Episodes

  • The Elder Scrolls: Morrowind

    The Elder Scrolls: Morrowind
    Apr 1 2026

    TCW Podcast Episode 255 - The Elder Scrolls: Morrowind

    After Arena and Daggerfall's triumphs, Julian LeFay's Battlespire spinoff marked his last hand in the Elder Scrolls universe. Amid conflicts while working on other projects, LeFay left. Ted Peterson had already departed after Daggerfall. This left Bethesda Softworks with none of the original creators for the next Elder Scrolls. Development stalled amid Bethesda turmoil, spawning Redguard which introduced the Pocket Guide to the Empire, an unreliable in-universe narrator that sowed mystery and deep worldbuilding for Tamriel's forged empire. New lead Todd Howard ditched procedural generation for handcrafted openness where everything interacted. Morrowind featured quests like the falling wizard and pantsless Hentus, hiding logical lore amid hundreds of books blending mythology, humor, and misdirection. Morrowind launched on PC and Xbox at a dire hour for Bethesda. It's make-or-break success rescued the studio from probable collapse in a dark time.

    The Elder Scrolls Legend - Battlespire: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bk9uKElPCJQ

    Pensacola Wings of Gold (S1E1): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDVuiLIKLAE

    The Elder Scrolls Adventures - Redguard: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7-Hup8Pqms

    The Terminator - Skynet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WD4ZLkbnDCA

    Pocket Guide to the Empire (1st Edition): https://i.4pcdn.org/tg/1393284074508.pdf RCW 144 - Ascension into the Black Gate: https://www.theycreateworlds.com/episodes/TCW144

    The-Spolier.com: https://the-spoiler.com/RPG/New.World.Computing/Might..magic.6.html Might & Magic VI - Solution by J Pike: https://rpggamers.com/walkthrough/might-magic-vi-mandate-of-heaven Might & Magic VI - Solution by Mike Marcelais: https://rpggamers.com/walkthrough/might-and-magic-vi-solution

    Morrowind - A Falling Wizard: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWVKMMxCgY4

    Morrowind - Hentus Needs Pants: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSSv1mcI_GM

    The Elder Scrolls - Morrowind: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVFyDmd9RsA Morrowind Map: https://en.uesp.net/maps/mwmap/mwmap.html

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

    TCW Email: feedback@theycreateworlds.com

    BlueSky: @theycreateworlds.bsky.social

    Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theycreateworlds

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

    Alex's book: 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 18 mins
  • The Elder Scrolls: Arena & Daggerfall

    The Elder Scrolls: Arena & Daggerfall
    Mar 15 2026
    TCW Podcast Episode 254 - The Elder Scrolls: Arena & Daggerfall Bethesda Softworks, founded in 1985 by Christopher Weaver with sports titles like Gridiron and Wayne Gretzky Hockey along with licenses like The Terminator, pivoted to RPGs. Demo scene legend Julian LeFay hired Vijay Lakshman as designer and buffer to management so LeFay could focus on games. Together they birthed The Elder Scrolls: Arena, a gladiator combat simulator that morphed, nine months into a 13-month development cycle, into a first-person 3D epic inspired by Ultima Underworld. Arena evolved from a combat management game to a full RPG with a procedurally generated world, unique races like Argonians and Khajiit, and a plot to topple the wizard Tharn. With the second game, LeFay, challenged by Sandy Petersen's claim that CRPGs could never match tabletop RPGs, made Daggerfall a massive world the size of Great Britain: 15,000 cities, towns, and dungeons; 44 regions; 100 factions; skill leveling based on what players actually did; and reputation grinds to unlock quests and plot. Ted Peterson, who took over lead design after Lakshman left, wove a complex plot with gray themes, diverse motivations, and moral quandaries into a simulator packed with layered systems rather than pure RPG simplicity. It sold out the initial run, hit 700,000 units, and became Bethesda's best game yet, bringing fresh air to a fallow RPG era! TCW 156 - Madden for Some Football: https://www.theycreateworlds.com/episodes/TCW156 Gridiron (Amiga): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0q7sc_T3FU Wayne Gretzky Hockey (NES): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1Apj9IRcpQ Tell Me Your Name (Russia Heat): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYpcZ2NfMYU (Explicit) Sodan & Magician 42 - TechTech (Amiga): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mB5CujcTN8A Terminator 2029 (PC/DOS): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-PBi-N1hQo Flesh+Blood (Trailer): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVyLe-k16gw Jason And The Argonauts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qq4requMqvY Khajit/Khajiit Has Wares: https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/khajiit-khajiit-has-wares Ultima Underworld: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ee4PUcpGSn8 The Elder Scrolls: Arena (Box Art): https://bigboxcollection.com/TESArena.3DBox The Elder Scrolls: Arena: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjEn6ETA7EM What Do You Do With a B.A. in English? (Avenue Q): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYenQEjvlD0 Walk Across the Entire Map in Dragonfall Unity (Timelapse 512x): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xTvdK88cww The Elder Scrolls: Daggerfall: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpX5y6jiafg New episodes are on the 1st and 15th of every month! TCW Email: feedback@theycreateworlds.com BlueSky: @theycreateworlds.bsky.social Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theycreateworlds Alex's Video Game History Blog: http://videogamehistorian.wordpress.com Alex's book: 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 16 mins
  • Masanobu Endō

