec Toy and Brazil   We look at the video game industry in Brazil.  A big thanks to Marcus Garrett and his book "1983+1984 " which details a lot of the video game industry in Brazil.  We delve into the interesting history of outside companies operating in Brazil and the gray market that has developed as a result.  Once we have laid the groundwork we look at the company Tectoy which is one of the most successful toy/video game companies in Brazil.  They ended up partnering with SEGA to bring in the Master System, Mega Drive, and even the Saturn to Brazil.  However today they mostly refile, iterate, and provide various option of the master system and to a lesser extent Mega Drive to Brazil today.  They are the most prominent location to get SEGA hardware today!   TeleJogo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGd2txxJIBY Telejogo II: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaWtddd7liQ The Splice Vision: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_kUt-vGZr0 Zillion Box and Packaging Brazil: https://www

TCW Podcast Episode 138 - Dave Nutting Associates   This is our second half looking at Dave Nutting and specifically Dave Nutting Associates.  We see how they are able change the industry by showing the viability of solid state Pinball.  Despite the setback of not being able to license the technology to Bally/Midway they pressed on with developing video games.  Specifically Gun Fight which had realistic, for the time, human analogs that could fire guns at each other. As they continued to show how well they were to Bally/Midway they ended up being bought out.  Unfortunately by the time of the crash Dave Nutting Associates ended up being a small player in a crowded industry and was shut down in 1984.   TCW 59 - Williams' Crazy Story Part 1: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/williams-crazy-story-pt-1/ TCW 60 - Williams' Crazy Story Part 2 : http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/williams-crazy-story-pt-2/ Bally Pinball Flicker: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-xCz-CCegg How a Pinball Machine Works In

TCW Podcast Episode 137 - Dave Nutting & Nutting Industries   In part one of our two part look at the contributions of Dave Nutting to the video game industry, we see where he came from.  Some of his contentious relationship with his brother, and some of the design contributions he did that led to developments in the future with coin-op games.  With the founding of MCI he was able to further form a team that would follow him into the future.  Once ousted from MCI he started work on Solid State, and creating Dave Nutting Associates.   TCW 034 - The Nutting Associates: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-nutting-associates/ 1965 Jeep Wagoneer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ad4nvJpoRok 1989 Jeep Grand Wagoneer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwwaKf8zGcc Computer Quiz: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zr98ASLdbZQ IQ Computer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oh2j3W6me-U MCI Red Barron: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dSvZVUUV4c Blue Max: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mhE9J0rvwU IBM Keypu

TCW Podcast Episode 136 - Ocean Software   We look at the company Ocean Software.  The company was founded by David Ward and Jon Woods as Spectrum Games, and was later renamed to Ocean Software.  The company specialized in a mail order business harnessing the best of the bedroom coder scene in Brittan to produce ports of popular arcade titles.  In fact the initial offering of the company were clones of Donkey Kong, Pac Man, Frogger, and Missile Command.  The company continued to grow as Ocean Software expanding into licensed games including popular properties such as Platoon, Robocop, and Jurassic Park.  However the company was unable to compete with larger companies on the global stage.  This lead to their purchase by Infrogrames during that company's rapid expansion.  However after a few years of semi-autonomy Ocean Software ceased to be in the late 90's.    TCW 017 - The British 8-Bit Computer Market: Hardware: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-british-8-bit-computer-market-hardware/ TCW 018 -

TCW Podcast Episode 135 - The Famicom Disc System   In our second part look at the Family Computer we start off with the launch in Japan.  We see all the early games, and the slow start the system had.  However it rapidly gained steam and gained widespread adoption.  Nintendo faced one of their first challenges which was the overheating of the graphic chip.  Nintendo did a recall and revised the system in the process.  Switching to removeable controllers, and round buttons to address other issues early adopters have reported.  The system really took off with the release of the Famicom Disc System, and the Legend of Zelda.  Despite wide adoption the lower margins for retailers and developers lead to the downfall of the peripheral.  Cartridge developments soon allowed games to exceed 30KB, and growing in size with 1MB and larger.  Though the system was popular in the west, and the larger cartridges helped speed its adoption there, the disc system was the height of the system in Japan.    Famicom Donkey Kong

