They Create Worlds

TCW Podcast Episode 211 - Ramtek   Ramtek was an unlikely entrant into the video game space. Starting off as employees of Data Disc Corporation, Charles McEwan and John Metzler aimed to use technology to positively impact society. With a focus on high-end displays, money was slow to come in. A local bar, Andy Capp's Tavern, frequented by company's engineers, served as a test site for the new Atari...

TCW Podcast Episode 210 - Accolade Part 2   In our second look at Accolade, we cover the company’s gradual decline in the 90's leading to its acquisition by Infogrames. The desire to expand into console games grew too strong, and Accolade decided to save money on production costs by clean-room engineering the lockout mechanism on the SEGA Genesis. Meanwhile, SEGA was working on an internal revisio...

TCW Podcast Episode 209 - Accolade Part 1   In part one of a two-part retrospective, we explore how the pressures of the North American video game crash combined with the desire to create more sophisticated products for home computer platforms led Alan Miller and Bob Whitehead to leave Activision and establish their own company, Accolade. Publishing a mix of internally developed and third-party pr...

TCW Podcast Episode 208 - Two Dunes: The Battle for Arrakis   In this episode, we delve into the expansive universe of Dune, a rich tapestry woven with themes, warnings, and boundless inspiration. Its profound impact extends beyond literature, influencing science fiction and serving as a wellspring of creativity for writers, artists, and futurists alike. Our focus shifts to the realm of gaming as...

TCW Podcast Episode 207 - SEGA Saturn Part 2   In the second part of our examination of the SEGA Saturn, we delve into its influences, challenges, and lasting impact. Beginning with a detailed analysis of its pricing strategy, we scrutinize the psychological effect of pricing items at $99, creating an illusion of affordability. We then explore the cultural context in Japan, highlighting the tradit...

TCW Podcast Episode 206 - SEGA Saturn Part 1   In this in-depth exploration of the SEGA Saturn, our focus delves into the intricate technology that underpins the console. We delve into the challenges associated with 3D modeling, collision detection, and object occlusion, scrutinizing how the Saturn, primarily a sprite-based system, manages to incorporate 3D elements. The pivotal moment arrives wit...

TCW Podcast Episode 205 - Shepherd's Mass Effect 2 & 3   In our examination of the second and third installments of the Mass Effect trilogy, we delve into the development of each game and the transformative impact of BioWare's acquisition by EA. Mass Effect 2 marked a notable departure, shifting away from RPG elements towards a more structured shooter, with a renewed emphasis on narrative, alb...

TCW Podcast Episode 204 - Exploring the Mass Effect   In part one of a two-part exploration of the original Mass Effect trilogy, the game emerges as a synthesis of diverse influences from literary books, video games, art styles, TV shows, and movies. Drawing heavily from Bablyon 5 and the TV series 24, the main framework of Mass Effect reflects a blend of narrative inspirations. The art style, ins...

TCW Podcast Episode 203 - Alone In The Dark   Despite appearing outdated by today's standards, Alone in the Dark remains a highly influential game in the survival horror genre. Numerous franchises, including Silent Hill, Resident Evil, and Eternal Darkness, either cite or incorporate tropes popularized by Alone in the Dark. Spearheaded by Frédérick Raynal, the game drew inspiration from Giallo fil...

TCW Podcast Episode 202 - Advanced Balls and Paddles Part 2   Following the release of Breakout by Atari, its influence spread to Japan, sparking a surge in demand that prompted numerous Japanese companies to enter the video game industry by creating clones of the popular game. Seeking innovation, Exidy developed Circus, introducing new elements to the Breakout formula. The widespread appeal of Br...

TCW Podcast Episode 201 - Advanced Balls and Paddles Part 1   In this two-part exploration of advancements in ball and paddle games beyond Pong, we delve into the human fascination with balls and trace the evolution of coin-operated games leading to Pong's creation. Ramtek's contributions, especially with Wipe Out and Clean Sweep, spurred Atari to experiment with new ideas, resulting in Pin Pong....

TCW Podcast Episode 200 - The History of Handheld Games Part 3   In our concluding episode exploring the evolution of handheld games, we kick off with the Amiga and the allure of bouncing balls before delving into the Atari Lynx, an early and captivating handheld console. Despite its appeal, the Lynx struggled against challenges like its high price, the limited library of engaging games, and subpa...

