They Create Worlds

Alex Smith, and Jeffrey Daum
  • 4.9 (69)
  • HISTORY
  • UPDATED SEMIMONTHLY

Love of the worlds created by video game designers and personalities drives Alex Smith & Jeffrey Daum (history, law, CS degrees) to provide a scholarly yet light-hearted discussion of how arcade, home console, and PC games merged into a Video Game Industry. Emphasis is on the combination of business and creative elements needed for financial success. Interviews of Atari, EA, Activision, & other execs with detailed source evaluations produce the insights you hear in these 140+ hours!

  1. FEB 1

    Virgin Games

    TCW Podcast Episode 251 - Virgin Games   As a companion piece to our Mastertronic episode, we look at the rise and fall of Virgin Games. Beginning with Richard Branson’s mail-order record business and the success of Virgin Records, the company expanded into games under executive Nick Alexander, whose interest in the industry led to the creation of a Virgin gaming subsidiary. Early successes included the Dan Dare series and computer adaptations of board games. In 1987 Virgin took a stake in Mastertronic, and in 1988 fully acquired the company, gaining both its budget software business and its role in the SEGA Master System launch. From there Virgin Games developed into two distinct arms. In Europe, the company focused on distribution, bringing major publishers and licenses into the region. In the United States, Virgin built on Mastertronic’s development studio, centering on strong talent and overlooked licenses, producing titles such as Spot, Cool Spot, Global Gladiators, and later major Disney games including Aladdin and The Lion King. On PC, the company found success with The 7th Guest and through the acquisition of Westwood Studios, gaining Command and Conquer. Virgin Games also had a hand in publishing Dune and Dune II. In the mid-1990s the Virgin Group began seeking a buyer, leading to Blockbuster’s acquisition of Virgin Interactive, which soon placed the company under Viacom following the Paramount merger. Heavy corporate debt and shifting priorities resulted in the sale of Westwood to Electronic Arts. What remained was largely a European distribution business that later entered an agreement with Interplay and was ultimately acquired by Titus Interactive. After the collapse of the dot-com bubble, mounting debt forced Titus to shutter the company, and in 2005 Virgin Interactive quietly disappeared   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 026 - The Magnavox Odyssey: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-magnavox-odyssey/ TCW 027 - The Magnavox Patent Lawsuits: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-magnavox-patent-lawsuits-friday-september-16-2016-1003-am/ Mike Oldfield - Tubular Bells (Live BBC 1973): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbYQYOM66MA Dan Dare - Pilot of the Future (ZX Spectrum): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUEDOu5ewIQ Dan Dare II - Mekons` Revenge (ZX Spectrum): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Lheo_ao8K4 Dan Dare III - The Escape (Amiga): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IK62NSaE75s Monopoly - Virgin Games (DOS): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=un6iagpCwWw Spot - The Video Game (NES): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8Ezmf6z3kM 7-Up Spot Commercials: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubNTMHqz6_c TCW 229 - US Gold: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/us-gold/ TCW 023 - The Complete Tetris Story: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-complete-tetris-story/ Lure of the Temptress (Amiga): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwSS5zA74jQ Jimmy White's Whirlwind Snooker (Amiga): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Pr3IsnqxGs Cannon Fodder (Amiga): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFP8WUrBVHc Previous High Scores C&C Ad: https://www.reddit.com/r/OldSchoolRidiculous/comments/x1k61n/could_you_even_imagine_if_westwood_studios/ Robin Hood Prince of Thieves (NES): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_1AGDZiLVY Robin Hood Men in Tights - English Accent: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9tEH7iWOyk Global Gladiators (Genesis): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yy9_-iEdXAA Cool Spot (Genesis): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTROI2ODRM4 Aladin (Genesis): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngqx0rq7ACg The Jungle Book (Genesis): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BivK2swrtqM Aladin (SNES): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9m2gAuWkOY The Lion King (Genesis): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-U4RObki-k TCW 194 - The 7th Guest: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-7th-guest/ The 7th Guest (PC): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45Z-Q5KVTyI The Legend of Kyrandia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FO6BE4HOjnM TCW 208 - Two Dunes the Battle for Arrakis: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/two-dunes-the-battle-for-arrakis/ TCW 082 - An Unlikely Pairing of Siliwood: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/an-unlikely-pairing-of-siliwood/ TCW 064 - The Rise and Fall of Infogrames Part 1: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/rise-and-fall-of-infogrames-part-1/ TCW 065 - The Rise and Fall of Infogrames Part 2: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-rise-and-fall-of-infogrames-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/