TCW Podcast Episode 134 - Famicom   We look at the Family Computer, or the Famicom's development.  The state Nintendo was in before they entered into home dedicated consoled, and then explored programable consoles.  We look at how the console was developed with the main focus being on cost and quality.  The reason behind the use of the MOS 6502 chipset, sourcing ROM chips, and bringing it together into the red package that many love to this day.  This is part one of a two part look at the Famicom in Japan!   TCW 037 - Nintendo and Gunpei Yokoi: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/nintendo-and-gunpei-yokoi/ TCW 067 - The Birth of the Japanese Consoles: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-birth-of-the-japanese-consoles/ OPEC Oil Embargo 1973 NBC Nightly News: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCLRlVxOH-Q Wild Gunman Back to the Future 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMy1zO8m8sM Wild Gunman Arcade 1974: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GToJgyymvFs A Critical Hit! Wild Gunman: https://www.acritic

TCW Podcast Episode 133 - Rolling Dice with the Parker Brother's   We look at the history of the company Parker Brothers.  Originally a board game company founded in the 1880's we follow the company's growth though the century.  This family owned business was eventually bought by General Mills in 1963, and was brought into the ever expanding non-food properties of the conglomerate.  Starting off with electronic games in the 70's, Parker Brothers would eventually enter the video game Industry near the beginning of the Great Video Game Crash.  They were somewhat successful despite difficulties.  However even they were not able to survive the crash, and were eventually divested by General Mills.   They ultimately ended up in the hands of Hasbro where they are today.   Codename Sector Commercial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEcKucKnc5Y Codename Sector Explanation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_oQMvnVXHs Merlin Commercial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OX94QT_yxyI Parker Brother's Merlin: https://

TCW Podcast Episode 132 - Eugene Jarvis   We look at the life and story of Eugene Jarvis.  Unique in the industry of being one of, if not the only designers to have lived through and continues to work in the lifespan of the video game arcade industry.  Starting off with Pinball and working at Atari for only two weeks.  Eugene came to be influential in many popular pinball, and arcade games.  Always looking for that next thrill he continues his quest to this day with his company Raw Thrills developing some of the few arcade titles still being put out there.   TCW 081 - The Meeting of Spacewar: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-meeting-of-spacewar/ TCW 059 - Williams’ Crazy Story Pt 1: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/williams-crazy-story-pt-1/ TCW 060 - Williams’ Crazy Story Pt 2: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/williams-crazy-story-pt-2/ Gorgar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vylGtiR0HVA Firepower: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXuQ-54pT_c Defender: https://www.youtube.com/watch

TCW Podcast Episode 131 - Sir Clive of ZX   In our second part looking at Sir Clive Sinclair we pick up the story where we left off!  We follow Sir Clive Sinclair as he reluctantly develops computers for the British market to fund his other project's.  The wild popularity of the ZX line including the ZX 80, ZX 81, and ZX Spectrum led to a booming home computer market in Brittan. Sinclair even tried to go into the business market with the Sinclair QL, but was outshone by competitors.  In the end Sir Clive Sinclair lost a fortune in developing an electric car known as the Sinclair C5.  The massive loss of funds led him to sell off the computer business to Lord Sugar to remain solvent.    The Video Game History Hour: https://gamehistory.org/video-game-history-hour/ The Video Game History Hour Ep 14 Alex Smith Discusses They Create Worlds: https://gamehistory.org/ep-14-alex-smith-discusses-they-create-worlds/   Micro Men - 10th Anniversary - With Chris Curry, Steve Furber and Hermann Hauser: https://www.yo

