Video Game Newsroom Time Machine

After spending almost 2 decades trying to make MUD a viable commercial project, Richard returns to academia after publishing his seminal book, Designing Virtual Worlds, and begins teaching and researching game worlds and player behavior.

We delve deep into the study of games, talk about why it's important and the future of virtual worlds, the morality of being a god, both as a designer and a gamer, and where the industry can go from here.

Recorded: February 2025

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https://www.patreon.com/VGNRTM

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Links: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Bartle https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MUD1 https://www.mobygames.com/game/124837/multi-user-dungeon-mud1/ https://mud.co.uk/dvw/ http://howtobeagod.com/ http://pdf.textfiles.com/zines/ESCAPIST/theescapist_043.pdf

Books by Richard:

How to Be a God

http://www.howtobeagod.com/ https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0955649498 https://www.amazon.com/dp/0955649498/ https://mud.co.uk/richard/How%20to%20Be%20a%20God.pdf

Dheghōm http://www.Dheghōm.com/ (http://www.xn--dheghm-fgb.com/) https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1915964008/ https://www.amazon.com/dp/1915964008/ https://mud.co.uk/richard/Dhegh%C5%8Dm.pdf

Erwā

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1915964040 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1915964040

Bhéwonom

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1915964067 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1915964067

Copyright 2025 Karl Kuras

While there are many founders of the video game industry writ large, the dawn of multiplayer gaming is a much more select group of luminaries and our guest today, Richard Bartle is most definitely one of them. He cocreated MUD1, the first Multi User Dungeon game as a college student and has gone on to help shape the academic view of gaming ever since.

Recorded: January 2025

Video version:

https://www.patreon.com/posts/135579198

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Links: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Bartle https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MUD1 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paracosm https://www.mobygames.com/game/124837/multi-user-dungeon-mud1/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eve_Online https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultima_Online https://mud.co.uk/richard/mpublish.htm https://mud.co.uk/richard/pcwaug84.htm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Island_of_Kesmai https://mud.co.uk/richard/pcpsep87.htm https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessmulligan/ https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/historical-bits-mobile-gaming-part-2-wap-games-anu-halme/ Books by Richard: How to Be a God http://www.howtobeagod.com/ https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0955649498 https://www.amazon.com/dp/0955649498/ https://mud.co.uk/richard/How%20to%20Be%20a%20God.pdf Dheghōm http://www.Dheghōm.com/ (http://www.xn--dheghm-fgb.com/) https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1915964008/ https://www.amazon.com/dp/1915964008/ https://mud.co.uk/richard/Dhegh%C5%8Dm.pdf Erwā https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1915964040 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1915964040

Bhéwonom https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1915964067 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1915964067

Copyright 2025 Karl Kuras

Mechanical amusements have long been a mainstay of theme parks and travelling fairs. In the 1980s, this technology entered the realm of the arcade, most notably through Chuck E. Cheese and since then, has merged with the traditional dark ride to become the interactive dark ride, a mixture of animatronics, motion, lightguns and video games. Our guest today, John Wood is the head of Sally Corporation, a pioneer of animatronic entertainment and especially the interactive darkride. John tells us how this industry leader got its start

Recorded: September 2024

Video version: https://www.patreon.com/posts/jeff-johannigman-125624209

Get us on your mobile device: Android: https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly92aWRlb2dhbWVuZXdzcm9vbXRpbWVtYWNoaW5lLmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz iOS: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/video-game-newsroom-time-machine

And if you like what we are doing here at the podcast, don't forget to like us on your podcasting app of choice, YouTube, and/or support us on patreon! https://www.patreon.com/VGNRTM

Send comments on Mastodon @[email protected] Or twitter @videogamenewsr2 Or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/vgnrtm Or https://bsky.app/profile/vgnrtm.bsky.social Or [email protected]

Links: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sally_Corporation https://www.sallydarkrides.com/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heathkit_H8 https://youtu.be/jjNca1L6CUk?si=tAux1b9ri9ZJ_mdm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Association_of_Amusement_Parks_and_Attractions https://www.sallydarkrides.com/post/remembering-jan-sherman-sally-dark-rides-memorializes-long-time-co-worker-and-friend

Recommended Links:

The History of How We Play: https://thehistoryofhowweplay.wordpress.com/ Gaming Alexandria: https://www.gamingalexandria.com/wp/ They Create Worlds: https://tcwpodcast.podbean.com/ Digital Antiquarian: https://www.filfre.net/ The Arcade Blogger: https://arcadeblogger.com/ Retro Asylum: http://retroasylum.com/category/all-posts/ Retro Game Squad: http://retrogamesquad.libsyn.com/ Playthrough Podcast: https://playthroughpod.com/ Retromags.com: https://www.retromags.com/ Games That Weren't - https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/

Copyright Karl Kuras

Nintendo owns CES, The future belongs to the internet & EA disses Sega

These stories and many more on this episode of the VGNRTM!

This episode we will look back at the biggest stories in and around the video game industry in September 1994. As always, we'll mostly be using magazine cover dates, and those are of course always a bit behind the actual events.

Alex Smith of They Create Worlds is our cohost. Check out his podcast here: https://www.theycreateworlds.com/ and order his book here: https://www.theycreateworlds.com/book

Get us on your mobile device: Android: https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly92aWRlb2dhbWVuZXdzcm9vbXRpbWVtYWNoaW5lLmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz iOS: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/video-game-newsroom-time-machine

And if you like what we are doing here at the podcast, don't forget to like us on your podcasting app of choice, YouTube, and/or support us on patreon! https://www.patreon.com/VGNRTM

Send comments on Mastodon @[email protected] Or twitter @videogamenewsr2 Or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/vgnrtm Or [email protected]

Links: If you don't see all the links, find them here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/131691264

7 Minutes in Heaven: Zero Tolerance Video Version: https://www.patreon.com/posts/131666929 https://www.mobygames.com/game/10115/zero-tolerance/

Corrections: August 1994 Ep - https://www.patreon.com/posts/august-1994-123352781 Ethan's fine site The History of How We Play: https://thehistoryofhowweplay.wordpress.com/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magic:_The_Gathering https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sega https://www.retroreversing.com/super-famicom-snes-sdk/ https://archive.org/details/st-report https://patentarcade.com/tag/alpex-computer-v-nintendo

1994: Street Fighter loses its luster A Warrior of Video Games, The New York Times, September 6, 1994, Tuesday, Late Edition - Final, Distribution: Financial Desk, Section: Section D; ; Section D; Page 1; Column 6; Financial Desk ; Column 6; Byline: By ANDREW POLLACK, Capcom's video game superhero, Mega Man, debuts this week in nationally syndicated cartoon series; Interactive software giant embraces Hollywood to create precedent-setting entertainment, Business Wire, September 7, 1994, Wednesday https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0111301/?ref_=fn_all_ttl_2 https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0219458/?ref_=fn_all_ttl_14 https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0115421/?ref_=fn_all_ttl_1 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USA_Action_Extreme_Team https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0165046/?ref_=fn_all_ttl_1 Joe Morici - Capcom - https://www.patreon.com/posts/37289815

CD duplicators expand their offerings "Keeping Track Of All Trades; Replicators Go Beyond The Basics, Branching Out Into Packaging,Distribution And More, Billboard, September 3, 1994, Section: CD REPLICATION; Spotlight; Pg. 86, Byline: BY PAUL VERNA The Expanding Universe Of Replication; Companies Roll Out The Format Welcome Mat, Opening The Door To CDROM And Others, Billboard, September 3, 1994, Section: CD REPLICATION; Spotlight; Pg. 84, Byline: BY STEVE TRAIMAN"

CD piracy explodes in Hong Kong Software pirates strike gold, South China Morning Post (Hong Kong), September 15, 1994, Section: FEATURE; Pg. 25 https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=eEUNtQprsc0

Best Buy expands Best Buy Plans Southern Calif. Invasion; Discounter Promises 'New Shopping Experience', Billboard, September 10, 1994, Section: Pg. 5, Byline: BY EILEEN FITZPATRICK

