They Create Worlds

By: Alex Smith and Jeffrey Daum
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  • Summary

  • Love of the worlds created by video game designers and personalities drives Alex Smith & Jeffrey Daum (history, law, CS degrees) to provide a scholarly yet light-hearted discussion of how arcade, home console, and PC games merged into a Video Game Industry. Emphasis is on the combination of business and creative elements needed for financial success. Interviews of Atari, EA, Activision, & other execs with detailed source evaluations produce the insights you hear in these 140+ hours!
    Copyright 2015-2019 . All rights reserved.
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Episodes
  • D&D & Video Games 3E

    D&D & Video Games 3E
    Dec 15 2024
    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 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 Colossal Cave Adventure: https://rickadams.org/adventure/ Play Zork Online: https://textadventures.co.uk/games/view/5zyoqrsugeopel3ffhz_vq/zork TCW 170 - A Rogue's Survival Part 1: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/a-rogue-s-survival-part-1/ TCW 171 - A Rogue's Survival Part 2: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/a-rogue-s-survival-part-2/ Pedit5: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedit5 M199h: https://crpgaddict.blogspot.com/2023/10/m199h-new-findings-both-solve-and.html Everything We Know About 1970s Mainframe RPGS We Can No Longer Play: https://crpgaddict.blogspot.com/2021/06/brief-everything-we-know-about-1970s.html Orthanc (1975): https://crpgaddict.blogspot.com/2013/11/game-123-orthanc-1977.html D&D On PLATO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdPrzb534TY Revisiting The Dungeon (1975): https://crpgaddict.blogspot.com/2019/01/revisiting-dungeon-1975.html Telengard: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqDnYIsa-po Play Telengard: https://www.myabandonware.com/game/telengard-6w Moria: https://crpgaddict.blogspot.com/2013/11/game-121-moria-1975.html Play Moria (1988 DOS): https://www.myabandonware.com/game/moria-27f/play-27f Oubliette: https://crpgaddict.blogspot.com/2013/10/game-12-oubliette-1977.html PLATO Oubliette: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vUmkTi5D-k TCW 016 - Early Computer Game Platforms: The Trinity, and the Disciples: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/early-computer-game-platforms-the-trinity-and-the-disciples/ Play Beneath Apple Manor (DOS 1983): https://www.myabandonware.com/game/beneath-apple-manor-256 Beneath Apple Manor Walkthrough (Apple II): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IB7j2KVFrY Dungeon Campaign: https://crpgaddict.blogspot.com/2013/01/game-83-dungeon-campaign-1979.html Dungeon Campaign (Apple II): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xY7bZJ1LOQ Dragon Maze (Apple II): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7-PNdthkDw Dragon Maze Lets Play: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZnAmBAxgSo Starfleet Orion: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starfleet_Orion Temple of Apshai Intro: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVcDIQbwtWc Temple of Apshai (Commodore Pet): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3mcwLM-l5k Ultima (Apple II): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPqUe6Ohn2A Wizardry (Apple II): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJhMpPnnXMo (Ethan) Temple of Apshai (TRS 80) - The Quest Log: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiMtY5BxdM0 TCW 114 - The Wizards of Sir-Tech: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-wizards-of-sir-tech/ TCW 115 - The Return of the Sdraziw of Sir-Tech: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-return-of-the-sdraziw-of-sir-tech/ Escape (Apple II): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nvh78Dqfkg Panorama Toh: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4t6A9C31h0 TCW 157 - Final Fantasy's Tale: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/final-fantasy-s-tale/ New episodes are on the 1st and 15th of every month! TCW Email: feedback@theycreateworlds.com Twitter: @tcwpodcast Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theycreateworlds Alex's Video Game History Blog: http://videogamehistorian.wordpress.com Alex's book, published Dec 2019, is available at CRC Press and at major on-line retailers: http://bit.ly/TCWBOOK1 Intro Music: Josh Woodward - Airplane Mode - Music - "Airplane Mode" by Josh Woodward. Free download: http://joshwoodward.com/song/AirplaneMode Outro Music: RoleMusic - Bacterial Love: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Rolemusic/Pop_Singles_Compilation_2014/01_rolemusic_-_bacterial_love Copyright: Attribution: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
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    1 hr and 29 mins
  • D&D & Video Games 2E