    1h 31m

  2. JAN 15

    Mastertronic

    TCW Podcast Episode 250 - Mastertronic   From budget software publisher to the gateway for SEGA’s entry into Europe, we look at the rise and fall of Mastertronic. Initially shunned by high street retailers, the company found success supplying discount games to chains like Woolworths while importing and reselling titles from other publishers for the European market. A failed attempt to bring budget games to the United States pushed Mastertronic to look toward consoles after seeing the success of the Nintendo Entertainment System, but Nintendo rejected them due to their low-cost reputation. This led to a partnership with SEGA to launch the Master System in the United Kingdom, but a delayed release after Christmas triggered a financial crisis that forced Virgin to buy out the rest of the company. As Virgin Mastertronic, the firm gained a foothold in France and Germany while struggling with limited SEGA supply. The story ends when SEGA acquired the console side of the business and created SEGA Europe, closing the final chapter on Mastertronic.     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 241 - The First 10 Years of European Consoles: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-first-10-years-of-european-consoles/   Vagas Jackpot (VIC-20): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKFzNnx_m-U BMX Racers (C64): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZenav7tN08 Ghostbusters (ZX Spectrum): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qH18r74ZOto Way of the Exploding Fist (C64): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6p51xOL0NdY Alians (C64): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8D7Q2lfBA6g   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/

    1h 6m

  3. JAN 1

    New World Computing

    TCW Podcast Episode 249 - New World Computing   We look at the rise and fall of New World Computing through the career of Jon Van Caneghem. Coming from the era of the lone programmer as the industry shifted toward larger development houses, Jon built Might and Magic into one of the most influential RPG franchises of its time. We trace the evolution of the series from its early focus on quest driven gameplay, early auto mapping, and the introduction of features like quest logs and reactive character portraits. Along the way, New World Computing briefly experimented with board games, returning to video games with King’s Bounty, a title that would later be reimagined as Heroes of Might and Magic after a marketing push to leverage the stronger Might and Magic name. We examine the company’s shifting publishing relationships, struggles with distribution, and eventual acquisition by the 3DO Company. While Heroes of Might and Magic III brought major success, pressure from 3DO led to rushed releases, excessive expansions, and declining quality across both franchises. As Might and Magic moved into 3D and real time combat, development resources became increasingly strained. The episode closes with the collapse of 3DO, failed efforts to spin off New World Computing, and the quiet end of a studio that helped define computer role playing games.   Dedicated to Ember - Beloved cat, and producer of the show. Oct 2008 - Dec 2025.   Darkside of Xeen Intro: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cPFL0NfsRg   Ultima I (Apple II): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zI5ypVUk_wk Wizardry (Apple II): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJhMpPnnXMo New World Computing Logos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g647Hk4UHkc Star Trek - Terren Empire Logo: https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Terran_Empire Simpsons - The Shinning Bard & Willie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kddzyds4fGo Might and Magic - Advertisements: https://www.mobygames.com/game/1619/might-and-magic-book-one-secret-of-the-inner-sanctum/promo/group-56698/image-479480/ Might and Magic Book 1 Secret of the Inner Sanctum (Apple II): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0airoGX9xk The CRPG Addict - Might and Magic Book One: https://crpgaddict.blogspot.com/2010/07/game-19-might-magic-i.html The CRPG Addict - Might and Magic Won!: https://crpgaddict.blogspot.com/2010/07/might-magic-won.html The CRPG Addict - Might and Magic Final Ranking: https://crpgaddict.blogspot.com/2010/07/might-magic-final-ranking.html The Digital Antiquarian - Might and Magic: https://www.filfre.net/2021/12/might-and-magic/ Simpsons - Finding 20 Dollars: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZch40U9Bfk Might and Magic Book II - Gates to Another World (Apple II): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TEz9KlDaZY Star Trek Trailer for S3E08 - The World is Hollow and I Have Touched the Sky: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T70fEIAsDE0 Nuclear War (DOS): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqSHQp-RsRE Star Fleet Battles (Task Force Games): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXoRauMyzfk Tunnels and Trolls (DOS): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXtB08H2yqw Titan - First Look (Avalon Hill): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65ltwXWfO9I Titan - Gameplay (Avalon Hill): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSXIM6R4VYQ King's Bounty (DOS): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnWYfBauwh4 Might and Magic III: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SY7oOwU5WIs&list=PLuiwX2gLmzqNtcsOv5AOh9pIg25lX8OAD Planet's Edge (DOS): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FU5xpWdonmU Might and Magic  - Clouds of Xeen (DOS): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGGE-kPwZFI Might and Magic - Darkside of Xeen - Speedrun (DOS): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VgBR8-BCos Spaceward Ho! (DOS): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZ8ExG1_HMY Empire Deluxe (DOS): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrzZWdmzolY Iron Cross (DOS): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74q69zR6VjA Zephyr (DOS): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VycrjZ5dkRs Heroes of Might and Magic (PC): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQSouS2y4Yg&list=PLic3HXuw97t4Wv5su8gNMqhI1ndNO3Olb SSI - Panzer General (PC): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sG5TcIZfu50 Heroes of Might and Magic II (PC): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g42gSMad09Y Might and Magic VI - Mandate of Heaven (PC): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pfr3I_N5cMw Heroes of Might and Magic III: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSaac_TqXRw&list=PLic3HXuw97t62UA75v3t_EpTiA5CfXARm Might and Magic VII: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuGvXM5p-RM Might and Magic VIII: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXZhuHYJVB0 Legends of Might and Magic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnuSWgV-QaU Heroes of Might and Magic IV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUfjckaGezc Might and Magic IX: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzTI_LbC0HE     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/

