They Create Worlds

TCW Podcast Episode 234 - Yu Suzuki   Often called SEGA’s Shigeru Miyamoto, Yu Suzuki redefined arcade gaming through innovation and ambition. He pioneered immersive cabinets like Hang-On's rideable motorcycle and After Burner’s flight sim, and used sprite scaling to simulate 3D in hits like Space Harrier and OutRun. His work culminated in the R360 G-LOC—a gyroscopic cabinet offering full 360° motion. Suzuki later led SEGA into 3D with Virtua Racing and Virtua Fighter, and pushed console design forward with Shenmue. Though he didn’t invent Quick Time Events, he coined the term—and created a living, interactive world filled with dynamic conversations, a fully explorable city, and unprecedented detail for 1999. His vision helped shape what players now expect from immersive game worlds.   Champion Boxing (SC 1000): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkDpaSXTGwE Hang On (Arcade): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TopLKeDqYhw Hang On (Bike Cabinet): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KV6gWzBnJw Space Harrier (Arcade): ht

TCW Podcast Episode 233 - Baldur's Gate   When three doctors, a prolific dungeon master, a database programmer, and a writer come together to make video games, you get Baldur’s Gate! Often credited with saving the Western RPG, Baldur’s Gate became a phenomenal hit, taking full advantage of Microsoft’s new DirectX API and Windows 95. With this technology, the team created massive, beautiful maps for players to explore. They began shopping their new Infinity Engine around—drawing attention from top figures at Virgin Interactive—but ultimately secured a deal with Interplay, after an initial rejection. This partnership allowed them to shift from an original pantheon-based RPG to using the Dungeons & Dragons license that Interplay had acquired from TSR. They focused on the Sword Coast and the city of Baldur’s Gate—an underdeveloped region of the Forgotten Realms that stayed true to the classic swords-and-sorcery motif. The result was a game that captured the spirit of D&D while delivering the fast-paced ac

TCW Podcast Episode 232 - All the Other Home Pongs   The home Pong market of the mid-1970s extended far beyond the big three—Atari, Coleco, and Magnavox. Numerous smaller companies entered the scene, not only in the United States but also across Europe and other parts of the world. As the home gaming industry rapidly evolved, many manufacturers introduced unique systems powered by integrated circuits. The market truly took off with the advent of “Pong-on-a-Chip” technology, which made it possible for virtually anyone to build a Pong console. Combined with affordable manufacturing in the Far East, this innovation drove costs down and helped the market reach new heights.   Rocko's Modern Life - Dracula: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ycpsJOtxx8 TCW 105 - The Big Voice of Magnavox: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-big-voice-of-magnavox/ TCW 106 - The Small Voice of Magnavox: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-small-voice-of-magnavox/ TCW 027 - The Magnavox Patent Lawsuits: https://podcast.the

TCW Podcast Episode 231- Street Fighter 2   Street Fighter 2 is often credited with reviving the arcade scene in the early 1990s. While it successfully brought back the must-have arcade game mentality, it couldn’t stop the overall decline of arcades. The original Street Fighter was influenced by many sources, including Bruce Lee’s Game of Death, anime like Fist of the North Star, and Space Battleship Yamato. With the rise of beat 'em ups following Double Dragon, Capcom released Street Fighter 89, later renamed Final Fight. Taking lessons from Final Fight, Street Fighter 2 introduced an expanded roster, streamlined special moves, combos, and more. Its popularity led to the release of two enhanced versions: Championship Edition and Turbo. Come explore the history and influences of this legendary game!   TCW 041 - Beating Them All Up: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/beating-them-all-up/ Tower of Death Fight Scenes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWMW1drldWc Kung Fu Master: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v

TCW Podcast Episode 230 - Crafting the World of WarCraft   World of Warcraft has stood the test of time for twenty years, and now we can explore the fascinating history behind its creation. The developers drew inspiration from MMOs like Ultima Online, EverQuest, Anarchy Online, Dark Age of Camelot, and more, incorporating what they loved while tackling unique challenges. From art style and storytelling to quest design, factions, and PvP, every aspect of the game presented obstacles to overcome. Despite launching with several rushed elements, WoW captivated a gaming audience eager for an accessible MMO—and went on to set records for years to come   TCW 054 - Blizzard: Vikings and WarCraft: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/blizzard-vikings-and-warcraft/ TCW 055 - Blizzard: Hellfire and The World… of WarCraft: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/blizzard-hellfire-and-the-world%E2%80%A6-of-warcraft/ How to play Necromunda: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqAxPXd5y8g Place Nice: The Rise, Fall, and Future

