Ep.268 – Click, Chop, Conquer: How Ensemble Studios Made Age of Empires
In 1997, Ensemble Studios released Age of Empires, a real-time strategy game that transformed history into spectacle. We trace Tony Goodman’s journey from running a Dallas software company to founding Ensemble, and how veteran designer Bruce Shelley brought board game and Civilization experience to the team. The episode highlights the creation of “Dawn of Man,” the challenges of pathfinding and dial-up multiplayer, and Microsoft’s gamble on a game that mixed Warcraft’s immediacy with Civilization’s scope. Our conversation explores critic reviews praising its balance of history and playability, as well as fan memories of chopping wood, raising wonders, and fighting to the population cap. We also cover Rise of Rome, sequels, Definitive Editions, and Age of Empires IV. Join us as we build, march, and conquer through Age of Empires on today’s trip down Memory Card Lane.Read transcript
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Ep.267 – Monkey Business: The Struggle to Develop Enslaved: Odyssey to the West
In 2010, Ninja Theory released Enslaved: Odyssey to the West, a post-apocalyptic reimagining of the Chinese epic Journey to the West. We trace Tameem Antoniades’ turbulent path from Kung Fu Chaos and Heavenly Sword to founding Ninja Theory and building Enslaved on a shoestring budget. The episode highlights the extraordinary creative lineup—Andy Serkis shaping Monkey, Alex Garland embedding with the team as co-designer, and Nitin Sawhney composing its score. Our conversation explores its lush environments, groundbreaking performance capture, and the dynamic between Monkey and Trip that critics compared to ICO and Prince of Persia. While sales fell short of expectations, expansions like Pigsy’s Perfect 10 and cult acclaim cemented its legacy. Join us as we climb, fight, and journey west through Enslaved on today’s trip down Memory Card Lane.Read transcript
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Ep.266 – Basement Blues: Faith and Trauma in The Binding of Issac's Design
In 2011, Edmund McMillen and Florian Himsl released The Binding of Isaac, a crude Flash project that grew into one of the most influential indie games of its era. We trace McMillen’s path from comics to Super Meat Boy, his partnership with Himsl, and the deeply personal religious themes that shaped Isaac’s grotesque story. The episode highlights its Zelda-inspired dungeons, roguelike randomization, and item transformations that turned every run into a new tale of survival. Our conversation explores critic and fan reactions, Nintendo’s rejection over “blasphemous” content, and how expansions, remakes, and community mods expanded it into Rebirth, Afterbirth, and Repentance. From small experiment to genre-defining giant, we explore how Isaac sparked the roguelike revival. Join us as we dodge, cry, and descend into Isaac’s basement on today’s trip down Memory Card Lane.Read transcript
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Ep.265 – Heroes in the Cockpit: Chris Roberts and the Making of Wing Commander (1990)
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, pitched Squadron, and assembled a small team to bring branching campaigns, cockpit chatter, and dynamic music to life. Our conversation highlights critic and fan praise for its spectacle, the rush of expansions and sequels, and its leap into full-motion video with Mark Hamill in Wing Commander III. We also follow Roberts beyond Origin, from Freelancer to Star Citizen. Join us as we dogfight, dive, and dream big through Wing Commander on today’s trip down Memory Card Lane.Read transcript
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Ep.264 – Storming the Beaches (and the Servers): How Battlefield 1942 Redefined Multiplayer Warfare
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 finally backing the project, the Refractor engine’s technical leap, and the launch maps that turned every match into a story generator. Critics praised its scale and innovation, though single-player bot matches left some underwhelmed. Our conversation explores emergent stunts, early fan culture, influential mods like Desert Combat, and Battlefield’s long legacy in shaping online play. Join us as we storm, soar, and shell our way through Battlefield 1942 on today’s trip down Memory Card Lane.Read transcript
Would you like to learn new things about your favorite video games, and the people who create them?
A Trip Down Memory Card Lane is a weekly video game history podcast that uses the current week in gaming history as a guide to tell you interesting stories about the history of video games, gaming consoles, game designers, the gaming studios they've founded, and more.
Join hosts David Kassin and Robert Kassin as they take an often-chronological look at the people, companies, technologies, and developmental processes that have helped bring your favorite video games to life on each week's trip down Memory Card Lane.
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