    1h 44m

  4. 12/15/2025

    An Act of Control

    TCW Podcast Episode 248 - An Act of Control   We look at Japan’s Act on Control and Improvement of Amusement Business and its impact on the arcade industry in Japan. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, video games became increasingly popular in Japan, drawing public concern over how much time and money players were spending in game centers. With little cultural context for games as entertainment, many assumed there must be some form of gambling or prize element involved, leading to growing moral panic. These concerns culminated in a 1985 amendment to an existing law that brought game centers under strict regulation. We examine the role of industry trade groups during this period, including the NRO, an operators organization that supported regulation under the belief it would disadvantage large arcades while leaving smaller venues such as department store rooftops and grocery stores unaffected. That assumption proved incorrect. At the same time, JAMA, representing manufacturers, organized its own operator segment to counter the NRO’s influence. Because the law was written broadly, regulators were left to define what qualified as a controlled amusement, resulting in a chilling effect on arcades across Japan. These regulations reshaped the industry and pushed many companies to shift their focus toward home consoles and other markets.   TCW 008 - Birth of the Japanese Game Center: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/birth-of-the-japanese-game-center/ Act on Control and Improvement of Amusement Business: https://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp/en/laws/view/4234/en Abroad in Japan - Pachinko - Japan's Biggest Gaming Obsession: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tBy2jemw4s Masumi Akagi - "It Started with Pong":  https://www.amazon.co.jp/%E3%81%9D%E3%82%8C%E3%81%AF%E3%80%8C%E3%83%9D%E3%83%B3%E3%80%8D%E3%81%8B%E3%82%89%E5%A7%8B%E3%81%BE%E3%81%A3%E3%81%9F-%E3%82%A2%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B1%E3%83%BC%E3%83%89TV%E3%82%B2%E3%83%BC%E3%83%A0%E3%81%AE%E6%88%90%E3%82%8A%E7%AB%8B%E3%81%A1-%E8%B5%A4%E6%9C%A8%E7%9C%9F%E6%BE%84/dp/4990251202 Rotamint - "Royal Super": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRPBQ2cwAas Rotomint - Jackpot: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgrmntnQfP4 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 195 - Finding Video Game Copyright: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/finding-video-game-copyright Sun Electronics - The Guiness: www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsJHEJHTU1M Fred Rogers Congress Public Funding: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKy7ljRr0AA   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/