TCW Podcast Episode 229 - US Gold   US Gold started as an importer of American games before becoming a dominant force in the British gaming industry. Partnering with Ocean Software, they formed a duopoly that shaped the UK and European gaming markets, bringing top titles to 8-bit computers and later expanding into consoles—US Gold backing SEGA while Ocean focused on Nintendo. When competitors began importing Japanese games, US Gold responded by securing a deal with Capcom to port its arcade hits to home computers. As its parent company, CentreGold, went public, US Gold also acquired Core Design—unknowingly setting the stage for gaming history. Because within Core, something legendary was in development: Tomb Raider. Join us as we dive into the rise of US Gold, its influence on British gaming, and its unexpected connection to one of gaming’s biggest icons.   Compute Magazine Archive: https://archive.org/details/compute-magazine Galactic Chase: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVNM1JH6GNU TCW 136 - Ocean Softwar

TCW Podcast Episode 228 - PopCap Games   PopCap Games was initially overlooked by the larger gaming industry due to its focus on fun, well-designed, and polished casual games. Their first major hit, Bejeweled, became a consistent source of income, allowing PopCap to invest time in developing new titles. This led to the creation of Peggle, which helped solidify PopCap’s reputation, particularly after developers at Valve became hooked on the game’s deeper skill-based mechanics and puzzles. The success of Bejeweled and Peggle continued with their ports to the iPod and, eventually, the iPad, further expanding PopCap’s popularity. This growth culminated in the release of Plants vs. Zombies, which debuted on PC before being adapted for iOS. The game’s seamless touchscreen integration made it a standout app for the newly launched iPad. As the gaming industry evolved, PopCap struck a deal with EA, which acquired the company, leading to the departure of its founders over the following years.   Attack Retrieve Capture:

TCW Podcast Episode 227 - Donkey Kong   Donkey Kong, a game and character that stands as one of the foundational elements of video game history, has a popular narrative with some inaccuracies that need correction. Thanks to the efforts of Kate Willaert and Norman Caruso, we can better understand the influences and origins of Donkey Kong. Nintendo’s use of hardware from another game, Radar Scope, imposed technical limitations that prevented them from securing the desired Popeye license. Donkey Kong drew inspiration from games like Crazy Climber and Space Panic, and its four stages even incorporate elements of the Eastern storytelling structure known as Kishōtenketsu. Join us as we delve into the fascinating origins of Donkey Kong like never before!   Futurama - Quarters! A Million Allowances Worth of Quarters!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbPWti2CoRg "Critical Kate" Willaert: https://www.acriticalhit.com/ Norman Caruso "The Gaming Historian": https://thegaminghistorian.com/ In The Year 2525 - Zager & E

TCW Podcast Episode 226 - Ray Kassar   Ray Kassar rose from humble beginnings to become a talented, savvy, and personable executive. He began his career in the textile industry at Burlington Industries, where he eventually became president of its most profitable division. However, after the unexpected passing of Burlington’s head, Kassar faced ageism and cronyism, which stifled his advancement. Despite climbing the corporate ladder again, he was passed over for a more tenured executive. Leaving Burlington, Kassar founded a company importing Egyptian cotton for the U.S., where he planned to work until retirement. However, Manny Gerard of Warner Communications recruited him to stabilize Atari after its recent acquisition. Kassar’s leadership introduced a robust marketing strategy, reduced manufacturing defects, and turned Atari into a massive profit center. Though his rapid adaptation to the gaming industry sparked some resentment and controversy, Kassar’s impact on Atari was undeniable. His story is one of nua

TCW Podcast Episode 225 - Games by Apollo   The great video game crash of the mid-1980s had many factors contributing to it. One such factor was the rise of companies like Games by Apollo, which is sometimes seen as an exemplar of the many businesses that entered the video game industry hoping to make quick money. While some criticisms of Games by Apollo are valid, the company was also much more than that, bringing innovative game ideas to the table. Founded by Patrick Roper, who previously created career videos for students, the company grew rapidly and released games at an unprecedented pace. However, many of its games suffered from short production times, leading to control problems, balance issues, and design flaws. Despite these challenges, Games by Apollo consistently tried to push the envelope, creating games that pushed the VCS to new heights!   Smell BAD (Labyrinth): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_q6H4e7Kvvw Fuzzy Bunny's Guide To You Know What (Simpsons): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQn-DwSW-t

