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My Perfect Console with Simon Parkin

Simon Parkin

In My Perfect Console, Simon Parkin, award-winning author video game critic for The Observer invites well-known guests from the worlds of gaming, film and television, music, comedy and more to pick the five video games they would like to immortalise on a fictional games machine. They discuss those five games in chronological order of release, interspersed with biographical chat about the guest’s life and career –– a lens that often leads to new and unexpected insights.

"Thoroughly modern and ahead of its time...a gift." - NEW YORK'S VULTURE

"Charming, insightful." -- THE GUARDIAN

TIME OUT'S 50 Best Podcasts

VULTURE's Best Podcast of the Year

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#184
Tuesday · 1 hr 27 min
Matthew Seiji Burns, writer, designer, musician (Call of Duty, Halo, Eliza).
Matthew Seiji Burns is an American writer, director, composer, and game designer whose career has moved between some of the biggest studios in the industry and much smaller, more personal experiments in interactive storytelling. He worked as a producer at Treyarch, Bungie, and 343 Industries on franchises including Call of Duty and Halo, before spending time at the University of Washington’s Center for Game Science, exploring how games might be used for research and scientific discovery. He later joined Zachtronics, contributing writing and music to games including Opus Magnum and EXAPUNKS, while also creating his own interactive fiction. In 2019, he created Eliza, a visual novel about an AI-assisted counselling service that explored automation and the boundaries between human empathy and technology years before those questions became unavoidable. His latest work has takenthose concerns into a different medium: Process, his debut novel, is a darkly comic and psychologically intense story set inside Seattle’s startup culture. LINKS Matthew Seiji Burns – website & socials Matthew Seiji Burns – official website Matthew Seiji Burns – Bluesky (@matthewseiji.com) Matthew Seiji Burns – itch.io (game experiments and back catalogue) Process – the novel Process – hardcover edition (Tune & Fairweather) Process – softcover edition (Tune & Fairweather) Process – audiobook (read by the author, Audible) Process – free digital sampler (Tune & Fairweather) Eliza – the visual novel (2019) Eliza – Steam Eliza – itch.io Joseph Weizenbaum – creator of the original ELIZA chatbot, Wikipedia ELIZA (chatbot, 1966) – Wikipedia The Writer Will Do Something (2015) The Writer Will Do Something – co-written with Tom Bissell, itch.io Tom Bissell – author of Extra Lives, previous My Perfect Console guest Matthew’s Perfect Console Of Monks and Max (HyperCard stack, 1988) – by Brian Thomas HyperCard – Wikipedia Loom – LucasArts (1990), Wikipedia ICO (PS2, 2001) – Fumito Ueda / Team Ico, Wikipedia Rez (Dreamcast, 2001) – Tetsuya Mizuguchi / United Game Artists, Wikipedia Rez Infinite – Steam (modern version) Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon – Steam Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon – Wikipedia Other games and references mentioned Opus Magnum – Zachtronics (Steam) Exapunks – Zachtronics (Steam) Dark Castle – remaster (Steam) Cosmic Osmo – Cyan (HyperCard, 1989), Wikipedia Myst – Cyan (1993), Wikipedia Call of Duty: United Offensive (expansion, 2004) – Wikipedia Call of Duty 3 – Wikipedia Halo 3 – Wikipedia Halo 3: ODST – Wikipedia Halo: Reach – Wikipedia Star Trek: Armada II – Wikipedia Medieval: Total War – Wikipedia University of Washington Center for Game Science Mark Wynne – graphic designer of Process (Edge magazine) Tune & Fairweather – publisher Jason Killingsworth – founder of Tune & Fairweather Support the show My Perfect Console – episode archive and data My Perfect Console on Patreon – early access, video episodes and monthly bonus episodes Email the show: myperfectconsole@gmail.com Become a My Perfect Console supporter and receive a range of benefits at www.patreon.com/myperfectconsole Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
October 22 · 1 hr 17 min
Replay: Dr Greg Zeschuk, co-founder BioWare.