    D&D & Video Games 2E
    Dec 1 2024
    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 whole new type of game that people could play. Finally, we look at how D&D became embroiled in the cultural backlash of the 1980s "Satanic Panic." Transcript: https://www.theycreateworlds.com/transcripts/tcw223 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 Leonard Nimoy The Ballad of Bilbo Baggins Full Album Version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuQbus0xfhk Playing at the World - Rules for Middle Earth: https://playingattheworld.blogspot.com/2016/01/a-precursor-to-chainmail-fantasy.html Knights of the Dinner Table: https://kenzerco.com/ Bunnies & Burrows: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bunnies_%26_Burrows Tunnels & Trolls: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tunnels_%26_Trolls James Dallas Egbert III: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Dallas_Egbert_III Chief Wiggum - It Almost Looks Like an Arrow: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gb5k0iOBdsU Bake him away Toys!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBOvfN2Y4oo Mazes & Monsters Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLi422rkUIY NYT - D&D: Satanic Panic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATUpSPj0x-c D&D Cartoon Lore Explored: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9lZxOMMufM Matel D&D Handheld Game: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uY2OI7sVHjQ Matel D&D Electronic Labyrinth: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STU1I_x0-so Advanced Dungeons & Dragons (Intellivision): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MDVwAXVJ3w [Adult Themes] Dark Dungeons Comic: https://www.chick.com/products/tract?stk=0046 [Some Adult Themes] CBS - What was the Satanic Panic?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plEImKEIRm8 (BADD) Bothered About Dungeons & Dragons: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7Ies6NVAeA New episodes are on the 1st and 15th of every month! TCW Email: feedback@theycreateworlds.com Twitter: @tcwpodcast Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theycreateworlds Alex's Video Game History Blog: http://videogamehistorian.wordpress.com Alex's book, published Dec 2019, is available at CRC Press and at major on-line retailers: http://bit.ly/TCWBOOK1 Intro Music: Josh Woodward - Airplane Mode - Music - "Airplane Mode" by Josh Woodward. Free download: http://joshwoodward.com/song/AirplaneMode Outro Music: RoleMusic - Bacterial Love: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Rolemusic/Pop_Singles_Compilation_2014/01_rolemusic_-_bacterial_love Copyright: Attribution: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
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    1 hr and 42 mins
  • D&D & Video Games 1E

    D&D & Video Games 1E
    Nov 15 2024

    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: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1266640/SGS_Afrika_Korps/

    Gettysburg: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7Cw6nzrPgw

    The General Magazine: https://www.vftt.co.uk/ah_mags.asp?ProdID=PDF_Gen

    What is Kriegsspiel?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKVeR4n-u1w

    Chancellorsville: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmJjNI4CO70

    Computer Chronicles Revisited: https://www.smoliva.blog/

    Strategos: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strategos_(game)

    Secrets of Blackmore on Amazon Prime Video (Affiliate Link): https://amzn.to/4fsUSyA

    How to Play DIPLOMACY: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l53oL0ptt7k

    Yes Mr Ford: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0-AD3bFjF8

    Siege of Bodenburg: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Bodenburg

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

    TCW Email: feedback@theycreateworlds.com

    Twitter: @tcwpodcast

    Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theycreateworlds - Save 30% by signing up through the website and not the iOS App!

    Alex's Video Game History Blog: http://videogamehistorian.wordpress.com

    Alex's book, published Dec 2019, is available at CRC Press and at major on-line retailers: http://bit.ly/TCWBOOK1

    Intro Music: Josh Woodward - Airplane Mode - Music - "Airplane Mode" by Josh Woodward. Free download: http://joshwoodward.com/song/AirplaneMode

    Outro Music: RoleMusic - Bacterial Love: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Rolemusic/Pop_Singles_Compilation_2014/01_rolemusic_-_bacterial_love

    Copyright: Attribution: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
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    1 hr and 25 mins

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