TCW Podcast Episode 224 - D&D & Video Games 3E   In our final look at D&D & Video Games, we explore the early PC and mainframe computer scene, as well as the games created by fans of D&D. Various aspects of D&D were incorporated into these games, ranging from puzzles and light combat to full-on dungeon dives to claim treasure from the deepest levels. These games grew in popularity and led to others iterating on the aspects they enjoyed. Games on the PLATO system—such as Pedit5, D&D, and Orthanc—paved the way for reimagining these games on home computers, including the Apple II. This foundation led to the creation of seminal titles like Ultima and Wizardry, which would influence RPGs on PCs for over a decade. D&D has a long history of collaborating with different systems and ideas to create innovative forms of gaming, with the potential to continue transforming video games well into the future.   Livestream 2024 Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahP86-2H8lc   Playing at the

TCW Podcast Episode 223 - D&D & Video Games 2E   In the second part of our exploration of Dungeons & Dragons and its connection to video games, we examine the game’s refinement and rise in popularity. D&D was a groundbreaking experience, brought to life through Gary Gygax’s collaboration with others, particularly Dave Arneson, who developed many of its foundational concepts. The game evolved from miniature wargaming focused on medieval combat, with Tolkien-inspired high fantasy elements added later as an afterthought. These fantasy rules closely resembled those of Rules for Middle Earth but weren’t universally embraced, as some players preferred the realism of traditional wargaming, making it challenging to satisfy both audiences. We also delve into the well-known controversy between Gygax and Arneson and the creation of the Blackmoor campaign setting. We explore how TSR released the original box set and then evolved it into AD&D. Additionally, we examine how RPGs began to take off as a wh

TCW Podcast Episode 222 - D&D & Video Games 1E   In the first part of this series, we explore the various influences leading to the creation of Dungeons & Dragons. This episode is an edited version of our livestream, delving into the rise in popularity of war games, board games, and miniatures. Avalon Hill, a major company in this field, published The General magazine, which helped players connect for games. Through opponent-wanted ads resembling today’s unmoderated forums and the discovery of games like Kriegsspiel and Stratego, we witness the evolution of elements that would eventually lead to the early role-playing game (RPG).   Livestream 2024 Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahP86-2H8lc   Playing at the World - Jon Peterson (Affiliate Link): https://amzn.to/3YokLZC The Elusive Shift - Jon Peterson (Affiliate Link): https://amzn.to/3C8cHVq Game Wizards - Jon Peterson (Affiliate Link): https://amzn.to/48uCtzi Afrika Korps: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHOtUG4JvlQ SGS Afrika Korps: http

TCW Podcast Episode 221 - North to Hellgate London   In a pseudo part three of our look at Condor and Blizzard North, we explore the troubles the company faced after a year and a half of crunch. David, Max, and Eric were all burned out along with the rest of the staff. David was going through a divorce and had trouble putting his heart into figuring out what the next game would be. Due to lack of leadership and a proper chain of command, many employees felt frustrated switching games over and over. At the same time, the expansion, Lord of Destruction, was completed after a year of development with no crunch. Through a combination of bad corporate structure, not empowering middle management, factionalism, and troubles with Blizzard's corporate owners being bought and sold amid their own scandals, David, Eric, Max, and Bill Roper from Blizzard South went on to form Flagship Studios and work on Hellgate: London. Unfortunately, the game was not well received due to expectations exceeding the financial and technic

TCW Podcast Episode 220 - Diablo 2   We continue exploring the Diablo franchise with Diablo 2 and the journey of the team at Blizzard North. This episode covers the history of the Hellfire expansion for Diablo 1 and how it came to be developed by Sierra Online. A directive was issued for Blizzard North to focus on creating Diablo 2. The team aimed not just to create a bigger dungeon but to expand the game’s overall scope. However, the development of Diablo 2 faced challenges like feature creep, excessive gaming, and the absence of a game design document. These issues led to a year and a half of crunch time to complete the game. Despite these difficulties, Diablo 2 was released to phenomenal success.   Hellfire Monk Playthrough: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJlxnFfxRM4 David Brevik on Diablo Hellfire: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4bDFgcuH-I Warcraft Adventures - Lord of the Clans (Lets Play): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7JZu__7KTs Thor - Overworked % Amazon Game Studios: https://www.youtube.com/sho

