Save StateOne of the first reusable game engines came from an unexpected quarter: a group of British software engineers working in the research arm of a Japanese camera company. You've probably seen their work without knowing it, and if it weren't for their engine, the PS2's game library would look a lot more barren.
14/11: Apologies for the blurring on parts of the video. YouTube told me that I needed to anonymise somebody who appeared, but didn't identify which part was the issue! I had to use their automated tool to blur every detected face that wasn't pertinent to the story. I still don't know if that's enough, but if you're still in this video and don't want to be, please email me: retrohistories@gmail.com, and I'll fix it.
Retrohistories is funded by generous supporters on Patreon. Rewards include names and pixel art avatars in the credits, weekly behind-the-scenes updates and a new game history link every weekend. If you enjoyed this video and are interested in helping me tell more stories, go to patreon.com/retrohistories to learn more!
RenderWare: The Engine that Powered an Era | RetrohistoriesSave State2020-07-03 | One of the first reusable game engines came from an unexpected quarter: a group of British software engineers working in the research arm of a Japanese camera company. You've probably seen their work without knowing it, and if it weren't for their engine, the PS2's game library would look a lot more barren.
14/11: Apologies for the blurring on parts of the video. YouTube told me that I needed to anonymise somebody who appeared, but didn't identify which part was the issue! I had to use their automated tool to blur every detected face that wasn't pertinent to the story. I still don't know if that's enough, but if you're still in this video and don't want to be, please email me: retrohistories@gmail.com, and I'll fix it.
Retrohistories is funded by generous supporters on Patreon. Rewards include names and pixel art avatars in the credits, weekly behind-the-scenes updates and a new game history link every weekend. If you enjoyed this video and are interested in helping me tell more stories, go to patreon.com/retrohistories to learn more!
Photo of RenderWare founders courtesy of Mel Slater at UCL
Music from these game OSTs:
Burnout by Steve Emney and Stephen Root Sub Culture by Versatile Airblade by Steve Emney and Stephen Root2.0Save State2026-08-08 | Save State website: https://savestate.site/
Background footage from PexelsThe Death and Rebirth of Vampire: Bloodlines | RetrohistoriesSave State2022-12-20 | In 2004, Activision released a buggy, broken mess of an RPG. It sold very poorly. That should have been the end of it.
Retrohistories is free of advertising or sponsorship and is funded by generous supporters on Patreon. Rewards include names and pixel art avatars in the credits, behind-the-scenes updates and a new game history link every weekend. If you enjoyed this video and are interested in helping me tell more stories, go to patreon.com/retrohistories to learn more!
Follow me on Twitter at twitter.com/retrohistories or Mastodon at https://digipres.club/@retrohistories.
Soundtrack: Neonature by Paul Kilduff-Taylor available from OC ReMix and used under licence: ocremix.org/remix/OCR02997
Retrohistories is funded by generous supporters on Patreon. Rewards include names/avatars in the credits and behind-the-scenes updates. If you enjoyed this video and are interested in helping me tell more stories, go to patreon.com/retrohistories to learn more!First Principles | RetrohistoriesSave State2019-11-04 | We love to talk about historical firsts, but it's fraught with risk.
Retrohistories is funded by generous supporters on Patreon. Rewards include names/avatars in the credits and behind-the-scenes updates. If you enjoyed this video and are interested in helping me tell more stories, go to patreon.com/retrohistories to learn more!
Stills and screenshots from MobyGames, Shmuplations, Keith Smith, Ed Fries and RT-55J.Making Mortal Monday | RetrohistoriesSave State2019-10-03 | A look back at the short-notice, high-stakes development of the SNES and Genesis ports of Mortal Kombat; the sacrifices and compromises, the publicity and the politics.
Retrohistories is funded by generous supporters on Patreon. Rewards include names/avatars in the credits and behind-the-scenes updates. If you enjoyed this video and are interested in helping me tell more stories, go to patreon.com/retrohistories to learn more!
Retrohistories is funded by generous supporters on Patreon. Rewards include names/avatars in the credits and behind-the-scenes updates. If you enjoyed this video and are interested in helping me tell more stories, go to patreon.com/retrohistories to learn more!
"Dire on the Rocks" by FFmusic Dj, Geoffrey Taucer ocremix.org/remix/OCR03183Exile: The 8-Bit Metroidvania Youve Never Heard Of | RetrohistoriesSave State2019-05-11 | Retrohistories is funded by generous supporters on Patreon. Rewards include names/avatars in the credits and behind-the-scenes updates. If you enjoyed this video and are interested in helping me tell more stories, go to patreon.com/retrohistories to learn more!
