Video Game History Hour

Video Game History Hour

Author: Video Game History Foundation Language: English Episodes: 100
Ever wonder how the stories behind your favorite games actually get uncovered? Video Game History Hour pulls back the curtain on that process, hosted by Frank Cifaldi from the Video Game History Foundation. Instead of dry lectures, each episode feels like you’re overhearing a fascinating conversation between experts. Frank invites game developers, historians, and storytellers to share their discoveries and the real, often messy work of preservation. You’ll hear about the frustrating dead-ends that make researchers want to bang their heads against the wall, followed by those incredible breakthroughs when a forgotten piece of history suddenly clicks into place. This podcast is built on the genuine thrill of sharing a find, capturing the human side of digging through old code, tracking down obscure prototypes, or interviewing pivotal developers whose contributions have been overlooked. It’s a casual, engaging dive into the layers of an industry often focused only on the future, reminding us that every game has a past worth saving. Tune in for a refreshingly authentic look at the passion and persistence required to keep video game history alive, one surprising story at a time.
Episodes
Episode 124: Digital Library Launch [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:02
It’s finally arrived: our digital library archive is now open in early access! Our library team: library director Phil Salvador, director of technology Travis Brown, and artist and engineer Amanda Cifaldi all join founda…
Episode 123: GamePro Magazine Collection [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:30:47
Guests Katrin Auch & Dan Amrich, formerly of GamePro magazine, discuss their time at the publication as well as the archival collection now housed by the VGHF. Kat and Dan recount their experience of transitioning from f…
Episode 122: Save the Games Recap [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:16:49
We're joined by Director of Digital Preservation at The Strong National Museum of Play Andrew Borman to recap the events of the first ever Save the Games Symposium put on by the museum in August 2024, a conference dedica…
Episode 121: Exploring the Cyan Vault [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:43
In this field report from Mead, Washington, Cyan co-founder Rand Miller takes VGHF library director Phil Salvador on an exclusive tour of the "Cyan Vault." Together, they uncover rare game artifacts, prototypes, and cool…
Episode 120: Nintendo's Virtual Boy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:13:23
In our very first episode of season two, university professor José Zagal and video game historian Benj Edwards, co-authors of Seeing Red: Nintendo's Virtual Boy, join host Frank Cifaldi to educate us all on Nintendo’s Vi…
Season Two Announcement [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:41
We're thrilled to announce season two of the Video Game History Hour is finally here! We've been toiling away behind the scenes putting together a fun and interesting new line-up of guests and we can't wait to share them…
Holiday Update & Winter Fundraiser [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:57
It’s been awhile so, let’s catch up. Plus, we’re right in the middle of our 2023 Winter Fundraiser and we can’t wait to tell you all about how it’s going. Video Game History Foundation: Podcast Twitter: @gamehistoryhour…
The Future of the Show [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:33
With co-host Kelsey Lewin leaving the Video Game History Foundation, we will be putting the show on pause for the rest of the year. We want to thank Kelsey for everything she’s given to this show, to VGHF, and to our tea…
Ep. 119: Karateka [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:32
Game designer and creator of Karateka Jordan Mechner, joined by Chris Kohler of Digital Eclipse, shares a new interactive documentary The Making of Karateka exploring this 1984 karate classic title. In this episode: Jord…
Ep. 118: Noclip Game History Archive [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:14:30
Documentarian Danny O’Dwyer of Noclip has been sifting through thousands of videotapes in a recent mass-acquisition of video game (and adjacent) recordings. In this episode: Burger King and Kellogg’s games, Danny can fix…