Video Game History Hour
- Episodes
- 145
- Released
- every two weeks
- Latest episode
- Nov 5, 2026
About the podcast
Industry expert Frank Cifaldi, Executive Director of the Video Game History Foundation, brings on fellow content creators, game developers, video game historians, and storytellers to teach us a little bit about video game history. Our casual, “chatting over coffee” style interviews let us see the true life of a researcher: bang-your-head-against-a-wall dead-ends, “I can’t believe no one’s told this story before” moments, the thrill of sharing incredible history with the world, and more. Pull up a chair and join us!
Episodes 145
Episode 167: PRGE & Gail Tilden’s Pokémon Work
This two-part episode features both a post mortem of PRGE 2026 (Portland Retro Gaming Expo) and a recording of our panel chat with Gail Tilden, formerly of Nintendo of America (NOA), about launching Pokémon in …
Show notes
This two-part episode features both a post mortem of PRGE 2026 (Portland Retro Gaming Expo) and a recording of our panel chat with Gail Tilden, formerly of Nintendo of America (NOA), about launching Pokémon in the U.S.
Part One: Guests Steve Lin, founding board member, and Chris Kohler, Editorial Director of Digital Eclipse, noticed a quieter sales year filled with prized collections, a surge in card sellers, very few standard consoles for sale, and a fully booked kitten cuddle tent.
Part Two: Gail Tilden, formerly at Nintendo Power and NOA, broke down the massive undertaking of localizing the franchise, managing the fallout from Japan's infamous Porygon anime episode, and turning a simple Game Boy title into a multi-billion-dollar cultural phenomenon. Gail and Frank discuss where retro gaming is heading and how a pocket-sized phenomenon conquered America.
You can listen to the Video Game History Hour every other Wednesday on Patreon (one day early at the $5 tier and above), on Spotify, or on our website.
See more from Chris Kohler:
Bluesky: @kohler.bsky.social
Website: www.chriskohler.biz
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Chris-Kohler/e/B001IOFJPI%3F
See more from Steve Lin:
Bluesky: @stevelin.bsky.social
Video Game History Foundation:
Email: [email protected]
Website: gamehistory.org
Support us on Patreon: /gamehistoryorg
Episode 166: Colin Williamson Photography Collection of Japanese Game Culture
We’re joined by Colin Williamson as we introduce his newly launched photography collection in our digital archive. Colin’s former work in games journalism while living in Japan afforded him a front row seat to …
Show notes
We’re joined by Colin Williamson as we introduce his newly launched photography collection in our digital archive. Colin’s former work in games journalism while living in Japan afforded him a front row seat to the launch of the Sega Dreamcast, PlayStation 2, rise of Pokémania, and more. This treasure trove of photographs documents the Japanese gaming scene from 1999 to 2005 at events like Tokyo Game Show, the JAMMA Show, and Nintendo Space World. We peek behind the industry curtain as Colin shares what it was like interviewing legends like Hideo Kojima, dealing with corporate PR handlers, and forming real friendships with developers. Finally, we cap off the episode with a pseudo digital-archaeology quest tracking down missing footage of a 2005 Electroplankton exhibition.
*This episode has a follow-up bonus episode available to our paid tier Patreon members.
You can listen to the Video Game History Hour every other Wednesday on Patreon (one day early at the $5 tier and above), on Spotify, or on our website.
See more from Colin Williamson:
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/colinwilliamson.bsky.social
Video Game History Foundation:
Email: [email protected]
Website: gamehistory.org
Support us on Patreon: /gamehistoryorg
Episode 162: Roberta Vaughn’s Retro Adventures
Library Director Phil Salvador is joined by guests Heather Fryling and Daniel Greenberg to discuss Roberta Vaughn’s Retro Adventures, a nonprofit organization that creates traveling, living exhibits focused on …
Show notes
Library Director Phil Salvador is joined by guests Heather Fryling and Daniel Greenberg to discuss Roberta Vaughn’s Retro Adventures, a nonprofit organization that creates traveling, living exhibits focused on the history of adventure games and entertainment. The RVRA, founded to honor the legacy of adventure games collector and enthusiast Roberta Vaughn, travels to conventions like Portland Retro Game Expo and PAX West to share their curated exhibits, original interviews, and special guest appearances.
You can listen to the Video Game History Hour every other Wednesday on Patreon (one day early at the $5 tier and above), on Spotify, or on our website.
