They Create Worlds

By Alex Smith, and Jeffrey Daum

The games we love reveal something true about who we are, and about the world that made them. They Create Worlds is a podcast about the people, technology, and forces that built the video game indu

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4.9

5757 ratings

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FAQs about They Create Worlds:

How many episodes does They Create Worlds have?

The podcast currently has 267 episodes available.

They Create Worlds episodes:

August 15, 2018 The MYSTeries of Brøderbund!
TCW Podcast Episode 072 - The MYSTeries of Brøderbund!

We cover the later years of Brøderbund looking at their "evergreen" products. Print Shop being the first one to really put them on the map. We then look at the series of successes, and challenges that the company faced throughout the 80's and 90's. We then see how the meteoric success of MYST ultimately dead to the downfall of Brøderbund in 1998. Still Brøderbund was a fascinating company which was willing to take risks on some of the influential games, and software that built the PC industry we know today.

Bank Street Writer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHQVD25Y3Gg
Apple ][ E Print Shop: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJV1nAeHkQ8
TCW Where in the game is Carmen Sandiego?: http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/where-in-the-game-is-carmen-sandiego/
Quick and Dirty Desktop Publishing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEqQlEgQ3_4
Dawn of Desktop Publishing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rCNnMZrFUQ
Sim City Retrospective: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O42kxeilMaQ
Living Books "Just Grandma and Me": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1qVm133XJg&list=PLCAF301BEC1CA0D5D
PC DOS Prince of Persia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xv20j8ChtRY
HyperCard: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMFscTOazS0
The Manhole 30th aniversary with Robyn Miller: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kX5E7yOHJg
Cosmic Osmo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K30UmVsqTn8
A Brief History of Myst: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4wWITMUop0&t=1352s
Myst VS RealMYST: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZOxPlWGiL8&t=151s
Gone Home Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRjJ5LY6tX8
Stanley Parable Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBtX0S2J32Y

New episodes 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 forthcoming book will be released through CRC Press!

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/
...more
1h 42min
August 01, 2018 A Story of Brøderbund!
TCW Podcast Episode 071 -A Story of Brøderbund!
We cover the founding of Brøderbund by the Carlston brothers. We delve into their initial forays into the PC game market. The used a unique business model that supported developers, and creators, but did not bring them on as employees. However they did retain staff to assist in polishing up games that showed potential. Brøderbund even started exploring consoles with a few of their games until they decided to transition to evergreen products.

Galactic Trader: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=waxrpG-19jM
Alien Rain Apple II: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_q5z3wbF9vo
Choplifter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ao9VAgyAgY4
David's Midnight Magic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1a9Y55NJy0
Space Panic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLd1xABCsaQ
Lode Runner: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7JY5nEOUGA
Lode Runner Championship: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDVYa4q9Qhg
Karateka: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKqk9kosCs4
Laughing Gas Charlie Chaplin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZrsuEWw9m8
The Close up and Cross Cutting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osTF3zsplt0
Lode Runner NES: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwxLChxi8WA
Karateka NES: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJoHgELbO5s
Raid on Bungeling Bay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKeelD1VmnA
Raid of Bungeling Bay NES: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiuU5FHYaiE

New episodes 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 forthcoming book will be released through CRC Press!

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/
...more
1h 23min
July 15, 2018 Sega VS Nintendo Round 3
TCW Podcast Episode 070 - Sega VS Nintendo Round 3
The fight heats up with the 16 bit era in the United States. Sega being first to market was able to take control, and dominate the market for a few years. However this short lived victory was bought at a price. With the low margins on consoles Sega was unable to sustain the growth once things started to change in Europe. Nintendo meanwhile was always able to turn a tidy profit even without a controlling market share. Nintendo's control of the handheld market, Japan, and the 8-bit consoles allowed them to have the financial reserve to weather the Sonly PlayStation entering the market. We go over some of the misconceptions regarding Sega of America and Sega of Japan, and show how even Nintendo was swayed by the marketing done by Sega.
Genesis Does what Nintendon't Commercial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7nsBoqJ6s8
Altered Beast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I075dM_AZ2g
Master System Golden Axe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHbJLhumzUs
Genesis Golden Axe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiHjrQlO2RQ
Master System Sonic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQPvA0OvR24
Genesis Sonic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJJnxHcv1z4
Welcome to the Next Level Commercial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MY61zUle52g
Genesis Commercials from 1991-1993: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIBmBy9APaU
Play it Loud Nintendo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stvktzVjZJw
F-Zero: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIe4AvKLSa4
Donkey Kong Country: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4EUEsEM328

New episodes 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 forthcoming book will be released through CRC Press!

