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My Perfect Console with Simon Parkin: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Simon Parkin
In My Perfect Console, Simon Parkin, award-winning author and 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.
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- 2 days ago1h 32m
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.LINKSPierce Brown – website & booksPierce Brown – official websiteRed Rising – the complete sagaRed Rising: Sons of Ares – prequel comic seriesPierce Brown – Instagram (@piercebrownofficial)Red Rising board gameRed Rising – Stonemaier Games (designed by Jamey Stegmaier)Pierce's Perfect ConsoleCommand & Conquer (1995) – WikipediaCommand & Conquer: Red Alert – WikipediaCommand & Conquer: Tiberian Sun – WikipediaShogun: Total War (2000) – WikipediaTotal War series – official siteBaldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn – WikipediaBlack & White (2001) – WikipediaThe Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind – WikipediaBooks and other references mentionedPlato's Republic – WikipediaAntigone by Sophocles – WikipediaThe Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas – WikipediaEnder's Game by Orson Scott Card – WikipediaThe First Law trilogy by Joe AbercrombieGattaca (1997 film) – WikipediaGustave Doré – illustrator, WikipediaSupport the showMy Perfect Console – episode archiveSupport My Perfect Console on PatreonBecome 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 Par
- 1 weeks ago1h 36m
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 & showJohn Robertson – official websiteThe Dark Room – live show informationThe Dark Room – live dates and ticketsThe Dark Room – Edinburgh Fringe 2026 at the Gilded BalloonThe Dark Room – Dark Room Deathstravaganza at Leicester Square Theatre, 22 NovemberJohn Robertson – Twitch (Robbotron)John's Perfect ConsoleSonic the Hedgehog 2 (Mega Drive, 1992) – WikipediaSuper Puzzle Fighter II Turbo – WikipediaWii Sports Resort – WikipediaSid Meier's Civilization V – WikipediaHitman: World of Assassination – official siteHitman: World of Assassination – SteamOther games and references mentionedCaves of Qud – official siteCaves of Qud – SteamPAX West – Seattle gaming conventionSwitch Sports – NintendoNext week's guestPierce Brown – official websiteRed Rising – Pierce Brown's debut novelSupport the showMy Perfect Console – episode archiveSupport My Perfect Console on PatreonBecome 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.
- 2 weeks ago1h 19m
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/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.
- 3 weeks ago1h 24m
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 & socialsabigoliah.com – official websiteNeurodivergent Moments – the bookNeurodivergent Moments: Sex, Sunscreen, Turtles and How (Not) to Pack a Suitcase – Linktree (buy links & live events)Neurodivergent Moments – the podcastNeurodivergent Moments podcast – AcastNeurodivergent Moments – Patreon (bonus content)All British Comedy Explained – the podcastAll British Comedy Explained – official siteAll British Comedy Explained – Apple PodcastsAll British Comedy Explained – SpotifyAbigoliah's Perfect ConsoleSuper Mario Land – WikipediaMortal Kombat (1992) – WikipediaBeat Saber – official siteMario Kart 8 Deluxe – NintendoOther people and references mentionedJoe Wells – co-author and podcast co-hostSea of Thieves – official sitePenelope Keith – WikipediaNerd of Mouth podcastSupport My Perfect Console on PatreonBecome 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.
- Jun 30, 20261h 31m
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 PlayState of Play Games – official siteState of Play – about the studioSpycraft & the Board deviceSpycraft – State of Play Games pageSpycraft – on the Board storeBoard – the gaming device Spycraft runs onSouth of the CircleSouth of the Circle – State of Play Games pageSouth of the Circle – SteamSouth of the Circle – Apple App StoreLuke's Perfect ConsoleNorth & South (1989) – WikipediaIndiana Jones and the Last Crusade: The Graphic Adventure – WikipediaSega Rally Championship – WikipediaICO – WikipediaFirewatch – official siteFirewatch – WikipediaOther games and references mentionedLumino City – State of Play Games pageSamorost – Amanita DesignMachinarium – Amanita DesignKAMI 2 – State of Play Games pageShadow of the Colossus – WikipediaOxenfree – Night School StudioRetroPie – retro gaming on Raspberry PiThe Turner Contemporary – MargateSupport My Perfect Console on Patreon Become a My Perfect Console supporter and receive a range of benefits at www.patreon.com/myperfectconsoleTake the Acast listener survey
- Jun 23, 20261h 53m
Rob Dubbin, comedy writer, game designer (The Colbert Report, Scripto).