Mentioned in the Show:
Al Lowe’s wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Lowe
Classic Gamers Guild: https://www.facebook.com/ClassicGamersGuild/
See more from Heather Fryling:
Website: rvretro.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Roberta-Vaughans-Retro-Adventures/61580535638673/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-fryling-4336a0168
Email: [email protected]
See more from Daniel Greenberg:
Bluesky: @winterion.com
Email: info (at) winterion.com
Help Daniel plant trees: patreon.com/winterion
IONGAMING Live: twitch.tv/winterion
IONGAMING Back Episodes: youtube.com/winteriongamestudios
GMU Game Design: game.gmu.edu
Video Game History Foundation:
Email: [email protected]
Website: gamehistory.org
Support us on Patreon: /gamehistoryorg
Episode 161: Blizzard Digital Vault
Our library director Phil Salvador sits down for another What’s Your Deal? episode with Blizzard’s senior digital archivist, Leah Williams, to discuss her critical work of preserving their modern video game …
Show notes
Our library director Phil Salvador sits down for another What’s Your Deal? episode with Blizzard’s senior digital archivist, Leah Williams, to discuss her critical work of preserving their modern video game history. In this episode:
Leah’s unconventional path to digital games preservation
Managing art, UI, and visual FX
Collaborating with engineers and metadata experts
Why discoverability matters for legacy assets
Building vital relationships across game studios
Navigating AI tagging and digital preservation challenges
Mentioned in the show:
YouTube 35th year anniversary 35’ table Blizzard: The Next Chapter
You can listen to the Video Game History Hour every other Wednesday on Patreon (one day early at the $5 tier and above), on Spotify, or on our website.
See more from Leah Williams:
LinkedIn: /leah-williams
Video Game History Foundation:
Email: [email protected]
Website: gamehistory.org
Support us on Patreon: /gamehistoryorg
Episode 160: Founding E3
Phil Salvador hosts a special episode of the Video Game History Hour featuring Carolyn Rauch and Doug Lowenstein to discuss the origins and evolution of the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3).As the former …
Show notes
Phil Salvador hosts a special episode of the Video Game History Hour featuring Carolyn Rauch and Doug Lowenstein to discuss the origins and evolution of the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3).
As the former senior vice president of the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), Carolyn managed E3 for roughly two decades. Doug, the ESA's founder and former president, joins her to recount the organization’s 1994 founding. Together, they explain how the industry responded to the video game violence panic along with its legislative threats and how poor placement at the annual CES tradeshow led to the creation of E3.
We discuss the massive challenges of organizing the inaugural 1995 expo, including the critical task of securing industry giants like Nintendo and Sega; E3's eventual shift toward a consumer-focused format; its massive economic impact on Los Angeles; and the unexpected legal challenges surrounding the iconic E3 logo.
You can listen to the Video Game History Hour every other Wednesday on Patreon (one day early at the $5 tier and above), on Spotify, or on our website.
Video Game History Foundation:
Email: [email protected]
Website: gamehistory.org
Support us on Patreon: /gamehistoryorg
Episode 159: Q1 & Q2 Update
This year’s first update starts off with the huge announcement of our newest team member, Meera Swanson, as Development Director. Meera shares some of her background as well as her vision for the rest of this …
Show notes
This year’s first update starts off with the huge announcement of our newest team member, Meera Swanson, as Development Director. Meera shares some of her background as well as her vision for the rest of this year as she establishes this new department. Phil overviews all the new collections we launched this year including additions to the GamePro CD collection, speaker audio cassettes from the 2nd ever Computer Game Developers’ Conference, and Neopets The Official Magazine. Robin reviews the podcast so far this year and what’s resonated both with her and others.
You can listen to the Video Game History Hour every other Wednesday on Patreon (one day early at the $5 tier and above), on Spotify, or on our website.
Video Game History Foundation:
Email: [email protected]
Website: gamehistory.org
Support us on Patreon: /gamehistoryorg
Episode 158: What’s Your Deal, Willem Hilhorst?
In this episode of the Video Game History Hour, host Phil Salvador interviews Willem Hilhorst, Media Manager for Games and Online at the Netherlands Institute for Sound & Vision regarding their video game …
Show notes
In this episode of the Video Game History Hour, host Phil Salvador interviews Willem Hilhorst, Media Manager for Games and Online at the Netherlands Institute for Sound & Vision regarding their video game preservation efforts within the context of an audiovisual media archive. Established in 1997, the institute manages a growing collection of over 500 digital and physical Dutch-connected games. Hilhorst outlines key initiatives like the Dutch Games Canon and the Treasure Room portal for out-of-commerce media. The discussion addresses the legal and structural challenges of long-term preservation alongside the role of national identity in software design. Using Ubisoft's early French influence on Rayman as a case study, Hilhorst highlights how local cultural elements translate to international audiences. Also in this episode: the non-game material held in the archive, the potential canon inclusion of Moon Child, and Hilhorst's external work for Nintendo World Report and EFGAMP.
You can listen to the Video Game History Hour every other Wednesday on Patreon (one day early at the $5 tier and above), on Spotify, or on our website.