Exile theme by Henry Jackman, arranged by Paddy Colohan from the Amiga CD-32 version Download it here: exotica.org.uk/wiki/Exile_(CD%C2%B3%C2%B2)Game Boy 30th Anniversary MontageSave State2019-04-21 | A little tribute to the birthday Boy and its library.
Retrohistories is funded by generous supporters on Patreon. If you enjoyed this or any of my other videos and are interested in helping me make more, please check out patreon.com/retrohistories .
Maybe you're interested in another video featuring early video arcade history? "The Media vs. Death Race" covers the first violent videogame controversy, and how it set a pattern of media coverage that would be faithfully followed for decades: youtube.com/watch?v=ZY9hQQkV1zs
How to Play Shuffleboard by Home Leisure Direct youtube.com/watch?v=A3ZSfRs_g20Revisiting Sonys Notorious PS3 Reveal | RetrohistoriesSave State2019-01-08 | The story of Sony's much-maligned E3 2006 keynote. How a series of well-intentioned decisions took them from first to third place, and how they turned their fortunes around.
The first of three pilots for new series on the channel. Let me know if you'd like to see more eps of Keynote Revote!
Retrohistories is funded entirely through the contributions of supporters on Patreon. If you enjoyed this video and are interested in helping me make more, please check out the supporter perks available at patreon.com/retrohistories
Thanks to Raxby for correcting my awful Dutch pronunciation.
Music:
Featuring music by Josh Woodward: "River Went Dry", "Insomnia", "I Want To Destroy Something Beautiful", "Inertia" Released under a Creative Commons Attribution license. Free downloads: http://joshwoodward.com
Introductory song: 'How To Kill Your Brand' by Doc Adams for Gamercast Network.
Video Game Pioneer Kutaragi Leaves Sony npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=9884088&t=1540804203992Developer Demo: Untitled Goose GameSave State2018-12-24 | A short clip of Michael McMaster from House House, demoing their upcoming Untitled Goose Game. Zoomed-in phonecam quality isn't great, sorry!
Filmed at GameCity Nights, a monthly event organised by the National Videogame Museum, in October 2018.Retrohistories: Pilot Season trailerSave State2018-10-13 | Three new videos about retro games… one focused on events, one on people, one on places. Retrohistories Pilot Season begins now.The Mentalist and the Monster: Uri Geller vs. Pokémon | RetrohistoriesSave State2018-09-28 | The odd tale of a celebrity, a trading card, a lawsuit, and 20 years of lasting consequences for a beloved franchise.
Retrohistories is funded entirely through the contributions of supporters on Patreon. If you enjoyed this video and are interested in helping me make more, the link is patreon.com/retrohistories
Clips from GamesMaster (C) Hewland International/Channel 4 Clips from the Pokémon anime (C) The Pokemon Company Cards from the Pokémon TGC (C) The Pokemon Company Clip from Ghostbusters (C) Columbia Pictures
Footage from Pokémon Red, Pokémon Ruby, Pokémon Black and Pokémon Go recorded by Chris Chapman
Nintendo - School’s Out - 2min - Directed by Anthony Atanasio by Atanasio + Martinez vimeo.com/40731939
Second Interview with Masamitsu Hidaka – Many Interesting Points! by Pokébeach http://www.pokebeach.com/2008/07/second-pokemon-interview-with-masamitsu- hidaka-many-interesting-pointsUnder the Radar: The Sabotage of SimCopter | RetrohistoriesSave State2018-09-01 | This is the story of a 'bug' in Maxis’s 1996 open world game SimCopter that wasn't what it appeared to be, and how it was intertwined with the origin story of one of the world’s most infamous pranksters.
Retrohistories is funded entirely through the contributions of supporters on Patreon. Rewards include names/avatars in the credits and behind-the-scenes updates. If you enjoyed this video and are interested in helping me make more, the link is patreon.com/retrohistories
This is an educational work. Some elements may be under copyright to their original publisher.Stickerbush Symphony live with David WiseSave State2018-08-27 | Something a little different! David Wise on sax and Nigel Atkins on drums play the credits version of Stickerbush Symphony from Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze at the Replaying Japan conference at the National Videogame Arcade in Nottingham on 21/08/2018.The Battle of Manchester Cathedral | RetrohistoriesSave State2018-08-03 | In the summer of 2007, Sony became the target of public criticism from an unlikely source: a cathedral in the North of England. Now the man who built Resistance's cathedral level, former Insomniac environment artist Stephen Ratter, tells his side of the story.
Retrohistories is funded entirely through the contributions of supporters on Patreon. Rewards include names/avatars in the credits and behind-the-scenes updates. If you enjoyed this video and are interested in helping me make more, the link is patreon.com/retrohistories
Resistance: Fall of Man OST by David Bergeaud Shadow of the Colossus OST by Kow Otani
This is an educational work. Some elements may be under copyright to their original publisher.The Quest for Unsucky AudioSave State2018-07-14 | I hit a Patreon goal to improve voiceover recording quality. Let's give it a try.The Inevitable Patreon AnnouncementSave State2018-06-06 | Are these videos supposed to be a sales pitch, or an earnest appeal?