Woolworth UK hit hard by drop in computer software sales Kingfisher offshoots turn in mixed performance, Financial Times (London,England), September 14, 1994, Wednesday, London, Section: UK Company News; Pg. 25,

Rhino sees slowdown Rhino runs deeper into red at midway, Financial Times (London,England), September 20, 1994, Tuesday, Section: UK Company News; Pg. 26, Byline: By GARY EVANS

Video game slump hits Wong Video-game slump hits firm, South China Morning Post (Hong Kong), September 30, 1994, Section: BUSINESS; Pg. 18 Raymond Yap - Wong's International, Mondex - https://www.patreon.com/posts/108390526

Playmates shifts to games Post-TMNT Playmates Goes Vid, Ad Day, September 19, 1994, Section: NEW PRODUCTS; Pg. 17

Software Toolworks becomes Mindscape THE SOFTWARE TOOLWORKS, INC. BECOMES MINDSCAP , INC., PR Newswire, September 30, 1994, Friday - 19:34 Eastern Time

Strauss Zelnick to head BMG "Ex-IBM chief to head Canadian films group, Financial Times (London,England), September 15, 1994, Thursday, London; Section: International Company News; Pg. 27, Byline: By LOUISE KEHOE and REUTER Ex-Film Executive Chosen To Head Bertelsmann Unit, The New York Times, September 14, 1994, Wednesday, Late Edition - Final, Distribution: Financial Desk, Section: Section D; ; Section D; Page 8; Column 5; Financial Desk ; Column 5; Byline: By SALLIE HOFMEISTER, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strauss_Zelnick

Katzenberg out at Disney Now Playing: Disney in Turmoil, The New York Times, September 23, 1994, Friday, Late Edition - Final, Distribution: Financial Desk, Section: Section D; ; Section D; Page 1; Column 3; Financial Desk ; Column 3; Byline: By BERNARD WEINRAUB with GERALDINE FABRIKANT, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DisneyWar https://www.amazon.com/Men-Who-Would-King-DreamWorks/dp/0547520271

Battletech Centers go online L.A.-Vegas link makes virtual a new reality, The Hollywood Reporter, September 2, 1994, Friday DISNEY'S GAME LINK, Variety, September 12, 1994 - September 18, 1994, Section: SPECIAL REPORT: INTERTAINMENT; Update; Pg. 33

Nicastro's to co-CEO WMS Neil D. Nicastro appointed co-chief executive officer of WMS Industries, Business Wire, September 12, 1994, Monday

Arnie's Place closes down Scrappy Arcade Owner Gives Up the Fight, The New York Times, September 20, 1994, Tuesday, Late Edition - Final, Distribution: Metropolitan Desk, Section: Section B; ; Section B; Page 4; Column 1; Metropolitan Desk ; Column 1; ; Biography, Byline: Arnie Kaye, Special to The New York Times, Dateline: WESTPORT, Conn., Sept. 19 https://www.nytimes.com/1994/09/20/nyregion/scrappy-arcade-owner-gives-up-the-fight.html?searchResultPosition=1 http://arniesplacearcade.com/pictures.html

Nintendo owns CES https://archive.org/details/edge-012-september-1994/page/10/mode/2up?view=theater https://archive.org/details/edge-012-september-1994/page/44/mode/1up?view=theater

RPGs, adventures and doom clones abound on pc at ces https://archive.org/details/computer-gaming-world-issue-122-september-1994/page/22/mode/1up?view=theater Sega bypasses Japanese distributors SEGA DECIDES TO SELL DIRECT TO RETAILERS, Computergram International, September 13, 1994

EA disses Saturn No Headline In Original, Consumer Electronics, September 19, 1994, Section: NOTEBOOK, Vol. 34, No. 38

3DO's next gen system is a dog... https://archive.org/details/edge-012-september-1994/page/6/mode/2up https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panasonic_M2

ESRB rates its first game No Headline In Original, Consumer Electronics, September 12, 1994, Section: NOTEBOOK, Vol. 34, No. 37

Mortal Kombat II breaks records Acclaim's 'Mortal Kombat II' breaks video game and film industry records with $50 million opening week, Business Wire, September 22, 1994, Thursday

Sega and Nintendo plan big Xmas ad spends Sega and Nintendo Prepare to Do Battle Over Holiday Season Sales, Wall Street Journal (3 Star, Eastern (Princeton, NJ), Edition), , September 21, 1994, Business and Industry, Section: Pg. B10; Vol. CCXXIV; No. 57; ISSN: 0099-9660

EA sees CD future Electronic Arts Shifts Focus to CD-ROM Video Games, Wall Street Journal (3 Star, Eastern (Princeton, NJ) Edition), September 7, 1994, Business and Industry, Section: Pg. B4; Vol. CCXXIV; No. 47; ISSN: 0099-9660

CDi gets new slogan A NEW STRATEGY FOR CD-I PHILIPS LOWERS PRICE, CHANGES SLOGAN TO DRIVE SALES, Advertising Age, September 26, 1994, Section: Pg. 14 https://youtu.be/TgtBDVRwKCQ?si=77kblLoNQUYxSl16

China seen as growth market by Nintendo Nintendo to launch game software production in China, Japan Economic Newswire, SEPTEMBER 6, 1994, TUESDAY, Dateline: TOKYO, Sept. 6 Kyodo Taiwan firm to compensate Nintendo, Singapore Business Times, September 18, 1994

Sanyo avoids face off with Matsushita Sanyo to market 32-bit computer game, Report From Japan, September 1, 1994 https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7327486440387289088/

Konix lives Aiming to succeed where others have failed - MSU's CD systems look set to find their way into homes world-wide / Growth from Technology, Financial Times (London,England), September 8, 1994, Thursday, London, Section: UK Company News; Pg. 30, Byline: By ALAN CANE https://www.konixmultisystem.co.uk/index.php?id=interviews&content=wyn

Myst coming to laseractive https://segaretro.org/Myst_(Mega_LD) Pioneer gets LaserActive with 'Myst' software hit; Redford eco entertainment also set for format, The Hollywood Reporter, September 6, 1994, Tuesday, Byline: Scott Hettrick https://segaretro.org/Legacy

Time Warner picks up Rise of the Robots Time Warner Interactive to release "Rise of the Robots" on CD-ROM and Floppy in United States; TWi also to release "Rise" on 10 interactive platforms in Europe, Business Wire, September 6, 1994, Tuesday, Dateline: MILPITAS, Calif. Sega bets on Cornhuskers "Sega Sports opens college football season by predicting this weekend's winners on the new ""College Football National Championship"" video game;Nebraska Cornhuskers take national championship on Sega Sports field, Business Wire, September 2, 1994, Friday" Shaq goes multiple media ive, EA Hope Shaq Game/CD Promo Hits Nothing But Net, Billboard, September 24, 1994, Section: ARTISTS & MUSIC; Pg. 10, Byline: BY MARILYN A. GILLEN

Chaos Studios renamed Gamepro September 1994 pg. 161 Tensions between Intel and Compaq heat up Compaq-Intel spat is fascinated dread, Financial Times (London,England), September 20, 1994, Tuesday, Section: Pg. 21, Byline: By LOUISE KEHOE and ALAN CANE

PowerPC alliance unravels BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY; Computing's Bold Alliance Falters, The New York Times, September 14, 1994, Wednesday, Late Edition - Final, Distribution: Financial Desk, Section: Section D; ; Section D; Page 1; Column 3; Financial Desk ; Column 3;

Target moving out of PC business No Headline In Original, Consumer Electronics, September 12, 1994, Section: NOTEBOOK, Vol. 34, No. 37

