421: Origin Systems, American Laser Games & Women in Gaming: Sheri Graner Ray - The Retro Hour EP421

We chat with Eva Pascoe, co-founder of Cyberia, Britain's first internet cafe. We explore the birth of Cyberia, a 1994 innovation that transformed the digital world. Cyberia wasn't just a tech hub; it was a hotspot for celebrities like David Bowie, Kylie Minogue and Mick Jagger, and it was famed for their Sunday morning post-rave LAN parties and gaming basement.  22 Ideas About The Future: https://tinyurl.com/yb8ayc8z CybrSalon Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@CybrSalon/videos Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show: Bitmap Books https://www.bitmapbooks.com/ Check out PCBWay at https://pcbway.com for all your PCB needs Thanks to our latest Patreon backers, in the Hall of Fame this week: Just Great Ideas Today, Dylan Sainsbury, John Lundy    We need your help to ensure the future of the podcast, if you'd like to help us with running costs, equipment and hosting, please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://theretrohour.com/support/ https://www.patreon.com/retrohour Get your Retro Hour merchandise: https://bit.ly/33OWBKd Join our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8 Website: http://theretrohour.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/retrohouruk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/ Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohour Upcoming events we'll be at: Retro Messa: https://retromessa.no/en/ Amiga38 Germany - https://www.amigaevent.de/WB.html Show notes: Gex is back: https://tinyurl.com/2s35jwy8  Antstream coming to XBox: https://tinyurl.com/2z23z79z Funfair Inc for Commodore 64: https://tinyurl.com/4sphkajc Burn Master, Game Boy cart reader/writer: https://tinyurl.com/4etffk86

20 Juli 20231h 33min

On this week's podcast, we chat with Jeremy Blaustein, an American translator and voice director known for his work in localising Japanese media into English. With notable contributions to games like 'Metal Gear Solid', 'Castlevania: Symphony of the Night' and Snatcher. Don't miss this opportunity to hear from the man who brought some of your favorite games to the English-speaking world! Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show: Bitmap Books https://www.bitmapbooks.com/    We need your help to ensure the future of the podcast, if you'd like to help us with running costs, equipment and hosting, please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://theretrohour.com/support/ https://www.patreon.com/retrohour Get your Retro Hour merchandise: https://bit.ly/33OWBKd Join our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8 Website: http://theretrohour.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/retrohouruk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/ Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohour Upcoming events we'll be at: Retro Messa: https://retromessa.no/en/ Amiga38 Germany - https://www.amigaevent.de/WB.html Show notes: 87% of video games are not preserved: https://tinyurl.com/2p8v2as3 Power Shark USB-C for Amiga: https://retrousbpower.com/ Jordan Mechner's Karateka interactrive game: https://tinyurl.com/bdtn27dw TMNT Sega Master System port: https://tinyurl.com/3vy5h42u  Crap Games competition: https://tinyurl.com/6rd9hzrm

14 Juli 20231h 23min

Join us in this episode as we chat with David L. Craddock and Richard Moss, the creators of 'First Person Shooter', the ultimate documentary tracing the evolution of FPS games. We'll explore industry secrets, personal favorites, and insights from their interviews with gaming legends.  From the rudimentary wireframe graphics of Maze War and Spasim to the genre-defining classics like Doom and Half Life. First Person Shooter Documentary: https://fpsdoc.com/ Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show: Bitmap Books https://www.bitmapbooks.com/    Get 3 months of ExpressVPN for FREE: https://expressvpn.com/retro We need your help to ensure the future of the podcast, if you'd like to help us with running costs, equipment and hosting, please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://theretrohour.com/support/ https://www.patreon.com/retrohour Get your Retro Hour merchandise: https://bit.ly/33OWBKd Join our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8 Website: http://theretrohour.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/retrohouruk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/ Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohour Upcoming events we'll be at: Retro Messa: https://retromessa.no/en/ Amiga38 Germany - https://www.amigaevent.de/WB.html Show notes: Sega 1990s brand review leak: https://tinyurl.com/y6hdbra2 Final Vendetta coming to Neo Geo: https://tinyurl.com/bdewn9va CRT is still the king of gaming monitors: https://tinyurl.com/4x5axr8y Double Dragon Gaiden: https://tinyurl.com/ycy3wjdp

