My Perfect Console with Simon Parkin

My guest today is an American game producer and studio leader whose career has been shaped by a deep love of competitive shooters and more than two decades spent building some of the genre’s major titles. She began at Treyarch, where she worked as a senior producer on Call of Duty: Black Ops and Black Ops II, before joining Riot Games in 2015. There, she first helped lead League of Legends’ cosmetic content and in-game events.She later moved into leading a new tactical shooter project, becoming Executive Producer of VALORANT and guiding the game to its launch in 2020. Today, as Head of VALORANT Studios, she oversees the franchise’s wider creative and strategic direction, while also championing initiatives such as VCT Game Changers, Riot’s programme supporting women and marginalised genders in competitive play.LINKSAnna Donlan – Valorant & Riot GamesValorant – official site (free to play)VCT Game Changers – Riot's programme supporting women and marginalised genders in competitive playRiot Games – official siteAnna's Perfect ConsoleSilent Hill 2 (PS2, 2001) – WikipediaSilent Hill 2 Remake (2024) – SteamGrand Theft Auto III (PS2, 2001) – WikipediaShadow of the Colossus (PS2, 2005) – WikipediaShadow of the Colossus Remake (2018) – PlayStationBioShock (2007) – WikipediaGhost of Tsushima – official siteGhost of Tsushima – PlayStationGhost of Tsushima: Iki Island – WikipediaAlso mentionedKaboom! (Atari 2600) – WikipediaICO (PS2, 2001) – WikipediaRed Dead Redemption 2 – Rockstar GamesArc Raiders – SteamCall of Duty: Black Ops – WikipediaCall of Duty: Black Ops II – WikipediaTreyarch – WikipediaJumpStart – educational games series, WikipediaUniversity of California, Santa CruzNext week's guestPaolo Pedercini / Molleindustria – official siteFuture? No Thanks! – Steam (out now)Support the showMy Perfect Console – episode archiveSupport My Perfect Console on Patreon

In this special correspondence edition, Simon reads out your letters and answers your questions.Is there a cut-off point for working in games journalism? Which video game does Simon think should surely have been picked by now but hasn't? Who decides how long guests talk about their game choices? How does Simon actually make the show — from bookings to post-production to those musical stingers? What is Simon's new book about, and how did he uncover the untold legal battle thxat changed the shape of the video game industry? And did you know the UK government has a Head of Video Games and Esports who listens to the show? Us neither! All this and much more.And congratulations to letter-writer Chris Law, who wins a signed copy of Blood Echoes: A Bloodborne Anthology..

Chris Cantrill is a British comedian, writer, and actor from West Yorkshire whose work combines rapid-fire jokes with an off-kilter view of everyday life. He first came to prominence as one half of the acclaimed sketch duo The Delightful Sausage, alongside Amy Gledhill, earning Edinburgh Comedy Award nominations for Best Show in both 2019 and 2022. As a solo performer, he added another nomination in 2024, before returning to Edinburgh this summer and finally winning the Comedy Award for Best Show in 2026.Alongside stand-up, he has appeared in programmes including Alma’s Not Normal, Daddy Issues, Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared, and Avoidance, while his writing credits stretch across television and radio. Most recently, he joined the writing team of Saturday Night Live UK, which returns for its second season this week.LINKSChris CantrillWebsiteInstagramThe Delightful SausageSaturday Night Live UKSNL UK on SkySimon's Observer FeaturesHow Saturday Night Live Landed in the UKJack Shep on That Princess Di ImpressionChris's Perfect ConsoleDuke Nukem: Time to KillFinal Fantasy VIIBloodborneAnimal WellThe Case of the Golden IdolOther games discussedCastlevania: Symphony of the NightDark SoulsSekiro: Shadows Die TwiceResident Evil 2 RemakeThe Witcher 3Elden RingStar Wars Jedi: Fallen Order