MOS technology sold STARTING FROM ASHES OF OLD FIRM COMMODORE'S NORRISTOWN PLANT CAN BE SOLD TO A START-UP COMPANY, U.S. BANKRUPTCY COURT SAID., The Philadelphia Inquirer, September 24, 1994 Saturday FINAL EDITION, Section: BUSINESS; Pg. D01 CONTENDER FOR FIRM ADVERTISES FOR HELP ONE BIDDER FOR COMMODORE IS ALREADY SEEKING WORKERS. THE OTHER BIDDER SAYS IT WANTS THE RESUMES, TOO., The Philadelphia Inquirer, September 22, 1994 Thursday FINAL EDITION, Section: BUSINESS; Pg. C01 Der PC-Pionier stellte Antrag auf Konkurs, Handelsblatt, September 13, 1994, Business and Industry, Section: Pg. 11; ISSN: 0017-7296

Wing Commander budget to break records Computer Gaming World, September 1994 pg. 12 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transmetropolitan

Activision brings back 2600 classics ACTIVISION'S NEW ATARI 2600(TM) ANTHOLOGY - A REAL BLAST FROM THE PAST; ORIGINAL BEST-SELLING HITS TO BE AVAILABLE FOR WINDOWS EARLY '95, PR Newswire, September 20, 1994, Tuesday - 15:02 Eastern Time, Section: Financial News

Monty Python comes to CDRom COMPUTER GAMES: THE CIRCUS COMES TO TOWN; Jack Schofield on something very silly a CD-ROM celebration of Monty Python, The Guardian (London), September 22, 1994, Section: THE GUARDIAN ONLINE PAGE; Pg. T7 The Information Super Highway is destined to fail "The information highway heads for the exit lane, The Age (Melbourne, Australia), September 13, 1994 Tuesday Late Edition, Section: NEWS; Features; Pg. 15"

Ads will make the interactive world go round. into the ring, ADWEEK, September 5, 1994, All Southeast EditionSouthwest EditionWestern Advertising News Edition, Section: SPECIAL REPORT, Byline: By Michael Schrage The future belongs to content "start your content engines, ADWEEK, September 5, 1994, All Southeast EditionSouthwest EditionWestern Advertising News Edition, Section: SPECIAL REPORT, byline: By Michael Krantz" FCC to investigate interactive TV bidders FCC probing interactive video bidders, The Hollywood Reporter, September 1, 1994, Thursday

AT&T pushes The Edge over a ledge AT&T Scraps Plan to Sell Gear For Video Game, Wall Street Journal (3 Star, Eastern (Princeton, NJ) Edition), September 1, 1994 AT&T PULLS PLUG ON EDGE 16, Consumer Electronics, September 5, 1994, Section: THIS WEEK'S NEWS, Vol. 34, No. 36; Pg. 15 WHEN IT COMES TO NEW MEDIA, AT&T'S NOT PLAYING GAMES; AT THE MOVIES: TWO-WAY TV; RETAILERS SIGN ON TO INTERACTIVE TV; COMPUSERVE TO BE INTERNET PROVIDER; OTHER NEWS: , Advertising Age, September 05, 1994, Section: Pg. 13 BellAtlantic, Time Warner and Viacom face delays Discord and Delay for Bell Atlantic Network, The New York Times, September 9, 1994, Friday, Late Edition - Final, Section: Section D; ; Section D; Page 1; Column 3; Financial Desk ; Column 3; Byline: By EDMUND L. ANDREWS,

Compuserve moves to the internet WHEN IT COMES TO NEW MEDIA, AT&T'S NOT PLAYING GAMES; AT THE MOVIES: TWO-WAY TV; RETAILERS SIGN ON TO INTERACTIVE TV; COMPUSERVE TO BE INTERNET PROVIDER; OTHER NEWS: , Advertising Age, September 05, 1994, Section: Pg. 13#

Online services days numbered The Executive Computer; In the On-Line Market, the Name of the Game Is Internet, The New York Times, September 25, 1994, Sunday, Late Edition - Final, Distribution: Financial Desk, Section: Section 3; ; Section 3; Page 7; Column 1; Financial Desk ; Column 1;

XBAND to launch as Genesis exclusive Sega and Catapult sign agreement to support XBAND game modem and network service, Business Wire, September 6, 1994, Tuesday, Catapult Video-Game Modem Gets a Boost From Sega, Nintendo, Wall Street Journal (3 Star, Eastern (Princeton, NJ) Edition), September 7, 1994, Section: Pg. B8; Vol. CCXXIV; No. 47; ISSN: 0099-9660 T-HQ announces debt and equity financings, Business Wire, September 19, 1994, Monday

Playstation to go online... in France Sony, France Telecom link in video game business, Japan Economic Newswire, SEPTEMBER 16, 1994, FRIDAY

CDRom gets online updates RealTime Moving Quickly Into Sports Arena; BMG, Nederlander Behind New CD-ROM Supplier, Billboard, September 17, 1994, Section: THE ENTER*ACTIVE FILE; Pg. 68, Byline: MARILYN A. GILLEN

Mondex aims to revolutionize payments A Visionary Pushes Toward the Cashless Revolution, American Banker, September 15, 1994, Business and Industry, Section: Pg. 12; Vol. 159; No. 178; ISSN: 0002-7561 https://www.patreon.com/posts/108390526?collection=481857

Futurist sees internet as savior of democracy Books and Authors, The Associated Press, September 2, 1994, Friday, BC cycle, Section: Entertainment News, Byline: By ELIZABETH WEISE, Associated Press Writer https://www.researchgate.net/publication/318765343_The_Virtual_Community_Homesteading_on_the_Electronic_Frontier

UK magazine market collapses GAMES MAGAZINES: A MILLION CRUEL CUTS, The Guardian (London), September 22, 1994, Section: THE GUARDIAN ONLINE PAGE; Pg. T3 Atari and Sega bury the hatchet Sega and Atari Announce Longterm Licensing Agreements, Equity, Investment, and Resolution of Disputes, Business Wire, September 28, 1994, Wednesday Nintendo sues TSMC NINTENDO FI ES SUIT AGAINST TAIWAN COMPANY TO STOP COUNTERFEITING OF VIDEO GAME SEMICONDUCTOR CHIPS, PR Newswire, September 13, 1994, Tuesday - 16:47 Eastern Time 919 921 COUNTERFEIT CHIP SUIT, Consumer Electronics, September 19, 1994, Section: THIS WEEK'S NEWS, Vol. 34, No. 38 https://archive.org/details/AtariCorporationAnnualReport1994

Nintendo wins in Taiwan Court Taiwan firm to compensate Nintendo, Singapore Business Times, September 18, 1994

9th Circuit rebukes Apple Apple's Copyright Suit Against Rivals Rejected, The Associated Press, September 19, 1994, Monday, AM cycle, Section: Business News, Byline: By BOB EGELKO, Associated Press Writer George Forman KOs Power Punch II in court No Headline In Original, Consumer Electronics, September 5, 1994, Section: NOTEBOOK, Vol. 34, No. 36; Pg. 12 Acclaim mocap comes to the big screen Acclaim Motion Capture Technology Tapped For Warner Bros. 'Batman Forever'; Special Effects to Employ Motion Capture, Business Wire, September 1, 1994, Thursday https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZrZK9-stCM

Watch the future of computing on your TV https://archive.org/details/jcnhomecomputing/Home.Computing.1.XviD-VHSRip.avi PCTV, INC. ANNOUNCES NEW @OME O FICE COMPUTER SHOWS AS PART OF FALL LINEUP OF TV PROGRAMS, PR Newswire, September 13, 1994, Tuesday - 06:57 Eastern Time

Photoshop gets layered Byte September 1994 pg. 30

Pulp Fiction wins Palm D'Or THE MOVIE JUNKIE; The critics hated it, the audience hurled abuse: stand by for Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction, The Guardian (London), September 19, 1994, Section: THE GUARDIAN FEATURES PAGE; Pg. T8

Recommended Links:

The History of How We Play: https://thehistoryofhowweplay.wordpress.com/ Gaming Alexandria: https://www.gamingalexandria.com/wp/ They Create Worlds: https://tcwpodcast.podbean.com/ Digital Antiquarian: https://www.filfre.net/ The Arcade Blogger: https://arcadeblogger.com/ Retro Asylum: http://retroasylum.com/category/all-posts/ Retro Game Squad: http://retrogamesquad.libsyn.com/ Playthrough Podcast: https://playthroughpod.com/ Retromags.com: https://www.retromags.com/ Games That Weren't - https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/

Sound Effects by Ethan Johnson of History of How We Play.