Mentioned in the Show:
The Dutch Games Canon (please use translation for an English version): https://gamescanon.beeldengeluid.nl
"The Treasure Room" (Schatkamer) (requires a Dutch IP address or VPN): https://schatkamer.beeldengeluid.nl
The European Federation of Game Archives, Museums and Preservation Projects: https://efgamp.eu
Nintendo World Report: https://nintendoworldreport.com / https://youtube.com/@NinWRTV
Out of Commerce Works Portal: https://euipo.europa.eu/out-of-commerce/
Home Computer Museum: https://www.homecomputermuseum.nl/en/#intro
See more from Willem Hilhorst:
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/whilhorst.bsky.social
Sound & Vision Website: https://beeldengeluid.nl/en/
Video Game History Foundation:
Email: [email protected]
Website: gamehistory.org
Support us on Patreon: /gamehistoryorg
Episode 157: Our Library Practices
Library director Phil Salvador and producer Robin Kunimune take you through the process of preserving a collection of over 10,000 digital files from our GamePro CD collection. Phil discusses how he tackles …
Show notes
Library director Phil Salvador and producer Robin Kunimune take you through the process of preserving a collection of over 10,000 digital files from our GamePro CD collection. Phil discusses how he tackles physical and philosophical dilemmas such as balancing users’ needs to access original files of hi-res game art while also viewing quick, easy thumbnails researchers can actually open; dealing with broken or obsolete 90’s files types like old PSD/EPS files; automating bulk processing for as much data as we’re able; and balancing thorough, but concise, metadata for topics ranging from undersea wreckage salvage to hyper-specific local gaming slang. Phil and Robin also provide a sneak peak into the VGHF’s upcoming monster of a project, the Game Informer collection, and how this meager 10k file collection is really just a warm-up.
Mentioned in the Show: GamePro Press CD Collection
You can listen to the Video Game History Hour every other Wednesday on Patreon (one day early at the $5 tier and above), on Spotify, or on our website.
Video Game History Foundation:
Email: [email protected]
Website: gamehistory.org
Support us on Patreon: /gamehistoryorg
Episode 156: Read Only Memo
Host Frank Cifaldi is joined this week by Wes Fenlon, author of the bi-weekly newsletter Read Only Memo, which focuses on emulation, ROM hacks, translations, and decompilations. The two discuss the niche nature …
Show notes
Host Frank Cifaldi is joined this week by Wes Fenlon, author of the bi-weekly newsletter Read Only Memo, which focuses on emulation, ROM hacks, translations, and decompilations. The two discuss the niche nature of Wes’ content while he emphasizes the importance of emulation and fan translations, highlighting their role in making old games accessible. Wes and Frank get way into the weeds as they chat about the challenges and innovations in emulation, such as static recompilation and decompilation, the impact of companies like Nintendo on the emulation community, and the potential for fan-driven innovations to influence commercial retro game releases.
Mentioned in the show:
GitHub ShaderBeam and Blur Busters article - an overlay you can run over a window: https://github.com/mausimus/ShaderBeam
You can listen to the Video Game History Hour every other Wednesday on Patreon (one day early at the $5 tier and above), on Spotify, or on our website.
See more from Wes Fenlon:
Bluesky: @wes.readonlymemo.com
Newsletter: Read Only Memo
PC Gamer: pcgamer.com/author/wes-fenlon
Video Game History Foundation:
Email: [email protected]
Website: gamehistory.org
Support us on Patreon: /gamehistoryorgEpisode 155: What’s Your Deal, Lindsey Kurano?
In this episode, Phil Salvador sits down with Lindsey Kurano, the Curator of Electronic Games at The Strong Museum of Play, to explore the intricate world of video game preservation. Lindsay shares her …
Show notes
In this episode, Phil Salvador sits down with Lindsey Kurano, the Curator of Electronic Games at The Strong Museum of Play, to explore the intricate world of video game preservation. Lindsay shares her unconventional journey from a high school exchange student in Japan to a specialist in film preservation, and ultimately, a lead steward of gaming history.
We delve into the behind-the-scenes of museum life from building massive collections through donor outreach to the meticulous process of curating an engaging exhibit. In this episode, we also discuss her recent exhibit on Japanese indie games, the prioritization of preserving both hardware and software, how independent collectors and enthusiasts play a vital role in the preservation ecosystem, and a sneak peak at upcoming exhibits.
You can listen to the Video Game History Hour every other Wednesday on Patreon (one day early at the $5 tier and above), on Spotify, or on our website.
See more from Lindsey Kurano:
Bluesky: @lindseykurano.bsky.social
Email: lindseykurano (@) gmail.com
Video Game History Foundation:
Email: [email protected]
Website: gamehistory.org
Support us on Patreon: /gamehistoryorg
Episode 154: Sega in the 90’s: An Economic Post-Mortem
Historian Alex Smith (author and host of They Create Worlds) joins us to challenge the prevailing "Genesis does what Nintendon't" narrative. While Sega’s bravado captured the American imagination, the reality …
Show notes
Historian Alex Smith (author and host of They Create Worlds) joins us to challenge the prevailing "Genesis does what Nintendon't" narrative. While Sega’s bravado captured the American imagination, the reality behind the ledger was far more precarious. We dissect how aggressive price wars and a strengthening Japanese yen turned market-share victories into hollow financial gains, creating a "leaky bucket" that even Sonic couldn't outrun.
Our conversation traverses the internal friction between Sega of America and Sega of Japan, the fragmented rollout of the 32X and Saturn, and the precise moment when ambition collided with fiscal reality. It’s a deep dive into the corporate motivations and economic pressures that dictated the rise and decline of a hardware titan.
