They Create Worlds

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: [email protected] 

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/

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: [email protected] 

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/

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: [email protected] 

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/

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: [email protected] 

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/

TCW Podcast Episode 247 - The History of Commodore Pt 4

The final chapter of our Commodore series covers the company’s chaotic decline. After early success with the Amiga line, internal conflict grew under President Tom Rattigan, who wanted to focus on the low end with the Amiga 500 while Irving Gould pushed for high end systems like the Amiga 2000. Missed deadlines and a failed boardroom challenge led to Rattigan’s firing and Gould taking direct control. When IRS tax issues forced Gould to step back, Mahdi Ali became President and began reorganizing engineering. Ali hired Bill Sydnes from the IBM PC team, who also had a hand in the failure of the PC Jr, to evaluate and streamline development. Gould continued to cycle executives in pursuit of short term stock gains, which weakened Commodore as it chased conflicting markets. Cost cutting turned the popular Amiga 500 into the poorly received A600, though the later A1200 fared better. Ali moved manufacturing to the Philippines after shutting down facilities in Hong Kong and Germany, but production was disrupted by the 1991 Mount Pinatubo eruption. Commodore finally collapsed and went bankrupt in 1994, ending one of the most turbulent stories in personal computing.

 

Pepsi Challenge: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkPjteYv4YI

Pepsi Challenge 1978: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEXEdibXSak

New Coke Conspiracy: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/HJ_6wewbDjk

Amiga 1000 & Sidecar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPfArIhoy0s

Amiga 2000: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=he_p8A7A1aU

Amiga 2000 HD Professional Demo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=keG2KdQHC6s

Amiga 500 Bundles: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bc5gpyA6SjQ

Amiga 500 Batman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iM2SCzt73s0

Amiga 500 Overview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVZrL4k1los

Commodore C65: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoHxDe3Gc9E

Leonard Nimoy Laserdisc: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJ5msrmf5Tw

Amiga 3000: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzA5AhH1mbw

History of the Amiga 1992 Documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zq1s77nzpYk

Amiga 600: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5svNq2grTEU

Amiga 500 vs Amiga 1200: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFh4zuNUyMg

Amiga CDTV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQW6upDCRFI

Mount Pinatubo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjDDdYM4x0s

Planer Computer Graphics: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planar_(computer_graphics)

Amiga CD32: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJU4TZhj0e8

 

 

 

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

 

TCW Email: [email protected] 

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/