Copyright Karl Kuras

From a bedroom coder to Game Developer's Conference OG to the creator of one of the greatest one-on-one action strategy games of the 8 bit era, Jeff Johannigman worked for some of the most legendary companies of the 80s, Epyx, Electronic Arts, and Origin and beyond.

In Part 2, we talk about working on Ultima for the Gameboy, porting Dynamix titles to the Amiga, rediscovering his strategy roots at Microprose and finally deciding to exit the industry on moral and personal grounds. Jeff's insight and storytelling skill make this a wonderful chat.

Recorded: September 2024

Watch the video version here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/128754521

And catch up with Part 1 of the interview here:

https://www.patreon.com/posts/jeff-johannigman-125624209

Get us on your mobile device: Android: https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly92aWRlb2dhbWVuZXdzcm9vbXRpbWVtYWNoaW5lLmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz iOS: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/video-game-newsroom-time-machine

And if you like what we are doing here at the podcast, don't forget to like us on your podcasting app of choice, YouTube, and/or support us on patreon! https://www.patreon.com/VGNRTM

Send comments on Mastodon @[email protected] Or twitter @videogamenewsr2 Or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/vgnrtm Or https://bsky.app/profile/vgnrtm.bsky.social Or [email protected]

Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johannigman/ https://www.mobygames.com/game/5630/ultima-runes-of-virtue/ https://wiki.ultimacodex.com/wiki/Ultima_V:_cloth_map http://www.thealmightyguru.com/Wiki/images/e/ee/Ultima_-_Savage_Empire_-_DOS_-_Manual.pdf https://www.debonogroup.com/services/core-programs/six-thinking-hats/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwZi58u1FjI https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynamix https://www.lemonamiga.com/games/list.php?list_publisher=Dynamix&list_developer=Dynamix https://www.mobygames.com/game/444/microprose-entertainment-pack-vol-1-dr-floyds-desktop-toys/ https://www.mobygames.com/game/521/x-com-ufo-defense/ https://www.mobygames.com/game/212/master-of-orion/ Diaries: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrIWJy0tAas https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sese4lzWNtQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1cO2uHyf58 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stellar_Conquest https://www.mobygames.com/person/5529/david-govett/ https://www.mobygames.com/game/212/master-of-orion/promo/group-52963/image-790706/ https://www.mobygames.com/game/1417/this-means-war/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Up_in_the_Air_(2009_film) https://peopletype.com/ https://www.mobygames.com/game/28566/ashen-empires/

Recommended Links:

The History of How We Play: https://thehistoryofhowweplay.wordpress.com/

Gaming Alexandria: https://www.gamingalexandria.com/wp/

They Create Worlds: https://tcwpodcast.podbean.com/

Digital Antiquarian: https://www.filfre.net/

The Arcade Blogger: https://arcadeblogger.com/

Retro Asylum: http://retroasylum.com/category/all-posts/

Retro Game Squad: http://retrogamesquad.libsyn.com/

Playthrough Podcast: https://playthroughpod.com/

Retromags.com: https://www.retromags.com/

Games That Weren't - https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/

Copyright Karl Kuras

From a bedroom coder to Game Developer's Conference OG to the creator of one of the greatest one-on-one action strategy games of the 8 bit era, Jeff Johannigman worked for some of the most legendary companies of the 80s, Epyx, Electronic Arts, and Origin.

In Part 1, we talk about those early days, including the making of games such as G.I. Joe and Savage Empire and working with important figures like Ihor Wolosenko, Dani Bunten, Chris Crawford, Warren Spector, and Richard Garriot. Jeff's insight and storytelling skill make this a wonderful chat.

Recorded: September 2024

Video version: https://www.patreon.com/posts/jeff-johannigman-125624209

Get us on your mobile device: Android: https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly92aWRlb2dhbWVuZXdzcm9vbXRpbWVtYWNoaW5lLmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz iOS: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/video-game-newsroom-time-machine

And if you like what we are doing here at the podcast, don't forget to like us on your podcasting app of choice, YouTube, and/or support us on patreon! https://www.patreon.com/VGNRTM

Send comments on Mastodon @[email protected] Or twitter @videogamenewsr2 Or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/vgnrtm Or https://bsky.app/profile/vgnrtm.bsky.social Or [email protected]

Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johannigman/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atari_Program_Exchange https://www.mobygames.com/person/2821/jeff-johannigman/credits/ https://www.mobygames.com/company/14/br%C3%B8derbund-software-inc/ Jerry Wolosenko - Synapse - https://www.patreon.com/posts/42014024 The Video Game Crash 40th Anniversary - Part 2: Everyone Else - https://www.patreon.com/posts/video-game-crash-76259421 The Video Game Crash 40th Anniversary - Part 1: Atari - https://www.patreon.com/posts/video-game-crash-75643983 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Relax_(video_game) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epyx Michael Katz Part 1 - Coleco - Epyx - Mattel - https://www.patreon.com/posts/35169258 https://www.mobygames.com/game/10151/gi-joe-a-real-american-hero/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbie_(1984_video_game) https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/2013/07/g-i-joe-c64-early-glimpse/ https://www.mobygames.com/person/962/dennis-caswell/ https://www.mobygames.com/game/115/starflight/ Don Daglow Part 1 - PDP - Mattel - Intellivision - EA https://www.patreon.com/posts/38445119 https://www.mobygames.com/game/1353/demon-stalkers/ https://www.mobygames.com/person/8515/danielle-berry/ https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/182619/mule-the-board-game https://www.reddit.com/r/amiga/comments/pbj1qp/why_electronic_arts_is_committed_to_the_amiga_1985/?rdt=32890 https://www.mobygames.com/game/company:2/platform:genesis/sort:-date/page:1/ https://www.mobygames.com/game/1837/gauntlet/screenshots/macintosh/ https://www.mobygames.com/game/1837/gauntlet/screenshots/macintosh/586818/ https://www.mobygames.com/person/127/warren-spector/ https://www.wcnews.com/wcpedia/Blueprints https://www.mobygames.com/game/823/wing-commander-ii-vengeance-of-the-kilrathi/ https://wiki.ultimacodex.com/wiki/File:Savage_empire_large.jpg https://gdconf.com/about-gdc

Recommended Links:

The History of How We Play: https://thehistoryofhowweplay.wordpress.com/

Gaming Alexandria: https://www.gamingalexandria.com/wp/

They Create Worlds: https://tcwpodcast.podbean.com/

Digital Antiquarian: https://www.filfre.net/

The Arcade Blogger: https://arcadeblogger.com/

Retro Asylum: http://retroasylum.com/category/all-posts/

Retro Game Squad: http://retrogamesquad.libsyn.com/

Playthrough Podcast: https://playthroughpod.com/

Retromags.com: https://www.retromags.com/

Games That Weren't - https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/

Copyright Karl Kuras

PCs get upgraded, MSX comes to Europe & Coinop goes cartridge

These stories and many more on this episode of the VGNRTM!

This episode we will look back at the biggest stories in and around the video game industry in August 1984. As always, we'll mostly be using magazine cover dates, and those are of course always a bit behind the actual events.