You can listen to the Video Game History Hour every other Wednesday on Patreon (one day early at the $5 tier and above), on Spotify, or on our website.
See more from Alex Smith:
Website: theycreateworlds.com
Blog: videogamehistorian.wordpress.com
Podcast: podcast.theycreateworlds.com
Video Game History Foundation:
Email: [email protected]
Website: gamehistory.org
Support us on Patreon: /gamehistoryorg
Episode 153: Sega Channel
Well before Xbox Game Pass or Steam, we had Sega Channel: a visionary service that delivered video games directly into homes via cable TV lines. This week, host Phil Salvador is joined by some of the team that …
Show notes
Well before Xbox Game Pass or Steam, we had Sega Channel: a visionary service that delivered video games directly into homes via cable TV lines. This week, host Phil Salvador is joined by some of the team that made the "impossible" happen: Michael Shorrock, Ray McFadden, and Willard Stanback.
In this mini Sega Channel reunion, the team discusses the technical hurdles of digital data distribution over 1990’s cable infrastructure, reminisces about the high-stakes world of game licensing, and shares how partnerships and the bold leadership of Stan Thomas shaped the service. We explore how transparency and community engagement turned a risky experiment into a beloved cult classic, and what the Sega Channel legacy tells us about the future of cloud gaming and subscription services today.
*This episode has a follow-up bonus episode available to our paid tier Patreon members.
You can listen to the Video Game History Hour every other Wednesday on Patreon (one day early at the $5 tier and above), on Spotify, or on our website.
Video Game History Foundation:
Email: [email protected]
Website: gamehistory.org
Support us on Patreon: /gamehistoryorg
Episode 152: Japanese Mobile Game Preservation
In this episode, host Phil Salvador is joined by two digital preservationists, Ellen Cooper and Max Solensky, to explore the world of Japanese mobile game preservation. Before app stores existed, Japan was …
Show notes
In this episode, host Phil Salvador is joined by two digital preservationists, Ellen Cooper and Max Solensky, to explore the world of Japanese mobile game preservation. Before app stores existed, Japan was living in the future thanks to i-mode: a 1999 revolution that put the internet (and Capcom and Sega) right in your pocket.
Today, these games are disappearing, and quickly. From brutal encryption to servers that no longer exist, saving this history is a high-tech race against time. We discuss the i-mode explosion and how Japan’s feature phones beat the world to the web; why saving a mobile game is way harder than dumping a cartridge; the small community groups saving early iOS and Android gems from the digital void; and how you can help keep gaming history from being "delisted" forever.
Mentioned in the show:
Video of max swinging keyboard in the monkey game https://youtu.be/I1VJw_yYI1U?si=s_9nXIAZS2hwuNLC&t=355
Transforming phone: https://hitsave.org/wild-land/
You can listen to the Video Game History Hour every other Wednesday on Patreon (one day early at the $5 tier and above), on Spotify, or on our website.
See more from Ellen Cooper “Unabandonware”:
YouTube: youtube.com/@Unabandonware/featured
Bluesky: @unabandonware.bsky.social
TikTok: @unabandonware
See more from Max Solensky “RockmanCosmo”:
Bluesky: @rockmancosmo.bsky.social
X/Twitter: @RockmanCosmo
Website: rockmancosmo.weebly.com
Website: keitaiarchive.org
Website: keitaiwiki.com/wiki/KeitaiWiki
Video Game History Foundation:
Email: [email protected]
Website: gamehistory.org
Support us on Patreon: /gamehistoryorg
Episode 151: Games Preservation at MIT Museum
From vacuum tubes to virtual worlds, Dr. Flori Pierri, Associate Curator of Science and Technology at the MIT Museum, joins us to explore their unexpected journey into the world of video game preservation. Dr …
Show notes
From vacuum tubes to virtual worlds, Dr. Flori Pierri, Associate Curator of Science and Technology at the MIT Museum, joins us to explore their unexpected journey into the world of video game preservation. Dr. Pierri oversees diverse collections from science photography to physics homework, and, of course, video games. MIT Museum has had a recent focus on computer games and a focus on play, starting with the Michael Dornbrook Collection and plans for a 2028 computer game exhibition. Dr. Pierri shares the importance of using original equipment for exhibits and the new challenges of preserving born-digital objects. They also discuss the museum's efforts to engage with both the public and with researchers, including a collection of unreleased Infocom game materials.
You can listen to the Video Game History Hour every other Wednesday on Patreon (one day early at the $5 tier and above), on Spotify, or on our website.
