Simon Parkin
@simonparkin.bsky.social
Author and journalist. Creator of the My Perfect Console podcast. www.simonparkin.com
Reposted by Simon Parkin
I love listening to this podcast and I’ve been looking forward to doing this episode for ages - hear our countdowns of our favourite games of 2025, right here!
It’s time for @SimonParkin.bsky.social and @TheNewsAtGlenn.bsky.social to reveal their five favourite games of 2025.
Which titles from this year will they choose to construct their consoles? Find out in this special episode: bit.ly/4pY2JtM
Which titles from this year will they choose to construct their consoles? Find out in this special episode: bit.ly/4pY2JtM
December 23, 2025 at 11:45 AM
I love listening to this podcast and I’ve been looking forward to doing this episode for ages - hear our countdowns of our favourite games of 2025, right here!
Reposted by Simon Parkin
The Guardian picked THE FORBIDDEN GARDEN by Simon Parkin as one of the Best Science Books of 2025!
https://bit.ly/3MoIE0x
https://bit.ly/3MoIE0x
The best science and nature books of 2025
From the threat of superintelligent AI to the dangers of overdiagnosis; plus the evolution of language and the restless genius of Francis Crick
bit.ly
December 4, 2025 at 8:00 PM
The Guardian picked THE FORBIDDEN GARDEN by Simon Parkin as one of the Best Science Books of 2025!
https://bit.ly/3MoIE0x
https://bit.ly/3MoIE0x
This week's episode––our last interview of 2025––features @harvey1966.bsky.social, co-designer of Deus Ex and Dishonored, in a profoundly reflective mood, exploring a life spent at the bleeding edge of immersive sim design. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.
For our final interview of 2025, a wide-ranging, intimate conversation with acclaimed game designer @harvey1966.bsky.social.
Harvey discusses his long, storied career, and opens up about how the success of Deux Ex enabled him to finally confront his demons...
Subscribe now: bit.ly/43RMgx9
Harvey discusses his long, storied career, and opens up about how the success of Deux Ex enabled him to finally confront his demons...
Subscribe now: bit.ly/43RMgx9
December 16, 2025 at 11:50 AM
This week's episode––our last interview of 2025––features @harvey1966.bsky.social, co-designer of Deus Ex and Dishonored, in a profoundly reflective mood, exploring a life spent at the bleeding edge of immersive sim design. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.
Reposted by Simon Parkin
Critics once wielded savage pens. Now, audiences crave cheer. As the age of the vicious restaurant review fades, have we lost our appetite for honesty along with our taste for cruelty? In today's @observeruk.bsky.social:
observer.co.uk/style/featur...
observer.co.uk/style/featur...
How we lost our taste for the vicious restaurant review | The Observer
observer.co.uk
December 14, 2025 at 10:05 AM
Critics once wielded savage pens. Now, audiences crave cheer. As the age of the vicious restaurant review fades, have we lost our appetite for honesty along with our taste for cruelty? In today's @observeruk.bsky.social:
observer.co.uk/style/featur...
observer.co.uk/style/featur...
Reposted by Simon Parkin
Great read, and can’t help but make parallels to other reviews
Critics once wielded savage pens. Now, audiences crave cheer. As the age of the vicious restaurant review fades, have we lost our appetite for honesty along with our taste for cruelty? In today's @observeruk.bsky.social:
observer.co.uk/style/featur...
observer.co.uk/style/featur...
How we lost our taste for the vicious restaurant review | The Observer
observer.co.uk
December 14, 2025 at 10:56 AM
Great read, and can’t help but make parallels to other reviews
Critics once wielded savage pens. Now, audiences crave cheer. As the age of the vicious restaurant review fades, have we lost our appetite for honesty along with our taste for cruelty? In today's @observeruk.bsky.social:
observer.co.uk/style/featur...
observer.co.uk/style/featur...
