They Create Worlds cover art

They Create Worlds

They Create Worlds

Written by: Alex Smith and Jeffrey Daum
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The games we love reveal something true about who we are, and about the world that made them. They Create Worlds is a podcast about the people, technology, and forces that built the video game industry.

Through video game history, the show looks at how culture, business, and technology shaped what we play, tracing the choices and circumstances that led to the games so many people around the world enjoy.

Each episode digs into where games came from, who made them, and why they were made the way they were. Business decisions, technological shifts, and creative choices all shaped what ended up on screen, and the show covers all of it together, not just one piece in isolation.

Hosted by Alex Smith and Jeffrey Daum, They Create Worlds grew out of long conversations about the strange corners of the industry and the patterns that only show up when you look across companies, platforms, and decades. That conversational feel remains, built on careful research, clear structure and editing that makes even the deepest topics easy to listen to.

History turns out to be less settled than it looks. New documents surface, memories conflict, and the clean stories about why things happened the way they did rarely survive contact with the evidence. The show digs into all of that, following the creative and business forces that pushed and pulled on each other, and uncovering the human stories that lie beneath the games so many people around the world enjoy.

New episodes are released twice a month.

Copyright 2015-2026 . All rights reserved.
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Episodes
  • The 10 Best Selling Atari Games
    Sep 15 2026
    TCW Podcast Episode 266 - The 10 Best Selling Atari Games An internal Atari document visible in the background of the documentary Once Upon Atari provides a rare look at the company’s best-selling VCS games during the years leading up to, and just after, the video game crash. The Atari VCS was designed around just two player graphics, two missile graphics, and a ball, yet its most successful games pushed that limited hardware in new directions. These games were created by a diverse group of programmers who found new ways to expand what the system could do. By examining sales figures across multiple years, including the net sales of individual games, the document reveals both the titles that defined Atari’s commercial success and the real impact of the crash on the company. There are also surprises in the list, including a driving game, two takes on the Pac-Man concept, and the fact that Atari’s most successful game was not a failure. Once Upon Atari: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0389237/ Atari Archive: https://www.youtube.com/@AtariArchive/search Super Breakout (Atari 2600): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjpOaPxU0rs Missile Command (Atari 2600): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24vQuyrwTQ0 Vanguard (Atari 2600): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewQDKtc1i-4 Street Racer (Atari 2600): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCSYY1kK9so Yar's Revenge (Atari 2600): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBHrU65JDF4 Video Olympics (Atari 2600): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZOn9OIN_r4 Circus (Atari 2600): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twnPnn_-Rm0 Raiders of the Lost Ark (Atari 2600): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLqi0F_wQcs Air Sea Battle (Atari 2600): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0l0AQ5LuvQM Bowling (Atari 2600): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrvEDIcMZnI Football (Atari 2600): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ao8PkhQZ8TI Video Pinball (Atari 2600): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ycwy0iDjDLw Centipede (Atari 2600): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNfhqTGvFWg Asteroids (Atari 2600): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgCwCLQFzWs TCW 217 - Ed Logg: https://www.theycreateworlds.com/episodes/TCW217-the-games-of-ed-logg TCW 241 - The First 10 Years of European Consoles: https://www.theycreateworlds.com/episodes/TCW241-the-first-10-years-of-european-consoles Asteroids Commercial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6oUWACx1Mo Breakout (Atari 2600): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5AKyI3neQk ET (Atari 2600): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmrQkQsM9FU TCW 104 - A Holistic View of ET: https://www.theycreateworlds.com/episodes/TCW104-a-holistic-view-of-et TCW 202 - Advanced Balls and Paddles Part 2: https://www.theycreateworlds.com/episodes/TCW202-advanced-balls-and-paddles-part-2 Warlords (Atari 2600): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDzQ8QhGJdY Berzerk (Atari 2600): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5cXL5fCdK8 TCW 102 - Stern Electronics: https://www.theycreateworlds.com/episodes/TCW102-stern-electronics Night Driver (Atari 2600): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNk52A0dWto Mrs Pac Man (Atari 2600): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=us2WUK8bUC8 Defender & Chopper Command (Atari 2600): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsWHav1U3lQ Space Invaders (Atari 2600): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ad3TLYZOI-M Pac-Man (Atari 2600): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pop1E2DidVQ Dragon Warrior Commercial 1989: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qL5_3EhqK8 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 53 mins
  • Hasbro Interactive
    Sep 1 2026
    TCW Podcast Episode 265 - Hasbro Interactive Hasbro began as a family business selling textile remnants and pencil boxes before expanding into school supplies, children’s art products, and toys. Innovations such as Mr. Potato Head established the company as a toy maker, while G.I. Joe became a major success before the Vietnam War damaged its popularity and left Hasbro in a precarious position. The company avoided Atari’s early console market during this period, only to return to prominence in the 1980s through G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, Transformers, and the acquisition of Milton Bradley. Later, Hasbro’s purchase of Tonka brought Tom Dusenberry into the company. His enthusiasm for video games and belief in the potential of Windows 95 led to the formation of Hasbro Interactive, beginning with a successful adaptation of Monopoly developed by Westwood Studios. The division expanded through games such as Frogger, whose appearance on Seinfeld came after the show’s producers sought Dusenberry’s permission. He agreed so Hasbro could ensure stores were heavily stocked with the game when the episode aired. Dusenberry also