My guest today is an Irish writer, poet, critic, and podcaster. Born and raised in Dublin, she began writing seriously as a teenager, studied English, Media and Cultural Studies at IADT, and later completed a Master’s in Creative Writing at NUI Galway. Her early work included the poetry collection Follies and Not Lost, a book of essays about emigration written after she moved to San Francisco in 2012.Since returning to Ireland, she has published a series of acclaimed novels, including Spare and Found Parts and Other Words for Smoke, which won Teen and Young Adult Book of the Year at the Irish Book Awards. Her 2025 horror novel Eat the Ones You Love was followed by a shortlist for Author of the Year, and she is now the 2026 Arts Council Writer Fellow at Trinity College Dublin. Alongside her fiction, she writes about games for The Guardian. Her new horror novel, Strange Is the Light, is out now, and she is currently working on another book, about video games, titled Everything Not Saved.LINKSSarah Maria Griffin – books & socialsSarah Maria Griffin – official websiteSarah Maria Griffin – Instagram (@sarahgriffski)Sarah Maria Griffin – SubstackSarah Maria Griffin – writing about games for The GuardianStrange as the Light (out 8 September 2026)Strange as the Light – WaterstonesStrange as the Light – Titan BooksStrange as the Light – Bookshop.org UKEarlier novelsEat the Ones You Love – WaterstonesOther Words for Smoke – WaterstonesSarah's Perfect ConsoleEarthBound (SNES, 1994) – WikipediaEarthBound – Nintendo Switch OnlineThe Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask – WikipediaPaper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door – NintendoPaper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door – WikipediaNight in the Woods – official siteNight in the Woods – SteamWandersong – official siteWandersong – SteamOther references mentionedDisco Elysium – SteamChicory: A Colorful Tale – official site (Greg Lobanov, also made Wandersong)826 Valencia – literacy non-profit, San FranciscoDublin Youth TheatreTomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin – WaterstonesRock, Paper, Shotgun – games journalismGlenn Moore – Button Boys podcastNext week's guestChris Cantrill – Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Show winner 2026 (Rewilding)Chris Cantrill – Chortle profileSaturday Night Live UK – ITVSupport the showMy Perfect Console – episode archiveSupport My Perfect Console on Patreon

Mike Diver is a British journalist, editor, and author whose career has moved fluidly between music criticism and video games writing, always with an eye for subculture, history, and stories beyond the mainstream. He began at the music website Drowned in Sound, where he rose to become content editor, before going on to work with Clash and contribute to publications including Kerrang! and Rock Sound.Later, he turned increasingly to video games, writing for outlets including Edge and Kotaku - as well as heading up teams at VICE Gaming (later Waypoint) and GAMINGbible - and bringing the same curiosity and critical energy to games culture, retro hardware, and the history of the medium. Alongside his journalism, he has written six books on video games and edited several more, covering subjects from indie games and esports to Sonic the Hedgehog and Final Fantasy. His latest book, Aliens: The Video Games, continues that fascination with the way great pop-cultural worlds mutate and endure through interactive form.LINKSMike Diver – website & bookMike Diver – Aliens: The Video Games: An Unofficial Guide (Waterstones, out 30 August 2026)Aliens: The Video Games – publisher White Owl / Pen and SwordAlien games discussedAlien: Isolation – SteamAliens: Dark Descent – SteamAliens: Colonial Marines – WikipediaAliens: Infestation (Nintendo DS) – WikipediaAliens vs. Predator (Capcom, 1994 arcade) – WikipediaAlien: Rogue Incursion – SteamAlien: Isolation 2 – official announcement trailerMike's Perfect ConsoleSensible Soccer (1992) – WikipediaSensible World of Soccer – WikipediaStreets of Rage 2 – WikipediaStreets of Rage 4 – official siteSnatcher – Wikipedia1944: The Loop Master – WikipediaCapcom Arcade 2nd Stadium (includes 1944) – SteamThe Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – official siteThe Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – SteamOther games and references mentionedDrowned in Sound – Wikipedia (music website where Mike began his career)Vice Gaming / Waypoint – WikipediaAftermath – independent games journalism siteRespec – independent games journalism siteMina the Hollower – Yacht Club GamesYuzo Koshiro – composer of Streets of Rage 2 soundtrack, WikipediaHideo Kojima – WikipediaEvercade – retro gaming handheldNext week's guestSarah Maria Griffin – official websiteEat the Ones You Love – Sarah Maria Griffin's latest novel (Waterstones)Sarah Maria Griffin – writing about video games for The GuardianSupport the showMy Perfect Console – episode archiveSupport My Perfect Console on Patreon