7 Juli 20231h 33min

This week, we're joined by gaming icon Tod Frye, known for the Atari 2600's Pac-Man and the Swordquest series​. We explore Pac-Man's controversial development story, its effects on Atari, and delve into the innovative, ambitious Swordquest series and the mysterious missing treasures. Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show: Bitmap Books https://www.bitmapbooks.com/ Check out PCBWay at https://pcbway.com for all your PCB needs Get 3 issues of your favourite Future Publishing gaming mag (Play, Edge, Retro Gamer and PC Gamer) for just £1 each: https://www.magazinesdirect.com/retrotrial      Get 3 months of ExpressVPN for FREE: https://expressvpn.com/retro Thanks to our latest Patreon backers, in the Hall of Fame this week: Joe, Lee Mintram We need your help to ensure the future of the podcast, if you'd like to help us with running costs, equipment and hosting, please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://theretrohour.com/support/ https://www.patreon.com/retrohour Get your Retro Hour merchandise: https://bit.ly/33OWBKd Join our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8 Website: http://theretrohour.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/retrohouruk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/ Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohour Upcoming events we'll be at: Kickstart UK: https://www.amigashow.com/  Retro Messa: https://retromessa.no/en/ Amiga38 Germany - https://www.amigaevent.de/WB.html Show notes: Nintendo announces remake of Super Mario RPG: https://tinyurl.com/36a7vd3u Rare WHITE Sega Genesis spotted: https://tinyurl.com/3xfuh4pt MicroBeast: https://tinyurl.com/52wtpjyx Xbox has been losing the console wars since 2001: https://tinyurl.com/4nzzv6f5 Metroid Mega Mission for Sega Mega Drive: https://tinyurl.com/5n7xewvm

30 Juni 20231h 30min

On this week's podcast, we journey into the heart of the classic strategy game, Age of Empires 2, with none other than its Lead Designer, Mark Terrano. Not stopping there, Mark also shares his unique insights from his time as the Technical Game Manager for Microsoft during the launch of the original Xbox, shedding light on the early days of Xbox Live.   Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show: Bitmap Books https://www.bitmapbooks.com/ Take your business to the next level today and enjoy 3 months of Shopify for £1/month: https://shopify.co.uk/retrohour Thanks to our latest Patreon backers, in the Hall of Fame this week: Shane Goggin, Ross Murphy, James Hannigan We need your help to ensure the future of the podcast, if you'd like to help us with running costs, equipment and hosting, please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://theretrohour.com/support/ https://www.patreon.com/retrohour Get your Retro Hour merchandise: https://bit.ly/33OWBKd Join our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8 Website: http://theretrohour.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/retrohouruk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/ Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohour Upcoming events we'll be at: Kickstart UK: https://www.amigashow.com/  Retro Messa: https://retromessa.no/en/ Amiga38 Germany - https://www.amigaevent.de/WB.html Show notes: Dreamcast dev-kit shows up in a recycle shop: https://tinyurl.com/yvatu2uh Help finish a c64 RPG: https://tinyurl.com/bdhx8ct3  Memcard pro for Game Cube: https://tinyurl.com/2p9w72ds Atari release first 2600 cart in 30 years: https://tinyurl.com/mphvswzu

