Best David Kassin Podcasts (2025)

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Ep.265 – Heroes in the Cockpit: Chris Roberts and the Making of Wing Commander (1990) 56:09

Play Pause

5h ago56:09

56:09

In 1990, Origin Systems released Wing Commander, Chris Roberts’ groundbreaking space combat simulator that aimed to feel like a movie you could play. We trace Roberts’ path from teenage programmer on the BBC Micro to his time at Origin, where Times of Lore shaped his cinematic ambitions. The episode explores how Roberts taught himself 3D tricks, pi…

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Ep.264 – Storming the Beaches (and the Servers): How Battlefield 1942 Redefined Multiplayer Warfare 56:23

11d ago56:23

56:23

In 2002, Battlefield 1942 redefined multiplayer shooters by combining infantry, tanks, ships, and planes on massive, team-based maps. We rewind to the roots of DICE and Refraction Games, from digital pinball tables to the ambitious Codename Eagle, and how their merger set the stage for Battlefield’s debut. The episode highlights EA’s role in finall…

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Ep.263 – Swinging Through History: How Pitfall! Became the First Great Platformer 53:05

18d ago53:05

53:05

In 1982, David Crane pushed the Atari 2600 to its limits with only four kilobytes of memory, creating Pitfall!, a jungle adventure that became one of the system’s best-sellers. Our conversation traces Crane’s journey from Atari to co-founding Activision, his experiments that led to the iconic “running man” sprite, and the algorithm that generated 2…

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Ep.262 – Motorcycles and Mayhem - Road Rash’s Wild Ride 57:33

25d ago57:33

57:33

Kick, punch, and weave through traffic—this week we’re diving into Road Rash, the Genesis classic that turned ho-hum racing into all-out street brawling. We trace its unlikely origins from a scrapped Andretti sim to EA’s rebellious in-house hit, unpacking the tech tricks behind those winding roads and the decision to make wipeouts cartoonishly fun.…

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Ep.261 – Horror in Full Motion – Exploring the Nightmare World of Phantasmagoria 59:42

1M ago59:42

59:42

In 1995, Roberta Williams trades fairy tales for fear with Phantasmagoria, a seven-disc FMV horror epic that looks like a movie and plays like an adventure. We talk about how Sierra built a real film studio, shot actors on bluescreen, and composited them into 1,000+ CG backdrops to create its eerie mansion setting. We also dig into the controversy:…

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Ep.260 – Tactical Revolution - Rainbow Six and the Birth of Tactical Shooters 56:32

1M ago56:32

56:32

Today, we’re breaching into the tactical world of Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six, the 1998 game that redefined the first-person shooter genre with its emphasis on realism, planning, and precision. We begin by tracing the origins of Red Storm Entertainment, born from Tom Clancy’s desire to bring his military fiction to the digital battlefield. Then, we ex…

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Ep.259 – Flat Out Fun - The Story of Paper Mario 54:07

2M ago54:07

54:07

Today, we’re flattening expectations with Paper Mario, the 2000 RPG that reimagined the Mushroom Kingdom through a papercraft lens. We begin by tracing its origins as a follow-up to Super Mario RPG, developed after Square’s departure from Nintendo. Then, we’ll explore how Intelligent Systems overcame the limitations of the Nintendo 64 to create a c…

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Ep.258 – The Mana Legacy - The History of Secret of Mana 57:53

2M ago57:53

57:53

Revisit the lush world of Secret of Mana (1993), the SNES action RPG that redefined real-time combat and cooperative play in the genre. Born from the ashes of a canceled CD-ROM project, this episode explores how development constraints transformed a once-massive vision into a streamlined yet unforgettable experience. We trace the Mana series’ roots…

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Ep.257 – Talking Fish - Seaman's Quirky Evolution 54:33

2M ago54:33

54:33

Today, we’re diving into the weird, witty world of Seaman, the 1999 Dreamcast simulation that let players raise a bizarre, human-faced fish—and talk to it. We begin by exploring the career of Yoot Saito, from his early days in experimental media to the creation of SimTower and the founding of his own studio, Vivarium. Then, we’ll chart the developm…

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Ep.256 – Twin Galaxies and Teamwork - How the U.S. National Video Game Team Made History 1:12:56