Yesterday came the news that EA plans to close BioWare, the Edmonton studio behind Baldur’s Gate, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Mass Effect and Dragon Age. I thought it was a good moment to revisit my conversation with Dr Greg Zeschuk, one of BioWare’s co-founders. We talk about the games that shaped him, and the long, remarkable journey of a studio that defined computer and console role-playing games for millions of people. Here’s my conversation with Greg Zeschuk. [Original description] Greg Zeschuk is the co-founder of Bioware. While a medical student at the University of Alberta he told his future wife that, if he could, he’d make video games for a living. After he graduated, the dream came true when, in 1995, he and two friends y founded Bioware in his basement. The following year the trio released Shattered Steel and, two years after that, Baldur’s Gate, which revolutionised the world of computer role-playing games. In the years that followed Bioware released a string of blockbuster hits, including Mass Effect, and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. In 2007, just 12 years after its founding, the companywas sold to Electronic Arts as part of a deal worth $860 million. In recent years, my guest started a brewing company, Blind Enthusiasm, and today runs two microbreweries and a restaurant in Edmunton, where he has spent most of his life. NOTES Greg Zeschuk – BioWare & brewery Greg Zeschuk – Wikipedia Blind Enthusiasm Brewing Company – official site Blind Enthusiasm – The Monolith taproom, Edmonton Greg Zeschuk on BioWare’s closure – Wired BioWare BioWare – Wikipedia Ray Muzyka – BioWare co-founder, Wikipedia Augustine Yip – BioWare co-founder, Wikipedia Greg’s Perfect Console Adventure (Atari 2600, 1980) – Wikipedia Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord (Apple II, 1981) – Wikipedia Dungeon Master (Atari ST, 1987) – Wikipedia Diablo (1996) – Wikipedia Elden Ring (2022) – official site Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree DLC – Wikipedia BioWare games discussed Baldur’s Gate (1998) – Wikipedia Baldur’s Gate II: Shadows of Amn (2000) – Wikipedia Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (2003) – Wikipedia Star Wars: The Old Republic (MMO) – official site Jade Empire (2005) – Wikipedia Mass Effect trilogy – Wikipedia Dragon Age: Origins – Wikipedia Dragon Age: The Veilguard – Wikipedia MDK2 (2000) – Wikipedia Shattered Steel (1996) – Wikipedia Anthem (2019) – Wikipedia Other games mentioned Baldur’s Gate 3 – Larian Studios Elden Ring – Wikipedia Tears of the Kingdom – Nintendo Pool of Radiance (1988) – Wikipedia Lords of the Fallen (2023) – Steam Context and references mentioned EA Spouse – the 2004 open letter that sparked the games industry crunch debate Elevation Partners – Wikipedia (private equity firm that invested in BioWare) Interplay Entertainment – Wikipedia (early publisher partner) Blizzard North – Wikipedia (developers of Diablo) Order of Canada – Wikipedia (Greg was appointed in 2018) TSR, Inc. – Wikipedia (original owners of Dungeons & Dragons) Ian M. Banks – Culture series author, Wikipedia Alastair Reynolds – science fiction author, Wikipedia Support the show My Perfect Console – episode archive Support My Perfect Console on Patreon Become a My Perfect Console supporter and receive a range of benefits at www.patreon.com/myperfectconsole Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#183
October 20 · 1 hr 17 min
Daryl Baxter, author and journalist (The Making of Tomb Raider).
Daryl Baxter is a British writer and podcaster from Lincoln whose work has ranged across games, technology, and the history of the medium. He has written for outlets including WIRED, TechRadar, Den of Geek, and the Radio Times, and now publishes Springboard, a free newsletter about gaming, technology, and mental health that deliberately avoids chasing SEO or relying on AI. Growing up with series including Sonic, Metal Gear and, especially, Tomb Raider, he eventually turned that fascination into his first book, The Making of Tomb Raider, published in 2021 and based on extensive interviews with the original Core Design team. His new book, The Making of Tomb Raider: 1997–2000, picks up the story as a new team took control of the series, tracing the creation of Tomb Raider III, The Last Revelation, Chronicles and the expansions, while exploring the punishing annual release cycle and the pressure of sustaining one of gaming’s biggest phenomena. LINKS Daryl Baxter – website & newsletter Daryl Baxter – official website Springboard – Daryl’s newsletter on games, tech and mental health (free to subscribe) The Making of Tomb Raider: 1997–2000 (out 30 October 2026) The Making of Tomb Raider: 1997–2000 – Waterstones The Making of Tomb Raider: 1997–2000 – Pen & Sword Books The Making of Tomb Raider: 1997–2000 – Amazon UK Daryl’s earlier books The Making of Tomb Raider (2021) – Pen & Sword Books 50 Years of Boss Fights – Pen & Sword Books Daryl’s Perfect Console Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (Mega Drive, 1994) – Wikipedia Sonic 3 & Knuckles – Wikipedia PlayStation Demo One disc (1995) – Wikipedia Tomb Raider II (1997) – Wikipedia Metal Gear Solid (1998) – Wikipedia Metal Gear Solid – Steam Half-Life 2 (2004) – Wikipedia Half-Life 2 – Steam Also mentioned TR30 Tomb Raider Day – Derby Quad, 24 October 2026 Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis – Crystal Dynamics & Flying Wild Hog (out 12 February 2027) Tomb Raider: Catalyst – Wikipedia Alix Wilton Regan – the new voice of Lara Croft (Wikipedia) Peter Connelly – Tomb Raider 4 & 5 composer (Wikipedia) Judith Gibbons – Lara Croft’s voice in Tomb Raider II, Wikipedia Shelley Blond – Lara Croft’s voice in Tomb Raider I Keeley Hawes – Lara Croft in Tomb Raider: Underworld Half-Life 2 source code leak – Wikipedia Games Master magazine – Wikipedia GamesRadar – Rosalie Newcombe Death by Video Game – Simon Parkin (buy via Bookshop.org UK) Support the show My Perfect Console – episode archive and data Support My Perfect Console on Patreon Become a My Perfect Console supporter and receive a range of benefits at www.patreon.com/myperfectconsole Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#182
October 13 · 1 hr 21 min
Will de Renzy-Martin, actor (The Blood of Dawnwalker, 007 First Light, Crimson Desert).