    Masanobu Endō
    Mar 1 2026
    TCW Podcast Episode 253 - Masanobu Endō Masanobu Endō is one of Japan's most important game designers, yet remains relatively unknown in the West. Starting from an uncertain role at Namco, he first made his mark by turning Dig Dug play notes into an official strategy booklet, then shifted into programming work where he learned from Namco's maze games, including Pac-Man. Assigned as a programmer on Xevious, he stepped into the lead role when the original planner left, pushing for a coherent world where every enemy and structure had a purpose in a larger mythology. The secrets, patterns, and hidden elements he built into Xevious encouraged dedicated players to map routes, chase glitches, and hunt for new techniques in a way that feels very similar to how modern communities approach speedrunning and score optimization today. Endō then expanded these ideas in The Tower of Druaga, fusing Dungeons and Dragons style dungeon crawling with Babylonian and Sumerian myth, cryptic treasure requirements, and a real ending instead of an endless loop. The result helped shape how Japanese designers approached action adventure, including early thinking around what would become "The Legend of Zelda." A Super Basic Summary of Gundam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16tDMkmZKiA Blockade (Gremlin 1976): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUacA8Dj3BY Atari Football (Atari Arcade): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_ZOtqMWHoU Battlezone (Atari Arcade): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdfKy4c7yuc TCW 029 - 50 Years of Namco: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/50-years-of-namco/ TCW 116 - The Atari Games You Are Looking For: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-atari-games-you-are-looking-for/ Dig Dug (Atari): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8ZD7VCiBes Pole Position (Atari/Namco): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeYZGtwydIA Learn Assembly in 10 minutes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6S5KRJv-7RU Scramble (Arcade): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2p08J-AK-BE Galga (Stupidly Explained): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pE2SbPgzd0 Space Runaway Ideon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYI251fFCAY The Nazca Lines (SciShow): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EILw-mKefew The Nazca Lines Part 1 (Astonishing Legends): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYIUJuFj9h8 The Nazca Lines Part 2 (Astonishing Legends): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1F9UMJcSCRg Xevious (Arcade): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Stjrz3CM8R4 Haruomi Hosono - Video Game Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fO7qAggk6-I&list=PL4NXUZspQ7Bxi8nsNylZBWBK392FgMlAT Xevious (Famicom): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_bS_SAzknk Dungeons & Dragons ET: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hJdhL1Ni_w Pac Man Ghosts: https://www.reddit.com/r/FanTheories/comments/1136hi/pac_man_post_from_rgaming_i_thought_it_belonged/ Tower of Druaga (Arcade): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCCGIP4SifE 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 18 mins
  • A Guitar Hero