2M ago1:12:56

1:12:56

Today, we’re suiting up with the U.S. National Video Game Team, a pioneering force that helped turn competitive gaming into a legitimate sport. We begin by exploring the roots of the team in the early 1980s, from Twin Galaxies’ arcade leaderboard to Walter Day’s dream of creating an Olympic-style squad of elite gamers. Then, we trace the team’s ris…

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Ep.255 – The Force of Storytelling - Knights of the Old Republic’s Legacy 1:02:30

2M ago1:02:30

1:02:30

Today, we’re heading to a galaxy far, far away to explore Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, the 2003 RPG that let players shape their own destiny as Jedi or Sith. We begin by tracing BioWare’s rise—from educational software to RPG juggernaut—and how their partnership with LucasArts gave birth to a story set thousands of years before the films…

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Ep.254 – Portal to the Unknown - How Prey Finally Found Its Form 55:44

3M ago55:44

55:44

Today, we’re navigating shifting gravity and even shakier development timelines as we dive into Prey, the 2006 sci-fi shooter that took over a decade—and four complete overhauls—to reach players. We begin by exploring the ambitious origins of the original Prey, from 3D Realms’ early aspirations for a revolutionary 3D engine to a series of failed pr…

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Ep.253 – A Bear, A Bird, and a Classic - The Story of Banjo-Kazooie 58:57

3M ago58:57

58:57

In this week’s episode, we explore the whimsical world of Banjo-Kazooie (1998), Rare’s beloved 3D platformer that helped define the Nintendo 64 era. We trace its surprising evolution from a scrapped RPG called Project Dream into a genre-defining collect-a-thon starring a bear and a bird. Along the way, we look at how Rare pivoted in response to Sup…

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Ep.252 – Sanity Slips Away - The Psychological Horror of Eternal Darkness 1:04:08

3M ago1:04:08

1:04:08

Today, we’re descending into the depths of Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem, the 2002 GameCube classic that dared to blur the line between player and character. We begin by exploring how Canadian developer Silicon Knights transitioned from strategy games to psychological horror under the guidance of Denis Dyack, with Eternal Darkness evolving fro…

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Ep.251 – Scalpel, Please - The Story of Trauma Center (with Ryan Shepherd) 59:47

3M ago59:47

59:47

Today, we’re scrubbing in for a deep dive into the Trauma Center series, Atlus’ bold foray into surgical simulation that began with Under the Knife on the Nintendo DS. We begin by exploring how a team of RPG veterans—best known for their work on Shin Megami Tensei and Persona—pivoted from demons and dungeons to scalpels and styluses, inspired by th…

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Ep.250 – Hail to the Wait - The Long Road to Duke Nukem Forever 1:00:49

4M ago1:00:49

1:00:49

Today, we’re tracing the radioactive legacy of Duke Nukem Forever, the infamously delayed sequel that became the poster child for development hell. We begin by revisiting the success of Duke Nukem 3D and how 3D Realms’ ambition to create a bigger, bolder follow-up spiraled into a 15-year odyssey of missed deadlines, engine swaps, and studio turmoil…

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Ep.249 – Ribbit and Rage - The Legacy of Battletoads 53:50

4M ago53:50

53:50

Today, we’re leaping into the outrageous world of Battletoads, Rare’s 1991 beat-‘em-up that combined over-the-top action with punishing difficulty and a heavy dose of ‘90s attitude. We begin by exploring how Rare’s founders reverse-engineered the Famicom to win over Nintendo, setting the stage for their prolific NES era. Then, we’ll dive into the o…

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Ep.248 – Warfare on the Map - Dota and the Origins of MOBAs 52:35

4M ago52:35

52:35

Today, we’re diving into the origins of Defense of the Ancients—better known as DOTA—and tracing the birth of the MOBA genre. We begin by exploring how a humble Warcraft III mod, inspired by the StarCraft custom map Aeon of Strife, redefined competitive gaming with its hero-focused gameplay and team-based strategy. Then, we’ll follow its evolution …

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Ep.247 – Joanna's Dark Mission - The Story of Perfect Dark 57:49

4M ago57:49

57:49

Today, we’re infiltrating dataDyne and stepping into the world of Perfect Dark, Rare’s ambitious 2000 sci-fi shooter that aimed to build upon the success of GoldenEye 007. We begin by exploring the origins of Rare and the technical innovations that defined Perfect Dark, from its enhanced N64 engine and real-time lighting to its pioneering use of AI…

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Ep.246 – E3 Unplugged - A Look Back at Gaming's Premiere Event 56:53