Will de Renzy-Martin is a British actor and voice performer whose career has increasingly become intertwined with video games. As a child, he was fascinated by storytelling and by watching his older brothers play Ocarina of Time, but initially followed a rather different path, reading Computing at Imperial College London. Before long, however, he changed direction, training as an actor at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, where he discovered voiceover shortly before graduating in 2017. Since then, he has built an extensive career in games, with roles in Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader, Zenless Zone Zero, Warframe: The Old Peace, 007 First Light, Nioh 3, and many more. His biggest role to date, however, is Coen, the lead character in Rebel Wolves’ dark fantasy RPG The Blood of Dawnwalker, a performance that’s put him at the centre of one of 2026’s most ambitious new games. NOTES Will de Renzy-Martin – website & socials Will de Renzy-Martin – official website (WillVoice.it) Will de Renzy-Martin – Bluesky (@willvoiceit.bsky.social) Will de Renzy-Martin – Instagram (@willvoiceit) The Blood of Dawnwalker The Blood of Dawnwalker – official site The Blood of Dawnwalker – Steam Rebel Wolves – the studio behind the game Will’s Perfect Console Breath of Fire II (SNES/GBA, 1994) – Wikipedia The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask (N64, 2000) – Wikipedia The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (2006) – Wikipedia The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered – Steam Devil May Cry 4 (2008) – Wikipedia Devil May Cry 5 – Steam Batman: Arkham Asylum (2009) – Wikipedia Other games and references mentioned Agatha Christie – Hercule Poirot: The First Cases – Wikipedia (Will’s first major game role) Zenless Zone Zero – Wikipedia (Will voices Von Lycaon) Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader – Steam 007: First Light – official site Leonie Schliesing – voice actor who first encouraged Will into games VO (Cyberpunk 2077, AC Valhalla) Big Mouth Audio – the Glasgow audio studio where Will auditioned for Dawnwalker Guildhall School of Music and Drama – where Will trained Imperial College London – where Will studied Computing Darksiders – Wikipedia Meat Machine – the AI voice acting experiment Will references Ninja Theory – British studio (DMC reboot, Hellblade) Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice – Steam A Game of Birds and Wolves – Simon Parkin’s book (optioned for film) My Perfect Console website myperfectconsole.com – the new searchable episode archive and data site Support the show Support My Perfect Console on Patreon Become a My Perfect Console supporter and receive a range of benefits at www.patreon.com/myperfectconsole Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#181
October 6 · 1 hr 14 min
Úna-Minh Kavanagh, writer, producer and Irish-language game localiser (Among Us, VVVVVV).
My guest today is an Irish writer, producer, and multimedia creator whose work spans journalism, video games, language, and digital culture. Born in Vietnam, she was adopted at three days old by a primary school teacher from County Kerry, and brought to Ireland at six weeks of age. Irish became one of her spoken languages, and it would go on to shape both her education and her career: she later studied Irish and Journalism at Dublin City University, building a body of work that moves across reporting, video games, and digital culture. She has written books and essays on video games, migration, identity, and food, and has become a leading voice in Irish-language digital media through her localisation work on games including Among Us and VVVVVV. In 2026, she was recognised with the Emerging Talent award at the Irish Games Awards. NOTES Úna-Minh Kavanagh – website & socials Úna-Minh Kavanagh – Bluesky (@unaminh.bsky.social) Organic Matters – Úna-Minh's new Irish indie studio Organic Matters – itch.io CTRL: Essays on Video Games (the book featuring Úna-Minh's essay) CTRL: Essays on Video Games – Lilliput Press (Waterstones) Lilliput Press – publisher Among Us – Irish language localisation Among Us – official site (Innersloth) Among Us on Steam VVVVVV – Irish language localisation VVVVVV – Terry Cavanagh, official site VVVVVV – Steam Úna-Minh's Perfect Console Final Fantasy IX (2000) – Wikipedia Final Fantasy IX – Steam Nobuo Uematsu – composer, Wikipedia Hotel Dusk: Room 215 (Nintendo DS, 2007) – Wikipedia Persona 4 Golden (PS Vita, 2012) – Wikipedia Persona 4 Golden – Steam This War of Mine (2014) – official site This War of Mine – Steam Saltsea Chronicles (2023) – Die Gute Fabrik Saltsea Chronicles – Steam Also mentioned Die Gute Fabrik – studio behind Saltsea Chronicles Hannah Nicklin – studio lead and creative director, Die Gute Fabrik Citizen Sleeper – Gareth Damian Martin / Jump Over The Age Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector – Steam Limit Break – mentorship programme for marginalised game developers IMIRT – Irish Game Makers association (Irish Games Awards) Global Game Jam itch.io – indie games platform Dublin City University – where Úna-Minh studied Irish and journalism Support the show My Perfect Console – episode archive Support My Perfect Console on Patreon Become a My Perfect Console supporter and receive a range of benefits at www.patreon.com/myperfectconsole Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#180
September 29 · 1 hr 21 min
Paolo Pedercini, founder MolleIndustria (McDonald's Videogame, The New York Times Simulator, Future? No Thanks!)