22 Juni 20231h 27min

We delve into the fascinating world of Bulletin Board Systems with Al's Geek Lab, the creator of the awesome YouTube series 'Back to the BBS'. We explore how BBSs laid the groundwork for today's Internet, the artistic flair of ANSI art, and the enduring allure of BBS games and mods and why the scene is thriving again today. Back To The BBS Playlist: https://tinyurl.com/2ur5mwcs Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show: Bitmap Books https://www.bitmapbooks.com/ Check out PCBWay at https://pcbway.com for all your PCB needs Get 3 issues of your favourite Future Publishing gaming mag (Play, Edge, Retro Gamer and PC Gamer) for just £1 each: https://www.magazinesdirect.com/retrotrial      Get 3 months of ExpressVPN for FREE: https://expressvpn.com/retro Thanks to our latest Patreon backers, in the Hall of Fame this week: Andreas Sunna, Kev Sanders We need your help to ensure the future of the podcast, if you'd like to help us with running costs, equipment and hosting, please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://theretrohour.com/support/ https://www.patreon.com/retrohour Get your Retro Hour merchandise: https://bit.ly/33OWBKd Join our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8 Website: http://theretrohour.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/retrohouruk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/ Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohour Upcoming events we'll be at: Kickstart UK: https://www.amigashow.com/  Amiga38 Germany - https://www.amigaevent.de/WB.html Show notes: Monkey Island Sea of Thieves crossover: https://youtu.be/DOWILvQGVz4 Capcom Town: https://captown.capcom.com/en Iron Meat new contra type game: https://tinyurl.com/36d4c523 Croc HD is being worked on: https://retrododo.com/croc-hd/

15 Juni 20231h 33min

Join us for a deep dive into the iconic 1984 video game "Montezuma's Revenge" with its creator, Rob Jaeger. Delve into the mind of a then 16-year-old game designer and discover the untold stories of this gaming masterpiece, including features that didn't make it to the final cut. Montezuma's Revenge on Steam: https://tinyurl.com/2s3hswhh Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show: Bitmap Books https://www.bitmapbooks.com/ We need your help to ensure the future of the podcast, if you'd like to help us with running costs, equipment and hosting, please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://theretrohour.com/support/ https://www.patreon.com/retrohour Get your Retro Hour merchandise: https://bit.ly/33OWBKd Join our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8 Website: http://theretrohour.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/retrohouruk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/ Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohour Upcoming events we'll be at: Kickstart UK: https://www.amigashow.com/  Amiga38 Germany - https://www.amigaevent.de/WB.html Show notes: Mega Drive game sells for almost £8000: https://tinyurl.com/yzxrn6pn Wii XL: https://youtu.be/fdk9Ka8_YtY Immortal Joysticks Kickstarter: https://tinyurl.com/bdzxkum6 Zara is selling Sega Saturn merch: https://tinyurl.com/yc2m9hw7  TMNT quarter arcade: https://youtu.be/-Rc9dOCt10g

8 Juni 20231h 33min

We have a long-overdue catch up with Daniel Ibbertson AKA Slope's Game Room, including breaking down the ill-fated Intellivision Amico. Promising to bring back the classic brand, the Amico's repeated delays, leadership changes, and potential cancellation have left it shrouded in uncertainty. DJ Slope, renowned for his comprehensive gaming history content, brings his insight into this saga, discussing the console's initial vision, the issues it faced, the intriguing lineup of games that were slated for release, and what the Amico's journey means for the wider retro gaming industry. Slope's Game Room - The Intellivision Amico Scandal: https://youtu.be/8BgAarlzVD4 Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show: Bitmap Books https://www.bitmapbooks.com/ Check out PCBWay at https://pcbway.com for all your PCB needs Get 6 months of Retro Gamer Magazine, with Space invaders plug and play controller and 4 specials absolutely free at: https://www.magazinesdirect.com/retropod    Thanks to our latest Patreon backers, in the Hall of Fame this week: Andreas Sunna, Kev Sanders We need your help to ensure the future of the podcast, if you'd like to help us with running costs, equipment and hosting, please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://theretrohour.com/support/ https://www.patreon.com/retrohour Get your Retro Hour merchandise: https://bit.ly/33OWBKd Join our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8 Website: http://theretrohour.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/retrohouruk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/ Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohour Upcoming events we'll be at: Kickstart UK: https://www.amigashow.com/  Amiga38 Germany - https://www.amigaevent.de/WB.html Show notes: Metal Gear Solid 3 remake: https://tinyurl.com/j887z6nc McDonalds launches Tetris handheld: https://tinyurl.com/mv9chnfa Windows XP activation algorithm hacked: https://tinyurl.com/2rfmeeaj Screwball Scramble in web browser: https://tinyurl.com/bdenfxm6 Marathon returns: https://tinyurl.com/4uhuhwkk

1 Juni 20231h 24min