5M ago56:53

56:53

Today, we’re taking center stage to explore the rise and fall of E3—the Electronic Entertainment Expo—which debuted in 1995 and quickly became the most important annual event in the video game industry. We begin by uncovering its origins, tracing back to congressional hearings on video game violence, the formation of the ESRB, and the industry’s de…

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Ep.245 – A Galaxy Far Far Away - Early Star Wars Video Games 58:15

5M ago58:15

58:15

Today, we’re heading to a galaxy far, far away to explore the origins of Star Wars and its earliest ventures into video games, starting with the iconic Star Wars Arcade game from 1983. We begin by tracing George Lucas’s long road to bringing his space opera to life, from rejected drafts and studio rejections to the scrappy production that nearly di…

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Ep.244 – The Scrolls Unfold - Exploring the Legacy of Morrowind 58:40

5M ago58:40

58:40

Today, we’re venturing into the alien landscapes of The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind, Bethesda’s groundbreaking 2002 RPG that redefined the open-world genre. We start by exploring the game's origins, tracing how a canceled tournament fighter evolved into a fully immersive fantasy epic—and how Bethesda’s ambitions were scaled down from Daggerfall’s …

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Ep.243 – Where in the World - Carmen Sandiego's Enduring Legacy 57:43

5M ago57:43

57:43

Today, we’re chasing clues across the globe as we dive into Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?, the 1985 edutainment classic that turned geography into a globe-trotting adventure. We begin by exploring the origins of Brøderbund Software and how two Harvard-educated brothers—one a lawyer, the other a Swedish basketball coach—built one of the mos…

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Ep.242 – Painted Legends - The Mythical World of Okami 58:00

5M ago58:00

58:00

Today, we’re painting a picture of Ōkami, the 2006 action-adventure game that transformed Japanese mythology into a living watercolor masterpiece. We begin by exploring how Hideki Kamiya, fresh off titles like Devil May Cry and Viewtiful Joe, sought to create something more peaceful and healing—an idea that evolved into a game about the sun goddess…

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Ep.241 – The Horror of Silence - The Mysteries of D 55:54

6M ago55:54

55:54

Today, we’re diving into the eerie and unconventional world of D, the 1995 psychological horror game that blurred the lines between cinema and interactivity. We begin by exploring the life and legacy of its creator, Kenji Eno, a bold and unpredictable developer whose rebellious spirit defined his work and studio, Warp. Then, we unpack the fascinati…

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Ep.240 – Hip Hop Smackdown - Def Jam Takes the Ring 54:53

6M ago54:53

54:53

Today, we’re stepping into the ring with Def Jam Vendetta, the 2003 cult classic that fused hip-hop culture with over-the-top wrestling action. We begin by tracing the game’s unexpected origins, from a canceled WCW wrestling title to a brainstorming session that accidentally sparked a genre-defying idea. Then, we explore how developer AKI Corporati…

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Ep.239 – Disney Meets Final Fantasy - The History of Kingdom Hearts 1:01:08

6M ago1:01:08

1:01:08

Today, we’re unlocking the magic behind Kingdom Hearts, the beloved action RPG that brought together Disney’s charm and Final Fantasy’s epic storytelling when it debuted in 2002. We’ll start by exploring the unlikely origins of the series, from a chance elevator pitch to Tetsuya Nomura’s bold vision for a game inspired by Super Mario 64. Then, we’l…

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Ep.238 – Picture Perfect - Exploring the World of Pokemon Snap 1:01:04

6M ago1:01:04

1:01:04

Today, we’re taking a nostalgic ride through Pokémon Snap, the beloved photography-based spinoff released for the Nintendo 64 in 1999. We start by exploring its unexpected origins as Jack and the Beanstalk, a game designed for the ill-fated 64DD before Pokémon was introduced to give it focus. Then, we’ll examine its unique gameplay, from its on-rai…

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Ep.237 – Springfield in Pixels - The Simpsons in Gaming 56:34

7M ago56:34

56:34

Today, we’re heading to Springfield to explore the early days of The Simpsons in video games, starting with the iconic Simpsons Arcade Game released in 1991. We begin by uncovering Matt Groening’s journey from underground cartoonist to television icon, leading to The Simpsons becoming a pop culture phenomenon. Then, we’ll dive into the wave of Simp…