secured the games.com domain as Hasbro Interactive prepared to launch an internet portal. The company then moved through a rapid series of acquisitions, including Atari Corporation, MicroProse, Avalon Hill, and Wizards of the Coast. Hasbro Interactive became the third-largest game publisher by 1998, but growing concern over retail returns, a downturn in Hasbro’s toy business, and changing priorities within the company ultimately led to its sale to Infogrames as the dot-com bubble burst. TNG - It is Green: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6k_9qZtzjY Mr. Potato Head (1960s): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICGrjmJouWA The Story of G.I. Joe 1945 Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0XDlHb8w2U The Story of G.I Joe Movie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWN0eEgYnuc 1960's G.I. Joe Commercials: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9X382bCvVvo&list=PLfajEMFGfE5iOrphlddDTxw4o7wIgWha6 G.I. Joe Marvel Comics Animation Commercials: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXY8BMXDKSA G.I.Joe A Real American Hero (NES): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccctePkN7w4 TCW 133 - Rolling Dice With the Parker Brothers: https://www.theycreateworlds.com/episodes/TCW133-rolling-dice-with-the-parker-brothers G.I. Joe Cobra Strike (Atari 2600): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrCuBJDPy8Y TCW 262 - Vectrex: https://www.theycreateworlds.com/episodes/TCW262-vectrex Why the world went nuts for Windows 95: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ol8ZSE-PEk Monopoly (Windows 95): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EN8bFQwNQuU Risk (PC): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfQI0FxGegk Frogger (PSX): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqL6uqfvtt8 Frogger (Windows): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGoivXOUA-0 Hasbro Interactive Frogger TV News Story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYqDRkhmP_8 Seinfeld - The Frogger: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5etwHVarNgI Centipede (PSX): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ab-F_fCJXiE TCW 192 - Microprose Part 1: https://www.theycreateworlds.com/episodes/TCW192-microprose-part-1 TCW 193 - Microprose Part 2: https://www.theycreateworlds.com/episodes/TCW193-microprose-part-2 TCW 050 - Civilizing Sid Meier: https://www.theycreateworlds.com/episodes/TCW050-civilizing-sid-meier PacMan - Adventures in Time (PC): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wF1mSc1tEA4 Q*Bert (PSX): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XvceGQ02mA Roller Coaster Tycoon (PC/Windows): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPSSsU8SXcE Furby Commercial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHWcBbf0Eng TCW 064 - Rise and Fall of Infogrames Part 1: https://www.theycreateworlds.com/episodes/TCW064-rise-and-fall-of-infogrames-part-1 TCW 065 - The Rise and Fall of Infogrames Part 2: https://www.theycreateworlds.com/episodes/TCW065-the-rise-and-fall-of-infogrames-part-2 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 39 mins
  • Knights of the Old Republic
    Aug 15 2026
    TCW Podcast Episode 264 - Knights of the Old Republic Knights of the Old Republic did not simply bring Star Wars to the role-playing game format. It was BioWare’s effort to build a cinematic RPG in a part of the galaxy far enough from the films to tell a new story, while drawing on decades of Expanded Universe worldbuilding, tabletop systems, and the storytelling model popularized by Timothy Zahn’s Thrawn trilogy. This episode examines how BioWare combined a fully voiced cast, real-time-with-pause combat built on the Star Wars d20 system, cinematic presentation, and a story structured around one of gaming’s most famous twists to create a major hit. We then follow the business decision that sent the sequel to Obsidian Entertainment on an aggressive schedule, exploring how The Sith Lords developed its darker ideas about the Force, choice, and predestination, why its unfinished release became central to its legacy, and how the series’ path toward a third game came to an end. TCW 108 - Adventuring With LucasArts Part 1: https://www.theycreateworlds.com/episodes/TCW108-adventuring-with-lucasarts-part-1 TCW 109 - Adventuring With LucasArts Part 2: https://www.theycreateworlds.com/episodes/TCW109-adventuring-with-lucasarts-part-2 TCW 204 - Exploring The Mass Effect: https://www.theycreateworlds.com/episodes/TCW204-exploring-the-mass-effect TCW 205 - Shepherd's Mass Effect 2 & 3: https://www.theycreateworlds.com/episodes/TCW205-shepherds-mass-effect-2-and-3 TCW 233 - Baldur's Gate: https://www.theycreateworlds.com/episodes/TCW233-baldurs-gate The Ewok Adventure - Cavern of Courage (Trailer): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2OaBk89KyU Why the Thrawn Trilogy is Great!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haBxgD3vJ4c West End Games - Star Wars: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Snh9D_hUp30 West End Games Guide: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNGGAdVHJcE Celebrating 20 Years of Star Wars: KOTOR With the Iconic RPG's Canadian Creators: https://mobilesyrup.com/2023/07/13/star-wars-knights-of-the-old-republic-20th-anniversary-canadian-developers-interview/ Dark Horse Tales of the Jedi: https://archive.org/details/star-wars-tales-of-the-jedi-collection_20211001_1515/Tales%20of%20the%20Jedi%20%231/ KOTOR 1 - Revelation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xc6eDFobJXg Neverwinter Nights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeO6SuOtjUQ The Basics of Cinematography: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rAe8RuICYM Film Making Basics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFwMRVwrKcA The 180 Rule Explained: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcCbPZUimbc The Secrets to Writing Compelling Plot Twists: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHbOVOZWhZM HK-47 (KOTOR 1): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vg1gTas7OAA HK-47 (KOTOR 2): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CqpGfWrmc4 The Littlest Hobo (S1 E10): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blDP8AtvyaI KOTOR TV Commercial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7Z2wqSasxU KOTOR Xbox Intro Gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6F3gGiTfgzU KOTOR 2 - Star Wars Criticism Done Well: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIkD35vHZG8 KOTOR 2 Theory Might Blow Your Mind: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyEOa1jHaAs WTF Were Kreia's Goals During KOTOR 2?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHUhHDEX0J4 KOTOR 2 Intro Gamplay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRY_k5NoS8Y 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 27 mins
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