How we lost our taste for the vicious restaurant review | The Observer
observer.co.uk
December 14, 2025 at 10:05 AM
Critics once wielded savage pens. Now, audiences crave cheer. As the age of the vicious restaurant review fades, have we lost our appetite for honesty along with our taste for cruelty? In today's @observeruk.bsky.social:
observer.co.uk/style/featur...
observer.co.uk/style/featur...
Reposted by Simon Parkin
Join Simon live in Chicago as he chats with pioneering American video game developer Alex Seropian.
Find out how Alex founded Bungie while a student at University, and why, after Apple's Steve Jobs revealed the game on stage, they took Halo to Microsoft.
Listen now: bit.ly/48DkCGz
Find out how Alex founded Bungie while a student at University, and why, after Apple's Steve Jobs revealed the game on stage, they took Halo to Microsoft.
Listen now: bit.ly/48DkCGz
December 9, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Join Simon live in Chicago as he chats with pioneering American video game developer Alex Seropian.
Find out how Alex founded Bungie while a student at University, and why, after Apple's Steve Jobs revealed the game on stage, they took Halo to Microsoft.
Listen now: bit.ly/48DkCGz
Find out how Alex founded Bungie while a student at University, and why, after Apple's Steve Jobs revealed the game on stage, they took Halo to Microsoft.
Listen now: bit.ly/48DkCGz
Reposted by Simon Parkin
My book about Nintendo is out soon! Early readers have said incredibly nice things about it! Pre-order here for US/UK: linktr.ee/super_nintendo
December 4, 2025 at 1:39 PM
My book about Nintendo is out soon! Early readers have said incredibly nice things about it! Pre-order here for US/UK: linktr.ee/super_nintendo
‘The Forbidden Garden of Leningrad’ is one of @theguardian.com’s science books of the year. Pick up a copy for a loved one who enjoys nonfiction wherever you get your books: www.theguardian.com/books/2025/d...
December 3, 2025 at 12:50 PM
‘The Forbidden Garden of Leningrad’ is one of @theguardian.com’s science books of the year. Pick up a copy for a loved one who enjoys nonfiction wherever you get your books: www.theguardian.com/books/2025/d...
Reposted by Simon Parkin
Incredible @myperfectconsole.bsky.social episode with Mark Cerny sharing a ton of annecdotes.
Atari, Sega, Universal, Cystal Dynamics, Naughty Dog, Insomniac, Playstation, you name it.
Priceless stories for videogame history enthousiasts.
Give it a listen!
Mark, write a biography I beg you! 🙏
Atari, Sega, Universal, Cystal Dynamics, Naughty Dog, Insomniac, Playstation, you name it.
Priceless stories for videogame history enthousiasts.
Give it a listen!
Mark, write a biography I beg you! 🙏
Today, we’re joined by Mark Cerny, one of the most influential creators in the history of video games. Designer of iconic Marble Madness; founder of the team behind Sonic the Hedgehog 2; and lead architect of the PS4 and PS5 consoles that have defined a generation.
Don’t miss it: bit.ly/4ophkg1
Don’t miss it: bit.ly/4ophkg1
Mark Cerny, lead system architect, PlayStation 4 & 5.
My Perfect Console with Simon Parkin · Episode
bit.ly
December 3, 2025 at 12:33 AM
Incredible @myperfectconsole.bsky.social episode with Mark Cerny sharing a ton of annecdotes.
Atari, Sega, Universal, Cystal Dynamics, Naughty Dog, Insomniac, Playstation, you name it.
Priceless stories for videogame history enthousiasts.
Give it a listen!
Mark, write a biography I beg you! 🙏
Atari, Sega, Universal, Cystal Dynamics, Naughty Dog, Insomniac, Playstation, you name it.
Priceless stories for videogame history enthousiasts.
Give it a listen!
Mark, write a biography I beg you! 🙏
Reposted by Simon Parkin
A phenomenal interview within the format of the show while the guest clearly has about 100 hours at least of stuff to talk about. One day maybe. A book. But in the meantime, an excellent interview by Simon Parkin
Today, we’re joined by Mark Cerny, one of the most influential creators in the history of video games. Designer of iconic Marble Madness; founder of the team behind Sonic the Hedgehog 2; and lead architect of the PS4 and PS5 consoles that have defined a generation.