    1h 16m

  5. 12/01/2025

    The History of Commodore Pt 4

    TCW Podcast Episode 247 - The History of Commodore Pt 4 The final chapter of our Commodore series covers the company’s chaotic decline. After early success with the Amiga line, internal conflict grew under President Tom Rattigan, who wanted to focus on the low end with the Amiga 500 while Irving Gould pushed for high end systems like the Amiga 2000. Missed deadlines and a failed boardroom challenge led to Rattigan’s firing and Gould taking direct control. When IRS tax issues forced Gould to step back, Mahdi Ali became President and began reorganizing engineering. Ali hired Bill Sydnes from the IBM PC team, who also had a hand in the failure of the PC Jr, to evaluate and streamline development. Gould continued to cycle executives in pursuit of short term stock gains, which weakened Commodore as it chased conflicting markets. Cost cutting turned the popular Amiga 500 into the poorly received A600, though the later A1200 fared better. Ali moved manufacturing to the Philippines after shutting down facilities in Hong Kong and Germany, but production was disrupted by the 1991 Mount Pinatubo eruption. Commodore finally collapsed and went bankrupt in 1994, ending one of the most turbulent stories in personal computing.   Pepsi Challenge: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkPjteYv4YI Pepsi Challenge 1978: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEXEdibXSak New Coke Conspiracy: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/HJ_6wewbDjk Amiga 1000 & Sidecar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPfArIhoy0s Amiga 2000: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=he_p8A7A1aU Amiga 2000 HD Professional Demo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=keG2KdQHC6s Amiga 500 Bundles: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bc5gpyA6SjQ Amiga 500 Batman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iM2SCzt73s0 Amiga 500 Overview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVZrL4k1los Commodore C65: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoHxDe3Gc9E Leonard Nimoy Laserdisc: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJ5msrmf5Tw Amiga 3000: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzA5AhH1mbw History of the Amiga 1992 Documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zq1s77nzpYk Amiga 600: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5svNq2grTEU Amiga 500 vs Amiga 1200: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFh4zuNUyMg Amiga CDTV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQW6upDCRFI Mount Pinatubo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjDDdYM4x0s Planer Computer Graphics: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planar_(computer_graphics) Amiga CD32: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJU4TZhj0e8       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/

    1h 34m

  6. 11/15/2025

    The History of Commodore Pt 3

    TCW Podcast Episode 246 - The History of Commodore Pt 3 After Jack Tramiel left Commodore and founded Tramel Technology, the company pressed on with mixed results. Systems like the SX 64, the C900, the Plus/4, the C16, and the C116 failed to gain traction, which led to the development of the C128. It improved on the C64 in many ways, but because so many games relied on C64 quirks, Commodore included a full C64 mode to preserve compatibility, so software support was poor. During this period Amiga was shopping its advanced chipset and entered a tentative agreement with Atari, but Jack’s impending purchase of Atari from Warner disrupted the arrangement. Commodore stepped in to pay off the outstanding note, which led to Commodore acquiring Amiga outright. This set the stage for the Amiga 1000, its famous bouncing ball demo, and a new chapter in Commodore’s history as the company entered the sixteen bit era   TCW 2025 Livestream: https://youtu.be/BXXAhEVD4Lk   Computer Chronicles Revisited - SMOliva: https://computerchronicles.blog/post/computer-chronicles-revisited-038-atari-520st-commodore-128/   Computer Chronicles Revisited - SMOliva: https://computerchronicles.blog/post/computer-chronicles-revisited-052-amiga-workbench-deluxe-paint-neochrome-vip-professional/   Commodore C900: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbVjNInzrw8 Commodore SX-64: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIGjT-RjNbk Commodore Plus 4 C16 & C116: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICiZbUypMlQ XKCD - Workflow: https://xkcd.com/1172/ Star Raiders (Atari 8-bit): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwqMqmo_jho Joyboard: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdFzdz3o1hU Boing Demo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlAhRJjOhDg Amiga 1000: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjapiUQOi2s Launch Event of the Amiga in 1985: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OeQ5uzm-Qs Amiga 1000 Sidcar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPfArIhoy0s   TCW 172 - The Computer Price Wars Pt 1: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-computer-price-wars-part-1/ TCW 173 - The Computer Wars Pt 2: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-computer-wars-part-2/ TCW 174 - The Computer Wars Pt 3: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-computer-wars-part-3/   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/