TCW Podcast Episode 130 - Uncle Clive's Radionics   We look at Sir Clive Sinclair in his early years dealing with creation of electronics for hobbyists.  Sir Clive held a passion for miniaturization and doing so at a low cost.  This started with audio equipment, amplifiers, high fidelity stereo, and FM radios.  This continued into calculators, and digital watches.  Sir Clive wanted to look into miniature TVs, and procured funding through the NEB.  In an act of prescience he founded a second company that eventually became Sinclair Research to serve as a life boat if things went bad with the NEB.  Sinclair Research, then known as the Science of Cambridge, produced the first domestic computer in the United Kingdom the MK 14!  Sir Clive eventually left Sinclair Radionics after the disasterous launch of the Black Watch.  A watch that when shocked had the potential to overload, and explode.    What is High Fidelity: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0LWnpzdrW4 Sinclair Black Watch Commercial: https://www.youtub

TCW Podcast Episode 129 - The Crash That Almost Was   We look at the crash that almost was.  Most people do not realize that in the mid nineties we came very close to another video game market crash.  A difficult transition was at hand as companies tried to figure out how and if they embrace the third dimension in video games.  Coupled with a declining arcade market.  New hardware costing twice as much, if not more than current systems many companies were on the edge.  The market forces between Japan and the US with currency exchanges ate into profit margins.  It lead to the deaths or decline of a few prominent companies.  Most notably SEGA, and Acclaim.  However because not just one major company was baring this the industry survived and continues to move forward to the present day!   Castlevania: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOTUVXrAOE8 Super Castlevania IV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jd7P7niYimk Super C: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-z8xXA_v8k Contra III The Alien Wars: https://www.youtu

TCW Podcast Episode 128 - Nintendo in 1985   We look at that special time during 1985 when Nintendo did a holiday test market in New York City!  By being in the right place at the right time they were able to, along with market forces, revive the dead home console industry.  They  had quite a challenge with retailers, and a public that were hostile towards games.  Knowing this Nintendo worked to distance itself from the precious era with marketing that did not use the terms video game, or cartridges.  Instead this was an entertainment system.  You used Game Paks.  Not to mention the introduction of R.O.B. everyone's favorite Robotic Operating Buddy!  By the time of Christmas 1985 with a lot of hard work Nintendo was able to set the stage for a nationwide launch the following year.    TCW 104 - A Holistic View of ET: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/a-holistic-view-of-et/ TCW 014 - Nintendo Playing with Power: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/nintendo-playing-with-power/ TCW 110 - Books of Hist

TCW Podcast Episode 127 - Dreams of Sega   We look at the rapid decline of SEGA.  A company mired in infighting between executives.  This led to the disasterous  launch of the Sega Saturn.  Which was launched early as a panic move when faced with the competition from the SONY PlayStation.  SEGA tried again with the Dreamcast, but was hindered by NEC only able to produce a quarter of the promised chips.  Continued infighting and an exodus of middle management led to more problems.  Resulting in the eventual merger, after a second attempt, with Sammy  where SEGA currently resides as SEGA Sammy Holdings!   TCW 005 - The Untold History of SEGA: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-untold-history-of-sega/ TCW033 - The Saga of SEGA: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-saga-of-sega/ TCW068 - Sega VS Nintendo Round 1: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/sega-vs-nintendo-round-1/ TCW069 - Sega VS Nintendo Round 2: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/sega-vs-nintendo-round-2/ TCW070 - Sega VS Nin

TCW Podcast Episode 126 - Activision and Atari   We look at the video games that Activision made for the Atari VCS/2600 when the founders of Activision split from Atari.  Activision focused on graphics and presentation as a key factor in the game creation process.  They were able to push the limits of the Atari VCS to do things that were thought impossible by the base system.  The sunset employed in the game with Stampede is used again in later games and became a kind of hallmark of some Activision games.  With the release of Pitfall 2,  the inclusion of a special chip providing enhanced graphics, and music hints at where the VCS could have gone had the crash not occurred!   TCW 009 - The History of Mediagenic Part 1: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/history-of-mediagenic-part-i/ TCW 010 - The History of Mediagenic Part 2: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/history-of-mediagenic-part-ii/ How CRT Televisions Work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4UgZBs7ZGo Dragster: https://www.youtube.com/watc