Mentioned in the show:
Whirlwind I: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whirlwind_I
Royal Game of the Dolphin: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Royal_Game_of_the_Dolphin,_1821.jpg
Milliways: The Restaurant at the End of the Universe
Claude Elwood Shannon, Bell Labs, “father of information theory”: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claude_Shannon
See more from Dr. Flori Pierri:
Bluesky: @flori-p.bsky.social
Website: https://mitmuseum.mit.edu/collections/collections-search
Video Game History Foundation:
Email: [email protected]
Website: gamehistory.org
Support us on Patreon: /gamehistoryorg
Episode 150: VGHF Founding Retrospective
It’s our 9th birthday and our 150th episode all at once; let’s party! Host and VGHF Director Frank Cifaldi is joined by two founding board members Simon Carless and Steve Lin. This casual retrospective meanders …
Show notes
It’s our 9th birthday and our 150th episode all at once; let’s party! Host and VGHF Director Frank Cifaldi is joined by two founding board members Simon Carless and Steve Lin. This casual retrospective meanders through the foundation's origins, its mission to preserve and interpret video game history, and its growth over the years. Our three hosts highlight the foundation's journey from a small, resource-constrained organization to a robust digital library with over 100,000 unique users. The conversation covers their initial challenges, the importance of community support, and future goals, including expanding the team, increasing interpretive content, and addressing recent digital preservation issues. Thank you to everyone who supports the work we do through Patreon, individual donations and support, our annual fundraisers, and so much more. Happy Birthday!
You can listen to the Video Game History Hour every other Wednesday on Patreon (one day early at the $5 tier and above), on Spotify, or on our website.
See more from Simon Carless:
Website: http://www.gamediscover.co/
See more from Steve Lin:
Bluesky: @stevelin.bsky.social
Video Game History Foundation:
Email: [email protected]
Website: gamehistory.org
Support us on Patreon: /gamehistoryorg
Episode 149: Jeremy Parish Works
Frank is joined by Guest Host Kate Willaert, author, historian, and YouTuber, to interview Jeremy Parish, media curator at Limited Run Games, author, YouTuber, and podcaster. Jeremy has a series of “Works” …
Show notes
Frank is joined by Guest Host Kate Willaert, author, historian, and YouTuber, to interview Jeremy Parish, media curator at Limited Run Games, author, YouTuber, and podcaster. Jeremy has a series of “Works” books and videos as part of a massive project to chronologize the 8-bit era. Jeremy’s work covers various consoles, including Game Boy, NES, SG-1000, and Famicom, highlighting the significance of third-party developers and the impact of the NES on game design. We share a universal complaint of the challenges of maintaining a comprehensive and accurate release list for systems like the SG-1000 and the importance of community feedback in refining our work. The conversation touches on the potential for both future projects and genre-specific series, such as Metroidvania and Shmup games.
You can listen to the Video Game History Hour every other Wednesday on Patreon (one day early at the $5 tier and above), on Spotify, or on our website.
Mentioned in the show: Jaws Retro Edition (pre-orders closed): https://limitedrungames.com/collections/all-in-production/products/jaws-retro-edition-bigger-boat-edition-switch-ps5?_pos=3&_sid=a0a6bd1b1&_ss=r
See more from Jeremy Parish:
Bluesky: @jparish.bsky.social
Youtube: @JeremyParish
Podcast: patreon.com/retronauts
Website: limitedrungames.com
See more from Kate Willaert:
Bluesky: @katewillaert.bsky.social
YouTube: /a critical hit
Website: acriticalhit.com
Patreon: /acriticalhit
Video Game History Foundation:
Email: [email protected]
Website: gamehistory.org
Support us on Patreon: /gamehistoryorg
Episode 148: Wrapping Up 2025
Our podcast Producer Robin Kunimune sits down with Director Frank Cifaldi and Library Director Phil Salvador to wrap up the final quarter of 2025. Listen to some of our behind-the-scenes thoughts on the NES …
Show notes
Our podcast Producer Robin Kunimune sits down with Director Frank Cifaldi and Library Director Phil Salvador to wrap up the final quarter of 2025. Listen to some of our behind-the-scenes thoughts on the NES panel we put together for the Portland Retro Gaming Expo; the many facets of this year’s Winter Fundraiser, including a new old game release, updated VHS recovery technology, and our $30k goal with some surprise donations; and finally our look ahead to 2026. Enjoy the show!
You can listen to the Video Game History Hour every other Wednesday on Patreon (one day early at the $5 tier and above), on Spotify, or on our website.
Video Game History Foundation:
Email: [email protected]
Website: gamehistory.org
Support us on Patreon: /gamehistoryorg
Episode 147: H.E.R.O.
Atari game developer John Van Ryzin and Digital Eclipse Technical Director Kevin Wilson both join host Frank Cifaldi to reminisce about the Atari 2600 title, and Frank’s favorite game, H.E.R.O.. We also explore …
Show notes
Atari game developer John Van Ryzin and Digital Eclipse Technical Director Kevin Wilson both join host Frank Cifaldi to reminisce about the Atari 2600 title, and Frank’s favorite game, H.E.R.O.. We also explore John’s early career, his entry into game development, programming limitations of the 2600 (RAM, timing issues, etc.), the spiritual sequel to H.E.R.O. and John’s most recent title Alien Abduction!, the differences in modern development, and so much more.
You can listen to the Video Game History Hour every other Wednesday on Patreon (one day early at the $5 tier and above), on Spotify, or on our website.
