Codex Rex
Codex Rex
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Codex Rex: The Video Game History Podcast is a podcast where two friends hang out and tell each other stories about video game history and culture.
Available episodes
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Oldest first
May 25, 2023
Episode 26: Pokémon
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/
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May 16, 2023
Episode 25: Game Freak
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/
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Aug 15, 2022
Episode 24: Adventure and Easter Eggs
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/
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Jul 23, 2022
Episode 23: Tetris
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/
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Jun 24, 2022
Episode 22: Nintendo 64
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/
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Apr 5, 2022
Episode 21: Tamagotchi
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
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Dec 30, 2021
Episode 20: PlayStation
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/
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Oct 14, 2021
Episode 19: Tennis for Two
Dachz tells a story about the life of physicist William Higinbotham and the creation of the first video game, Tennis for Two.
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Sep 10, 2021
Episode 18: Lemmings and Grand Theft Auto
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/
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Aug 10, 2021
Episode 17: Sega Saturn
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/
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Jul 6, 2021
Episode 16: Flow in Video Games
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.
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Jun 13, 2021
Episode 15: 3DO Interactive Multiplayer
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/
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Jun 6, 2021
Episode 14: Electronic Arts
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/
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May 6, 2021
Episode 13: Magnavox Odyssey
Dachz tells a story about Ralph Baer, and the creation of the first video game console, the Magnavox Odyssey.
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Apr 2, 2021
Episode 12: Gothic
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.”
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Mar 5, 2021
Episode 11: Atari Jaguar
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
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Feb 9, 2021
Episode 10: SCUMM
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.
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Jan 15, 2021
Episode 9: Satellaview
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/
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Dec 24, 2020
Episode 8: The PDP-1 and Spacewar!
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/
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Dec 3, 2020
Episode 7: Harvest Moon and Story of Seasons
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/
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Nov 1, 2020
Episode 6: Mana
Dachz discusses the historical origins of the term “Mana” and how it became a video game mechanic.
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Oct 19, 2020
Episode 5: Guitar Hero and Rock Band
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/
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Sep 19, 2020
Episode 4: Populous
Dachz tells Tyler a story about the 1989 game Populous, a “god game” that spawned a genre.
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Jun 21, 2020
Episode 3: Portal
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!
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Jun 14, 2020
Episode 2: Crash Bandicoot
In this episode, Tyler and Dachz discuss the formation of Naughty Dog and the creation of Crash Bandicoot.
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May 27, 2020
Episode 1: Sonic the Hedgehog
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.
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