Codex Rex

This episode we explore the internet phenomenon that was Neopets and discuss the strange directions that the brand has taken over the years. Then, Dachz adopts a Neopet of his own. Slides for this episode are available at: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1E3Szw_165fgGTwtIpjwHDYLHyc4AJxQC7RZeC0cYyXw/ Sources for this episode are available at: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1h2GCtc1hGcLEpWl1tDD83bFgAb8ennjOJByUjfb9yBU/

Tyler tells the story of Chex Quest, a game created as a breakfast cereal promotion that spawned a cult following. We also briefly discuss the strange link between cereal and pseudoscience movements in the late 1800s in the United States. Slides for this episode are available at: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/14ueOvpdYHGPi5GutoJcrCe5DXBuw_IokqYEDVwa7LN0/ Sources for this episode are available at: […]

This is the story of Daikatana, John Romero’s first game after leaving id Software, and what would become one of the largest commercial failures in the history of the gaming industry. This is the final episode of our six-part series about the developers at id Software. Slides for this episode are available at: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1J3ITpqXEkGVX1PlTkK3ZSDVIXtdvBdGv-1TlXtSjCjg/ Sources […]

We tell the story of Quake, the FPS that revolutionized online play, but had a troubled and turbulent development cycle. This is the fifth part in our continuing series about id Software. Slides for this episode are available at: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1LhM82lrs0AGfqC-wKjygbRt0BHF3HUDtcI19oLNggyE/ Sources for this episode are available at: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Kensnr9yXmavic2k_ckFAE2fQKP416tiAutp0H4Sx18/

Listen to the tale of DOOM, a demon-filled and gory shooter that fundamentally changed the course of gaming forever. This is the fourth part in our continuing series about id Software. Slides for this episode are available at: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/17q7ONAAR0GNGNIGUAY_GMvEvgQx5Tpuh9o_8ZfixXik/ Sources for this episode are available at: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Kensnr9yXmavic2k_ckFAE2fQKP416tiAutp0H4Sx18/

In this episode we discuss Wolfenstein 3D, a fast-paced and bloody game that is sometimes called the “grandfather of 3D shooters.” This is the third part in our continuing series about id Software. Slides for this episode are available at: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1UlRGeIfJFMH2TqPrSIelTiWBqpqK9jc1LGS2gBsBvAY Sources for this episode are available at: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Kensnr9yXmavic2k_ckFAE2fQKP416tiAutp0H4Sx18/

In our continuing series about id Software, we speak about the creation of Commander Keen, a side scrolling game about a boy genius that would form the foundation for id’s future projects. Slides for this episode are available at: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1dLI9Fk-2FuSVQf6eHlug-1sqGywr1-FiH1Dj4IJr7BA/ Sources for this episode are available at: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Kensnr9yXmavic2k_ckFAE2fQKP416tiAutp0H4Sx18/

In the first episode of a new series, Tyler tells Dachz stories of the people who founded id Software, including tales of industry legends John Romero and John Carmack, and the circumstances that brought them together. Slides for this episode are available at: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/112baWGctB-5XTmyIkHZBg74jMWJnOtkCJpyg1HTNxEo/ Sources for this episode are available at: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Kensnr9yXmavic2k_ckFAE2fQKP416tiAutp0H4Sx18/

Tyler tells Dachz the story of Keita Takahashi, and how he created the cult classic Katamari Damacy. Then, the two discuss Takahashi’s career and his unique style of creating games. Sources for this episode can be found at: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1g38WaV45gYBmooXl_ViJ3nyRtmZZNCgHSDpN8PurKQI/edit?usp=sharing

Dachz and Tyler interview Louis Castle about his role in co-founding Westwood Studios and his contributions to the Command & Conquer series of real-time strategy games.

Dachz tells the stories of several people who helped to invent modern wargaming. Sources for this episode can be found at: https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vRrEh9XB1CyFc8HQ0LCXUVtLSm5np8S0tg9h2cHa3Ytd57od6QzatXMS7-xEbMZNh28E9GJF5KpM6an/pub

In the second part of this story, Tyler explains how Game Freak created Pokémon, and how the game series became a multi-billion dollar franchise. Sources for this episode can be found at: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1shJgb3WW5DkHkNG6bNbAO0WsEYcJU-JTaEDEOr3mm0A/

In part one if this story, Tyler tells the tale of Game Freak, a Japanese indie gaming company that would create a cultural phenomenon. Sources for this episode can be found at: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1shJgb3WW5DkHkNG6bNbAO0WsEYcJU-JTaEDEOr3mm0A/