    A Guitar Hero
    Feb 15 2026
    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 Octane got its start making Dance Dance Revolution pads, but a partnership with Harmonix Music Systems, a studio building technology that let people interact with music without learning an instrument, led to the creation of Guitar Hero. Major retailers refused to carry it until Best Buy set up in-store demo units that sent sales skyrocketing, and Red Octane could barely keep up with demand. The franchise's success drew corporate attention: Activision acquired Red Octane, MTV Networks acquired Harmonix, and a lingering dispute between Activision and Viacom over the Star Trek license split the partnership in two, giving Activision Guitar Hero and Harmonix Rock Band. Both landed blockbuster bands from Aerosmith to the Beatles, but an endless flood of sequels and add-ons saturated the market, and what once felt like a cultural phenomenon burned out almost as fast as it arrived. TCW 167 - Activision and Kotick Part 1: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/activision-and-kotick-part-1/ TCW 168 - Activision and Kotick Part 2: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/activision-and-kotick-part-2/ TCW 169 - Activision and Kotick Part 3: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/activision-and-kotick-part-3/ Dance Dance Revolution (PSX): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2IammLWeNE TCW 052 - The Many Faces of Konami: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-many-faces-of-konami/ Guitar Freaks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-gDC1VXqqM PaRappa The Rapper: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3SI4Grases Tribe on Conan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLrA00pKRHo Bimini Run (Genesis): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-e1QdtG3YOE System Shock: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-e1QdtG3YOE Thief - The Dark Project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zH_6ER0-voQ Simpsons - I can See the Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyNtUpMeBTE Frequency (PS2): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Z7n36dozeY Amplitude (PS2): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goH4ygJ48_c Karaoke Revolution - Drive - Incubus (PS2): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJ-yIxE9-hg The NES Hotseat: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvws5tOHsEE AntiGrav for EyeToy (PS2): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9FheIXFrWc Guitar Hero 1 IGN: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQW2MGFY-us Guitar Hero 1 (PS2): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slJA7xwDRWk Guitar Hero 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQAUCBDU4Qg Guitar Hero 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elOxCIpg4rI Rock Band: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AavdHq3pemQ GH3 - DragonForce - Through the Fire and Flames: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMkjmiVo6jA Rock Band - The Beatles: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PGF3uAYCW0 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.comD 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 32 mins
  • Virgin Games

    Virgin Games
    Feb 1 2026
    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 with Richard Branson’s mail-order record business and the success of Virgin Records, the company expanded into games under executive Nick Alexander, whose interest in the industry led to the creation of a Virgin gaming subsidiary. Early successes included the Dan Dare series and computer adaptations of board games. In 1987 Virgin took a stake in Mastertronic, and in 1988 fully acquired the company, gaining both its budget software business and its role in the SEGA Master System launch. From there Virgin Games developed into two distinct arms. In Europe, the company focused on distribution, bringing major publishers and licenses into the region. In the United States, Virgin built on Mastertronic’s development studio, centering on strong talent and overlooked licenses, producing titles such as Spot, Cool Spot, Global Gladiators, and later major Disney games including Aladdin and The Lion King. On PC, the company found success with The 7th Guest and through the acquisition of Westwood Studios, gaining Command and Conquer. Virgin Games also had a hand in publishing Dune and Dune II. In the mid-1990s the Virgin Group began seeking a buyer, leading to Blockbuster’s acquisition of Virgin Interactive, which soon placed the company under Viacom following the Paramount merger. Heavy corporate debt and shifting priorities resulted in the sale of Westwood to Electronic Arts. What remained was largely a European distribution business that later entered an agreement with Interplay and was ultimately acquired by Titus Interactive. After the collapse of the dot-com bubble, mounting debt forced Titus to shutter the company, and in 2005 Virgin Interactive quietly disappeared 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 026 - The Magnavox Odyssey: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-magnavox-odyssey/ TCW 027 - The Magnavox Patent Lawsuits: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-magnavox-patent-lawsuits-friday-september-16-2016-1003-am/ Mike Oldfield - Tubular Bells (Live BBC 1973): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbYQYOM66MA Dan Dare - Pilot of the Future (ZX Spectrum): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUEDOu5ewIQ Dan Dare II - Mekons` Revenge (ZX Spectrum): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Lheo_ao8K4 Dan Dare III - The Escape (Amiga): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IK62NSaE75s Monopoly - Virgin Games (DOS): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=un6iagpCwWw Spot - The Video Game (NES): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8Ezmf6z3kM 7-Up Spot Commercials: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubNTMHqz6_c TCW 229 - US Gold: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/us-gold/ TCW 023 - The Complete Tetris Story: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-complete-tetris-story/ Lure of the Temptress (Amiga): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwSS5zA74jQ Jimmy White's Whirlwind Snooker (Amiga): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Pr3IsnqxGs Cannon Fodder (Amiga): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFP8WUrBVHc Previous High Scores C&C Ad: https://www.reddit.com/r/OldSchoolRidiculous/comments/x1k61n/could_you_even_imagine_if_westwood_studios/ Robin Hood Prince of Thieves (NES): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_1AGDZiLVY Robin Hood Men in Tights - English Accent: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9tEH7iWOyk Global Gladiators (Genesis): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yy9_-iEdXAA Cool Spot (Genesis): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTROI2ODRM4 Aladin (Genesis): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngqx0rq7ACg The Jungle Book (Genesis): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BivK2swrtqM Aladin (SNES): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9m2gAuWkOY The Lion King (Genesis): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-U4RObki-k TCW 194 - The 7th Guest: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-7th-guest/ The 7th Guest (PC): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45Z-Q5KVTyI The Legend of Kyrandia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FO6BE4HOjnM TCW 208 - Two Dunes the Battle for Arrakis: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/two-dunes-the-battle-for-arrakis/ TCW 082 - An Unlikely Pairing of Siliwood: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/an-unlikely-pairing-of-siliwood/ TCW 064 - The Rise and Fall of Infogrames Part 1: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/rise-and-fall-of-infogrames-part-1/ TCW 065 - The Rise and Fall of Infogrames Part 2: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-rise-and-fall-of-infogrames-part-2/ 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://...
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    1 hr and 31 mins
  • Mastertronic