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/
...more
1h 47min
July 01, 2018 Sega VS Nintendo Round 2
TCW Podcast Episode 069 - Sega VS Nintendo Round 2
We cover Nintendo and Sega entering the US Market with their 8-bit consoles. With the early release, marketing, and connections Nintendo dominated the market. Sega tried to break in with a technologically superior system, but due to lack of third party software, due to Nintendo's exclusivity contracts, they were unable to make a significant impact. Briefly partnering with Tonka, of Tonka trucks, they tried to get a larger penetration onto store shelves. However Tonka overextending themselves, and were unable to properly market the Sega Master System like both companies hopped. Sega was gearing up though for the 16 bit era, and were first to the market with a new console starting the true fight between Sega and Nintendo.

Nintendo Game and Watch Commercial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ss3gZ6yV79c
Miyamoto on World 1-1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRGRJRUWafY
Super Mario Tutorial 1: https://kotaku.com/5531665/if-super-mario-bros-was-made-in-2010
Super Mario Brothers Tutorial 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFMbaNfqY6Y
NES Zelda 1 Nerd Rap: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uI3rO3PbYOo

New episodes 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 forthcoming book will be released through CRC Press!

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/
...more
1h 16min
June 15, 2018 Sega VS Nintendo Round 1
TCW Podcast Episode 068 - Sega VS Nintendo Round 1
Recorded live in front of fans on YouTube Live! Alex and Jeffrey start the dive into the Sega VS Nintendo rivalry. We lay the groundwork of how Sega came to enter the console market in Japan. We see the first clash with Nintendo, and the reasons that Nintendo won the first round cementing their hold on Japan in a way that would not be broken until the PlayStation era. Sega was able to convert their home computer hardware into a console, and was only able to get the sales numbers that that did due to a recall of the original Famicom console.
Game and Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUvFA7Ut8f0
Sega SC-3000: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdfurnWIvJI
Original Famicom: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbduBEeJZqE
Epoch Super Cassettevision: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIzftg1nb8g

New episodes 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

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/
...more
1h 33min
June 01, 2018 The Birth of the Japanese Consoles
TCW Podcast Episode 067 - The Birth of Japanese Consoles
We cover the start of Japanese home consoles beginning with the early dedicated systems and working up to the development of the Famicom and the Sega SC-3000. Japan differed from the US in that companies had the opportunity to sell consoles that bridged the gap from dedicated consoles to programable consoles with LSI-cartridge-based consoles. Epoch was the only company that stuck with home consoles during this era. Always remember the Famicom is not the first Nintendo console!

Before Mario Blog: http://blog.beforemario.com/
Bandai TV Jack 1000: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BW9lDLJgkus
Nintendo Color TV 15: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrVwYgYdaak
Nintendo Color TV Racing 112: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xK3nLfWWJ6s
Epoch TV Baseball: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCZDqJTOP48
Epoch TV Block: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZ4z1wtK9HM
Atari Video Pinball: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSdH1I80ESQ
Epoch TV Cassetevision: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aARzm5NTol0
Epoch TV Vader Console Overview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fO7hQvGXg0
Epoch TV Vader Gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOcUmpZErdk
Epoch Cassetevision Galaxian: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsGs9KcEc3k

*** LIVE STREAM Sunday June 3rd at 12:30 CDT (UTC - 5) ***
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClGlSl-zgLdxhJEbo_NKr4w/live