Tyler tells a story of how cave exploration, D&D, and the early internet, led to the first adventure games. Then, he discusses how the mistreatment of programmers at Atari led to the popular idea of hiding ‘easter eggs’ in video games. Sources for this episode can be found at: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1AvbdikRVKNrfb49L8wAiySx71A3W30yG1cJS7F0Wz9M/

Dachz tells the story of Tetris and the legal battles that ensued over the game’s publishing rights. Sources can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1f2TM9rqJmEH7DnlI_Jf9SlP4seklSwMnYBKwIYcv5qk/

Tyler tells the story of the Nintendo 64, and how Nintendo tried to reclaim the 90s console market with innovation and brand power.Sources for this episode can be found here:https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uANn126Osf3HlOpT1oDlCfX-ZJ8Z0dXj6–IWrliiiI/

Tyler tells a story about the Tamagotchi and the virtual pet craze of the late 1990s. Sources for this episode can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1k-ORUKS02fnsUQa1JhbdhPhWzLLZ_qW6ChktmzJo43Y/edit?usp=sharing

Tyler discusses the history of the PlayStation and how Sony become a powerful force in the console market. Sources for the episode: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TTqnvwTaynMetg4kTqQtxlZaeYvI6MFuWFdLYWckXsQ/

Dachz tells a story about the life of physicist William Higinbotham and the creation of the first video game, Tennis for Two.

Dachz tells a story about DMA Design, and the events that led to them publishing two popular game series: Lemmings and Grand Theft Auto. Sources for the episode can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mAi7mtDnZGMGy2onXzOhh38NOHShC09uBTj5lp8qyo/

Tyler tells a story about the Sega Saturn and the events that led to Sega’s decline in the console market. Sources for the episode can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1voFekloooJbxgq3BBLFpxM7FQktu3LyIe9_9-qsF7BI/

Dachz and Tyler discuss the psychological concept of “Flow” and how it relates to gaming, as well as why we seek out video games as entertainment.

Tyler tells a story about the 3DO Interactive Multiplayer, an innovative 90s console that suffered a series of missteps, but set many of the standards of modern gaming. Sources: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1X4lnvoYpFC5U02WgHzl7aaiIFUT7n3QAj2T9aG-t2BI/

Tyler tells a story about gaming industry legend Trip Hawkins and the founding of video game company Electronic Arts.Sources: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1X4lnvoYpFC5U02WgHzl7aaiIFUT7n3QAj2T9aG-t2BI/

Dachz tells a story about Ralph Baer, and the creation of the first video game console, the Magnavox Odyssey.

Dachz tells a story about the 2001 game Gothic and the German studio Piranha Bytes. Tyler gets excited by the discussion of an advergame called “Swamp Chicken.”

In the first of a new series about the 5th generation of consoles, Tyler tells Dachz the story of the Jaguar, Atari’s last-ditch effort to compete in the console market. Sources for this episode can be found at: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XuGBy2k9QaUlVMNzSLTeEqHJaae3NcEjSFJCSExSdKQ

Dachz tells a story about Ron Gilbert and the creation of the SCUMM Engine, which was used to create several cult classic Lucas Arts games, like Maniac Mansion and The Secret of Monkey Island.

Tyler tells Dachz a story about the obscure Super Famicom add-on, the Satellaview, which allowed users in Japan to download games from satellite transmissions. Sources for this episode can be found at: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1We8R9gDFlzU_7M3p2yUZqfox1ZORFbC80r5NkgfJT4g/

Dachz tells Tyler a story about the PDP-1 computer and the creation of one of the first video games, “Spacewar!”. Sources for this episode can be found at: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1O6f3MQG1jrKot4BVSQ2UoPfgPYkCjRiXcYmZrCO4mAI/

Tyler and Dachz discuss Harvest Moon/Story of Seasons and the birth of farming game genre. Episode sources can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bxk45D2d5HR9qALVwKwaC5mgFXJ113BBP4UqUiKsmdA/

Dachz discusses the historical origins of the term “Mana” and how it became a video game mechanic.

Tyler and Dachz discuss the cultural phenomenon that was Guitar Hero and Rock Band, and the ensuing over-saturation of the rhythm game market. Source list can be found here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yc3Z89HMyneLVAn-mIyimWBT0rihh84U/

Dachz tells Tyler a story about the 1989 game Populous, a “god game” that spawned a genre.

Dachz tells a story about the creation of Portal and how the creators became a part of Valve. Note: this episode has audio issues. Our apologies!

In this episode, Tyler and Dachz discuss the formation of Naughty Dog and the creation of Crash Bandicoot.

In the first episode of the podcast, Tyler and Dachz discuss the creation of Sonic the Hedgehog and the console wars of the early 1990s.