Paolo Pedercini is an Italian game designer, artist, educator, and activist whose work has spent more than two decades challenging assumptions about what video games are for, and what they are allowed to say. In 2003, he founded Molleindustria as a project dedicated to the "reappropriation of video games and the radicalisation of popular culture." Since then, he has created a remarkable body of short, provocative games about labour, capitalism, religion, technology, and political power, including McDonald’s Videogame, Oiligarchy, Every Day the Same Dream, Phone Story, and Democratic Socialism Simulator. His games have often been satirical, often controversial, and always interested in using play as a way of thinking through systems and ideology. Now he is working on his most ambitious project yet: Future? No Thanks!, an open-world comedy adventure about a grumpy old man completing his bucket list in a solarpunk future. NOTES: Paolo Pedercini / Molleindustria Molleindustria – official site (all Paolo's games) Paolo Pedercini – Wikipedia Paolo Pedercini – Bluesky (@molleindustria.org) Future? No Thanks! (out now) Future? No Thanks! – Steam Future? No Thanks! – official site Other Molleindustria games mentioned McDonald's Video Game – play free in browser Oiligarchy – play free in browser Every Day the Same Dream – play free in browser Phone Story – Wikipedia Democratic Socialism Simulator – itch.io Faith Fighter – play free in browser Sweatshop (as mentioned by Simon) Sweatshop – play in browser The New Yorker piece (as mentioned by Simon) The Division 2 and the Severing of Politics from Video Games – The New Yorker Paolo's Perfect Console Cannon Fodder (Sensible Software, 1993) – Wikipedia Sensible Software – Wikipedia Shadow of the Colossus (2005) – Wikipedia Grand Theft Auto V – Rockstar Games Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas – Wikipedia Push Me Pull You – House House (Steam) House House – developer of Untitled Goose Game and Big Walk Radiator Forever – Robert Yang (itch.io) Robert Yang – game designer Other games and references mentioned Theme Park – Bullfrog Productions (1994), Wikipedia Postal 2 – Wikipedia GTA San Andreas Hot Coffee mod – Wikipedia The Yes Men – activist/prankster duo Foxconn suicides – Wikipedia itch.io – indie games platform Aftermath – independent games journalism Tom Bissell – My Perfect Console episode Untitled Goose Game – House House Next week's guest Úna Míng Kavanagh – IMIRT emerging talent award 2026 Úna Míng Kavanagh – TikTok (@unamingkavanagh) Support the show My Perfect Console – episode archive Support My Perfect Console on Patreon Become a My Perfect Console supporter and receive a range of benefits at www.patreon.com/myperfectconsole Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#179
September 22 · 1 hr 30 min
Anna Donlon, head of Valorant Studios (Valorant, League of Legends, Call of Duty: Black Ops)
My guest today is an American game producer and studio leader whose career has been shaped by a deep love of competitive shooters and more than two decades spent building some of the genre’s major titles. She began at Treyarch, where she worked as a senior producer on Call of Duty: Black Ops and Black Ops II, before joining Riot Games in 2015. There, she first helped lead League of Legends’ cosmetic content and in-game events. She later moved into leading a new tactical shooter project, becoming Executive Producer of VALORANT and guiding the game to its launch in 2020. Today, as Head of VALORANT Studios, she oversees the franchise’s wider creative and strategic direction, while also championing initiatives such as VCT Game Changers, Riot’s programme supporting women and marginalised genders in competitive play. LINKS Anna Donlon – Valorant & Riot Games Valorant – official site (free to play) VCT Game Changers – Riot's programme supporting women and marginalised genders in competitive play Riot Games – official site Anna's Perfect Console Silent Hill 2 (PS2, 2001) – Wikipedia Silent Hill 2 Remake (2024) – Steam Grand Theft Auto III (PS2, 2001) – Wikipedia Shadow of the Colossus (PS2, 2005) – Wikipedia Shadow of the Colossus Remake (2018) – PlayStation BioShock (2007) – Wikipedia Ghost of Tsushima – official site Ghost of Tsushima – PlayStation Ghost of Tsushima: Iki Island – Wikipedia Also mentioned Kaboom! (Atari 2600) – Wikipedia ICO (PS2, 2001) – Wikipedia Red Dead Redemption 2 – Rockstar Games Arc Raiders – Steam Call of Duty: Black Ops – Wikipedia Call of Duty: Black Ops II – Wikipedia Treyarch – Wikipedia JumpStart – educational games series, Wikipedia University of California, Santa Cruz Next week's guest Paolo Pedercini / Molleindustria – official site Future? No Thanks! – Steam (out now) Support the show My Perfect Console – episode archive Support My Perfect Console on Patreon Become a My Perfect Console supporter and receive a range of benefits at www.patreon.com/myperfectconsole Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
September 17 · 38 min
Correspondence Special #9: Which games should have been on the podcast by now (and much more)
In this special correspondence edition, Simon reads out your letters and answers your questions. Is there a cut-off point for working in games journalism? Which video game does Simon think should surely have been picked by now but hasn't? Who decides how long guests talk about their game choices? How does Simon actually make the show — from bookings to post-production to those musical stingers? What is Simon's new book about, and how did he uncover the untold legal battle thxat changed the shape of the video game industry? And did you know the UK government has a Head of Video Games and Esports who listens to the show? Us neither! All this and much more. And congratulations to letter-writer Chris Law, who wins a signed copy of Blood Echoes: A Bloodborne Anthology. . Become a My Perfect Console supporter and receive a range of benefits at www.patreon.com/myperfectconsole Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#178
September 15 · 1 hr 29 min
Chris Cantrill, comedian, writer Saturday Night Live UK.