Alex Smith of They Create Worlds is our cohost. Check out his podcast here: https://www.theycreateworlds.com/ and order his book here: https://www.theycreateworlds.com/book

Get us on your mobile device: Android: https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly92aWRlb2dhbWVuZXdzcm9vbXRpbWVtYWNoaW5lLmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz iOS: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/video-game-newsroom-time-machine

And if you like what we are doing here at the podcast, don't forget to like us on your podcasting app of choice, YouTube, and/or support us on patreon! https://www.patreon.com/VGNRTM

Send comments on Mastodon @[email protected] Or twitter @videogamenewsr2 Or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/vgnrtm Or [email protected]

Links: If you don't see all the links, find them here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/127470165

7 Minutes in Heaven: Impossible Mission Video Version: https://www.patreon.com/posts/7-minutes-in-127469932 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impossible_Mission http://www.mayhem64.co.uk/interview/caswell.htm

Corrections: August 1984 Ep - https://www.patreon.com/posts/august-1984-121143199 Ethan's fine site The History of How We Play: https://thehistoryofhowweplay.wordpress.com/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Namco https://archive.org/details/game_machine_magazine_jp https://machinerobo.fandom.com/wiki/Machine_Robo:_Revenge_of_Cronos

1964: Libraries of the future are online Popular Electronics Sept. 1964, pg. 28

1974 Atari buys Kee https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/70s/1974/CB-1974-09-21.pdf pg. 36

Fred introduced in PCC https://www.computer.org/csdl/magazine/co/1974/08/020031/13rRUB7a13N https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COSMAC_ELF https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joyce_Weisbecker https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSlDY6ZPIvY

1984 Toy stocks rally Traditional toys soar as electronic games flash 'Tilt', The San Diego Union-Tribune, September 2, 1984, Section: Business, Pg 1-8, Byline: Don Bauder Plastic robots from Japan changing the shape of the toy market, Christian Science Monitor (Boston, MA), September 21, 1984, Friday, Section: Business; Pg. 19, byline: Francine Kiefer

Nintendo preps for cartridge future Replay September 1984, pg. 3 Williams enters new production year with caution Replay September 1984, pg. 3 https://www.mobygames.com/game/17500/star-wars-return-of-the-jedi/ Coin op revenue hit over drinking age laws Replay September 1984, pg. 7 https://www.wgbh.org/podcasts/the-big-dig https://youtu.be/7zr4RBw5un4?si=euu-naPtomBbqME3

Tower of Druaga gets write up in Super Soft Super Soft Magazine, September 1984, pg. 2 https://www.mobygames.com/game/19625/the-tower-of-druaga/ Save the 7800 campaign started https://archive.org/details/computer-entertainer-3-6/page/93/mode/1up?view=theater https://fanlore.org/wiki/History_of_Star_Trek_Fan_Campaigns

Atari renegotiating Lucasfilm deal https://archive.org/details/computer-entertainer-3-6/page/88/mode/1up?view=theater Chip maker feels video game fall "GOULD'S WOES SPUR STOCK DROP, The New York Times, September 7, 1984, Friday, Late City Final ,Edition, Section: Section D; Page 1, Column 6; Financial Desk, Byline: By ERIC N. BERG https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gould_Electronics"

Atari Japan to close Atari Inc. planning to pull out of the Japanese market, The Japan Economic Journal, September 25, 1984, Section: SERVICE/LEISURE/FOOD; Pg. 17

No mention of video games in Playthings Playthings, September 1984 Upgrade your PC Creative Computing September 1984 pg. 125

Commodore and Atari target the middle Commodore, Atari Spar in Mid-Price Fight, ADWEEK, September 3, 1984, Eastern Edition, Byline: Gail Belsky https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-09-27/page/n4/mode/1up?view=theater

Computer Entertainer doesn't believe Atari can deliver https://archive.org/details/computer-entertainer-3-6/mode/1up?view=theater

Sinclair financials dissapoint https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-09-27/mode/1up?view=theater https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinclair_QL

Byte reviews the QL https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Byte/80s/Byte-1984-09.pdf pg. 415

Amstrad disk drive announced https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-09-27/page/n3/mode/1up?view=theater https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amstrad_CPC

Europe to get MSX'd MSX home computers to be shipped to Europe, The Japan Economci Journal, September 4, 1984, Section: Information Processing, Pg. 14 https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-09-27/mode/1up?view=theater https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-09-20/page/n4/mode/1up?view=theater

Philips ready to launch MSX machine https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-09-06/mode/2up?view=theater https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philips_VG_8000

Plus 4 delays will limit supply https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-09-13/mode/2up?view=theater https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-09-20/page/n21/mode/1up?view=theater

The C16 kills the Vic20 in Europe https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-09-13/mode/2up?view=theater

Currys gives up on PC market Company Briefing: Currys cuts its Micro-C losses / Micro computer shops closed, The Guardian (London), September 4, 1984

Elite released https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-09-27/page/n67/mode/1up?view=theater

Deus Ex Machina brings multimedia home https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-09-06/mode/2up?view=theater https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-09-13/page/n59/mode/2up?view=theater Complete Playthrough: https://youtu.be/WhtI3BEgZwE?si=18V8aCTW6H6ek52l

The Mimi travels to the Apple II 'Voyage of the Mimi'' Beckons Youngsters to Science Careers, The Associated Press, September 10, 1984, Monday, PM cycle, Byline: By LEE MITGANG, AP Education Writer https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Voyage_of_the_Mimi https://archive.org/details/VoyageOfTheMimi4amCrack/Voyage%20of%20the%20Mimi%20-%20Rescue%20Mission%20title%20screen.png

Find the treasure... using your computer! Paperback Picks, United Press International, September 4, 1984, Tuesday, BC cycle, Section: Lifestyle https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treasure:_In_Search_of_the_Golden_Horse

Melbourne returns to Middle Earth https://archive.org/details/Computer_Video_Games_Issue_035_1984-09_EMAP_Publishing_GB/page/n21/mode/2up?view=theater https://www.mobygames.com/group/7319/the-tolkien-software-adventure-series/

Ultimate announces "the first step in a new generation of computer adventure simulation developments." https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-09-27/page/n4/mode/1up?view=theater

Beach Head to get Speccy port https://archive.org/details/Computer_Video_Games_Issue_035_1984-09_EMAP_Publishing_GB/page/n23/mode/2up?view=theater https://archive.org/details/Computer_Video_Games_Issue_035_1984-09_EMAP_Publishing_GB/page/n25/mode/2up?view=theater

Activision licenses to Japan https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-09-27/page/n4/mode/1up?view=theater https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-09-20/page/n11/mode/1up?view=theater

Synapse sues Atari https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-09-06/mode/2up?view=theater

IBM enters office suite market and shoots down Kmart. p Jr rumor IBM in Merger Talks With Rolm / Unveils New Software, The Associated Press, September 25, 1984, Section: Business News, Byline: James F. Peltz Software Toolworks cooking book No Headline in Original, PR Newswire, September 25, 1984

PC Paintbrush announced https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Byte/80s/Byte-1984-09.pdf pg. 9 SEC goes digital S.E.C. inaugurates computer filing system, The New York Times, September 25, 1984, Section D, Page 1, Column 1, byline: Kenneth B. Noble https://www.nytimes.com/1984/09/25/business/sec-inaugurates-computer-filing-system.html

NABU on the ropes In Danger of Folding, The Associated Press, September 19, 1984, Section: Business News, Byline: Norman Black

Viewdata still not catching on.. Futures (Micro Guardian): How the Post Office failed to deliver / Prestel, The Guardian (London), September 13, 1984 https://archive.org/details/popular-computing-weekly-1984-09-20/page/n4/mode/1up?view=theater https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compunet

Viewtron user profile No Headline in original, PR Newswire, September 14, 1984, Dateline: Miami, Sept. 14 Publishing

Computer Magazine boom busts Bloom Fades in Computer Magazine Market, The Associated Press, September 30, 1984, Sunday, BC cycle, Section: Business News, Byline: By SKIP WOLLENBERG, AP Business Writer

Computer makers prep for Xmas ad blitz Dreaming of a Byte Christmas, ADWEEK, September 3, 1984, All Editions, Section: Special Report; Fall Preview 1984; Computers, Byline, Gail Belsky

Scott Cohen's Zap! released Business Today; Will Atari be brought back with needed combination of creativity and pragmatism, September 27, 1984, Thursday, BC cycle, Section: Financial, Byline: By GAIL COLLINS, UPI Business Writer https://archive.org/details/zaprisefall00cohe FCC helps fight coinop piracy Play Meter, September 1. 1984, pg. 12

