They Create Worlds

The Elder Scrolls: Arena & Daggerfall

15 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 254 - The Elder Scrolls: Arena & Daggerfall   Bethesda Softworks, founded in 1985 by Christopher Weaver with sports titles...

Masanobu Endō

01 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 253 - Masanobu Endō   Masanobu Endō is one of Japan's most important game designers, yet remains relatively unknown in the W...

A Guitar Hero

15 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 252 - A Guitar Hero   The rise and fall of the Guitar Hero franchise and the rhythm game craze of the mid to late 2000s. Red O...

Virgin Games

01 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 251 - Virgin Games   As a companion piece to our Mastertronic episode, we look at the rise and fall of Virgin Games. Beginning...

Mastertronic

15 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 250 - Mastertronic   From budget software publisher to the gateway for SEGA’s entry into Europe, we look at the rise and fall o...

New World Computing

01 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 249 - New World Computing   We look at the rise and fall of New World Computing through the career of Jon Van Caneghem. Coming fr...

An Act of Control

15 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 248 - An Act of Control   We look at Japan’s Act on Control and Improvement of Amusement Business and its impact on the arcade ...

The History of Commodore Pt 4

01 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 247 - The History of Commodore Pt 4 The final chapter of our Commodore series covers the company’s chaotic decline. After ...

The History of Commodore Pt 3

15 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 246 - The History of Commodore Pt 3 After Jack Tramiel left Commodore and founded Tramel Technology, the company pressed on ...

The History of Commodore Pt 2

01 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 245 - The History of Commodore Pt 2   Commodore’s shift from calculators to computers began with the PET, which found success i...

The History of Commodore Pt 1

15 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 244 - The History of Commodore Pt 1   We kick off our look at Commodore with the story of its founder, Jack Tramiel. A Holocau...

RCA Studio II

01 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 243 - RCA Studio II   The RCA Studio II emerged from the company’s faltering computer division and the vision of engineer Jo...

Fumito Ueda

15 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 242- Fumito Ueda   Fumito Ueda entered game design through art rather than a love of traditional play. Influenced by titles li...

The First 10 Years of European Consoles

01 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 241 - The First 10 Years of European Consoles   The first decade of European consoles began with imports of the Magnavox Odyss...

Nintendo: Playing with Mii & Wii

15 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 240 - Nintendo: Playing with Mii & Wii   From DS touch-and-stylus play to living-room motion, we trace Nintendo's road to ...

Nintendo: Wii Were Struggling

01 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 239 - Nintendo: Wii Were Struggling   Nintendo’s struggle for cultural relevance in the lead-up to the Wii was marked by the...

Quake

15 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 238 - Quake   We dive into the development of Quake, the ambitious and turbulent follow-up to Doom from ID Software. John Carm...

Jordan Mechner and Price of  Persia

01 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 237 - Jordan Mechner and Price of  Persia   We continue our look at Jordan Mechner with the development of Prince of Persia. Its...

Jordan Mechner and Karateka

15 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 236 - Jordan Mechner and Karateka   This episode explores the early life of Jordan Mechner and the making of Karateka. We cover h...

Coin-op Legends of Japan

01 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 235- Coin-op Legends of Japan   Long before they entered the world of video games, a generation of Japanese entrepreneurs built t...

Yu Suzuki

15 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 234 - Yu Suzuki   Often called SEGA’s Shigeru Miyamoto, Yu Suzuki redefined arcade gaming through innovation and ambition. H...

Baldur's Gate

01 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 233 - Baldur's Gate   When three doctors, a prolific dungeon master, a database programmer, and a writer come together to make...

All the Other Home Pongs

15 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Street Fighter 2

01 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 231- Street Fighter 2   Street Fighter 2 is often credited with reviving the arcade scene in the early 1990s. While it success...

Crafting the World of WarCraft

15 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 t...

US Gold

01 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 229 - US Gold   US Gold started as an importer of American games before becoming a dominant force in the British gaming indust...

PopCap Games

15 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 228 - PopCap Games   PopCap Games was initially overlooked by the larger gaming industry due to its focus on fun, well-designe...

Donkey Kong

01 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 227 - Donkey Kong   Donkey Kong, a game and character that stands as one of the foundational elements of video game history, h...

Ray Kassar

15 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 226 - Ray Kassar   Ray Kassar rose from humble beginnings to become a talented, savvy, and personable executive. He began his car...

Games by Apollo

01 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

D&D & Video Games 3E

15 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 com...

D&D & Video Games 2E

01 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 223 - D&D & Video Games 2E   In the second part of our exploration of Dungeons & Dragons and its connection to video ...

D&D & Video Games 1E

15 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 222 - D&D & Video Games 1E   In the first part of this series, we explore the various influences leading to the creati...

North to Hellgate London

01 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 com...

Diablo 2

15 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Diablo 1

01 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 219 - Diablo 1   We explore the monumental game Diablo! Initially a collaborative effort between David Brevik, Erich Schaefer,...