See more from John Van Ryzin:
Alien Abduction!: https://adgm.us/
See more from Kevin Wilson:
Website: digitaleclipse.com
Mortal Kombat Legacy Kollection: https://www.digitaleclipse.com/games/mortal-kombat-legacy-kollection
Video Game History Foundation:
Email: [email protected]
Website: gamehistory.org
Support us on Patreon: /gamehistoryorgEpisode 146: A Monograph of Todd Howard
Phil Salvador hosts a discussion with Dr. Wendi Sierra, author of Todd Howard: World Building in Tamriel and Beyond, and Emily Higgs Kopin. Dr. Sierra’s, associate professor of games studies at Texas Christian …
Show notes
Phil Salvador hosts a discussion with Dr. Wendi Sierra, author of Todd Howard: World Building in Tamriel and Beyond, and Emily Higgs Kopin. Dr. Sierra’s, associate professor of games studies at Texas Christian University, book follows the career history of the Bethesda Game Studios executive producer and his influence on game design throughout the years. Emily Kopin, head of digital collections strategy at the Swarthmore College Libraries, joins us as our guest expert on the Elder Scrolls franchise to make up for Phil’s tragic lack of extended time spent in this expansive universe. Wendi and Emily take Phil through discussions of Howard’s impact on world building through micro narratives, challenges of documenting emergent gameplay, importance of scoping research, and the influence of Howard’s design philosophy on modern gaming.
*This episode has a follow-up bonus episode available to our paid tier Patreon members.
You can listen to the Video Game History Hour every other Wednesday on Patreon (one day early at the $5 tier and above), on Spotify, or on our website.
See more from Dr. Wendi Sierra:
TCU Profile: https://honors.tcu.edu/view/wendi-sierra
Recent Publication: Gaming for the seventh generation: Indigenous Futurisms in games
See more from Emily Higgs Kopin:
Bluesky: @ehkopin.bsky.social
Latest Published Work: American Archivist
Swarthmore Profile: swarthmore.edu
Video Game History Foundation:
Email: [email protected]
Website: gamehistory.org
Support us on Patreon: /gamehistoryorg
Episode 145: The 40th Anniversary of the NES: A PRGE Panel
At this year’s Portland Retro Gaming Expo, VGHF director Frank Cifaldi had the pleasure of hosting a panel celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Nintendo Entertainment System launch. Frank moderated 3 guests …
Show notes
At this year’s Portland Retro Gaming Expo, VGHF director Frank Cifaldi had the pleasure of hosting a panel celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Nintendo Entertainment System launch. Frank moderated 3 guests who were at Nintendo of America during this time: Gail Tilden, Marketing; Bruce Lowery, Sales; and Lance Barr, Product Design. This event was particularly special as two of these three guests had never before attended a retro convention. The panel discussion includes many visual elements, including many never shown publicly before, and some pre-recorded messages from additional people of note. If you’re able, you may instead prefer to watch the video on the PRGE YouTube channel, which we highly encourage: We Launched the NES 40 Years Ago Today - Gail Tilden, Lance Barr, Bruce Lowry - PRGE 2025 Portland. Either way, please enjoy this momentous event in our collective gaming history.
You can listen to the Video Game History Hour every other Wednesday on Patreon (one day early at the $5 tier and above), on Spotify, or on our website.
Video Game History Foundation:
Email: [email protected]
Website: gamehistory.org
Support us on Patreon: /gamehistoryorg
Episode 144: Phil Salvador - A Rule-Following Hooligan
Let’s all learn what makes our Library Director, Phil Salvador, Phil Salvador! Producer Robin Kunimune sat down with Phil to learn all about his life as a youth, an early path to his passions, creating chaos …
Show notes
Let’s all learn what makes our Library Director, Phil Salvador, Phil Salvador! Producer Robin Kunimune sat down with Phil to learn all about his life as a youth, an early path to his passions, creating chaos inside the lines, the mental health struggles many face in early adulthood, finding his community, and making his way to VGHF. And, don’t forget the birds! Phil candidly shares his failures, successes, and everything in-between in this week’s episode. Take a listen.
You can listen to the Video Game History Hour every other Wednesday on Patreon (one day early at the $5 tier and above), on Spotify, or on our website.
See more from Phil Salvador:
Bluesky: @philsalv.bsky.social
Video Game History Foundation:
Email: [email protected]
Website: gamehistory.org
Support us on Patreon: /gamehistoryorgEpisode 143: The Andrew Nelson Collection
Phil Salvador introduces the new Andrew Nelson papers collection with guest, you guessed it, Andrew Nelson, himself. Guest-host Alex Greenberg joins to chat with Nelson, co-founder and creative director of …
Show notes
Phil Salvador introduces the new Andrew Nelson papers collection with guest, you guessed it, Andrew Nelson, himself. Guest-host Alex Greenberg joins to chat with Nelson, co-founder and creative director of CyberFlix, known for its 1996 title Titanic: Adventure Out of Time. Andrew discusses his transition from magazine journalism to game development, the creation of CyberFlix, and the development of Titanic, which included extensive research and character development. Nelson also reflects on the impact of the game and his subsequent career, including work at Britannica and National Geographic.
You can listen to the Video Game History Hour every other Wednesday on Patreon (one day early at the $5 tier and above), on Spotify, or on our website.