Electronic smuggling on the rise in Brazil Contraband of Electronic Components Grows in Brazil, The Associated Press, September 22, 1984, Saturday, BC cycle, Section: Business News, Byline: By STAN LEHMAN, Associated Press Writer

Activision sues Revco Activision; Amending lawsuit against Revco, Business Wire, September 26, 1984

Psychics didn't see crash coming... No Headline In Original, United Press International, September 13, 1984, Thursday, PM cycle, Section: Domestic News https://www.upi.com/Archives/1984/09/13/The-psychic-consulting-firm-Delphi-Associates-must-not-have/1212463896000/ https://psi-encyclopedia.spr.ac.uk/articles/russell-targ

Video Games go ART! HORIZONS-Art; Nuclear disarmament art exhibit premieres, United Press International, September 30, 1984, Sunday, BC cycle, Section: Domestic News, Byline: By DAN SUSSMAN https://www.vdb.org/titles/mike-builds-shelter https://www.mobygames.com/game/73468/mike-builds-a-shelter/ https://rhizome.org/editorial/2015/jun/16/mike-builds-shelter/

CAD CAM computervision Market Outlook; All agree CAD/CAM sales will soar, Industry Week, September 17, 1984, Section: INFORMATION, Management; Pg. 111, Byline: John Teresko 1981: How COMPUTER GRAPHICS Will Change the World | Horizon | Retro Tech | BBC Archive https://youtu.be/W8-54-9J9ns?si=uB01CAs8znTVmZfx Senior's test their skills on Crystal Castle ELDERLY TEST COORDINATION WITH VIDEO GAME, The New York Times, September 9, 1984, Sunday, Late City Final Edition, Section: Section 1; Part 2; Page 56, Column 2; Metropolitan Desk, Byline: AP, Dateline: PARSIPPANY, N.J., Sept. 8

Nolan is back! "AXLON-GAMES; Nolan Bushnell returns to game business with new firm, Business Wire, September 24, 1984, Monday https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamepublisher/2242/axlon https://gdri.smspower.org/wiki/index.php/Axlon

Dragon's Lair debuts on Saturday morning https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragon%27s_Lair_(TV_series)

Mylstar RIP Coke unit to close video game maker, United Press International, September 24, 1984, Monday, BC cycle, Section: Financial https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gottlieb

Recommended Links:

The History of How We Play: https://thehistoryofhowweplay.wordpress.com/ Gaming Alexandria: https://www.gamingalexandria.com/wp/ They Create Worlds: https://tcwpodcast.podbean.com/ Digital Antiquarian: https://www.filfre.net/ The Arcade Blogger: https://arcadeblogger.com/ Retro Asylum: http://retroasylum.com/category/all-posts/ Retro Game Squad: http://retrogamesquad.libsyn.com/ Playthrough Podcast: https://playthroughpod.com/ Retromags.com: https://www.retromags.com/ Games That Weren't - https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/

Sound Effects by Ethan Johnson of History of How We Play.

Copyright Karl Kuras

Few developers have had as long and prolific a career as our guest, Graeme Bayless. From working on mainframes, to selling Kaypros, to playtesting Accolade's launch titles, to producing games for SSI, Sega Technical Institute, Hyperbole Studios, Dynamix, EA, Eidos, and NetherRealm Studios.

In Part 5, we talk about Graeme's winding up of Fierce Wombat, looking for a new position and being offered a position at NetherRealm Studios, where he worked on Injustice 2, Mortal Kombat 11 and Mortal Kombat 1. We discuss life in a studio with the most senior staff in the business, gamer-first design philosophy and what it means to move from one game engine to the next in the modern console environment. Graeme gives us amazing insights into the life of a game dev like few others can or would.

Recorded: February 2024

Check out parts 1-4 here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/graeme-bayless-1-111627155 https://www.patreon.com/posts/graeme-bayless-2-112571388 https://www.patreon.com/posts/graeme-bayless-3-114736184 https://www.patreon.com/posts/graeme-bayless-4-116996485

Get us on your mobile device: Android: https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly92aWRlb2dhbWVuZXdzcm9vbXRpbWVtYWNoaW5lLmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz iOS: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/video-game-newsroom-time-machine

And if you like what we are doing here at the podcast, don't forget to like us on your podcasting app of choice, YouTube, and/or support us on patreon! https://www.patreon.com/VGNRTM

Send comments on Mastodon @[email protected] Or twitter @videogamenewsr2 Or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/vgnrtm Or https://bsky.app/profile/vgnrtm.bsky.social Or [email protected]

https://x.com/fiercewombat https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/index/ https://www.gamezebo.com/upcoming/red-november-preview/ https://web.archive.org/web/20111127211439/http://www.fiercewombatgames.com/ https://www.mobygames.com/company/22613/e-line-media/ https://elinemedia.com/ https://www.mobygames.com/person/30084/sean-vesce/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DARPA https://www.mobygames.com/person/28387/timothy-scott-campbell/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/ctremmel/ https://www.mobygames.com/company/6239/telltale-inc/ https://www.mobygames.com/company/10271/netherrealm-studios/ https://www.mobygames.com/game/125596/mortal-kombat-11/ https://www.mobygames.com/game/146036/mortal-kombat-11-aftermath/ https://www.mobygames.com/game/208859/mortal-kombat-1/

Recommended Links:

The History of How We Play: https://thehistoryofhowweplay.wordpress.com/

Gaming Alexandria: https://www.gamingalexandria.com/wp/

They Create Worlds: https://tcwpodcast.podbean.com/

Digital Antiquarian: https://www.filfre.net/

The Arcade Blogger: https://arcadeblogger.com/

Retro Asylum: http://retroasylum.com/category/all-posts/

Retro Game Squad: http://retrogamesquad.libsyn.com/

Playthrough Podcast: https://playthroughpod.com/

Retromags.com: https://www.retromags.com/

Games That Weren't - https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/

Copyright Karl Kuras

30 years ago: Computer industry booms as consoles slump, Nintendo announces Ultra64 & The internet gets scary

These stories and many more on this episode of the VGNRTM!

This episode we will look back at the biggest stories in and around the video game industry in August 1994. As always, we'll mostly be using magazine cover dates, and those are of course always a bit behind the actual events.

Alex Smith of They Create Worlds is our cohost. Check out his podcast here: https://www.theycreateworlds.com/ and order his book here: https://www.theycreateworlds.com/book

Get us on your mobile device: Android: https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly92aWRlb2dhbWVuZXdzcm9vbXRpbWVtYWNoaW5lLmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz iOS: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/video-game-newsroom-time-machine

And if you like what we are doing here at the podcast, don't forget to like us on your podcasting app of choice, YouTube, and/or support us on patreon! https://www.patreon.com/VGNRTM

Send comments on Mastodon @[email protected] Or twitter @videogamenewsr2 Or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/vgnrtm Or [email protected]

Links: If you don't see all the links, find them here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/123352781/edit

7 Minutes in Heaven: Cliffhanger (Amiga) Video Version: https://youtu.be/KZ7J9qEpqxI https://www.mobygames.com/game/29830/cliffhanger/

Corrections: July 1994 Ep - https://www.patreon.com/posts/july-1994-part-1-116538490 https://www.patreon.com/posts/july-1994-part-2-116538674 Ethan's fine site The History of How We Play: https://thehistoryofhowweplay.wordpress.com/ Defunctland Jim Henson Series - https://youtu.be/BVoGf1JTVeI?si=PBwUInz2t7hBe-Eq https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Information_superhighway https://en.namu.wiki/w/RX-78%20Gundam https://fallout.fandom.com/wiki/SPECIAL https://www.theycreateworlds.com/episodes/TCW164 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monte_Cook Wrestling with Games - XBAND - https://youtu.be/k_5M-z_RUKA?si=tuuDxPGj6GnTPc-B https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_(service)

1994: Canada to get their own ratings New VCR proves 6 heads are better than 1, The Toronto Star, August 11, 1994,Thursday, FINAL EDITION, Section: FAST FORWARD; Pg. F2, byline: BY ROBERT WRIGHT TORONTO STARON THE EDGE