TCW Podcast Episode 125 - The Visions of Coleco Part 2   In our second part look at Coleco we dive into the electronics and transition into programable consoles.  We see how they influenced the post crash consoles of Nintendo and Sega.  With the release of Colecovision we saw one of the most advanced consoles of the pre crash era.  The system was able to do faithful recreations of many popular arcade games.  This is most exemplified with the release Donkey Kong.  Coleco tried to transition into computers with the release of ADAM.  However this turned into a disaster for the company and marked the turning point into a rapid decline.  They were able to stay afloat for a little while with the release of Cabbage Patch Kids, however Coleco was unable to recover from the downward spiral.   TCW 025 - Mattel Electronics?: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/mattel-electronics/ Coleco Quarterback Commercial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93u6POODKQY Coleco Head to Head Commercial: https://www.youtube.com/watc

TCW Podcast Episode 124 - The Visions of Coleco Part 1   We look at the Connecticut Leather Company otherwise known as Coleco!  We see how a simple company starting with leather goods transformed into a toy company that spanned multiple generations.  Coleco started exploring electronic toys with games like electric football.  They found themselves uniquely suited to take advantage of the coming Pong on a chip craze.  With their early entry allowing them to outpace the competition when the chip shortage struck.  However due to complications Coleco decided to pull out of video games after the Pong fad started to fade.   Howdy Doody: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=674LDaMpDnU Eagle Toys Hockey: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUlDXHXNCYs Coleco Electric Football: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8y0_XVnCII Electric Football Mini Documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMyaWCroBg8 TCW 051 - Sons of Pong: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/sons-of-pong/ Coleco Telstar Commercial: https://www.youtu

TCW Podcast Episode 123 - A Casual World Part 2   In our continued exploration of casual games we see the rise of match three in popularizing the genre.  Exemplified by games such as Klax, Columns, Bejewed, and Candy Crush.  The continued development and migration to the web further fueled the popularization of casual games.  Reaching the apex today with the help of casual games on Facebook.  That apex exemplified with the company PopCap Games.  Enjoy the casual world of games!   The Tetris God: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Alw5hs0chj0 Klax: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amH4q0TV384 Lucy and the Chocolate Factory: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkQ58I53mjk Columns: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCZ_2d_oF8Y Acccustic coupler: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bSMJQbUpL0 TCW 039 - On-Line Systems: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/on-line-systems/ TCW 040 - Sierra On-Line: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/sierra-on-line/ Space Jam Website: https://www.spacejam.com/ Castle Crashers: h

TCW Podcast Episode 122 - A Casual World Part 1   We look at the changes in the industry, mindset, and accessibility of games that lead to the formation of casual games.  The early groundwork is set with casual games like Shanghai, Rubix, Reversi, Solitaire, and Tetris.  The development happened organically, almost by accident.  The tales of some of the pioneers that opened the door to what is arguably the biggest segment of the modern gaming industry is a tale not well told.  We start that tale in this episode!   Shanghai: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujw9y_m41WM History of Mediagenic Part 1: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/history-of-mediagenic-part-i/ History of Mediagenic Part 2: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/history-of-mediagenic-part-ii/ Rubix the Amazin Cube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6A6Ey_FHJkk Reversi Windows 1.0: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcIDOdZu5GA- The Complete Tetris Story: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-complete-tetris-story/   New episodes on

TCW Podcast Episode 121 - The Whole Video Game Industry Part 4   In this, our conclusion of the whole video game industry, we start with a look at Xerox Park, and the technologies that came from their endeavors. We see the true formation, merging, and maturation of videogames as an entertainment fixture!  This of course is not without the challenges that stand before any new industry, including infighting, a congressional hearing, and espionage!  Enjoy our conclusion and look at the whole video game industry!   Livestream Recording Part 4:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApvgGf4xpjM   TCW 083 - An Unlikely Pairing of Siliwood: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/?s=An+Unlikely+Pairing+of+Siliwood TCW 087 - Virtual History: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/virtual-history/ Space Rogue: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vetUbjRB_0k TCW 030 - DOOM!: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/?s=doom Congress Violence in Videogames: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhwM3ZMTCR0 TCW 003 - What Makes an Indus