Chris Cantrill is a British comedian, writer, and actor from West Yorkshire whose work combines rapid-fire jokes with an off-kilter view of everyday life. He first came to prominence as one half of the acclaimed sketch duo The Delightful Sausage, alongside Amy Gledhill, earning Edinburgh Comedy Award nominations for Best Show in both 2019 and 2022. As a solo performer, he added another nomination in 2024, before returning to Edinburgh this summer and finally winning the Comedy Award for Best Show in 2026. Alongside stand-up, he has appeared in programmes including Alma’s Not Normal, Daddy Issues, Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared, and Avoidance, while his writing credits stretch across television and radio. Most recently, he joined the writing team of Saturday Night Live UK, which returns for its second season this week. LINKS Chris Cantrill Website Instagram The Delightful Sausage Saturday Night Live UK SNL UK on Sky Simon's Observer Features How Saturday Night Live Landed in the UK Jack Shep on That Princess Di Impression Chris's Perfect Console Duke Nukem: Time to Kill Final Fantasy VII Bloodborne Animal Well The Case of the Golden Idol Other games discussed Castlevania: Symphony of the Night Dark Souls Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice Resident Evil 2 Remake The Witcher 3 Elden Ring Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order Become a My Perfect Console supporter and receive a range of benefits at www.patreon.com/myperfectconsole Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#177
September 8 · 1 hr 25 min
Sarah Maria Griffin, poet, author (Eat the Ones You Love; Strange is the Light)
My guest today is an Irish writer, poet, critic, and podcaster. Born and raised in Dublin, she began writing seriously as a teenager, studied English, Media and Cultural Studies at IADT, and later completed a Master’s in Creative Writing at NUI Galway. Her early work included the poetry collection Follies and Not Lost, a book of essays about emigration written after she moved to San Francisco in 2012. Since returning to Ireland, she has published a series of acclaimed novels, including Spare and Found Parts and Other Words for Smoke, which won Teen and Young Adult Book of the Year at the Irish Book Awards. Her 2025 horror novel Eat the Ones You Love was followed by a shortlist for Author of the Year, and she is now the 2026 Arts Council Writer Fellow at Trinity College Dublin. Alongside her fiction, she writes about games for The Guardian. Her new horror novel, Strange Is the Light, is out now, and she is currently working on another book, about video games, titled Everything Not Saved. LINKS Sarah Maria Griffin – books & socials Sarah Maria Griffin – official website Sarah Maria Griffin – Instagram (@sarahgriffski) Sarah Maria Griffin – Substack Sarah Maria Griffin – writing about games for The Guardian Strange as the Light (out 8 September 2026) Strange as the Light – Waterstones Strange as the Light – Titan Books Strange as the Light – Bookshop.org UK Earlier novels Eat the Ones You Love – Waterstones Other Words for Smoke – Waterstones Sarah's Perfect Console EarthBound (SNES, 1994) – Wikipedia EarthBound – Nintendo Switch Online The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask – Wikipedia Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door – Nintendo Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door – Wikipedia Night in the Woods – official site Night in the Woods – Steam Wandersong – official site Wandersong – Steam Other references mentioned Disco Elysium – Steam Chicory: A Colorful Tale – official site (Greg Lobanov, also made Wandersong) 826 Valencia – literacy non-profit, San Francisco Dublin Youth Theatre Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin – Waterstones Rock, Paper, Shotgun – games journalism Glenn Moore – Button Boys podcast Next week's guest Chris Cantrill – Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Show winner 2026 (Rewilding) Chris Cantrill – Chortle profile Saturday Night Live UK – ITV Support the show My Perfect Console – episode archive Support My Perfect Console on Patreon Become a My Perfect Console supporter and receive a range of benefits at www.patreon.com/myperfectconsole Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#176
September 1 · 1 hr 27 min
Mike Diver, journalist, author (Aliens: The Video Games)
Mike Diver is a British journalist, editor, and author whose career has moved fluidly between music criticism and video games writing, always with an eye for subculture, history, and stories beyond the mainstream. He began at the music website Drowned in Sound, where he rose to become content editor, before going on to work with Clash and contribute to publications including Kerrang! and Rock Sound. Later, he turned increasingly to video games, writing for outlets including Edge and Kotaku - as well as heading up teams at VICE Gaming (later Waypoint) and GAMINGbible - and bringing the same curiosity and critical energy to games culture, retro hardware, and the history of the medium. Alongside his journalism, he has written six books on video games and edited several more, covering subjects from indie games and esports to Sonic the Hedgehog and Final Fantasy. His latest book, Aliens: The Video Games, continues that fascination with the way great pop-cultural worlds mutate and endure through interactive form. LINKS Mike Diver – website & book Mike Diver – Aliens: The Video Games: An Unofficial Guide (Waterstones, out 30 August 2026) Aliens: The Video Games – publisher White Owl / Pen and Sword Alien games discussed Alien: Isolation – Steam Aliens: Dark Descent – Steam Aliens: Colonial Marines – Wikipedia Aliens: Infestation (Nintendo DS) – Wikipedia Aliens vs. Predator (Capcom, 1994 arcade) – Wikipedia Alien: Rogue Incursion – Steam Alien: Isolation 2 – official announcement trailer Mike's Perfect Console Sensible Soccer (1992) – Wikipedia Sensible World of Soccer – Wikipedia Streets of Rage 2 – Wikipedia Streets of Rage 4 – official site Snatcher – Wikipedia 1944: The Loop Master – Wikipedia Capcom Arcade 2nd Stadium (includes 1944) – Steam The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – official site The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Steam Other games and references mentioned Drowned in Sound – Wikipedia (music website where Mike began his career) Vice Gaming / Waypoint – Wikipedia Aftermath – independent games journalism site Respec – independent games journalism site Mina the Hollower – Yacht Club Games Yuzo Koshiro – composer of Streets of Rage 2 soundtrack, Wikipedia Hideo Kojima – Wikipedia Evercade – retro gaming handheld Next week's guest Sarah Maria Griffin – official website Eat the Ones You Love – Sarah Maria Griffin's latest novel (Waterstones) Sarah Maria Griffin – writing about video games for The Guardian Support the show My Perfect Console – episode archive Support My Perfect Console on Patreon Become a My Perfect Console supporter and receive a range of benefits at www.patreon.com/myperfectconsole Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#175