Mentioned in the show:
Andrew Nelson Collection: https://archive.gamehistory.org/folder/5dcf7309-5e3f-4609-b264-62f44da8e79f
VGHF Blog post: https://gamehistory.org/andrew-nelson-papers/
See more from Andrew Nelson:Book: Here Not There: 100 Unexpected Travel Destinations
Instagram: @andrewtyrrellnelson
See more from Alex Greenburg:
Website: alexgreenberg.net
Video Game History Foundation:
Email: [email protected]
Website: gamehistory.org
Support us on Patreon: /gamehistoryorg
Episode 135: Baldur’s Gate 3’s Lawrence Schick and His Decades of Work in Game Development
Veteran game designer and author Lawrence Schick shares stories from his early 80's work with the ColecoVision, Atari 2600, and Intellivision. With over four decades of experience in the industry, Schick …
Show notes
Veteran game designer and author Lawrence Schick shares stories from his early 80's work with the ColecoVision, Atari 2600, and Intellivision. With over four decades of experience in the industry, Schick details how he helped pioneer a multi-discipline, team-based approach to game development designing games like Smurf: Rescue and Tarzan while pulling from a wealth of experience in pen-and-paper RPGs.
You can listen to the Video Game History Hour every other Wednesday on Patreon (one day early at the $5 tier and above), on Spotify, or on our website.
See more from Lawrence Schick:
Website: https://swashbucklingadventure.net/
Video Game History Foundation:
Email: [email protected]
Website: gamehistory.org
Support us on Patreon: /gamehistoryorg
Episode 134: Preservation Work Inside the University of Michigan Library Computer and Video Game Archive
Host Phil Salvador and guest host Colleen Barrett, Rare Books Librarian at UK Libraries, chat with David Carter, Video Game Archivist and Comic Librarian at University of Michigan Library Computer and Video …
Show notes
Host Phil Salvador and guest host Colleen Barrett, Rare Books Librarian at UK Libraries, chat with David Carter, Video Game Archivist and Comic Librarian at University of Michigan Library Computer and Video Game Archive, about the work he does in archiving video game material within such a large and academic institutions. We discuss what tools are available, what problems typically arise, the pros and cons of institutional preservation, and so much more.
Mentioned in the Show:
MIDSAC Pool: https://www.masswerk.at/nowgobang/2019/michigan-pool
U-M Video Game Studies: https://guides.lib.umich.edu/videogamestudies (particularly the “Other Resources” section)
You can listen to the Video Game History Hour every other Wednesday on Patreon (one day early at the $5 tier and above), on Spotify, or on our website.
See more from David Carter:
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/umcvga.bsky.social
U-M CVGA Website: https://www.lib.umich.edu/locations-and-hours/computer-and-video-game-archive
See more from Colleen Barrett:
Bluesky: Colleenlovesbks https://bsky.app/profile/colleenlovesbks.bsky.social
Institution Instagram: UK Libraries (@uklibraries)
Video Game History Foundation:
Email: [email protected]
Website: gamehistory.org
Support us on Patreon: /gamehistoryorg
Episode 133: Spyro the Dragon artist Craig Stitt talks Sega and Insomniac
On this special video episode of the Video Game History Hour, we sat down with Craig Stitt, retired game artist and designer. Craig worked on games including Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Kid Chameleon, Ratchet & …
Show notes
On this special video episode of the Video Game History Hour, we sat down with Craig Stitt, retired game artist and designer. Craig worked on games including Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Kid Chameleon, Ratchet & Clank, and Spyro the Dragon. He gave us a tour of his portfolio and talked about working at Sega in America, creating Spyro, dealing with burnout, and what it means for fans to connect with his work.
Access the Craig Stitt art and design papers at the VGHF Library: https://archive.gamehistory.org/folder/cbcc6ed2-324c-43f0-9002-8e07455484bc
*This episode was recorded as a video, with visual components, available on our Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAN6AD2_fs0.You can listen to the Video Game History Hour every other Wednesday on Patreon (one day early at the $5 tier and above), on Spotify, or on our website.
Video Game History Foundation:
Email: [email protected]
Website: gamehistory.org
Support us on Patreon: /gamehistoryorg
Episode 132: Croc Remaster
Frank Cifaldi and Phil Salvador host a discussion with Jez San, Jason Smith, and Mike Arkin from Argonaut Games about the development and remastering of the 1997 game Croc: Legend of the Gobbos. We touch on …
Show notes
Frank Cifaldi and Phil Salvador host a discussion with Jez San, Jason Smith, and Mike Arkin from Argonaut Games about the development and remastering of the 1997 game Croc: Legend of the Gobbos. We touch on what went into the original game - incorporating 3D technology and character design influences from traditional animation - as well as enhancements for the remaster, improved controls and a virtual museum of bonus content showcasing the game's history and development process. The team’s discussion centers on the challenges and efforts in game preservation and the personal dedication of researchers who meticulously uncovered and documented game history for the sake of this remaster. Finally, we mention the potential for future updates and expansions in game preservation projects.