The 100 Games Redux - The Revival

15 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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! W...

The Games of Ed Logg

01 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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...

The 100 Games Redux - The Removal

15 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Final Fantasy VII

01 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 t...

The Neo Geo

15 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 214 - The Neo Geo   The Neo Geo was SNK's attempt to create a versatile hardware system for operators, allowing them to swap out ...

The Exidy of the 80's and 90's

01 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 213 - The Exidy of the 80's and 90's   In our second part, we look at Exidy as we wrap up the 70s and explore their products o...

The Exidy of the 70's

15 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 212 - The Exidy of the 70's   Following our examination of Ramtek, we now turn to Exidy, founded by Pete Kauffman and Samuel H...

Ramtek

01 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 211 - Ramtek   Ramtek was an unlikely entrant into the video game space. Starting off as employees of Data Disc Corporation, C...

Accolade Part 2

15 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 210 - Accolade Part 2   In our second look at Accolade, we cover the company’s gradual decline in the 90's leading to its ac...

Accolade Part 1

01 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 209 - Accolade Part 1   In part one of a two-part retrospective, we explore how the pressures of the North American video game...

Two Dunes: The Battle for Arrakis

15 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 208 - Two Dunes: The Battle for Arrakis   In this episode, we delve into the expansive universe of Dune, a rich tapestry woven wi...

SEGA Saturn Part 2

01 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 207 - SEGA Saturn Part 2   In the second part of our examination of the SEGA Saturn, we delve into its influences, challenges,...

SEGA Saturn Part 1

15 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 206 - SEGA Saturn Part 1   In this in-depth exploration of the SEGA Saturn, our focus delves into the intricate technology tha...

Shepherd's Mass Effect 2 & 3

01 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 205 - Shepherd's Mass Effect 2 & 3   In our examination of the second and third installments of the Mass Effect trilogy, w...

Exploring the Mass Effect

15 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 204 - Exploring the Mass Effect   In part one of a two-part exploration of the original Mass Effect trilogy, the game emerges ...

Alone In The Dark

01 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 203 - Alone In The Dark   Despite appearing outdated by today's standards, Alone in the Dark remains a highly influential game...

Advanced Balls and Paddles Part 2

15 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 202 - Advanced Balls and Paddles Part 2   Following the release of Breakout by Atari, its influence spread to Japan, sparking ...

Advanced Balls and Paddles Part 1

01 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 201 - Advanced Balls and Paddles Part 1   In this two-part exploration of advancements in ball and paddle games beyond Pong, w...

The History of Handheld Games Part 3

15 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 200 - The History of Handheld Games Part 3   In our concluding episode exploring the evolution of handheld games, we kick off ...

The History of Handheld Games Part 2

01 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 199 - The History of Handheld Games Part 2   Continuing in front of a live streaming audience, part two of our exploration int...

The History of Handheld Games Part 1

15 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 198 - The History of Handheld Games Part 1   Recorded in front of a live-streaming audience, we delve into the captivating his...

The ID Of Game Development

01 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 197 - The ID of Game Development   ID Software; the makers of many games that are beloved by gamers. Due to the need for rapid...

The Sumerian Game

15 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 196 - The Sumerian Game   The Sumerian Game is one of the first uses of video games to help enhance education. Developed using...

Finding Video Game Copyright

01 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 195 - Finding Video Game Copyright   We look at copyrights and video games. Where did they come from? Were video games even cr...

The 7th Guest

15 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 194 - The 7th Guest   We cover the 7th guest in so much detail it's frightening! This game has everything from a genius bedroo...

Microprose Part 2

01 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 193 - Microprose Part 2   In part two of our look at Microprose we focus on the growth of the company with popular games like ...

Microprose Part 1

15 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 192 -Microprose Part 1   In the first part of our look at Microprose, we cover the central characters of Wild Bill Stealey and...

SEGA and CSK Part 2

01 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 191 - SEGA and CSK Part  2   In part two of our look at SEGA and CSK we look closely at the circumstances that lead to Isao Okaw...

SEGA and CSK Part 1

15 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 190 - SEGA and CSK Part 1   In this first of a two-part episode about SEGA and CSK, we look at the origin of CSK, and the majo...

The Simulations of Will Wright

01 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 189 - The Simulations of Will Wright   In part two we look at the Sim craze with the release of Sim Earth, Sim Ant, and others...

Will Wright’s Sim City

15 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 188 - Will Wright's Sim City   We look at the life of game designer Will Wright who developed the hit game Sim City. Wright was, ...

Atari’s Sinking Ship

01 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 187 - Atari's Sinking Ship   In part two of our look at Atari and the reasons behind the crash of the mid-1980 we see how Atar...

Atari’s Distribution Nightmare

15 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 186 - Atari's Distribution Nightmare   In this first part deep dive at the fall of Atari and the video game industry, we look ...