Stock footage from Prelinger ArchivesVideogame Nasty: The Media vs. Death Race | RetrohistoriesSave State2018-06-04 | The story of a violent video game, and how the media's reaction to it established a template that would last for decades.
Retrohistories is funded entirely through the contributions of supporters on Patreon. Rewards include names/avatars in the credits and behind-the-scenes updates. If you enjoyed this video and are interested in helping me make more, the link is patreon.com/retrohistories.
MUSIC: Zebra Bike by Willbe http://willbe.bandcamp.com CC BY-NC-SA12 in 12: DishonoredSave State2018-02-26 | 12 in 12 is a series of quick videos about the twelve classic games I'm playing for the first time throughout 2017 and 2018. Find out more about the project here: youtube.com/watch?v=RUcFSEisqqk
Music: "Streets Exploration" by Daniel Licht from the Dishonored soundtrack5 Underappreciated Retro Gaming ChannelsSave State2018-02-03 | Oh god, I just realised I made a list video.
Music: http://ocremix.org/remix/OCR03674November UpdateSave State2017-11-08 | It's been a while, so here's a quick update on some of the stuff I'm working on for the rest of 2017.
Music: Candy Island by Tyler Twombly CC BY-NC http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Tyler_Twombly/Chill_Beats_EP12 in 12: Advance WarsSave State2017-09-13 | 12 in 12 is a series of quick videos about the twelve classic games I'm playing for the first time throughout 2017. Find out more about the project here: youtube.com/watch?v=RUcFSEisqqkAugust 2017 vlog: 500 and CountingSave State2017-08-09 | Passing 500 subscribers at unanticipated speed, and thoughts on where Retrohistories might head in the future.
Retrohistories is funded entirely through the contributions of supporters on Patreon. Rewards include names/avatars in the credits and behind-the-scenes updates. If you enjoyed this video and are interested in helping me make more, the link is patreon.com/retrohistories.
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (2004) No Man's Sky (2016) Yandere Simulator (2014) Hotline Miami 2 (2015) Carmageddon (1997) Resident Evil 5 (2009) Night Trap (1992) Manhunt 2 (2007) BMX XXX (2002) Bully: Scholarship Edition (2008) Wolfenstein 3D (1992) Death Race (1976) (fan remake by Fabien: inconstants.itch.io/death-race) Resistance: Fall of Man (2006) SimCopter (1996) Pokémon Go (2016)
Atari v. Magnavox legal document from the UNH Intellectual Property Library: https://ipmall.law.unh.edu/sites/default/files/hosted_resources/Activision_Litigation_Documents/12-29-82_to_02-04-83/Atari_v._Magnavox_-_Complaint_For_Declaratory_Judgment_Of_Patent_11Jul75.pdf
Music: From Pixels Born by Snild Dolkow http://dolkow.se/music/downloads.php Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.12 in 12: The Secret of Monkey IslandSave State2017-07-12 | 12 in 12 is a series of quick videos about the twelve classic games I'm playing for the first time throughout 2017. Find out more about the project here: youtube.com/watch?v=RUcFSEisqqk
Music: "Voodoo, Roots 'n Grog" by Alex Jones and Diggi Dis http://ocremix.org/remix/OCR02180Secret of Vulcan Fury: Treks Lost Adventure | RetrohistoriesSave State2017-06-22 | A deep dive into Interplay and their cancelled adventure Secret of Vulcan Fury, the innovative, Fontana-penned, original-cast-voiced Star Trek story we never got to see. Examining what the game would have been like, how far they got, why it failed, and how much of it survived.
Retrohistories is funded entirely through the contributions of supporters on Patreon. Rewards include names/avatars in the credits and behind-the-scenes updates. If you enjoyed this video and are interested in helping me make more, the link is patreon.com/retrohistories.
(Reuploaded to fix some attribution issues in the original; sorry for the lost comments.)
Tim Wilcox Images of 3D renderings based on designs of Star Trek ships, interiors, sets and props are the intellectual property of Tim Wilcox, and are used with permission. See more of Tim's work at http://timwilcox.com/.