New episodes 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

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/
...more
1h 9min
May 15, 2018 Half of a Life
TCW Podcast Episode 066 - Half of a Life
We cover the founding of Valve and the development processes that led to Half-Life 1 & 2. Originally made using the Quake II engine, Half-Life was an ambitious project that ran into the same kind of hurdles other companies have experienced. Valve was able to take the needed time to create a truly outstanding product. This was due in no small measure to the founders being Microsoft millionaires. Even today, the sophistication in technology, storytelling, and level design in Half-Life 2 made possible through the development of the Source engine is something that other companies are only just now duplicating with regularity.
Half-Life E3 Trailer 1997: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gD_4JLIdpkk
Half-Life Introduction: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsTEoGoAxUk
Dr. Paul Eckman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9i-9_QuetA
Gabe and Valve Discuss Half-Life 2 Leak: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=908dFzfvjeA
Half-Life 2 Leak VS Release: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jMx5Wp0Gwc
Half-Life Alpha 0.52: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2h7bTo5xLyQ
Half-Life 2 - 2003 Tech Demo E3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ddJ1OKV63Q
Team Fortress Classic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaTE1NYIjBU
Counter Strike 5v5: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2tTgPPtxc0

*** LIVE STREAM Sunday June 3rd at 12:30 CDT (UTC - 5) ***
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClGlSl-zgLdxhJEbo_NKr4w/live

New episodes 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

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/
...more
1h 26min
May 01, 2018 The Rise and Fall of Infogrames Part 2
TCW Podcast Episode 065 - The Rise and Fall of Infogrames Part 2
We go into the mass consolidation that sprung Infogrames into an international powerhouse. It was due to these quick consolidations that led them to have a high value on the stock market. When the tech bubble burst in the early 2000's the stock value plummeted, and Infrogrames was unable to service the massive debt consolidation has built up. This eventually led to the outer of Bruno Bonnell from Infrogrames. We go over the parade of leadership as the company collapses and sheds all the assets that they have.
V Ralley: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swYrhyCLblE
Terminator Dawn of Fate: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEVx4OGZv9w
Enter the Matrix: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaGQ8v5G3_I
Matrix Path of Neo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRvSJYxVAhA

New episodes 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

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/
...more
1h 15min
April 15, 2018 Rise and Fall of Infogrames Part 1
TCW Podcast Episode 064 - Rise and Fall of Infogrames Part 1
The rise and fall of a French company founded by Bruno Bonnell. We cover the rocky start of the company and the games that helped them gain notoriety. Through some chance connections through family and fellow employees Infogrames was able to skyrocket onto the international stage with their game Alone in the Dark.

Captain Blood: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=od3jvPPugGc
Sim City: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A54blk-ojA4
Tintin on the Moon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-rYm-cAER4
North and South: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lISIBipdoao
Fantasia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ctc7i3Y9PPs
Microsoft Encarta 1994: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEE8bXCxhsE
Alone in the Dark: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lWaQe8LPW0
Popcorn: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SygD93F95js
Popcorn Download: http://www.ludoid.fr/site/index.php/popcorn
Drakkhen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7MqcOp0J9E
Alpha Waves: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9qAtVwSIV8
Starglider 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78PQ8tKTAiA
Asterix (NES): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pnRL2G9nLA

New episodes 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

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/
...more
57min
April 01, 2018 Lawsuits for Nintendo
TCW Podcast Episode 063 - Lawsuits for Nintendo
We delve into the legal hurdles that Nintendo faced during its rise to power in the '80s and '90s. We see how they were able with the guidance of Howard Lincoln to weather the first of many lawsuits, and triumph! In their long history they have used the court systems in the United States to their advantage; even wining a case almost everyone thought that they would lose.

Japanese-English Marketing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZ-dBHCHo3E
Zelda CDI Games: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TN8-Pdz-ns8
How Shift Registers Work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BLj9Ak2Djs
Nintendo PPU Scrolling: http://wiki.nesdev.com/w/index.php/PPU_scrolling
NES SMB3 Loading Seam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfrNnwJrujw

New episodes on the 1st and 15th of every month!

TCW Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @tcwpodcast
Alex's Video Game History Blog: http://videogamehistorian.wordpress.com

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/
...more
1h 15min

FAQs about They Create Worlds:

How many episodes does They Create Worlds have?

The podcast currently has 267 episodes available.

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