Soren Johnson is an American programmer and game designer whose work has helped shape the modern strategy genre. After earning a master’s degree in Computer Science from Stanford University, he joined Firaxis Games, where he worked as both a programmer and designer on Civilization III before going on to lead the design of Civilization IV, one of the most celebrated strategy games yet made.Over the years he has contributed to a wide range of projects, including Spore, Dragon Age Legends, and Offworld Trading Company, bringing a distinctive blend of historical insight, systemic thinking, and player-driven design. Today he is the founder and design director of Mohawk Games, where he recently led the development of the acclaimed historical strategy game Old World. Alongside his development work, he continues to explore the craft of game design through his long-running blog and podcast, both of which are titled “Designer Notes”.Soren Johnson – website & podcastSoren Johnson – Designer Notes blogDesigner Notes podcast – episode archiveDesigner Notes – Apple PodcastsDesigner Notes – SpotifyMohawk Games & Old WorldMohawk Games – official siteOld World – official pageOld World – SteamOld World – GOGOld World – Epic Games StoreOld World: Empires of the Indus DLC – Mohawk GamesSoren's Perfect ConsolePinball Construction Set (1983) – WikipediaM.U.L.E. (1983) – WikipediaSeven Cities of Gold (1984) – WikipediaLegacy of the Ancients (1987) – WikipediaSid Meier's Alpha Centauri (1999) – WikipediaOther games and references mentionedCivilization IV – WikipediaCivilization III – WikipediaSid Meier's Pirates! (2004 remake) – WikipediaCivilization Revolution – WikipediaOffworld Trading Company – SteamSpore (2008) – WikipediaBalatro – SteamVampire Survivors – SteamSchedule I – SteamLethal Company – SteamBennett Foddy – personal siteDanielle Bunten Berry – Wikipedia (designer of M.U.L.E.)Trip Hawkins – Wikipedia (founder of Electronic Arts)Jake Solomon – WikipediaGame Developers Conference (GDC) – official siteSimon's bookTrial of the Space Invaders – pre-order (Bookshop.org UK)Trial of the Space Invaders – pre-order (Amazon UK)Support the showMy Perfect Console – episode archiveSupport My Perfect Console on Patreon

My guest today is a Jamaican game developer and studio founder. Based in Kingston, he is the founder of Spritewrench Studios, a narrative-focused micro studio he built after realising, in his final year at university, that he did not need to leave Jamaica or join a hundred-person team to make games of his own.Inspired by that possibility, he began creating small projects, taking part in game jams, and steadily turning Spritewrench from a name into a company. His work is shaped by a commitment to cultural representation that reaches beyond cliché, and by a wider effort to grow the local scene through the Jamaica Game Developer Society, where he has worked to connect creators and open up pathways into the industry. Now, with Duppy Detective Tashia, a point-and-click mystery rooted in Caribbean folklore, he is bringing that vision to a wider audience.Glen Henry & Spritewrench StudiosSpritewrench Studios – official websiteSpritewrench – itch.io (all games)Glen Henry – Instagram (@spritewrench)Duppy Detective TashiaDuppy Detective Tashia – SteamDuppy Detective Tashia – itch.ioJamaica Game Developer SocietyJamaica Game Developer Society – official siteJGDS – YouTube channel (Crash Course series)Glen's Perfect ConsoleThe Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker – WikipediaViewtiful Joe (GameCube, 2003) – WikipediaSpelunky Classic – free download (Derek Yu's site)Spelunky Classic – WikipediaHades – official siteHades – SteamHollow Knight: Silksong – official siteAlso mentionedBastion – Supergiant GamesTransistor – Supergiant GamesIndie Game: The Movie – official siteBlack Voices in Gaming – community DiscordRami Ismail – game developer and advocateChase Bethea – composer (Duppy Detective Tashia)Bubblexity – BChaotic (Jamaican student dev team, Steam)TIGSource – indie game development forumsGlobal Game JamNext week's guestSoren Johnson – designer of Civilization IVOld World – Mohawk Games (Steam)Simon's bookTrial of the Space Invaders – pre-order (Bookshop.org UK)Trial of the Space Invaders – pre-order (Amazon UK)Support the showMy Perfect Console – episode archiveSupport My Perfect Console on Patreon