August 25 · 1 hr 36 min
Soren Johnson, game designer (Civ III, Civ IV, Spore, Old World)
Soren Johnson is an American programmer and game designer whose work has helped shape the modern strategy genre. After earning a master’s degree in Computer Science from Stanford University, he joined Firaxis Games, where he worked as both a programmer and designer on Civilization III before going on to lead the design of Civilization IV, one of the most celebrated strategy games yet made. Over the years he has contributed to a wide range of projects, including Spore, Dragon Age Legends, and Offworld Trading Company, bringing a distinctive blend of historical insight, systemic thinking, and player-driven design. Today he is the founder and design director of Mohawk Games, where he recently led the development of the acclaimed historical strategy game Old World. Alongside his development work, he continues to explore the craft of game design through his long-running blog and podcast, both of which are titled “Designer Notes”. Soren Johnson – website & podcast Soren Johnson – Designer Notes blog Designer Notes podcast – episode archive Designer Notes – Apple Podcasts Designer Notes – Spotify Mohawk Games & Old World Mohawk Games – official site Old World – official page Old World – Steam Old World – GOG Old World – Epic Games Store Old World: Empires of the Indus DLC – Mohawk Games Soren's Perfect Console Pinball Construction Set (1983) – Wikipedia M.U.L.E. (1983) – Wikipedia Seven Cities of Gold (1984) – Wikipedia Legacy of the Ancients (1987) – Wikipedia Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri (1999) – Wikipedia Other games and references mentioned Civilization IV – Wikipedia Civilization III – Wikipedia Sid Meier's Pirates! (2004 remake) – Wikipedia Civilization Revolution – Wikipedia Offworld Trading Company – Steam Spore (2008) – Wikipedia Balatro – Steam Vampire Survivors – Steam Schedule I – Steam Lethal Company – Steam Bennett Foddy – personal site Danielle Bunten Berry – Wikipedia (designer of M.U.L.E.) Trip Hawkins – Wikipedia (founder of Electronic Arts) Jake Solomon – Wikipedia Game Developers Conference (GDC) – official site Simon's book Trial of the Space Invaders – pre-order (Bookshop.org UK) Trial of the Space Invaders – pre-order (Amazon UK) Support the show My Perfect Console – episode archive Support My Perfect Console on Patreon Become a My Perfect Console supporter and receive a range of benefits at www.patreon.com/myperfectconsole Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#174
August 18 · 1 hr 15 min
Glen Henry, gamemaker, co-founder Jamaica Game Developer Society.
My guest today is a Jamaican game developer and studio founder. Based in Kingston, he is the founder of Spritewrench Studios, a narrative-focused micro studio he built after realising, in his final year at university, that he did not need to leave Jamaica or join a hundred-person team to make games of his own. Inspired by that possibility, he began creating small projects, taking part in game jams, and steadily turning Spritewrench from a name into a company. His work is shaped by a commitment to cultural representation that reaches beyond cliché, and by a wider effort to grow the local scene through the Jamaica Game Developer Society, where he has worked to connect creators and open up pathways into the industry. Now, with Duppy Detective Tashia, a point-and-click mystery rooted in Caribbean folklore, he is bringing that vision to a wider audience. Glen Henry & Spritewrench Studios Spritewrench Studios – official website Spritewrench – itch.io (all games) Glen Henry – Instagram (@spritewrench) Duppy Detective Tashia Duppy Detective Tashia – Steam Duppy Detective Tashia – itch.io Jamaica Game Developer Society Jamaica Game Developer Society – official site JGDS – YouTube channel (Crash Course series) Glen's Perfect Console The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker – Wikipedia Viewtiful Joe (GameCube, 2003) – Wikipedia Spelunky Classic – free download (Derek Yu's site) Spelunky Classic – Wikipedia Hades – official site Hades – Steam Hollow Knight: Silksong – official site Also mentioned Bastion – Supergiant Games Transistor – Supergiant Games Indie Game: The Movie – official site Black Voices in Gaming – community Discord Rami Ismail – game developer and advocate Chase Bethea – composer (Duppy Detective Tashia) Bubblexity – BChaotic (Jamaican student dev team, Steam) TIGSource – indie game development forums Global Game Jam Next week's guest Soren Johnson – designer of Civilization IV Old World – Mohawk Games (Steam) Simon's book Trial of the Space Invaders – pre-order (Bookshop.org UK) Trial of the Space Invaders – pre-order (Amazon UK) Support the show My Perfect Console – episode archive Support My Perfect Console on Patreon Become a My Perfect Console supporter and receive a range of benefits at www.patreon.com/myperfectconsole Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#173
August 11 · 1 hr 10 min
Amelia Tait, journalist, children's author.
Amelia Tait is a British journalist and author whose work has made her one of the sharpest observers of modern life online and off. As a freelance writer, she has built a reputation for following the strange, revealing currents of contemporary culture — writing about the internet, and remarkable people for publications including The New Yorker, The Guardian, Wired, and the New York Times. Her reporting is often drawn to the places where technology and absurdity collide, finding the human story inside subjects other people might dismiss as niche or ephemeral. Now she has turned that same wit and curiosity to fiction with her debut children’s book, Lily Tripp: Diary of an Accidental Time Traveller, a funny, fast-moving adventure about a girl bouncing through history while trying to survive friendship drama and the general embarrassment of being thirteen. LINKS Amelia Tait – website & writing Amelia Tait – official website The Waiting Room – Amelia's Substack newsletter Lily Tripp: Diary of an Accidental Time Traveller Lily Tripp – Waterstones (Waterstones Children's Book of the Month, June 2026) Lily Tripp – Amazon UK Amelia's Perfect Console Theme Hospital (1997) – Wikipedia The Simpsons: Road Rage (2001) – Wikipedia The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker – Wikipedia The Sims Bustin' Out (Game Boy Advance, 2003) – Wikipedia Stardew Valley – official site Stardew Valley – Steam Other games mentioned Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Nintendo The Simpsons: Hit & Run – Wikipedia Amelia's journalism – selected pieces Are Disney Adults the Happiest Debtors on Earth? – The New Yorker Amelia Tait – articles on The Guardian Next week's guest Duppy Detective Tashia – Glen Henry / Spritewrench Studios – Steam Spritewrench Studios – itch.io Support the show My Perfect Console – episode archive Support My Perfect Console on Patreon Become a My Perfect Console supporter and receive a range of benefits at www.patreon.com/myperfectconsole Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#172
August 4 · 1 hr 16 min
James Trickey, comedian.