California presses forward with video game violence bill https://www.retromags.com/files/file/3018-egm2-issue-02-august-1994/ pg. 29 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-04-13-mn-45306-story.html

IDSA board selected

Mattel takes a second look at games Mattel Hires Sega Executive, The Associated Press, August 2, 1994, Tuesday, BC cycle

Square goes public CORPORATE PROFILE: SQUARE, Jiji Press Ticker Service, AUGUST 5, 1994, FRIDAY

Japanese companies playing with fire "As derivatives proliferate, so do worries Companies try to control risks from transactions intended to rein in costs but which can backfire, The Nikkei Weekly (Japan), August 15, 1994, Section: FINANCE; Pg. 13, Byline: BY ASAKO ISHIBASHI Staff writer"

Acclaim buys Valiant ACCLAIM ACQUIRES VOYAGER COMMUNICATIONS FOR $65 MILLION Marks Company's Diversification into Comic Book Publishing, Business Wire, August 2, 1994, Tuesday https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comic_book_collecting#Bust_of_the_speculator_market

UK video rental market embraces games... illegally Games Spark Sagging U.K. Vid Biz; But Many Don't Have Licenses To Rent Them, Billboard, August 13, 1994, Section: HOME VIDEO; Pg. 76, Byline: BY PETER DEAN Sonic out to zap the 'swapping' boom, The Scotsman, August 23, 1994, Tuesday, Byline: By Chris Mullinger UK teens tune out to games MEDIA GUARDIAN: LUST FOR NASTIES AND HARD NEWS, The Guardian (London), August 8, 1994, Section: THE GUARDIAN FEATURES PAGE; Pg. T17 Sega announces US theme park Universal Teams With Sega on Theme Park, Disneyland Annex Scaled Back, The Associated Press, August 12, 1994, Friday, AM cycle, Section: Business News, Byline: By E. SCOTT RECKARD, AP Business Writer Report: Sega Plan to Open 50 High-Tech Theme Parks in U.S., The Associated Press, August 16, 1994, Tuesday, BC cycle, Section: Business News

Sega buys Data East Pinball Sega acquires Data East Pinball, Business Wire, August 26, 1994, Friday

Doom coming to arcades DOOM IS ALL AROUND US, Business Week, August 1, 1994, Business and Industry, Section: Pg. 72; https://doom.fandom.com/wiki/Trivia https://www.doomworld.com/forum/topic/112509-share-your-epic-doom-related-stories/

Atari Games President passes Play Meter, August 1994, pg. 32

Hasbro readies to enter VR market No Headline In Original, ADWEEK, August 15, 1994, Eastern Edition, Byline: By Jennifer Comiteau and Penny Warneford, with Cathy Taylor https://www.unseen64.net/2018/10/04/hasbro-toaster-virtual-reality-console/

Begone Project Reality, all hail Ultra 64 https://www.retromags.com/files/file/3018-egm2-issue-02-august-1994/ pg. 28 Sega teams up with Hitachi in Japan HITACHI SALES TO HELP SEGA MARKET VIDEO GAMES, Jiji Press Ticker Service, AUGUST 3, 1994, WEDNESDAY Sega, Hitachi Sales link up to sell video game machine, Japan Economic Newswire, AUGUST 3, 1994, WEDNESDAY

Sega buys Cross Products The leading video game development tool, Business Wire, August 15, 1994, Monday https://segaretro.org/Cross_Products https://web.archive.org/web/19961227100911/http://www.crossprod.co.uk/ Jaguar CD to launch by Xmas https://www.retromags.com/files/file/3018-egm2-issue-02-august-1994/ pg. 29 ATARI CORP. ANNOUNCES SECOND QUARTER 1994 RESULTS, PR Newswire, August 1, 1994, Monday - 19:55 Eastern Time, Section: Financial News

Sanyo gives console market a TRY SANYO TO RELEASE INTERACTIVE GAME MACHINE TRY, Jiji Press Ticker Service, AUGUST 31, 1994, WEDNESDAY

3DO announces losses Video Game System Company Posts $ 16.1 Million First-Quarter Loss, The Associated Press, August 11, 1994, Thursday, AM cycle, Section: Business News COMPANY NEWS; SHARES OF 3DO SOAR ON FORECAST FOR NEW SYSTEM, The New York Times, August 24, 1994, Wednesday, Late Edition - Final, Distribution: Financial Desk, Section: Section D; ; Section D; Page 3; Column 1; Financial Desk ; Column 1; 3DO UNVEILS PLANS TO BOOST POWER OF GAME PLAYERS, WALL STREET JOURNAL, August 25, 1994, Thursday, Section: Section B; Page 8, Column 4, Byline: BY JIM CARLTON ANOTHER KEY EXEC DEPARTS O&M'S, INTERACTIVE GROUP; 3DO POWERS UP TO MEET COMPETITION; INTERACTING:; OTHER NEWS: Advertising Age, August 29, 1994, Section: Pg. 14

Mortal Friday gets $10 million budget ACCLAIM'S 'MORTAL KOMBAT II' PREPARED TO STRIKE ON 'MORTAL FRIDAY,' SEPTEMBER 9; Company Spending Over $10 Million on Global Launch, Business Wire, August 4, 1994, Thursday https://archive.org/details/Computer_Gaming_World_Issue_121/page/n29/mode/2up Acclaim buys into FMV Playthings, August 1994, pg. 19 https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_061_August_1994/page/n157/mode/1up?view=theater

Macromedia and Microware want to bring PCs and ITV together Agreement to Make Computer Programs Available for Interactive TV Use, The Associated Press, August 1, 1994, Monday, AM cycle, Section: Business News, Byline: By STEVEN P. ROSENFELD, AP Business Writer https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macromedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microware Computer industry profits boom Not drowning, waving at profits, The Age (Melbourne, Australia), August 2, 1994 Tuesday, Late Edition, Section: COMPUTERS; Mass Storage; Pg. 34

SPA reports huge boom in sales "NORTH AMERICAN PC SOFTWARE SALES REACH $1.48 BILLION, IN FIRST QUARTER 1994; HOME EDUCATION SALES LEAD GROWTH -- UP 128%, PR Newswire, August 8, 1994, Monday - 14:29 Eastern Time, Section: Financial News" CDRom bundles discouraging sales Dataquest Consumer Survey Shows Where CD-ROM Title Developers Can Be Successful, Business Wire, August 8, 1994, Monday Sirius Publishing to release long-awaited 5-ft. 10-Pak Volume II, Business Wire, August 8, 1994, Monday https://archive.org/details/PC-Player-German-Magazine-1994-08/page/n15/mode/2up https://archive.org/details/Electronic-Games-1994-08/page/14/mode/2up

Flash memory prices tumbling Not drowning, waving at profits, The Age (Melbourne, Australia), August 2, 1994 Tuesday, Late Edition, Section: COMPUTERS; Mass Storage; Pg. 34 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flash_memory

Cyrix to take on AMD Infoworld August 8, 1994, pg. 5

Employers begin to crackdown on games Games they play, The Times, August 1, 1994, Monday, Section: Business, Byline: Jon Ashworth

Microsoft targets "loosely supervised Executives" SUNDAY, August 7, 1994; Playing Games at Work, The New York Times, August 7, 1994, Sunday, Late Edition - Final, Distribution: Magazine Desk, Section: Section 6; ; Section 6; Page 12; Column 1; Magazine Desk ; Column 1;

MacPlay expands lineup Playthings, August 1994, pg. 44

Ad game business booming in Germany https://archive.org/details/PC-Player-German-Magazine-1994-08/page/n29/mode/2up

Media Vision collapse profiled https://archive.org/details/Electronic-Games-1994-08/page/10/mode/2up https://archive.org/details/Electronic-Games-1994-08/page/12/mode/2up

Victormaxx announces Cybermaxx Virtual Reality Headset For PCs A Reality, Newsbytes News Network, August 5, 1994 http://videogamekraken.com/cybermaxx-by-victormaxx