A Very Naughty Dog Pt 2

01 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 185 - A Very Naughty Dog Pt 2   In our continuing look at Naughty Dog, we examine the continuing development of Crash Bandicoo...

A Very Naughty Dog Pt 1

15 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 184 - A Very Naughty Dog Pt 1   Before "The Last of Us" what eventually became Naughty Dog was founded by two teens Andy Gavin...

A Working Model of Vending

01 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 183 - A Working Model of Vending   The arcade industry had many influences. From traveling fairs, clockmakers, and more. Event...

The KOEI Dynasty

15 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 182 - The KOEI Dynasty   We continue our look at KOE and their move onto the console space. This transition is rocky due to th...

The Fabric of Koei

01 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 181 - The Fabric of Koei   We look at the company KOEI and the power couple Yoichi and Keiko Erikawa. Keiko came from the city an...

Space Invaders Part II

15 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 180 - Space Invaders Part II   In part two of our look at Space Invaders we explore the impact of the game on Japan and the wo...

Space Invaders and Nishikado

01 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 179 - Space Invaders and Nishikado   We look at the life and career of Tomohiro Nishikado, and the life influences that led to hi...

The Intellivision Part 2

15 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 178 - The Intellivision Part 2   In part two we look at how Mattel starts aggressively marketing the Intellivision by directly...

The Intellivision Part 1

01 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 177 - The Intellivision Part 1   In part one of our look at the Intellivision we look at the rocky road that made the system a...

The SEGA Technical Institute

15 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 176 - The SEGA Technical Institute   SEGA has had a long history of mixing the west and Japanese ideas. To that end, we look a...

Shady Cocktail Cabinets

01 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 175 - Shady Cocktail Cabinets   We look at the formation of cocktail cabinets in lounges and cocktail bars. There was an untap...

The Computer Wars Part 3

15 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 174 - The Computer Wars Part 3   In our conclusion of the live stream, and our look at the computer price wars we see the impl...

The Computer Wars Part 2

01 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 173 - The Computer Price Wars Part 2   In part two of our look at the computer price wars, we dive deep into the major players. C...

The Computer Price Wars Part 1

15 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 172 - The Computer Price Wars part 1   Part one of our live recording as we cover the Computer Price Wars. We focus on the develo...

A Rogue’s Survival Part 2

01 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 171 - A Rogue's Survival Part 2   In part two we look more closely at the evolution of rogue and its descendants. The game Hack w...

A Rogue’s Survival Part 1

15 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 170 - A Rogue's Survival Part 1   We start looking into Rogue by looking at the computer systems that helped to spawn its crea...

Activision and Kotick Part 3

01 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 169 - Activision and Kotick Part 3   In our final part on Activision and Kotick we see how Activision continued to develop and ac...

Activision and Kotick Part 2

15 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 168 - Activision and Kotick Part 2   In part two of our look at Activision under Bobby Kotick's leadership. We see how Activis...

Activision and Kotick Part 1

01 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 167 - Activision and Kotick Part 1   In part one of our look at Activision and Bobby Kotick we look at the early life, and histor...

Centuri

15 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 166 - Centuri   We look at the rebirth of Allied Leisure under new management and funding.  The company found a niche importing ...

Allied Leisure

01 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 165 - Allied Leisure   We look at the origins of the coin-op company Allied Leisure! The company came from a coin-op veteran who ...

Fallout

15 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 164 - Fallout   History. History is always changing. Greek historians recorded tales in scrolls, and simple books. Historians ...

California Pacific

01 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 163 - California Pacific   We look at the company California Pacific. Founded by Al Remmers the company played a large role in la...

Spinnaker Software

15 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 162 - Spinnaker Software   Often we laugh at educational games and software.  We tend to view the products as jokes and somethin...

The 100,000 Part 2

01 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 161 - The 100,000 Part 2   Part two of our look at the SPA's list of top programs of the 1990s!  We cover more games, and focus ...

The 100,000 Part 1

15 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 160 - The 100,000 Part 1   We want to thank everyone for helping us to reach 100,000 downloads of the podcast!  We started in Se...

International Adventure

01 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 159 - International Adventure   In this episode, we look at the computer game company 'Adventure International' which is one of t...

Computer Space

15 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 158 - Computer Space   Computer space is a game steeped in mystery and myth.  The game is a reimagining of Space War.  Develope...

Final Fantasy’s Tale

01 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 157- Final Fantasy's Tale   We look at a game franchise that spans fifteen titles and is still growing strong! Final Fantasy has ...

Madden for some Football

15 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 156 - Madden for Some Football   We cover the man, the myth, the legend of football John Madden! He is famous for taking the Oakl...

Nintendo Playing With Toys

01 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

TCW Podcast Episode 155 Nintendo Playing With Toys   In our final look at Nintendo in the early years, we see the transition into toys and electronic...