The Retro Hour (Retro Gaming Podcast)

This week, we’re joined by the brilliant Tobias Kopka—aka Melkor of Haujobb—as we explore the importance of the demo scene. We explore how this underground digital art movement went from C64 crack intros to global recognition through the ‘Art of Coding’ UNESCO initiative. From the days of 2,000 sweaty kids attending events like The Gathering to international cultural bids, Tobias shares some amazing stories, including running demos on ATMs and sending them into space!  Contents: 00:00 - The Week's Retro News Stories  39:49 - Tobias Kopka Interview Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show: Bitmap Books - https://www.bitmapbooks.com [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 [https://shopify.co.uk/retrohour] The Retro Hour Book: https://retrohour.myshopify.com/ [https://retrohour.myshopify.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://theretrohour.com/support/] https://www.patreon.com/retrohour [https://www.patreon.com/retrohour] Get your Retro Hour merchandise: https://bit.ly/33OWBKd [https://bit.ly/33OWBKd] Join our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8 [https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8] Website: http://theretrohour.com [http://theretrohour.com] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/ [https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/] X: https://twitter.com/retrohouruk [https://twitter.com/retrohouruk] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/ [https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/] Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theretrohour.com [https://bsky.app/profile/theretrohour.com] Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohour [https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohour] Show notes Wii Homebrew Channel closes: https://tinyurl.com/yy32spc4 [https://tinyurl.com/yy32spc4] Frontier Force: https://tinyurl.com/53uy5u54 [https://tinyurl.com/53uy5u54] Breakspace Spectrum magazine – Issue 1 released: https://breakspace.itch.io/issue-1 [https://breakspace.itch.io/issue-1] Toys R Us – the movie: https://tinyurl.com/48trvmhm [https://tinyurl.com/48trvmhm] Linecraft for Pico-8: https://tinyurl.com/5cbyrynu [https://tinyurl.com/5cbyrynu]

We’re joined by legendary game developer American McGee, who takes us on a journey from his humble beginnings on the Timex Sinclair and Commodore 64 to designing iconic levels for Doom II and Quake. He shares behind-the-scenes stories from iD Software, reveals how a Ferrari-driving neighbour turned out to be John Carmack, and discusses the gothic inspirations behind American McGee’s Alice. Plus, we hear about his time at EA, and why being fired from iD turned out to be one of the best things that ever happened to him! Contents: 00:00 - The Week's Retro News Stories  35:28 - American McGee Interview Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show: Bitmap Books - https://www.bitmapbooks.com [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 [https://shopify.co.uk/retrohour] The Retro Hour Book: https://retrohour.myshopify.com/ [https://retrohour.myshopify.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://theretrohour.com/support/] https://www.patreon.com/retrohour [https://www.patreon.com/retrohour] Get your Retro Hour merchandise: https://bit.ly/33OWBKd [https://bit.ly/33OWBKd] Join our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8 [https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8] Website: http://theretrohour.com [http://theretrohour.com] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/ [https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/] X: https://twitter.com/retrohouruk [https://twitter.com/retrohouruk] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/ [https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/] Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theretrohour.com [https://bsky.app/profile/theretrohour.com] Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohour [https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohour] Show notes YouTube Turns 20: https://tinyurl.com/mrx88ybs [https://tinyurl.com/mrx88ybs] Windows on Game Boy: https://tinyurl.com/25mkwpdp [https://tinyurl.com/25mkwpdp] OutRun the Movie: https://tinyurl.com/5n6r8ntk [https://tinyurl.com/5n6r8ntk] Neon Hearts City: https://tinyurl.com/yvezebcn [https://tinyurl.com/yvezebcn] Upcoming events RetCon 2025 – https://retconfestival.co.uk/ [https://retconfestival.co.uk/] PT1210 – https://www.ptweekender.com/ [https://www.ptweekender.com/] RetroMessa – https://www.retromessa.no/ [https://www.retromessa.no/]