Mice go 3D Echoes of Silicon Valley, Agence France Presse -- English, August 04, 1994 08:13 Eastern Time, Section: Domestic, non-Washington, general news item, Dateline: PALO ALTO, California, Aug 4 https://www.ebay.com/itm/304724946528

Microprose to bring Magic to PC IT'S IN THE CARDS' FOR MICROPROSE(R) AND WIZARDS OF THE COAST(R);PR Newswire, August 10, 1994, Wednesday - 17:23 Eastern Time, Section: State and Regional News https://www.mobygames.com/game/530/magic-the-gathering/ https://www.mobygames.com/game/6274/magic-the-gathering-battlemage/

Star Trek licenses are a mess https://archive.org/details/Electronic-Games-1994-08/page/14/mode/2up

TEN to bring SimCity online Total Entertainment Network will feature online debut of popular SimCity, game, Business Wire, August 10, 1994, Wednesday The web becomes a scary place E-mail evil, The Jerusalem Post, August 4, 1994, Thursday, Section: OPINION; Pg. 6, Byline: SANDY ROVNER

Siliwood goes Online DISNEY, AMERITECH, BELLSOUTH AND SOUTHWESTERN BELL PLAN ALLIANCE TO DEVELOP AND OFFER VIDEO SERVICES, PR Newswire, August 8, 1994, Monday - 13:31 Eastern Time, Section: Financial News

Fujitsu brings habitat back to USA Fujitsu to start 'cyberspace' game business in U.S., Japan Economic Newswire, AUGUST 10, 1994, WEDNESDAY

Computer Porn outpacing UK lawmakers https://archive.org/details/Atari_ST_User_Issue_103_1994-08_Europress_GB/page/n39/mode/2up

Labor promises telecommunications reform Party line for fun and games, The Times, August 5, 1994, Friday, Byline: Emma Woollacott https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_Communications

Interactive TV license purchasers default SOME TOP BIDDERS AT AIRWAVE AUCTION FAILING TO PAY UP, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Pennsylvania), AUGUST 12, 1994, FRIDAY, SOONER EDITION, Section: BUSINESS, Byline: BLOOMBERG BUSINESS NEWS

Acorn enters set top box market https://archive.org/details/AcornUser145-Aug94/page/n7/mode/2up Ziff Davis buys Compute ZIFF-DAVIS ACQUIRES ASSETS OF COMPUTE MAGAZINE; COMPUTER LIFE AND FamilyPC'S ADVERTISERS TO GET UNEXPECTED BONUS CIRCULATION, PR Newswire, August 8, 1994, Monday - 19:06 Eastern Time

Teenage reviewers on the rise Teenage games writers get to call the shots, The Age (Melbourne, Australia), August 2, 1994 Tuesday, Late Edition, Section: COMPUTERS; Pg. 40, Byline: Amy Harmon

Computer game book rights up for grabs Book Notes, The New York Times, August 3, 1994, Wednesday, Late Edition - Final, Distribution: Cultural Desk, Section: Section C; ; Section C; Page 20; Column 5; Cultural Desk ; Column 5;,Byline: By Sarah Lyall https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_novels_based_on_video_games

Disney gets MYST rights Out of the 'Myst': Disney plays game for book, film; Hit CD-ROM software is going Hollywood, The Hollywood Reporter, August 11, 1994, Thursday, Byline: Scott Hettrick

Stormfront to simulate strike season PENDING BASEBALL STRIKE PROMPTS VIDEO GAME DEVELOPER TO PINCH HIT FOR REAL THING, PR Newswire, August 12, 1994, Friday - 09:02 Eastern Time, Section: Financial New Real Unreal Baseball, The Associated Press, August 17, 1994, Wednesday, PM cycle, Section: Sports News, Byline: By JIM LITKE, AP Sports Writer Indians overtake White Sox in AL Central; Braves, Expos torrid in Nintendo, Baseball League, Business Wire, August 21, 1994, Sunday

Leonard Herman releases Phoenix https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-04-13-mn-45306-story.html pg. 32 Nintendo ordered to pay $208 million Nintendo U.S. unit told to pay 208 mil. dlrs in damages, Japan Economic Newswire, AUGUST 2, 1994, TUESDAY https://archive.org/details/Electronic-Games-1994-08/page/14/mode/2up No Headline in Original, Ad Day, August 8, 1994, Section: Corridor Talk Pg. 38, byline: Kevin Kerr

Recommended Links:

The History of How We Play: https://thehistoryofhowweplay.wordpress.com/ Gaming Alexandria: https://www.gamingalexandria.com/wp/ They Create Worlds: https://tcwpodcast.podbean.com/ Digital Antiquarian: https://www.filfre.net/ The Arcade Blogger: https://arcadeblogger.com/ Retro Asylum: http://retroasylum.com/category/all-posts/ Retro Game Squad: http://retrogamesquad.libsyn.com/ Playthrough Podcast: https://playthroughpod.com/ Retromags.com: https://www.retromags.com/ Games That Weren't - https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/

Sound Effects by Ethan Johnson of History of How We Play.

Copyright Karl Kuras

Few developers have had as long and prolific a career as our guest, Graeme Bayless. From working on mainframes, to selling Kaypros, to playtesting Accolade's launch titles, to producing games for SSI, Sega Technical Institute, Hyperbole Studios, Dynamix, EA, Eidos, and NetherRealm Studios.

In Part 4, we talk about the decade that Graeme spent in the wilderness of the game's industry, during which he worked on titles such as Tomb Raider Legend and Anniversary at Crystal Dynamics, tried to salvage projects like Enslaved, Dead to Rights Retribution and Splatterhouse at Namco, returned to sports titles at 2K Games before getting the chance to start his own studio, Fierce Wombat.

Graeme gives us amazing insights into the life of a game dev like few others can or would.

Recorded: January 2024

Video Version:

https://www.patreon.com/posts/graeme-bayless-4-116996485

Check out parts 1-3 here:

https://www.patreon.com/posts/graeme-bayless-1-111627155

https://www.patreon.com/posts/graeme-bayless-2-112571388

https://www.patreon.com/posts/graeme-bayless-3-114736184

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Links: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crystal_Dynamics

https://www.mobygames.com/game/21999/lara-croft-tomb-raider-legend/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eidos_Interactive

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elevation_Partners

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SCi_Games

https://www.mobygames.com/game/28337/lara-croft-tomb-raider-anniversary/

https://www.mobygames.com/company/4069/2k-los-angeles/

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093936/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Namco

https://www.mobygames.com/game/48563/enslaved-odyssey-to-the-west/

https://www.mobygames.com/game/20457/50-cent-bulletproof/

https://www.mobygames.com/group/281/legacy-of-kain-series/

https://www.mobygames.com/game/34698/major-league-baseball-2k8/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brno

https://www.mobygames.com/company/1438/2k-czech-sro/

Roger Hector - Atari, Disney, Sega, Namco, Sente - https://www.patreon.com/posts/72058794

https://www.mobygames.com/game/51171/dead-to-rights-retribution/

https://www.mobygames.com/game/49251/splatterhouse/

https://www.mobygames.com/company/21903/gunfire-games-llc/

https://x.com/fiercewombat

https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/index/

https://www.gamezebo.com/upcoming/red-november-preview/

https://web.archive.org/web/20111127211439/http://www.fiercewombatgames.com/ Recommended Links:

The History of How We Play: https://thehistoryofhowweplay.wordpress.com/ Gaming Alexandria: https://www.gamingalexandria.com/wp/ They Create Worlds: https://tcwpodcast.podbean.com/ Digital Antiquarian: https://www.filfre.net/ The Arcade Blogger: https://arcadeblogger.com/ Retro Asylum: http://retroasylum.com/category/all-posts/ Retro Game Squad: http://retrogamesquad.libsyn.com/ Playthrough Podcast: https://playthroughpod.com/ Retromags.com: https://www.retromags.com/ Games That Weren't - https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/

Copyright Karl Kuras