Amelia Tait is a British journalist and author whose work has made her one of the sharpest observers of modern life online and off. As a freelance writer, she has built a reputation for following the strange, revealing currents of contemporary culture — writing about the internet, and remarkable people for publications including The New Yorker, The Guardian, Wired, and the New York Times.Her reporting is often drawn to the places where technology and absurdity collide, finding the human story inside subjects other people might dismiss as niche or ephemeral. Now she has turned that same wit and curiosity to fiction with her debut children’s book, Lily Tripp: Diary of an Accidental Time Traveller, a funny, fast-moving adventure about a girl bouncing through history while trying to survive friendship drama and the general embarrassment of being thirteen.LINKSAmelia Tait – website & writingAmelia Tait – official websiteThe Waiting Room – Amelia's Substack newsletterLily Tripp: Diary of an Accidental Time TravellerLily Tripp – Waterstones (Waterstones Children's Book of the Month, June 2026)Lily Tripp – Amazon UKAmelia's Perfect ConsoleTheme Hospital (1997) – WikipediaThe Simpsons: Road Rage (2001) – WikipediaThe Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker – WikipediaThe Sims Bustin' Out (Game Boy Advance, 2003) – WikipediaStardew Valley – official siteStardew Valley – SteamOther games mentionedAnimal Crossing: New Horizons – NintendoThe Simpsons: Hit & Run – WikipediaAmelia's journalism – selected piecesAre Disney Adults the Happiest Debtors on Earth? – The New YorkerAmelia Tait – articles on The GuardianNext week's guestDuppy Detective Tashia – Glen Henry / Spritewrench Studios – SteamSpritewrench Studios – itch.ioSupport the showMy Perfect Console – episode archiveSupport My Perfect Console on Patreon

James Trickey is a British comedian whose work blends sharp writing, physical comedy, and, in his new show, one of the more extraordinary Edinburgh Fringe stories in recent memory. By day he works as an accountant; by night he has been building a reputation as one of the most promising young voices on the live circuit, with appearances across the UK, a Chortle Student Comedy Award nomination, and a Best New Show nomination at the Leicester Comedy Festival.Last year, his sold-out Edinburgh debut, Don’t Count on Me, marked him out as a rising talent, earning strong reviews and an enviable word-of-mouth reputation. Since then, he has appeared on the BBC’s Funny Parts and returned to the Fringe with a new show shaped in part by the strange and unexpectedly dramatic events of last summer.LINKS:James Trickey – follow & ticketsJames Trickey – Instagram (@jamestrickey_)James Trickey: Split – Edinburgh Fringe 2026 tickets (Pleasance Courtyard, 9:25pm, 5–30 August)James Trickey: Split – Avalon press releaseJames's Perfect ConsoleThe Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion – WikipediaThe Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered – SteamHalo 3 – WikipediaUndertale – official siteUndertale – SteamGod of War (2018) – PlayStationGod of War (2018) – WikipediaThe Last of Us Part II – PlayStationThe Last of Us Part II – WikipediaBristol comedians to watchAbi Clarke – comedian and content creatorAlex Kitson – Chortle profileJessie Nixon – Chortle profileTed Milligan – British Comedy GuidePravanya Pillay – PBJ ManagementAlso mentionedAlfie Brown – comedianGlenn Moore – at the Monkey Barrel, Edinburgh FringePokémon Crystal – WikipediaSuper Mario Advance (Game Boy Advance) – WikipediaLeague of Legends – official siteSupport the showMy Perfect Console – episode archiveSupport My Perfect Console on Patreon