    1h 34m

  7. 11/01/2025

    The History of Commodore Pt 2

    TCW Podcast Episode 245 - The History of Commodore Pt 2   Commodore’s shift from calculators to computers began with the PET, which found success in Europe as a business machine. After seeing the ZX80 in Britain, Jack Tramiel pushed for an affordable home computer, leading to the VIC-20. Guided by marketing manager Michael S. Tomczyk, Commodore promoted the VIC-20 as “the friendly computer” with William Shatner as spokesman. It first launched in Japan before reaching the United States and Europe, becoming a hit worldwide. Building on that success, Commodore released the C64, featuring the powerful SID sound chip and far more memory than its competitors. Marketed again under Tomczyk’s direction at a price under six hundred dollars, the C64 became one of the best-selling computers of all time, driving Commodore’s revenue past a billion dollars and securing its place in computing history.   TCW 2025 Livestream: https://youtu.be/BXXAhEVD4Lk   TCW 165 - Allied Leisure: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/allied-leisure/ 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 130 - Uncle Clive's Radionics: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/uncle-clives-radionics/ TCW 131 -  Sir Clive of ZX: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/sir-clive-of-zx/   KIM-1 Computer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMxOWngmy8I The 8-Bit Guy - Commodore PET: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eP9y_7it3ZM The 8-Bit Guy - Commodore VIC-20: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yg04GyhS3ss The 8-Bit Guy - Commodore C64: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpXFB8ZEH30 Commodore VIC-20 Commercials: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ak0YU8ymkBc Wiliam Shatner VIC-20 Commercials: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JAU9Ntpoms Commodore 64 Commercials: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nd_yiMhu1DM   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/

    1h 37m

  8. 10/15/2025

    The History of Commodore Pt 1

    TCW Podcast Episode 244 - The History of Commodore Pt 1   We kick off our look at Commodore with the story of its founder, Jack Tramiel. A Holocaust survivor who emigrated to the United States, Tramiel began repairing lamps and typewriters before founding a typewriter import business in Toronto. His early success was nearly undone by the Atlantic Acceptance financial scandal, which forced him into partnership with investor Irving Gould. Commodore’s venture into calculators nearly bankrupted the company, but the acquisition of MOS Technology set the stage for its move into computers. This episode explores the corporate maneuvering, twists of fate, and personal drive that shaped Commodore’s early years. Featuring audience input, it’s the start of a lively three-part (and possibly four-part) deep dive into one of computing’s most fascinating companies.   TCW 2025 Livestream: https://youtu.be/BXXAhEVD4Lk   Jack Tramiel 1983 Interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5skpKlVOqc Commodore - A Company On The Edge by Brian Bagnall: https://archive.org/details/commodorecompany0000bagn/page/n1/mode/2up Computer Chronicles Revisited - SMOliva: https://computerchronicles.blog/post/computer-chronicles-revisited-107-koalapainter-the-wine-steward-skate-or-die-master-composer-keyboard-controlled-sequencer/#the-atlantic-acceptance-scandal-and-irving-goulds-takeover   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/

    1h 20m
See All (251)

4.9
out of 5
69 Ratings

About

Love of the worlds created by video game designers and personalities drives Alex Smith & Jeffrey Daum (history, law, CS degrees) to provide a scholarly yet light-hearted discussion of how arcade, home console, and PC games merged into a Video Game Industry. Emphasis is on the combination of business and creative elements needed for financial success. Interviews of Atari, EA, Activision, & other execs with detailed source evaluations produce the insights you hear in these 140+ hours!

Information

  • Creator
    Alex Smith, and Jeffrey Daum
  • Years Active
    2015 - 2026
  • Episodes
    251
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2015-2019 . All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    They Create Worlds

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