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Ep.236 – The Wonders of the Swan - Bandai's Handheld Journey 52:55

7M ago52:55

52:55

Today, we’re exploring the Bandai WonderSwan, an innovative handheld console released in 1999 and designed by the legendary Gunpei Yokoi. We’ll start by uncovering how Bandai entered the gaming market and Yokoi’s design philosophy of “lateral thinking with withered technology.” Then, we’ll examine the WonderSwan’s unique features, including its lon…

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Ep.235 – Episode 235: On the Frontlines - Command and Conquer Goes First Person 56:02

7M ago56:02

56:02

Today, we’re diving into Command & Conquer: Renegade, the 2002 spinoff that took the beloved real-time strategy franchise into the first-person shooter genre. We start by exploring the origins of Command & Conquer at Westwood Studios and how the team sought to expand the universe beyond its RTS roots. Then, we’ll examine how Renegade blended fast-p…

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Ep.234 – Choices in the Storm - David Cage and the Art of Interactive Drama 58:22

7M ago58:22

58:22

Today, we’re diving into Heavy Rain, the 2010 interactive drama that redefined storytelling in video games. We start by exploring the career of David Cage, from his early days as a musician to founding Quantic Dream and pioneering narrative-driven gameplay. Then, we’ll examine Heavy Rain’s groundbreaking mechanics, including its choice-driven story…

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Ep.233 – Get in, Sit Down, and Hang On - The Wild Ride of Crazy Taxi 53:42

8M ago53:42

53:42

Today, we’re taking a high-speed ride through the chaotic world of Crazy Taxi, Sega’s arcade classic first released in 1999. We start by exploring its origins at Sega AM3, where developers set out to break arcade conventions by rewarding skillful players with more game time. Then, we’ll dive into its fast-paced gameplay, iconic punk-rock soundtrack…

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Ep.232 – The Birth of Souls - The Legacy of Demon's Souls 1:00:48

8M ago1:00:48

1:00:48

Today, we’re venturing into the dark and punishing world of Demon’s Souls, the game that laid the foundation for the Souls-like genre. We start by exploring its troubled development, from its rocky start at FromSoftware to how Hidetaka Miyazaki rescued the project and reshaped it into a unique, challenging experience. Then, we’ll dive into its inno…

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Ep.231 – Expanding the Quest - The Legacy of the Dragon Warrior Trilogy 54:55

8M ago54:55

54:55

Today, we’re journeying back to the origins of one of the most influential RPG franchises of all time as we explore the Dragon Warrior trilogy in celebration of the anniversary of Dragon Warrior II. We’ll start by uncovering how Dragon Warrior (known as Dragon Quest in North America) emerged from a programming contest and a vision to bring Western-…

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Ep.230 – Tilted Through Time - The History of Pinball 1:01:22

8M ago1:01:22

1:01:22

Today, we’re tracing the rich history of pinball, a timeless game that began as a tabletop amusement in 18th-century France and evolved into a cultural phenomenon. We’ll explore its transformation from early bagatelle tables to electrified arcade staples, touching on pivotal innovations like flippers, tilt mechanisms, and multi-level playfields. Al…

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Ep.229 – Reinventing Fear - The Evolution of Resident Evil 4 1:00:05

9M ago1:00:05

1:00:05

Today, we’re diving into the creation of Resident Evil 4, a title that redefined both its franchise and the survival horror genre upon its release on January 11, 2005. We begin by tracing its long development, from multiple abandoned concepts like the fog and Hookman versions to its eventual breakthrough with an over-the-shoulder camera and action-…

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Ep.228 – Apocalyptic Artistry - The Creation of Darksiders 53:10

9M ago53:10

53:10

Today, we’re exploring the story behind Darksiders, an action-adventure game released in 2010 that blends mythology, exploration, and intense combat. We’ll uncover the tale of Vigil Games, the passionate studio that began with a vision of bringing the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse to life, despite challenges and early failures. Then, we’ll delve …

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Ep.227 – Fighters of the Polygonal Arena - Battle Arena Toshinden's 3D Revolution 49:34

9M ago49:34

49:34

Today, we’re stepping back to 1995 to explore Battle Arena Toshinden, a trailblazing 3D fighting game that debuted as a launch title for the Sony PlayStation. We start by uncovering its origins as a collaboration between Takara and Tamsoft, and its role in showcasing the potential of early 3D gaming with weapon-based combat and groundbreaking sides…