TCW Podcast Episode 219 - Diablo 1   We explore the monumental game Diablo! Initially a collaborative effort between David Brevik, Erich Schaefer, and Max Schaefer, Diablo brought together elements from games like X-Com, Angband, and surprisingly NHL '94. The trio formed the company Condor, producing NFL games and a Street Fighter clone called Justice League Task Force for the SEGA Genesis. At CES, they discovered another company developing the SNES port of Justice League, Blizzard Entertainment. Through a series of fortuitous events, Condor was acquired by Davidson & Associates and rebranded as Blizzard North. Join us as we explore the wild history of Diablo and its impact on shaping how we play video games today!   Play Diabo 1 Web Shareware Version: https://d07riv.github.io/diabloweb/   It was the best of times it was the blurst of times: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=no_elVGGgW8 Moria (Plato Emulator): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zvqgKKXAFI Angband: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSiX_aoUn5s S

TCW Podcast Episode 218 - The 100 Games Redux - The Revival   We’re back to revisit the 100 most influential games, this time with your feedback! We’ve made many changes to the list and even brought back some of the games that were previously cut. A huge thank you to everyone who wrote in, left a comment on YouTube, or reached out to us in other ways. Although we couldn’t read every single comment, we’ve carefully considered all the feedback and appreciate everyone for sharing their thoughts! Many of the changes we made were influenced by your input. So sit back, relax, and join us as we dive into the exciting world of the 100 most influential games!   Live Stream for 2024 will be October 12th at 13:00 (18:00 GMT)!   Simpsons Barney - 'It Begins!': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Johmlmq-dRU The Marshmallow Test: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4L-n8Z7G0ic CoD4 - Modern Warfare - How it change a Genre Forever: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXD5_7wqr1U Meet the Spy (Explicit): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v

TCW Podcast Episode 217 - The Games of Ed Logg   Ed Logg had a long and distinguished career in Atari's coin-op division. Initially aspiring to be a math professor, his path changed after encountering the Atari 2600 at a friend's Christmas party. While at Atari, Logg created the legendary game Asteroids, which became a massive success. He continued his streak with Super Breakout and co-created Centipede with Dona Bailey. Inspired by his son's love of Dungeons & Dragons, and the game Dandy, Logg developed the classic Gauntlet. He later created one of the first arcade first-person shooters, Xybots. Although his attempts to transition into the 3D era with games like Steel Talons, San Francisco Rush, and Dr. Muto did not achieve the same level of success; Ed Logg's deep understanding of what makes a great arcade game has left a lasting impact not only in the coin-op space, but across the entire gaming industry.   TCW 081 - The Meeting of SpaceWar: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-meeting-of-spacewar

TCW Podcast Episode 216 - The 100 Games Redux - The Removal   We revisit our list of the top 100 most influential games, making decisions on what to keep, remove, or change. We’ve removed 19 games and altered another—do you agree with our choices? What would you add or remove? We’d love to hear your thoughts! Email us at feedback@TheyCreateWorlds.com to make your case. We’ll use your feedback in our September 15, 2024 episode, where we will revisit the list, add new games, and reorder the top 20. Join us for a fun debate on what deserves a spot!   TCW 098 - The 100 Most Influential Games Part 1: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-100-most-influential-games-part-1/ TCW 099 - The 100 Most  Influential Games Part 2: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-100-most-influential-games-part-2/ TCW 100 - The 100 Most Influential Games Part 3: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-100-most-influential-games-part-3/   Roko's Basilisk  : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roko%27s_basilisk Pac-Man Fever: http

TCW Podcast Episode 215 - Final Fantasy VII   Final Fantasy VII holds a special place in the hearts of many gamers. For some, it was the first time they really connected with a JRPG. For others, it marked the transition from pixel art games to 3D gaming. Final Fantasy VII owes much to the storytelling work of its predecessor, Final Fantasy VI, led by Yoshinori Kitase. Kitase used his love of filmmaking to add an artistic flair to games, improving on the static scenes most games relied on. With Final Fantasy VII, Kitase aimed to overcome hardware limitations in storytelling. This desire to push beyond hardware constraints also led SquareSoft to break ties with Nintendo and join Sony with their new PlayStation. The marketing of FF VII in the West as more than just an RPG helped it become the first Final Fantasy game to sell more in the West than in Japan, thereby cementing JRPGs in the public's mind.   TCW 157 - Final Fantasy's Tale: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/final-fantasy-s-tale/ FFVI - Sand on my