    Mastertronic
    Jan 15 2026

    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 of Mastertronic. Initially shunned by high street retailers, the company found success supplying discount games to chains like Woolworths while importing and reselling titles from other publishers for the European market. A failed attempt to bring budget games to the United States pushed Mastertronic to look toward consoles after seeing the success of the Nintendo Entertainment System, but Nintendo rejected them due to their low-cost reputation. This led to a partnership with SEGA to launch the Master System in the United Kingdom, but a delayed release after Christmas triggered a financial crisis that forced Virgin to buy out the rest of the company. As Virgin Mastertronic, the firm gained a foothold in France and Germany while struggling with limited SEGA supply. The story ends when SEGA acquired the console side of the business and created SEGA Europe, closing the final chapter on Mastertronic.

    TCW 017 - The British 8-bit Computer Market Hardware: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-british-8-bit-computer-market-hardware/

    TCW 018 - The British 8-bit Computer Market Software: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-british-8-bit-computer-market-software/

    TCW 241 - The First 10 Years of European Consoles: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/the-first-10-years-of-european-consoles/

    Vagas Jackpot (VIC-20): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKFzNnx_m-U

    BMX Racers (C64): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZenav7tN08

    Ghostbusters (ZX Spectrum): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qH18r74ZOto

    Way of the Exploding Fist (C64): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6p51xOL0NdY

    Alians (C64): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8D7Q2lfBA6g

    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 6 mins
  • New World Computing

    New World Computing
    Jan 1 2026
    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 from the era of the lone programmer as the industry shifted toward larger development houses, Jon built Might and Magic into one of the most influential RPG franchises of its time. We trace the evolution of the series from its early focus on quest driven gameplay, early auto mapping, and the introduction of features like quest logs and reactive character portraits. Along the way, New World Computing briefly experimented with board games, returning to video games with King’s Bounty, a title that would later be reimagined as Heroes of Might and Magic after a marketing push to leverage the stronger Might and Magic name. We examine the company’s shifting publishing relationships, struggles with distribution, and eventual acquisition by the 3DO Company. While Heroes of Might and Magic III brought major success, pressure from 3DO led to rushed releases, excessive expansions, and declining quality across both franchises. As Might and Magic moved into 3D and real time combat, development resources became increasingly strained. The episode closes with the collapse of 3DO, failed efforts to spin off New World Computing, and the quiet end of a studio that helped define computer role playing games. Dedicated to Ember - Beloved cat, and producer of the show. Oct 2008 - Dec 2025. Darkside of Xeen Intro: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cPFL0NfsRg Ultima I (Apple II): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zI5ypVUk_wk Wizardry (Apple II): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJhMpPnnXMo New World Computing Logos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g647Hk4UHkc Star Trek - Terren Empire Logo: https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Terran_Empire Simpsons - The Shinning Bard & Willie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kddzyds4fGo Might and Magic - Advertisements: https://www.mobygames.com/game/1619/might-and-magic-book-one-secret-of-the-inner-sanctum/promo/group-56698/image-479480/ Might and Magic Book 1 Secret of the Inner Sanctum (Apple II): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0airoGX9xk The CRPG Addict - Might and Magic Book One: https://crpgaddict.blogspot.com/2010/07/game-19-might-magic-i.html The CRPG Addict - Might and Magic Won!: https://crpgaddict.blogspot.com/2010/07/might-magic-won.html The CRPG Addict - Might and Magic Final Ranking: https://crpgaddict.blogspot.com/2010/07/might-magic-final-ranking.html The Digital Antiquarian - Might and Magic: https://www.filfre.net/2021/12/might-and-magic/ Simpsons - Finding 20 Dollars: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZch40U9Bfk Might and Magic Book II - Gates to Another World (Apple II): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TEz9KlDaZY Star Trek Trailer for S3E08 - The World is Hollow and I Have Touched the Sky: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T70fEIAsDE0 Nuclear War (DOS): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqSHQp-RsRE Star Fleet Battles (Task Force Games): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXoRauMyzfk Tunnels and Trolls (DOS): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXtB08H2yqw Titan - First Look (Avalon Hill): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65ltwXWfO9I Titan - Gameplay (Avalon Hill): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSXIM6R4VYQ King's Bounty (DOS): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnWYfBauwh4 Might and Magic III: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SY7oOwU5WIs&list=PLuiwX2gLmzqNtcsOv5AOh9pIg25lX8OAD Planet's Edge (DOS): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FU5xpWdonmU Might and Magic - Clouds of Xeen (DOS): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGGE-kPwZFI Might and Magic - Darkside of Xeen - Speedrun (DOS): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VgBR8-BCos Spaceward Ho! (DOS): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZ8ExG1_HMY Empire Deluxe (DOS): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrzZWdmzolY Iron Cross (DOS): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74q69zR6VjA Zephyr (DOS): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VycrjZ5dkRs Heroes of Might and Magic (PC): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQSouS2y4Yg&list=PLic3HXuw97t4Wv5su8gNMqhI1ndNO3Olb SSI - Panzer General (PC): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sG5TcIZfu50 Heroes of Might and Magic II (PC): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g42gSMad09Y Might and Magic VI - Mandate of Heaven (PC): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pfr3I_N5cMw Heroes of Might and Magic III: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSaac_TqXRw&list=PLic3HXuw97t62UA75v3t_EpTiA5CfXARm Might and Magic VII: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuGvXM5p-RM Might and Magic VIII: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXZhuHYJVB0 Legends of Might and Magic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnuSWgV-QaU Heroes of Might and Magic IV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUfjckaGezc Might and Magic IX: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzTI_LbC0HE 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 ...
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    1 hr and 44 mins
  • An Act of Control