As the Commodore Amiga celebrates its 40th birthday, we hear stories from original developers Dale Luck, Jeff Porter, Andy Finkel, and others. Recorded live at VCF East in New Jersey, our Dan gets the story of this legendary machine direct from the people who made it happen. Thanks to Amiga Bill for recording the interview, and joining us for the news this week! 🌟 Twitch: twitch.tv/AmigaBill [http://twitch.tv/AmigaBill] 📺 YouTube: youtube.com/@AmigaBill [http://youtube.com/@AmigaBill] 🌐 Website: AmigaBill.tv [http://AmigaBill.tv] VCF Event: https://vcfed.org/ [https://vcfed.org/] Contents: 00:00 - The Week's Retro News Stories  45:00 - Amiga 40th Panel Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show: Bitmap Books - https://www.bitmapbooks.com [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 [https://shopify.co.uk/retrohour] The Retro Hour Book: https://retrohour.myshopify.com/ [https://retrohour.myshopify.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://theretrohour.com/support/] https://www.patreon.com/retrohour [https://www.patreon.com/retrohour] Get your Retro Hour merchandise: https://bit.ly/33OWBKd [https://bit.ly/33OWBKd] Join our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8 [https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8] Website: http://theretrohour.com [http://theretrohour.com] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/ [https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/] X: https://twitter.com/retrohouruk [https://twitter.com/retrohouruk] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/ [https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/] Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theretrohour.com [https://bsky.app/profile/theretrohour.com] Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohour [https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohour] Show notes New Sega Saturn homebrew racer: https://tinyurl.com/2sn87by7 [https://tinyurl.com/2sn87by7] Compute’s Gazette returns: https://tinyurl.com/yc7km7yn [https://tinyurl.com/yc7km7yn] Limited Run DOOM I & II collection: https://tinyurl.com/yyw46vhc [https://tinyurl.com/yyw46vhc] AmigaOS update released: https://tinyurl.com/4fzbs2d8 [https://tinyurl.com/4fzbs2d8] Mechanoids 2 – The Final Conflict: https://tinyurl.com/3mkh48rs [https://tinyurl.com/3mkh48rs]

This week we’re joined by Neil Haldar, a pivotal figure behind the legendary Unreal Tournament. From dropping out of medical school to leading major projects at Sierra Online, GT Interactive, and MGM Studios, Neil shares incredible stories from his time shaping iconic games. Plus, we rewind to the 3DO era, and get the inside story on licensed games like 007 Racing and Rocky. Contents: 00:00 - The Week's Retro News Stories  42:36 - Neil Haldar Interview Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show: Bitmap Books - https://www.bitmapbooks.com [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 [https://shopify.co.uk/retrohour] The Retro Hour Book: https://retrohour.myshopify.com/ [https://retrohour.myshopify.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://theretrohour.com/support/] https://www.patreon.com/retrohour [https://www.patreon.com/retrohour] Get your Retro Hour merchandise: https://bit.ly/33OWBKd [https://bit.ly/33OWBKd] Join our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8 [https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8] Website: http://theretrohour.com [http://theretrohour.com] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/ [https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/] X: https://twitter.com/retrohouruk [https://twitter.com/retrohouruk] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/ [https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/] Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theretrohour.com [https://bsky.app/profile/theretrohour.com] Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohour [https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohour] Show notes AI-generated Quake mixes reactions: https://tinyurl.com/tcevvphu [https://tinyurl.com/tcevvphu] John Carmack defends AI Quake II level: https://tinyurl.com/55kne3rm [https://tinyurl.com/55kne3rm] New N-Gage release: https://tinyurl.com/28rzes4x [https://tinyurl.com/28rzes4x] The World Is Not Enough prototype: https://tinyurl.com/54vwzw6p [https://tinyurl.com/54vwzw6p] GameCube comes to Switch 2: https://tinyurl.com/3v7cujsc [https://tinyurl.com/3v7cujsc]

This week, we catch up with Richard Moss and welcome first-time guest Connor O’Keane, the creative minds behind the spine-chilling documentary series TerrorBytes. In this follow-up to our earlier chat with the TerrorBytes team, we explore the evolution of horror in video games, from lo-fi jump scares to controversial bans and accidental nightmares. Plus, why horror in games is more than just guts and gore, and what really makes a game scary… TerrorBytes website: https://terrorbytesdoc.com/ [https://terrorbytesdoc.com/] Contents: 00:00 - The Week's Retro News Stories  35:09 - TerrorBytes Interview Please visit our amazing sponsors and help to support the show: Bitmap Books - https://www.bitmapbooks.com [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 [https://shopify.co.uk/retrohour] The Retro Hour Book: https://retrohour.myshopify.com/ [https://retrohour.myshopify.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://theretrohour.com/support/] https://www.patreon.com/retrohour [https://www.patreon.com/retrohour] Get your Retro Hour merchandise: https://bit.ly/33OWBKd [https://bit.ly/33OWBKd] Join our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8 [https://discord.gg/GQw8qp8] Website: http://theretrohour.com [http://theretrohour.com] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/ [https://www.facebook.com/theretrohour/] X: https://twitter.com/retrohouruk [https://twitter.com/retrohouruk] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/ [https://www.instagram.com/retrohouruk/] Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theretrohour.com [https://bsky.app/profile/theretrohour.com] Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohour [https://www.twitch.tv/theretrohour] Show notes Long Lost NES Populous Found: https://tinyurl.com/y434kfzw [https://tinyurl.com/y434kfzw] Ghosts ’N Goblins Tribute Gladmort: https://tinyurl.com/ymr98anx [https://tinyurl.com/ymr98anx] Krogharr – New Amiga Slasher: https://tinyurl.com/79xfph5p [https://tinyurl.com/79xfph5p] Exploding PSPs Warning: https://tinyurl.com/mvj9msph [https://tinyurl.com/mvj9msph]