James Trickey is a British comedian whose work blends sharp writing, physical comedy, and, in his new show, one of the more extraordinary Edinburgh Fringe stories in recent memory. By day he works as an accountant; by night he has been building a reputation as one of the most promising young voices on the live circuit, with appearances across the UK, a Chortle Student Comedy Award nomination, and a Best New Show nomination at the Leicester Comedy Festival. Last year, his sold-out Edinburgh debut, Don’t Count on Me, marked him out as a rising talent, earning strong reviews and an enviable word-of-mouth reputation. Since then, he has appeared on the BBC’s Funny Parts and returned to the Fringe with a new show shaped in part by the strange and unexpectedly dramatic events of last summer. LINKS: James Trickey – follow & tickets James Trickey – Instagram (@jamestrickey_) James Trickey: Split – Edinburgh Fringe 2026 tickets (Pleasance Courtyard, 9:25pm, 5–30 August) James Trickey: Split – Avalon press release James's Perfect Console The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion – Wikipedia The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered – Steam Halo 3 – Wikipedia Undertale – official site Undertale – Steam God of War (2018) – PlayStation God of War (2018) – Wikipedia The Last of Us Part II – PlayStation The Last of Us Part II – Wikipedia Bristol comedians to watch Abi Clarke – comedian and content creator Alex Kitson – Chortle profile Jessie Nixon – Chortle profile Ted Milligan – British Comedy Guide Pravanya Pillay – PBJ Management Also mentioned Alfie Brown – comedian Glenn Moore – at the Monkey Barrel, Edinburgh Fringe Pokémon Crystal – Wikipedia Super Mario Advance (Game Boy Advance) – Wikipedia League of Legends – official site Support the show My Perfect Console – episode archive Support My Perfect Console on Patreon Become a My Perfect Console supporter and receive a range of benefits at www.patreon.com/myperfectconsole Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#171
July 28 · 1 hr 32 min
Pierce Brown, science fiction novelist (Red Rising series).
Pierce Brown is an American novelist whose work has made him one of the defining voices in modern science fiction. After a restless childhood that saw his family move repeatedly and left him passing through more than ten schools, he began writing in earnest just after high school. After years of rejection, he found his breakthrough with Red Rising, the first instalment in an epic saga that fused classical tragedy, Roman myth, and space opera into an international bestseller. Since then, the series has grown into a global phenomenon, winning a devoted readership for its high-stakes politics and fierce emotional intensity. Alongside his work as a novelist, he has embraced gaming culture—contributing to the Red Rising board game and speaking openly about his love of everything from StarCraft II to Mass Effect and Cyberpunk. Now, as the series is being reissued in special tenth-anniversary editions, a new generation of readers is discovering the world that made his name. LINKS Pierce Brown – website & books Pierce Brown – official website Red Rising – the complete saga Red Rising: Sons of Ares – prequel comic series Pierce Brown – Instagram (@piercebrownofficial) Red Rising board game Red Rising – Stonemaier Games (designed by Jamey Stegmaier) Pierce's Perfect Console Command & Conquer (1995) – Wikipedia Command & Conquer: Red Alert – Wikipedia Command & Conquer: Tiberian Sun – Wikipedia Shogun: Total War (2000) – Wikipedia Total War series – official site Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn – Wikipedia Black & White (2001) – Wikipedia The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind – Wikipedia Books and other references mentioned Plato's Republic – Wikipedia Antigone by Sophocles – Wikipedia The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas – Wikipedia Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card – Wikipedia The First Law trilogy by Joe Abercrombie Gattaca (1997 film) – Wikipedia Gustave Doré – illustrator, Wikipedia Support the show My Perfect Console – episode archive Support My Perfect Console on Patreon Become a My Perfect Console supporter and receive a range of benefits at www.patreon.com/myperfectconsole Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#170
July 21 · 1 hr 36 min
John Robertson, comedian, creator The Dark Room.