    An Act of Control
    Dec 15 2025
    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 industry in Japan. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, video games became increasingly popular in Japan, drawing public concern over how much time and money players were spending in game centers. With little cultural context for games as entertainment, many assumed there must be some form of gambling or prize element involved, leading to growing moral panic. These concerns culminated in a 1985 amendment to an existing law that brought game centers under strict regulation. We examine the role of industry trade groups during this period, including the NRO, an operators organization that supported regulation under the belief it would disadvantage large arcades while leaving smaller venues such as department store rooftops and grocery stores unaffected. That assumption proved incorrect. At the same time, JAMA, representing manufacturers, organized its own operator segment to counter the NRO’s influence. Because the law was written broadly, regulators were left to define what qualified as a controlled amusement, resulting in a chilling effect on arcades across Japan. These regulations reshaped the industry and pushed many companies to shift their focus toward home consoles and other markets. TCW 008 - Birth of the Japanese Game Center: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/birth-of-the-japanese-game-center/ Act on Control and Improvement of Amusement Business: https://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp/en/laws/view/4234/en Abroad in Japan - Pachinko - Japan's Biggest Gaming Obsession: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tBy2jemw4s Masumi Akagi - "It Started with Pong": https://www.amazon.co.jp/%E3%81%9D%E3%82%8C%E3%81%AF%E3%80%8C%E3%83%9D%E3%83%B3%E3%80%8D%E3%81%8B%E3%82%89%E5%A7%8B%E3%81%BE%E3%81%A3%E3%81%9F-%E3%82%A2%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B1%E3%83%BC%E3%83%89TV%E3%82%B2%E3%83%BC%E3%83%A0%E3%81%AE%E6%88%90%E3%82%8A%E7%AB%8B%E3%81%A1-%E8%B5%A4%E6%9C%A8%E7%9C%9F%E6%BE%84/dp/4990251202 Rotamint - "Royal Super": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRPBQ2cwAas Rotomint - Jackpot: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgrmntnQfP4 TCW 077 - Invading Taito Part 1: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/invading-taito-part-1/ TCW 078 - Invading Taito Part 2: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/invading-taito-part-2/ TCW 195 - Finding Video Game Copyright: https://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/finding-video-game-copyright Sun Electronics - The Guiness: www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsJHEJHTU1M Fred Rogers Congress Public Funding: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKy7ljRr0AA 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 16 mins