Don’t miss it: bit.ly/4ophkg1
Don’t miss it: bit.ly/4ophkg1
Mark Cerny, lead system architect, PlayStation 4 & 5.
My Perfect Console with Simon Parkin · Episode
bit.ly
December 2, 2025 at 1:17 PM
A phenomenal interview within the format of the show while the guest clearly has about 100 hours at least of stuff to talk about. One day maybe. A book. But in the meantime, an excellent interview by Simon Parkin
A rare Pokémon appears: Mark Cerny, on the show, next week.
Just as Sonic the Hedgehog became a global icon, its creator, Yuji Naka, quit Sega.
In next week's episode, PlayStation 5 architect Mark Cerny reveals the story behind Sonic's leap to glory, and how Sonic 2 came to be developed in the U.S. under his leadership.
Available on Tuesday: bit.ly/43RMgx9
In next week's episode, PlayStation 5 architect Mark Cerny reveals the story behind Sonic's leap to glory, and how Sonic 2 came to be developed in the U.S. under his leadership.
Available on Tuesday: bit.ly/43RMgx9
November 28, 2025 at 10:05 AM
A rare Pokémon appears: Mark Cerny, on the show, next week.
The story of how a Bournemouth schoolboy developed Worms, a video game that went on to become a global phenomenon, is extraordinary. One of my favourite conversations on the show this year-
Persistence paid off for schoolboy game dev @rockandrollmachine.bsky.social when he landed a publishing deal for his first game, Total Wormage (aka Worms), at a trade show.
Listen to the untold story of how Andy designed a game at school that became a global sensation.
Out now: apple.co/47PAhUk
Listen to the untold story of how Andy designed a game at school that became a global sensation.
Out now: apple.co/47PAhUk
November 18, 2025 at 11:30 AM
The story of how a Bournemouth schoolboy developed Worms, a video game that went on to become a global phenomenon, is extraordinary. One of my favourite conversations on the show this year-
Reposted by Simon Parkin
A privilege to speak with @yosp-jp.bsky.social, whose passion and belief in independent gamemakers is both infectious and authentic.
Among many other things he tells the story of how a failure led him to join Ken Kuatargi's PlayStation project, an opportunity that changed the course of his life:
Among many other things he tells the story of how a failure led him to join Ken Kuatargi's PlayStation project, an opportunity that changed the course of his life:
Our next guest is one of the most beloved figures in the video games industry. Please welcome, @yosp-jp.bsky.social .
The Former President of Sony Interactive's Worldwide Studios helped oversee the development of landmark titles across generations.
Don’t miss this exciting episode: bit.ly/43RMgx9
The Former President of Sony Interactive's Worldwide Studios helped oversee the development of landmark titles across generations.
Don’t miss this exciting episode: bit.ly/43RMgx9
November 11, 2025 at 10:18 AM
A privilege to speak with @yosp-jp.bsky.social, whose passion and belief in independent gamemakers is both infectious and authentic.
Among many other things he tells the story of how a failure led him to join Ken Kuatargi's PlayStation project, an opportunity that changed the course of his life:
Among many other things he tells the story of how a failure led him to join Ken Kuatargi's PlayStation project, an opportunity that changed the course of his life:
Reposted by Simon Parkin
Origins of a Species 🐟
At the turn of the millennium one of gaming’s most unique and bizarre titles was released for the Dreamcast.
@simonparkin.bsky.social sits down with its creator Yoot Saito to discuss the evolution, extinction and potential revival of the weird and wonderful Seaman.
At the turn of the millennium one of gaming’s most unique and bizarre titles was released for the Dreamcast.
@simonparkin.bsky.social sits down with its creator Yoot Saito to discuss the evolution, extinction and potential revival of the weird and wonderful Seaman.
November 11, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Origins of a Species 🐟
At the turn of the millennium one of gaming’s most unique and bizarre titles was released for the Dreamcast.
