They Create Worlds Alex Smith, and Jeffrey Daum

TCW Podcast Episode 146 - Storytime with a Book 2


 


Alex reads and annotates a chapter of the book dealing with the founding of Activision!  We cover not just the chapter but the thought process, and behind the scenes that went into the chapter.  The story is helped with extra information that Alex was able to gleam from interviews, and trial transcripts.  A larger perspective telling of the early formation of Activision, where the popular historical record needs to be corrected and more!


 


Atari Archive: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo_f7y6sBDmFnGbZoq1Ce_w


TCW 094 - Epyx not Epic: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/epyx-not-epic/


TCW 046 - Atari, Ray Kassar and Warner: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/atari-ray-kassar-and-warner/


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


Boxing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5reJLuRgz-A


Dragster: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTy9zS899wk


Fishing Derby: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWaX-NcK5PQ


Checkers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbE1QxqZrNE


TCW 126 Activision and Atari: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/activision-and-atari/


Bridge: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sckeVsRrsc


Skiing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVBcKKCEkB0


Laser Blast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvnq96SVQh0


Tennis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TueiMj2l3k


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/


 


 


New episodes 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 is available for preorder and should be released through CRC Press in December 2019: http://bit.ly/TCWBOOK1


 


 


Intro Music: Josh Woodward - Airplane Mode -  Music - "Airplane Mode" by Josh Woodward. Free download:http://joshwoodward.com/song/AirplaneMode 


Outro Music: RolemMusic - Bacterial Love - http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Rolemusic/Pop_Singles_Compilation_2014/01_rolemusic_-_bacterial_love 


 


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

TCW Podcast Episode 145  - Revisions and Updates 3


 


Our sixth year anniversary!  In this episode we look back at the podcast and correct some of the errors that were made in the past.  First we explore the company Fun Games which was sued by Atari for making clones of Atari products using stolen equipment.  The source and story of this is better told with new information that has come to light.  Other new information includes the discovery that the 100 yen coin shortage in Japan was real!  The circumstances around the shortage is a lot more complicated.  The final major item was discovering the first game sold on a micro computer.  This particular game was published as a book, and not on tape or magnetic media making it unique for the first game of this type.


 


Trailer with Video Games: https://twitter.com/QuarterPast83/status/1261412414618128385


TCW 008 - Birth of the Japanese Game Center  Go to 1hr 25 minutes: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/birth-of-the-japanese-game-center/


Scelbi's Galaxy Game: http://www.scelbi.com/files/docs/books/Galaxy%20Game.pdf


 


New episodes 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 is available for preorder and should be released through CRC Press in December 2019: http://bit.ly/TCWBOOK1


 


 


Intro Music: Josh Woodward - Airplane Mode -  Music - "Airplane Mode" by Josh Woodward. Free download:http://joshwoodward.com/song/AirplaneMode 


Outro Music: RolemMusic - Bacterial Love - http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Rolemusic/Pop_Singles_Compilation_2014/01_rolemusic_-_bacterial_love 


 


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

TCW Podcast Episode 144 - Ascension into the Black Gate


 


In our final part looking at the history of the Ultima series we start off looking at Ultima VII.  This game is considered by many to be the pinnacle of the series.   The game combines story elements with a massive world to create a truly unique experience.  The game is followed by two major commercial failures.  Those failures being Ultima VIII and Ultima IX.  The reasons behind those failures are many.  However a lot of the blame for Ultima VIII's shortcomings, especially the jumping, can be laid at the feet of the development team and not EA.  Because of the disaster of VIII, Ultima IX was plagues with issues.  Especially since they had a rotating staff, technology issues, and other challenges the game was an ignoble end to a series that touched many.  However like many of the Ultima games, it is not the destination, but the journey that is the true heart of Ultima.  


 


Intro to Ultima VII: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ttf9YrkBdQ


The Story of The Fellowship: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mlZVHuK4wM


Museum of the Avatar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIaOiMH8SKg


Retro Tea Break | Richard Garriott tells his Ultima Story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LU90N4Cbj10


Secret of Money Island 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXRMEz6n5SM


Prince of Persia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xv20j8ChtRY


Ultima VII: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkrCUXc-frY


Ultima VIII: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzfnuxXfQ2M


Ultima IX: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6kXFf7iyC4&list=PLSlejFTVB3ksWWOh2mePsahP5Kew5rHwc


TCW 038 - Origin Story: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/origin-story-1489274251/


Crusader No Remorse: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUnvNTvHMnQ


Meridian 59: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUsJ6de9mRU


 


New episodes 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 is available for preorder and should be released through CRC Press in December 2019: http://bit.ly/TCWBOOK1


 


 


Intro Music: Josh Woodward - Airplane Mode -  Music - "Airplane Mode" by Josh Woodward. Free download:http://joshwoodward.com/song/AirplaneMode 


Outro Music: RolemMusic - Bacterial Love - http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Rolemusic/Pop_Singles_Compilation_2014/01_rolemusic_-_bacterial_love 


 


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

TCW Podcast Episode 143 -The Prophet of the Avatar


 


In part two of our look at the Ultima series we start with how Richard came to the morality system that became a central feature of the franchise.  Using a combination of features he likes from various worlds religions, his own experiences, and so on Richard crafted the eight virtues that the play, who would become the avatar, would have to emulate.  In the following two games. The story focused on how not all choices are black and white like in Ultima V, and how without all the facts you may be fighting against a group that may just be trying to survive.  This is a fascinating look at morality in videogames that is unprecedented at the time, and is rarely, if at all, emulated today.