Rob Dubbin is a comedy writer and game designer whose work spans late-night television, journalism, and interactive storytelling. After studying History and Literature at Harvard University, he began his career in comedy, becoming an Emmy-winning writer on The Colbert Report and later The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Away from television, his writing has appeared in publications including The New Yorker and The Verge.More recently, he has moved into game design and tools, becoming the co-creator of Scripto, a collaborative writing platform for format-driven work—from television scripts to video games—where he serves as Head of Games. His current projects include co-hosting The Secret Lives of Games podcast and he recently launched the boardgame Starfriends. Across all of his work, he has become a thoughtful advocate for clarity and economy in writing—particularly in games, where he believes every word must earn its place.SHOW LINKS:Rob DubbinRob Dubbin – official websiteRob Dubbin – work & projectsRoblemsolving – Rob's blogRob Dubbin – itch.ioBrainfruit Studio / Star FriendsBrainfruit Studio shopStar Friends – official siteStar Friends – Kickstarter campaignScriptoScripto – collaborative writing softwareScripto – aboutScripto – eight takes on game writingThe Secret Lives of Games / EggplantEggplant – the Secret Lives of Games podcast networkEggplant – aboutThe Secret Lives of Games – on Apple PodcastsRob's Perfect ConsoleZZT – zzt.org archive and communityZZT (1991) – Internet ArchiveStar Control 2: The Ur-Quan Masters – open source portFree Stars: The Ur-Quan Masters – SteamMaster of Magic Classic – SteamMaster of Magic Classic – GOGSlice & Dice – developer siteSlice & Dice – itch.ioSlice & Dice – SteamCaves of Qud – official siteCaves of Qud – SteamCaves of Qud – itch.ioOther games and references discussedLetterboxd – film rating and diary app<a href="https://www.wavelength.zone/"
- Jun 16, 20261h 29m
George Osborn, strategist, author (Power Play: Video Games, Politics, and the Battle for Global Influence.)
George Osborn is a journalist, strategist, and analyst whose work explores the increasingly fraught intersection of video games, business, and politics. He has worked as a reporter, consultant, and as Head of Campaigns and Communications at Ukie, the UK trade body for games, developing a rare vantage point on how the medium shapes, and is shaped by, power.He is also the founder of Half-Space Consulting and the editor of the Video Games Industry Memo newsletter, where he examines the forces driving the modern games business. In his new book, Power Play: Video Games, Politics, and the Battle for Global Influence, he argues that games have become far more than entertainment: they are now digital third places, contested spaces in which authoritarian regimes, populists, and extremists seek to wield influence.LINKS:George Osborn:The book: Power Play – buy via Bookshop.org UK (supports independent booksellers)Power Play – WaterstonesPower Play – Bookshop.org US The newsletter: Video Games Industry Memo – George's newsletter (free to subscribe)The Games: GoldenEye 007 (N64, 1997) The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask (N64, 2000) Championship Manager 01/02 Mass Effect 2 BalatroAlso mentioned Bellingcat – investigative journalism outlet founded by Eliot Higgins Support My Perfect Console on PatreonBecome 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.
- Jun 9, 20261h 22m
Gabríel Ólafs, pianist, composer, founder Reykjavík Orkestra.
Gabríel Ólafs is an Icelandic pianist, composer, and producer whose work blends classical tradition with fantasy and a strikingly modern sense of atmosphere. Born in Reykjavík in 1998, he began playing piano at the age of five, receiving both classical and jazz training before emerging as a recording artist while still a teenager.His debut album, Absent Minded, was released in 2019, and his subsequent work has expanded steadily in scope—from the solo intimacy of Piano Works to the folk-inspired Lullabies for Piano and Cello, which grew out of a 1906 Icelandic songbook he discovered in an antique shop.He is also the co-founder of the Reykjavík Orkestra, and has quickly become one of the most distinctive young voices in contemporary instrumental music. Most recently, with Polar, he has moved further into speculative, atmospheric composition, drawing in part on the dreamlike emotional language of video games.Gabriel Ólafs: Website Releases Archive Spotify Apple Music YouTube InstagramPolar: Listen on Spotify Listen on Apple Music Buy CD (Decca Classics) Buy from Decca Records US YouTube PlaylistPolar: Traveler's Log: Listen on SpotifyPolar: Building A World: Watch on YouTubeThe Waves: Listen on SpotifyForza Horizon 6: Official Site XboxOther Gabriel Ólafs Releases / Labels: Oli Records Decca Classics Releases ArchiveJóhann Jóhannsson / IBM 1401: Listen on Spotify Watch on YouTubeNils Frahm: Website SpotifyGabriel's Perfect Console: World of Warcraft The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered God of War Death Stranding <a href="https://baldursgate3.game/" rel="noo
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About My Perfect Console with Simon Parkin
In My Perfect Console, Simon Parkin, award-winning author and 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.
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