You can listen to the Video Game History Hour every other Wednesday on Patreon (one day early at the $5 tier and above), on Spotify, or on our website.
See more from Argonaut Games:
Linktree: linktr.ee/argonautgames
Website: argonautgames.com
Video Game History Foundation:
Email: [email protected]
Website: gamehistory.org
Support us on Patreon: /gamehistoryorg
Episode 130: Spycraft
Phil Salvador hosts Polygon’s Clayton Ashley and Simone de Rochefort to discuss a documentary they produced last year called The Great Game: The Making of Spycraft | Full Polygon Documentary about the 1996 FMV …
Show notes
Phil Salvador hosts Polygon’s Clayton Ashley and Simone de Rochefort to discuss a documentary they produced last year called The Great Game: The Making of Spycraft | Full Polygon Documentary about the 1996 FMV CD-ROM game, Spycraft.
You can listen to the Video Game History Hour every other Wednesday on Patreon (one day early at the $5 tier and above), on Spotify, or on our website.
A full transcript of this episode is available on our website: https://gamehistory.org/episode-130-spycraft/
See more from Polygon:
Website: polygon.com
YouTube: /polygon
Clayton Ashley’s Podcast: https://rss.com/podcasts/temporalculturewar/
Simone de Rochefort’s social handle: @doomquasar
Video Game History Foundation:
Email: [email protected]
Website: gamehistory.org
Support us on Patreon: /gamehistoryorg
Episode 126: A Fireside Chat with Gail Tilden
Gail Tilden, Nintendo of America’s marketing mastermind, takes Frank Cifaldi on a trip down memory lane in a panel at the Long Island Retro Gaming Expo, reminiscing about everything from the early days of NES …
Show notes
Gail Tilden, Nintendo of America’s marketing mastermind, takes Frank Cifaldi on a trip down memory lane in a panel at the Long Island Retro Gaming Expo, reminiscing about everything from the early days of NES branding to the explosive rise of Pokémon. She shares behind-the-scenes stories about marketing mishaps (hello, Zelda Rap), strategic pivots like the iconic "Nintendo Seal of Quality," and how a quirky Game Boy RPG took over the world. From robotic flops to Pikachu-branded cars parachuting into Topeka, her journey is a testament to the creativity and unpredictability that helped shape the gaming world.
You can listen to the Video Game History Hour every other Wednesday on Patreon (one day early at the $5 tier and above), on Spotify, or on our website.
A full transcript of this episode is available on our website: https://gamehistory.org/episode-126-a-fireside-chat-with-gail-tilden/
Video Game History Foundation:
Email: [email protected]
Website: gamehistory.org
Support us on Patreon: /gamehistoryorg
Episode 125: ROMchip, What’s Next?
Laine Nooney, an associate professor at NYU and managing editor of ROMchip: A Journal of Game Histories, joins Phil Salvador on The Video Game History Hour to chat about the journal’s mission to make game …
Show notes
Laine Nooney, an associate professor at NYU and managing editor of ROMchip: A Journal of Game Histories, joins Phil Salvador on The Video Game History Hour to chat about the journal’s mission to make game history more than just timelines. ROMchip is an open-access, independent journal that brings together academics, enthusiasts, and industry pros, supported by community fundraising instead of traditional academic publishing. They discuss ROMchip's success, its growing community, and dreams of what the future holds for the journal.
You can listen to the Video Game History Hour every other Wednesday on Patreon (one day early at the $5 tier and above), on Spotify, or on our website.
A full transcript of this episode is available on our website: https://gamehistory.org/episode-125-romchip-whats-next/
See more from Laine Nooney:
Linktree: linktr.ee/lainenooney
See more from ROMchip:
Website: romchip.org/
Socials, Events, Blog: donate.romchip.org/
Video Game History Foundation:
Email: [email protected]
Website: gamehistory.org
Support us on Patreon: /gamehistoryorg
Episode 124: Digital Library Launch
It’s finally arrived: our digital library archive is now open in early access! Our library team: library director Phil Salvador, director of technology Travis Brown, and artist and engineer Amanda Cifaldi all …
Show notes
It’s finally arrived: our digital library archive is now open in early access! Our library team: library director Phil Salvador, director of technology Travis Brown, and artist and engineer Amanda Cifaldi all join foundation director Frank Cifaldi and show producer Robin Kunimune to celebrate and discuss the years-long project sampling just a portion of our physical collection. We highlight the library’s role in facilitating video game research, the importance of fair use, the novel tools and infrastructure we created in this process, legal and ethical considerations, and future plans for and potential of this digital archive.
*This episode has a follow-up bonus episode available to our paid tier Patreon members.
Digital Archive: archive.gamehistory.org
Library Catalog: library.gamehistory.org
You can listen to the Video Game History Hour every other Wednesday on Patreon (one day early at the $5 tier and above), on Spotify, or on our website.
A full transcript of this episode is available on our website: https://gamehistory.org/episode-124-digital-library-launch/
Video Game History Foundation:
Email: [email protected]
Website: gamehistory.org
Support us on Patreon: /gamehistoryorg
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