My Perfect Console with Simon Parkin Cabel Sasser, co-founder Panic (creators of the Playdate console).
Jul 1, 2025
Cabel Sasser, co-founder of the indie studio Panic, shares insights from his journey in the tech world, including his role in developing the innovative Playdate console. He reminisces about the emotional challenges and collaborative spirit behind its creation. Cabel also dives into his childhood nostalgia for the Atari 2600 and the enchantment of classic games like 'Conker's Bad Fur Day.' The discussion touches on the evolution of gaming culture and the unique features that set Playdate apart, blending creative passion with a love for gaming.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Evolution of Playdate Console
- The Playdate handheld console idea evolved slowly through iterations without a dramatic inception moment.
- It started from simple hardware tinkering and nostalgic Game & Watch inspirations, growing into a unique gaming device with a crank controller.
Why Panic Made Hardware
- Panic moved into hardware because the team wanted a new challenge and to do something different.
- The Playdate's crank is a unique analog controller, central to its identity and gameplay.
Building Developer Relations
- Panic's relationships with game creators led to quirky collaborations, like officially licensed Katamari Damacy t-shirts.
- They purposefully expanded developer inclusivity to make Playdate a platform open to all, not just renowned developers.
