In this week's episode we recap some of the best moments from Season 2, with John Romero on hits and misses, how Peter Molyneux makes a game, Ed Fries on Xbox's Valentines Day massacre, Warren Spector on how playstyle is everything and much more! 

🎮 The Fourth Curtain – S2 Best Of Highlights

[00:00:00] – Season 2 Recap & Patreon Launch 🎉

• Alex and Aaron reflect on Season 2, announce the new Patreon, and tease upcoming guests.

[00:08:00] – John Romero’s First Game 👾

• John shares how he programmed his first game on a mainframe in 1979 and discovered Colossal Cave Adventure.

[00:26:00] – Mike Wilson & The Wild West of Publishing 🤠

• Mike tells stories from GT Interactive, including publishing DOOM and the infamous Fabio Screensaver.

[00:38:00] – Game Delays & Business Realities ⏳

• Industry veterans discuss the tough decisions behind delaying games and the shift from retail to digital.

[00:49:00] – Mitch Lasky on Venture Capital & Gaming 💰

• Mitch talks about investing in Instagram, Twitter, Uber, Snapchat, Riot Games, and Discord.

[01:04:00] – The Xbox Origin Story – The Valentine's Day Massacre 🎮

• Ed Fries recounts the high-stakes meeting where Microsoft approved the original Xbox.

[01:27:00] – Jesse Schell Predicts AI in Games 🤖

• Jesse discusses AI-driven NPCs, procedural storytelling, and the future of interactive experiences.

[01:32:00] – AI’s Impact on Game Development & Publishing ⚙️

• Frank Gibeau and others explore AI’s role in monetization, engagement, and player behavior.

[01:43:00] – Season 3 Tease & Farewell 🎭

• A sneak peek at upcoming guests, including Sir Ian Livingstone, and an invitation to join the Patreon.

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Thank you for listening to our podcast all about videogames and the amazing people who bring them to life!
Hosted by Alexander Seropian and Aaron Marroquin
Find us at www.thefourthcurtain.com

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