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Ep.226 – 2024 - Year in Review 29:46

9M ago29:46

29:46

Today, we’re wrapping up an incredible year by reflecting on some of the most iconic moments in gaming history that we explored in 2024. From celebrating the anniversaries of beloved titles like Minecraft and World of Warcraft to diving into foundational classics like Zork and the Atari 2600, it’s been a year filled with memorable milestones. We al…

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Ep.225 – The Forgotten Realm 57:29

9M ago57:29

57:29

Today, we’re stepping into the Forgotten Realms to explore Baldur’s Gate, the iconic role-playing game first released on December 21, 1998. We’ll start by uncovering the origins of BioWare, from their humble beginnings as a small team of D&D enthusiasts to their ambitious vision for a groundbreaking RPG. Then, we’ll delve into the game’s developmen…

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Ep.224 – British Gangster Gaming 56:28

10M ago56:28

56:28

Today, we’re diving into The Getaway, an ambitious action-adventure game released for the PlayStation 2 on December 11, 2002. We’ll begin by exploring its origins at Team Soho, Sony’s London-based studio, and their mission to create a cinematic, open-world experience that faithfully recreated 10 square miles of London. Then, we’ll look at how The G…

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Ep.223 – First Person Sneaker 54:29

10M ago54:29

54:29

Today, we’re delving into the shadows to explore Thief: The Dark Project, a groundbreaking stealth game first released on December 1, 1998. We’ll start by uncovering the game’s origins at Looking Glass Studios, tracing its evolution from Cold War zombie concepts to Arthurian legends before settling into its unique identity as a stealth-based master…

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Ep.222 – Robin Hood Strikes Again 52:37

10M ago52:37

52:37

Today, we’re journeying to the heart of Sherwood Forest to explore the legendary figure of Robin Hood and his fascinating appearances throughout video game history. We start by uncovering the origins of Robin Hood as a mythical figure born out of England’s turbulent medieval times, delving into his transformation into a symbol of rebellion against …

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Ep.221 – Where'd My Time Go? 1:00:33

10M ago1:00:33

1:00:33

Today, we’re journeying to Azeroth to explore World of Warcraft, Blizzard’s groundbreaking MMORPG that launched on November 23, 2004. We start by delving into Blizzard’s history, from their early success with the Warcraft franchise to the development challenges that led to the creation of WoW. Then, we’ll discuss how WoW revolutionized the genre wi…

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Ep.220 – Microsoft Enters the War 59:47

11M ago59:47

59:47

Today, we’re taking a look back at Microsoft’s game-changing entry into the console market with the original Xbox, launched on November 15, 2001. We start by exploring how Microsoft, traditionally a software giant, was driven to create a gaming console in response to Sony's PlayStation 2, and how a team of engineers used Microsoft’s DirectX technol…

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Ep.219 – Middle Management Gaming 52:59

11M ago52:59

52:59

Today, we’re traveling back to 1999 to explore Shenmue, Yu Suzuki’s groundbreaking open-world adventure for the Sega Dreamcast. We’ll start by uncovering Suzuki’s journey from arcade classics to his vision of Shenmue as a fully immersive experience, filled with real-time weather, bustling NPCs, and a faithfully recreated Japanese town. Then, we’ll …

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Ep.218 – Turbo PCs 54:28

11M ago54:28

54:28

Today, we’re heading back to the late 80s to explore the NEC PC Engine, better known in North America as the TurboGrafx-16. We start by uncovering the partnership between NEC and Hudson Soft, whose collaboration resulted in one of the smallest yet most powerful consoles of its time. Then, we’ll look at the PC Engine’s innovative features, including…

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Ep.217 – GTA 3D 53:34

11M ago53:34

53:34

Today. we dive into the chaotic streets of Grand Theft Auto III, first released on October 22, 2001. We begin by exploring the game’s development, from its early prototype on the Sega Dreamcast to the pivotal decision to move it to the PlayStation 2, a change that would revolutionize open-world gaming. Along the way, we highlight the game's groundb…

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Ep.216 – Eww...Necromorphs 57:37

12M ago57:37

57:37

Today, we're plunging into the terrifying corridors of space to explore Dead Space, the survival horror classic that first debuted in October 2008. We begin by diving into the history of the game's development, including its unexpected origins as a potential System Shock 3 project, and the pivotal influences that shaped its shift into the sci-fi ho…