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: [email protected] 

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/