My Perfect Console with Simon Parkin

My guest today is a British game designer whose ingenuity and persistence turned a bedroom project into one of the most iconic multiplayer series in video games. In 1991, he took the characters from the popular Amiga game Lemmings and placed them in a game of his own, a simulation of artillery fire. At school, the game proved popular among his friends, so he worked on it further, replacing the Lemmings with worms, and calling it Total Wormage. The teenager’s project quickly captured the attention of the industry, launching a career that saw my guest move from lone coder to a key creative figure at Team17. While Worms became a global phenomenon, spawning countless sequels and spin-offs, he has remained driven by a passion for experimentation, curiosity, and the simple joy of making things that people love to play.Become a My Perfect Console supporter and receive a range of benefits at www.patreon.com/myperfectconsoleTake the Acast listener survey to help shape the show: My Perfect Console with Simon Parkin Survey 2025 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shuhei Yoshida, former president of Sony Interactive Entertainment Worldwide Studios, shares his journey in the gaming industry, from his early days at Sony to his ongoing passion for indie games. He discusses the transformative impact of titles like Journey and the evolution of PlayStation's support for small developers. Shuhei's insights on VR innovations and his role as an ambassador for independent games highlight his commitment to fostering creativity. He also reveals his top picks for an 'Indie Station' console, celebrating the artistry of indie gaming.

Danny Abassi, the dynamic drummer of Miniseries, discusses his journey through the music world, from recording their debut album 'Pilot' in a remote Scottish studio to his time as a professional musician in China. He explores themes of relationships and technology in their music and shares anecdotes about his early gaming experiences that shaped his artistic sensibility. With insights on his collaborative process and inspirations, Danny reveals how his multicultural background influences his sound, making for an engaging and heartfelt conversation.

Rami Ismail, co-founder of Vlambeer and prominent advocate for indie games, shares insights from his career and experiences. He candidly discusses the emotional complexity of sudden success with Ridiculous Fishing and how his family's support shaped his journey. Rami reflects on identity through the lens of gaming, choosing favorites like StarCraft for its creative possibilities and Yakuza 0 for its cultural authenticity. He also dives into his role as a global ambassador for developers and the impact of games like Flight Simulator on real life.

Lorien Testard is a French musician and composer. He started his career as a guitar teacher, composing instrumental tracks for imaginary video games in his spare time. He began to upload them to his Soundcloud, and soon had a collection of more than fifty pieces online. His life changed when he shared one of the tracks in an indie game forum. A video game director saw the post and invited my guest to craft the entire eight-hour score for his game: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.The resulting soundtrack breathes emotional life into the game. It use solo cello and saxophone themes, and weaves in accordion playing in homage to French culture. Whether working with voice, guitar, or ambient soundscapes, my guest composes with intention, infusing each track he writes with atmosphere, purpose, and identity.Become a My Perfect Console supporter and receive a range of benefits at www.patreon.com/myperfectconsoleTake the Acast listener survey to help shape the show: My Perfect Console with Simon Parkin Survey 2025 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chris Plante is a journalist, editor, and one of the sharpest voices working in video game media. After studying at New York University, he worked as freelance writer for outlets including The Guardian, Vulture, and Edge before, in 2012, co-founding Polygon, a website blending coverage of pop culture, longform storytelling, and thoughtful games criticism. Alongside his journalism, he co-wrote the story for the hit podcast series, Limetown, later adapted into a TV series starring Stanley Tucci. In 2017, after a stint overseeing the Culture desk at The Verge, he returned to Polygon as editor-in-chief. In May, after nearly a decade at the site, he left Polygon to launch Post Games, a podcast about why and how we love video games. Smart, funny, and never afraid to challenge the status quo, my guest has helped define contemporary games journalism. Become a My Perfect Console supporter and receive a range of benefits at www.patreon.com/myperfectconsoleTake the Acast listener survey to help shape the show: My Perfect Console with Simon Parkin Survey 2025 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Claire L. Evans. is an American musician, writer, and artist whose career has spanned music, technology, and cultural criticism. Best known as the co-founder and lead singer of the indie pop group YACHT, she has helped steer the group into bold experiments at the intersection of sound, performance, and digital art. She’s also the author of Broad Band: The Untold Story of the Women Who Made the Internet, a widely acclaimed history that re-centres the pioneering women whose work shaped our digital world. Beyond that, her essays and criticism have appeared in VICE, Wired, and The Guardian, where she often explores the ways technology and culture collide. Most recently, she's one of the creators of Blippo+, a TV channel-surfing game for Switch, Steam, and Playdate in which players flip through a surreal lineup of alien broadcasts, lo-fi oddities, and hidden lore, uncovering the strange culture of Planet Blip one channel at a time.LINKS:YACHTClaire' websiteBlippo+Night and the City, Christian Donlan.Become a My Perfect Console supporter and receive a range of benefits at www.patreon.com/myperfectconsoleTake the Acast listener survey to help shape the show: My Perfect Console with Simon Parkin Survey 2025 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alexander O. Smith is a translator, writer, and creative producer whose work has brought some of Japan’s most acclaimed stories to audiences around the world. After graduating from Harvard University with a degree in classical Japanese Literature, he went on to become one of the most respected voices in literary and video game translation. He is best known for his celebrated work on Final Fantasy XII, Vagrant Story, and the Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorneyseries, as well as his translations of Japanese novels and manga, including those by Miyuki Miyabe and Akira Toriyama. With a rare gift for capturing cultural nuance, he has helped define how English-speaking players and readers experience modern Japanese storytelling.Become a My Perfect Console supporter and receive a range of benefits at www.patreon.com/myperfectconsoleTake the Acast listener survey to help shape the show: My Perfect Console with Simon Parkin Survey 2025 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Charlie Rosen, a Grammy-winning musician and the mastermind behind The 8-Bit Big Band, dives into the world of reimagining video game music in a jazzy style. He shares his creative process for selecting iconic game songs, the influence of his Broadway background, and why Ocarina of Time uniquely resonates with him. Charlie also reminisces about forming his band, the audience's enthusiastic response, and his mission to create 'The Great Video Game Songbook.' Plus, he hints at dream collaborations and future projects!

Andy Robertson, a veteran journalist and founder of Ludocene, explores the intersection of video games and community. He introduces Ludocene as a game recommendation platform that emphasizes human expertise over algorithms. Reflecting on nostalgic gaming memories that shaped his career, he discusses innovative titles like Flower and Journey, highlighting their emotional narratives. Robertson also shares insights on integrating games into unconventional settings, promoting gaming's potential to foster inclusivity and creativity across diverse audiences.