TCW Podcast Episode 199 - The History of Handheld Games Part 2   Continuing in front of a live streaming audience, part two of our exploration into the history of handheld games delves into the pivotal role of LCDs. We kick off with the Microvision and trace the progression through the iconic Game & Watch, credited with saving Nintendo during challenging times and inspiring emulation by compan...

TCW Podcast Episode 198 - The History of Handheld Games Part 1   Recorded in front of a live-streaming audience, we delve into the captivating history of handheld games, commencing with an unexpected origin—the pocket-sized calculator. The innovative strides made in pocket calculator technology paved the way for toy companies to venture into the realm of handheld electronic games, resulting in cla...

TCW Podcast Episode 197 - The ID of Game Development   ID Software; the makers of many games that are beloved by gamers. Due to the need for rapid development ID was forced to separate game design from the mechanics. Having a dedicated game engine that was focused on visual and support technologies as opposed to the specifics of game design. ID Software utilized tools to make levels, licensing the...

TCW Podcast Episode 196 - The Sumerian Game   The Sumerian Game is one of the first uses of video games to help enhance education. Developed using some funds from the National Defense Education Act, the Sumerian game used education techniques where facts and data could be presented not by a teacher, but by a computer. The game itself is notable because it was designed by Mabel Addis, one of the fi...

TCW Podcast Episode 195 - Finding Video Game Copyright   We look at copyrights and video games. Where did they come from? Were video games even creative works that could be copyrighted? If a video game is copyrightable is it like a book or like a movie? We look at how the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, and Europe answered these questions in game maker's long legal battles to combat coun...

TCW Podcast Episode 194 - The 7th Guest   We cover the 7th guest in so much detail it's frightening! This game has everything from a genius bedroom programmer from the UK teaming up with an artist who made some raunchy comics, to bar fights, Twin Peaks, and a Shakespeare troupe. The 7th guest has it all to bring us a game that turned CD-ROM from an expensive luxury to a must-have item for any PC....

TCW Podcast Episode 193 - Microprose Part 2   In part two of our look at Microprose we focus on the growth of the company with popular games like Gunship, and Sid Meier's Pirates. Wild Bill continued his aggressive push to expand the company moving into the UK market and even the coin-op space. This unfortunately led Sid to step back from the company and become a contractor. Wild Bill took the com...

TCW Podcast Episode 192 -Microprose Part 1   In the first part of our look at Microprose, we cover the central characters of Wild Bill Stealey and Sid Meier. The duo came from very different backgrounds that helped inform the creative and business powerhouse. Wild Bill had to grow up at a young age after his father's death. This led to him having to manage the home finances, negotiate out of debt,...

TCW Podcast Episode 191 - SEGA and CSK Part  2   In part two of our look at SEGA and CSK we look closely at the circumstances that lead to Isao Okawa taking direct control as CEO of SEGA. We also take a new look at the circumstances that lead to the financial difficulties with SEGA in lending money inside the company. We have a lot of new insights here behind the problems with the Dreamcast, how O...

TCW Podcast Episode 190 - SEGA and CSK Part 1   In this first of a two-part episode about SEGA and CSK, we look at the origin of CSK, and the major players involved. Most notably Isao Okawa who had a history of making bold moves to pivot CSK during uncertain times. SEGA was in the hands of Hayao Nakayama who got Okawa to buy the company from Gulf and Western. Nakayama then worked for many years to...

TCW Podcast Episode 189 - The Simulations of Will Wright   In part two we look at the Sim craze with the release of Sim Earth, Sim Ant, and others. It was Sim Ant in combination with the loss of Will Wright's home in the Oakland firestorm of 1991 that laid the groundwork for what would become The Sims. The game went through many iterations, and would not see fruition until the acquisition of Maxis...

TCW Podcast Episode 188 - Will Wright's Sim City   We look at the life of game designer Will Wright who developed the hit game Sim City. Wright was, and is a very talented individual with a deep passion for learning. As a child, he was not into video games, and only his interest in robotics led him to investigate computers more. From there he was enamored with the original Flight Simulator and the...

TCW Podcast Episode 187 - Atari's Sinking Ship   In part two of our look at Atari and the reasons behind the crash of the mid-1980 we see how Atari's handling of the excess product led to its downfall. The idea that they could treat this like any other overstock of products and push through did not consider the consumer's lack of knowledge. Together with the massive price reduction in the hardware...