My Perfect Console with Simon Parkin

Tomm Hulett is a game designer and director who has spent his career championing bold, narrative-driven experiences. While at Konami, he worked on multiple Silent Hill titles, including Book of Memories, a critically acclaimed reimagining of the franchise. On the internet, however, his name became linked with the struggles of later Silent Hill games. This made him the target of intense online harassment—even though many of the series’ creative decisions were out of his hands. Since he left Konami, more than a decade ago, he has worked on beloved cult titles like Contra: Operation Galuga and Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night. Today he continues to push storytelling in games in new and unexpected directions as a direct at the California-based studio WayForward Technologies. Mythri GBC SoundtrackMythri GBC Demo RomBecome 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.

Grentperez is a 23-year-old Filipino-Australian singer-songwriter who has captivated audiences worldwide with his soulful melodies and heartfelt lyrics. Born and raised in Sydney, he began sharing song covers on YouTube at the age of 13, soon amassing more than 100 million views. His 2021 debut single, Cherry Wine” achieved gold certification and topped Spotify's Viral 50 chart in multiple countries. In 2024, he was honoured as Emerging Songwriter of the Year at the Australasian Performing Right Association Awards. Now, with his debut album, Backflips in a Restaurant, he continues to showcase his unique blend of indie pop and R&B.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.

Alex Kealy is an English stand-up comedian. Born in Hampshire, he studied history at Oxford University, where he assumed the role of music editor on the student newspaper. After graduating, he worked as a researcher for The Institute of Art and Ideas. But the call of the stage proved strong, and in 2016 he debuted his first Edinburgh show, titled “Alex Kealy Is An Idea Whose Time Has Come.”In the years that followed, my guest has taken five more shows to Edinburgh, one of which was described by a critic for The Daily Telegraph as “sharply witty, almost sexily cerebral.” My guest has also worked as a writer for BBC Two's Mock the Week, Radio 4's The News Quiz and The Now Show, and he co-presents the popular music podcast Gigpigs with his friend and fellow comic, Ivo Graham. 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.

Liam Wong is a Scottish photographer, art director, and game designer. Born in Edinburgh he began his career in the video game industry after graduating from Abertay University. After a stint at Crytek UK, he eventually join Ubisoft Montreal, and there became the youngest director at the company. His work on acclaimed titles like Far Cry 4 helped sharpen his visual storytelling skills, which later influenced his photographic style. While visiting in Tokyo, my guest developed a passion for nighttime photography, drawing inspiration from cyberpunk films as he documented the city’s vibrant yet haunting after-dark scenes. In 2019, he released his debut photobook, TO:KY:OO, a collection of cinematic images that showcase his signature style—rich contrasts, neon lights, and rain-soaked streets. The book was met with critical acclaim. It solidified his reputation as a leading figure in contemporary urban photography, whose instantly recognisable work blurs the lines between reality and fiction.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.

Guillaume Provost is a game designer, creative director, studio founder and CEO, with a passion for building immersive, story-driven experiences. After working as a programmer for games companies such as Pseudo Interactive and Arkane, in 2009 he founded his own independent studio, Compulsion Games. Under his leadership, the studio gained worldwide attention with its distinctive psychological game We Happy Few, celebrated for its evocative storytelling, unique art direction, and bold narrative choices. Now, my guest’s studio has just released South of Midnight, an action-adventure game set in a fantastical version of the American Deep South, exploring themes of family, healing, and self-discovery.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.

In this special correspondence edition, Simon reads out your correspondence and answers your questions. What's next for game coverage at The Observer newspaper following its sale to Tortoise? How can we invite fan-favourite guests back on the show? How should you respond when a dodgy man in a pub asks: "What's the damage?" All this and much more. 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.

Celia Hodent, a UX specialist with a rich background at Ubisoft and Epic Games, discusses the intersection of cognitive science and game design. She delves into balancing user experience with artistic vision, particularly in 3D action games like Fortnite. Celia reflects on her childhood in Paris, revealing how nostalgia shapes her identity and passion for gaming. The conversation highlights memories of classic titles and the evolution of player engagement, emphasizing the vital role of psychology in enhancing gameplay experiences.

Joel Morris is a multi-award winning comedy writer, and a contributor to the widely beloved Paddington films. One of the best regarded comedic talents in Britain, during the past two decades he has written for everyone from David Mitchell to Miranda Hart to Ronnie Corbett. A long-time collaborator with Charlie Brooker, he was a key part of the BAFTA-winning Wipe shows, and co-creator of the comedy character Philomena Cunk, whose dim-witted documentaries are beloved around the world. A busy author, he wrote The Framley Examiner, a spoof on local British newspapers, as well as the multi-million selling series of Ladybird Books for Grown-Ups. In 2024 he published, ‘Be Funny or Die: How Comedy Works and Why It Matters,’ analysing everything from stand-up to slapstick. He has also worked as a writer for video games, collaborating on projects for Microsoft and Ubisoft. Whatever he turns his hand to, comedy remains at the core. As Richard Curtis, the writer of ‘Four Weddings and a Funeral’ once put it, my guest “gets to the heart of comedy.” 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.

Saraya is one of the biggest names in professional wrestling. Born into a successful wrestling family in Norwich, England, she left home at fifteen to forge her own path in the ring. Under the name Paige, she became the youngest WWE Divas Champion in history and was the subject of the hit 2019 film Fighting with My Family, written and directed by Stephen Merchant, in which she was portrayed by Florence Pugh. Now competing in All Elite Wrestling as Saraya, she has battled through injuries, personal struggles, and the intense pressures of the industry to become an icon of resilience and reinvention. Outside of wrestling, she is a fierce advocate for domestic abuse survivors and women’s health issues. Now, in a highly anticipated memoir, Hell in Boots, she’s ready to tell her story like never before. Links:Fighting with My Family (Channel 4 documentary), 2012.Fighting with My Family Film Trailer.Saraya's InstagramBecome 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.

Seamus Blackle is a physicist, game designer, and technology visionary best known as the originator of the Xbox. After studying physics at Tufts University, he began his career in high-energy physics before pivoting to the video game industry. He worked on titles including System Shock and Flight Unlimited. In the late nineties, while an employee at Microsoft, he led the development of a bold new console project. The Xbox revolutionised the video game landscape, introducing hit series including Halo, Gears of War and Forza. Since he left Microsoft, my guest has worked across entertainment, venture capital, and even experimental archaeology, famously recreating ancient Egyptian bread using 4,500-year-old yeast.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.