My Perfect Console with Simon Parkin Bennett Foddy, philosopher, game designer (QWOP, GIRP, Getting Over It).
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May 27, 2025 Bennett Foddy, a game designer and moral philosopher, shares insights into his journey from obscurity to fame with his infamous games like QWOP and Getting Over It. He explores the emotional depths of gaming, emphasizing the balance between challenge and engagement. Foddy reflects on his childhood gaming experiences, the impact of indie games, and the evolution of game design. The discussion also touches on the cyclical nature of the industry and the importance of community in indie development, alongside his struggles between music and academics.
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QWOP's Surprise Viral Moment
- Bennett Foddy realized QWOP had gone viral when his web server kept crashing.
- He received a testy email from his hosting company about overload caused by the game's sudden popularity.
Designing for Idiosyncrasy
- Bennett designs games to pursue idiosyncrasy, not just difficulty.
- Sometimes games are more interesting when difficult; other times less so, depending on the artistic goal.
Frustration as Game Art
- Video games often avoid confusion and frustration to behave like obedient software.
- Bennett challenges this orthodoxy by embracing frustration as a valuable emotional palette in games.
