Game Changers

Three of the most iconic board games ever made all have unusual histories of origin and ownership. While they have entertained countless households, families and fans for decades, the surprising tales of how they were created range from innocent, quirky to downright thievery.

Taking concepts and ideas from the first ever video game, Nolan Bushnell founded Atari and helps create both the commercial video game and home console gaming industries. Starting with the game "Pong" paving the way to Pac Man.

From an obscure Japanese playing card maker, to the most recognizable video game company on Earth. From the back alleys of Kyoto, to a $60B company… it took over 100 years, and the iron fist of the one son who dared alter the course of the family business. Nintendo changed the game, and the world… a Super Mario World!

Sega enters its do or die period with the launch of their 6 bit Genesis and levels the playing field against a certain Italian Plumber with a brand new mascot of their own.

Tech pioneer Trip Hawkins and his company Electronic Arts collaborate with legendary coach and sports commentator John Madden to create what would become what the most considered to be greatest football video game of all time.

The battle to create Call of Duty began not in the trenches of Europe... but in the boardrooms of Hollywood, thanks to director Steven Spielberg. From Atari's disgruntled "Gang of Four" to the squalid conditions of a Tulsa video game company, the creative minds behind this mega franchise were driven to greatness by an endless cycle of corporate greed… and history can't seem to stop repeating.

Brave heroes, join us on a quest into the vast realms of 'World of Warcraft,' along with the wise warriors / game developers, who faced insurmountable obstacles to collect the gold. Lots and lots of gold. It's a journey that starts with a small loan from grandma, and continues into the annals of game history.

From Sweden to Silicon Valley... this is how a billion dollar empire was built one block at a time. Minecraft set players free in a colorful pixelated sandbox, to create their own worlds by mining, surviving, creating…. and dealing with the occasional zombie.