John Robertson is an Australian comedian, writer, and performer who has carved out a singular space between stand-up, theatre, and video games. Beginning his career on the UK and international comedy circuit, he became known for his high-energy, unpredictable style—before creating The Dark Room, a live-action text adventure where audiences shout commands, face absurd deaths, and attempt to survive his chaotic world. The show has toured globally, sold out runs at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and grown into an online phenomenon, streamed to millions and adapted into digital formats. Alongside this, he has written and performed a wide range of solo shows and interactive work, creating a unique space where comedy, games, and audience participation collide. John Robertson – website & show John Robertson – official website The Dark Room – live show information The Dark Room – live dates and tickets The Dark Room – Edinburgh Fringe 2026 at the Gilded Balloon The Dark Room – Dark Room Deathstravaganza at Leicester Square Theatre, 22 November John Robertson – Twitch (Robbotron) John's Perfect Console Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Mega Drive, 1992) – Wikipedia Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo – Wikipedia Wii Sports Resort – Wikipedia Sid Meier's Civilization V – Wikipedia Hitman: World of Assassination – official site Hitman: World of Assassination – Steam Other games and references mentioned Caves of Qud – official site Caves of Qud – Steam PAX West – Seattle gaming convention Switch Sports – Nintendo Next week's guest Pierce Brown – official website Red Rising – Pierce Brown's debut novel Support the show My Perfect Console – episode archive Support My Perfect Console on Patreon Become a My Perfect Console supporter and receive a range of benefits at www.patreon.com/myperfectconsole Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#169
July 14 · 1 hr 19 min
Andreas Thorstensson, former Counter-Strike champion, founder GOALS AB.
Andreas Thorstensson is a Swedish entrepreneur, former professional gamer, and studio founder whose career has moved from the early days of esports to the challenge of rebuilding one of the world’s biggest sports genres from the ground up. Born in Stockholm, he began programming as a child and later emerged in competitive Counter-Strike under the name ‘bds’, becoming world champion in 1999 and earning a reputation as both a player, and builder of tools, platforms, and communities around the game. In 2001, he co-founded SK Gaming, helping turn esports into a more professionalised business, and later spent a decade in technology and startups. In 2021, frustrated by the state of football games, he returned to development to found GOALS AB, a Stockholm studio with an ambitious aim: to give football the video game it deserves. Its first title, GOALS, is a free-to-play, cross-platform football simulator built around a gameplay-first, fully skill-based philosophy. Become a My Perfect Console supporter and receive a range of benefits at www.patreon.com/myperfectconsole Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#168
July 7 · 1 hr 24 min
Abigoliah Schamaun, comedian.
Abigoliah Schamaun is an American comedian, writer, actor, and podcaster whose open-hearted style has made her one of the most distinctive voices on the UK stand-up circuit. After cutting her teeth in the clubs of New York, she moved to Britain and there steadily built a reputation as a charismatic performer, becoming a popular headliner on the live comedy scene. Alongside her stand-up, she has appeared on shows including Pointless Celebrities, Captive Audience, Outrageously Funny Comedy, and I Live with Models. More recently, through the podcast Neurodivergent Moments, which she co-hosts with Joe Wells, she has spoken with warmth and candour about ADHD and neurodivergence,. Now, that podcast has inspired a new book, Neurodivergent Moments: Sex, Sunscreen, Turtles and How (Not) to Pack a Suitcase, a funny, personal collection of essays out now. Abigoliah Schamaun – official site & socials abigoliah.com – official website Neurodivergent Moments – the book Neurodivergent Moments: Sex, Sunscreen, Turtles and How (Not) to Pack a Suitcase – Linktree (buy links & live events) Neurodivergent Moments – the podcast Neurodivergent Moments podcast – Acast Neurodivergent Moments – Patreon (bonus content) All British Comedy Explained – the podcast All British Comedy Explained – official site All British Comedy Explained – Apple Podcasts All British Comedy Explained – Spotify Abigoliah's Perfect Console Super Mario Land – Wikipedia Mortal Kombat (1992) – Wikipedia Beat Saber – official site Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Nintendo Other people and references mentioned Joe Wells – co-author and podcast co-host Sea of Thieves – official site Penelope Keith – Wikipedia Nerd of Mouth podcast Support My Perfect Console on Patreon Become a My Perfect Console supporter and receive a range of benefits at www.patreon.com/myperfectconsole Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#167
June 30 · 1 hr 31 min
Luke Whittaker, gamemaker. (South of the Circle, Lumino City).
Luke Whittaker is a British game designer and creative director. With a background in animation and games design, he co-founded the BAFTA-winning indie studio State of Play in 2008, helping establish a reputation for meticulous, hands-on craft and playful experimentation. He was the creator and lead designer of Lumino City, the puzzle adventure built entirely from hand-made paper and card models, which won a BAFTA for Artistic Achievement. Since then he has worked on a string of distinctive projects including the Apple Award-winning pinball painting game INKS and the paper-crafted puzzle games KAMI and its sequel. As writer, director, and lead artist on South of the Circle, he even travelled to Antarctica to research a deeply human Cold War love story. Now, with Spycraft, a 1960s spy adventure that blends a physical board with video game mechanics—and comeswith a physical gadget built to play it—he continues to blur the boundaries between digital play and physical craft. Relevant Links: Luke Whittaker & State of Play State of Play Games – official site State of Play – about the studio Spycraft & the Board device Spycraft – State of Play Games page Spycraft – on the Board store Board – the gaming device Spycraft runs on South of the Circle South of the Circle – State of Play Games page South of the Circle – Steam South of the Circle – Apple App Store Luke's Perfect Console North & South (1989) – Wikipedia Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade: The Graphic Adventure – Wikipedia Sega Rally Championship – Wikipedia ICO – Wikipedia Firewatch – official site Firewatch – Wikipedia Other games and references mentioned Lumino City – State of Play Games page Samorost – Amanita Design Machinarium – Amanita Design KAMI 2 – State of Play Games page Shadow of the Colossus – Wikipedia Oxenfree – Night School Studio RetroPie – retro gaming on Raspberry Pi The Turner Contemporary – Margate Support My Perfect Console on Patreon Become a My Perfect Console supporter and receive a range of benefits at www.patreon.com/myperfectconsole Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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