 


Download Ultima IV: https://www.gog.com/game/ultima_4


Museum of the Avatar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIaOiMH8SKg


Softline Interview: http://www.applevault.com/magazines/softline/v3n1/origin.pdf


The Eight Virtues Explained: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wFzZx-L4LI


Ultima IV Apple II: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYGFh3I3IG4


Ultima V Apple II: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GvWMmlfmgs


Ultima VI: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nBWuV_E6Eg


TCW 038 - Origin Story: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/origin-story-1489274251/


 


New episodes 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 is available for preorder and should be released through CRC Press in December 2019: http://bit.ly/TCWBOOK1


 


 


Intro Music: Josh Woodward - Airplane Mode -  Music - "Airplane Mode" by Josh Woodward. Free download:http://joshwoodward.com/song/AirplaneMode 


Outro Music: RolemMusic - Bacterial Love - http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Rolemusic/Pop_Singles_Compilation_2014/01_rolemusic_-_bacterial_love 


 


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

TCW Podcast Episode 142 - Ultima: Exodus to Akalabeth


 


In this episode we look at the legendary series of Ultima!  We look at the lead up inspiration, and influences that led to the creation of Ultima.  This episode ties in heavily with our look at Origin Systems.  In this we use the creation of Ultima as a microcosm of the development of the PC industry.  The plight of the bedroom coder.  Wanting to make cool games, finding themselves thrust into a wider PC game world, and the eventual whirlwind of having publishers involved.  We mainly focus on how the creation of the games mirrors Richard's growth as a game designer and eventually perfecting the base formula with Ultima III.


 


TCW 038 - Origin Story: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/origin-story-1489274251/


TCW 117 - Wing Commander: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/wing-commander-1593278423/


Introduction to the Society of Creative Anachronism : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=046bs9DY7QY


Escape: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iM2tb0-9uyg


Download Akalabeth: https://www.gog.com/game/akalabeth_world_of_doom


Apple II - Akalabeth: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKAlDUu7zko


Apple II - Ultima I: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrQFzWO4pYo


Apple II - Lemonade Stand:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dUbDDmXp2I


Trailer for Time Bandits: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vioocIR0gHQ


Apple II - Ultima II: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ts-zYdjDyAI


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/


TCW 114 - The Wizards of Sir-Tech: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-wizards-of-sir-tech/


TCW 115 - The Return of the Sdraziw of Sir-Tech: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-return-of-the-sdraziw-of-sir-tech/


Apple II - Ultima III: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FvHQI2qSKQ


 


New episodes 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 is available for preorder and should be released through CRC Press in December 2019: http://bit.ly/TCWBOOK1


 


 


Intro Music: Josh Woodward - Airplane Mode -  Music - "Airplane Mode" by Josh Woodward. Free download:http://joshwoodward.com/song/AirplaneMode 


Outro Music: RolemMusic - Bacterial Love - http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Rolemusic/Pop_Singles_Compilation_2014/01_rolemusic_-_bacterial_love 


 


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

TCW Podcast Episode 141 - The Console Market of the 70's and 80's Part 2


 


In our second part we look at the emergence of the programable consoles.  We see how many companies kept falling into the same trap of FCC regulations, heat issues, and chip shortages.  By the time most of these issues were sorted out, with the notable exception of the Apple II being classified as an "industrial computer", the industry was in the midst of a console transition led by the ColecoVision.  However the video game crash caused it all to be reset, and many promising paths of development were never really explored.  Stay tuned to the end for info on Alex's guest appearances, the topic of our live stream recording this year, and getting stickers!


 


TCW 076 - A Fairchild Story: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/a-fairchild-story/


Media Regulation Crash Course: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6LKl4RKIew


History of Radio and the FCC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ob_db-kxEQw


Vintage 1963 FCC Film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzPIOfpKkRM


How Radio Works 1937: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEDzmbsvBPw


The Vacuum Tube Radio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UKCUMghTrc&t=32s


Applying the inverse square law to EM waves: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1yy-zhVM0Y


How to understand the inverse square law in lighting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xO-J42VM448


Cats and Dogs living together: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SA1SxZoFmOU


Sport Utility Robot: https://futurama.fandom.com/wiki/Sport-Utility_Robot


Atari Archive - RCA, FRED, and the Studio II: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o35y6W9hI-o


Bally Home Computer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QCkUk8ZA6w


TCW 90 - Lion and Bally Manufacturing: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/lion-and-bally-manufacturing/


TCW 091 - Bally: The Road to Fitness: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/bally-the-road-to-fitness/


George Plimpton Commercials: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPUMfUvRAOE


Atari VCS Space Invaders: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opru6qPsPa4


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


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


Video Game History Hour: https://gamehistory.org/ep-31-spacewar-dual-to-the-death/


Super Mega Crash Bros. Turbo: https://pencilandpaperproductions.podbean.com/e/super-mega-crash-bros-turbo-171-creating-worlds-with-alex-smith/


 


New episodes 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 is available for preorder and should be released through CRC Press in December 2019: http://bit.ly/TCWBOOK1


 


 


Intro Music: Josh Woodward - Airplane Mode -  Music - "Airplane Mode" by Josh Woodward. Free download:http://joshwoodward.com/song/AirplaneMode 


Outro Music: RolemMusic - Bacterial Love - http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Rolemusic/Pop_Singles_Compilation_2014/01_rolemusic_-_bacterial_love 


 


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