Soundtrack to Star Trek: The Original Series by Alexander Courage and others Soundtrack to Starfleet Academy by Ron Jones and Brian Luzietti Soundtrack to Starfleet Command by Ron Jones
Credits for the title sequence won't fit in the YouTube character limit, but can be found in the description for Retrohistories Episode 1: youtube.com/watch?v=zSosgD1KwxY12 in 12: Shadow of the ColossusSave State2017-05-31 | 12 in 12 is a series of quick videos about the twelve classic games I'm playing for the first time throughout 2017. Find out more about the project here: youtube.com/watch?v=RUcFSEisqqk
"End of the Battle" by Kow Otani from the Shadow of the Colossus soundtrackArchived stream: Taloons Mystery Dungeon pt. 2Save State2017-05-27 | Broadcasted live on Twitch -- Watch live at twitch.tv/trioptimumukArchived stream: Trying some Taloons Mystery DungeonSave State2017-05-25 | Broadcasted live on Twitch -- Watch live at twitch.tv/trioptimumuk12 in 12: Super MetroidSave State2017-05-10 | 12 in 12 is a series of quick videos about the twelve classic games I'm playing for the first time throughout 2017. Find out more about the project here: youtube.com/watch?v=RUcFSEisqqk
Tomb Raider is owned by Eidos. All footage captured on my PC.March 2017 vlog: Seasonal ChangesSave State2017-03-29 | Went for a walk with the new camera and learned some things:
1. My lavalier mic is bad. (I've ordered a better one.) 2. Digital image stabilisation mode is mostly OK but makes a few shots look weird. 3. My arm hurts.Razing the Baa: Lets Play Might & Magic VI (part 41)Save State2017-03-15 | Searching for a monolith, and grinding our way to magic mastery.Something You Can Get For Free: GDC Game Audio BundlesSave State2017-03-08 | This episode: so many sound effects you might need to clear out a hard drive.
Intro background from Tim Clague at http://projectorfilms.blogspot.co.uk/p/free-hd-downloads.html. CC BY-NC-SA licence.Star Trek: Judgment Rites missing prologue cutscene (from Mac version)Save State2017-03-02 | There's a brief prologue cutscene in Interplay's adventure Star Trek: Judgment Rites that's supposed to come between the title sequence and the handoff of control to the player at the start of the game. But for some reason, it was never included in the DOS version; it's only in the Mac one.
I couldn't find a copy of it on the interwebs... so here it is, transcoded from the original source file.Razing the Baa: Lets Play Might & Magic VI (part 40)Save State2017-03-01 | I know we were done in the Warlord's Fortress. But we have to go back. For honour. Well, and XP.12 in 12: Final Fantasy XSave State2017-02-22 | 12 in 12 is a series of quick impressions of the twelve classic games I'm playing for the first time throughout 2017. Find out more about the project here: youtube.com/watch?v=RUcFSEisqqk
Final Fantasy X is owned by Square Enix. All footage captured on my PC.
Music: Those Who Seek the End remix by SixteenInMono from OCRemix: http://ocremix.org/remix/OCR03429Razing the Baa: Lets Play Might & Magic VI (part 39)Save State2017-02-01 | Exploiting bad pathfinding to get into the Warlord's Fortress with the least bloodshed we can manage. Which is still a lot.Manchester Sunset TakeoffSave State2017-01-25 | Soundtrack: "Cloudless" by Cousin Silas http://cctrax.com/cousin-silas/contrasts CC BY-NC-ND 3.0 Used with permission.
On a flight to Oslo last year, I found myself with a window seat, a view of Manchester and a low sun, and decided to film the scene with my phone.Mail this to Siberia: Lets Play DOTT Episode 12Save State2017-01-18 | Welcome to the last part of our LP of Day of the Tentacle Remastered. We're playing through a LucasArts classic that we both half-remember from well over a decade ago.My classic 12 in 12Save State2017-01-11 | "12 in 12" is a Reddit-born initiative to play twelve games in twelve months.
Music: Shift of Currents and Surly Bonds from Aeronaut by Blue Dot Sessions CC BY-NC http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Blue_Dot_Sessions/AeronautDecember 2016 vlog: Thanks for EverythingSave State2016-12-28 | Thanks to everyone who's watched, shared, liked or commented on a video! We hit 300 subscribers recently, a milestone which I didn't mention but which is nevertheless quietly blowing my mind.
What was the game about? Who was involved? How much of it existed when it was cancelled, and what were the reasons behind its cancellation? Which of the Original Series cast members participated? And is there any chance that any of it will ever see the light of day?
Coming in 2017.Retrohistories Episode 2 Production CommentarySave State2016-12-14 | Talking over the Bungie episode without a script, chatting about goals, processes, successes, failures, etc. Looser than usual; I hope it's interesting to someone.
Credits in the description of the original video: youtube.com/watch?v=t1x2sNtYVBoRun Wild Through The Woods Like Humans Should: Lets Play DOTT Episode 11Save State2016-12-07 | Welcome to part 11 of our LP of Day of the Tentacle Remastered. We're playing through a LucasArts classic that we both half-remember from well over a decade ago.