@simonparkin.bsky.social sits down with its creator Yoot Saito to discuss the evolution, extinction and potential revival of the weird and wonderful Seaman.
At the turn of the millennium one of gaming’s most unique and bizarre titles was released for the Dreamcast.
@simonparkin.bsky.social sits down with its creator Yoot Saito to discuss the evolution, extinction and potential revival of the weird and wonderful Seaman.
A privilege to speak with @yosp-jp.bsky.social, whose passion and belief in independent gamemakers is both infectious and authentic.
Among many other things he tells the story of how a failure led him to join Ken Kuatargi's PlayStation project, an opportunity that changed the course of his life:
Among many other things he tells the story of how a failure led him to join Ken Kuatargi's PlayStation project, an opportunity that changed the course of his life:
Our next guest is one of the most beloved figures in the video games industry. Please welcome, @yosp-jp.bsky.social .
The Former President of Sony Interactive's Worldwide Studios helped oversee the development of landmark titles across generations.
Don’t miss this exciting episode: bit.ly/43RMgx9
The Former President of Sony Interactive's Worldwide Studios helped oversee the development of landmark titles across generations.
Don’t miss this exciting episode: bit.ly/43RMgx9
November 11, 2025 at 10:18 AM
A privilege to speak with @yosp-jp.bsky.social, whose passion and belief in independent gamemakers is both infectious and authentic.
Among many other things he tells the story of how a failure led him to join Ken Kuatargi's PlayStation project, an opportunity that changed the course of his life:
Among many other things he tells the story of how a failure led him to join Ken Kuatargi's PlayStation project, an opportunity that changed the course of his life:
Reposted by Simon Parkin
🤖🌟 Issue 6 of APWOT is live on Kickstarter! 🌟🤖
Featuring a beautiful lenticular cover of Astro Bot marking both our feature interview with the game’s director, Nicolas Doucet, and the 30th anniversary of PlayStation.
Get in there!
💫 kck.st/4i1GAHT 💫
Featuring a beautiful lenticular cover of Astro Bot marking both our feature interview with the game’s director, Nicolas Doucet, and the 30th anniversary of PlayStation.
Get in there!
💫 kck.st/4i1GAHT 💫
November 4, 2025 at 6:21 PM
🤖🌟 Issue 6 of APWOT is live on Kickstarter! 🌟🤖
Featuring a beautiful lenticular cover of Astro Bot marking both our feature interview with the game’s director, Nicolas Doucet, and the 30th anniversary of PlayStation.
Get in there!
💫 kck.st/4i1GAHT 💫
Featuring a beautiful lenticular cover of Astro Bot marking both our feature interview with the game’s director, Nicolas Doucet, and the 30th anniversary of PlayStation.
Get in there!
💫 kck.st/4i1GAHT 💫
Reposted by Simon Parkin
Named a Best Book of the Year by Scientific American and The Economist!
The true story of the botanists who made “the heroic decision during the siege of Leningrad to guard biodiversity at the cost of human life” (NYT)
The Forbidden Garden by Simon Parkin, now in paperback! https://bit.ly/3BIYQod
The true story of the botanists who made “the heroic decision during the siege of Leningrad to guard biodiversity at the cost of human life” (NYT)
The Forbidden Garden by Simon Parkin, now in paperback! https://bit.ly/3BIYQod
October 28, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Named a Best Book of the Year by Scientific American and The Economist!
The true story of the botanists who made “the heroic decision during the siege of Leningrad to guard biodiversity at the cost of human life” (NYT)
The Forbidden Garden by Simon Parkin, now in paperback! https://bit.ly/3BIYQod
The true story of the botanists who made “the heroic decision during the siege of Leningrad to guard biodiversity at the cost of human life” (NYT)
The Forbidden Garden by Simon Parkin, now in paperback! https://bit.ly/3BIYQod
Reposted by Simon Parkin
I am such a huge fan of @myperfectconsole.bsky.social, because I'm such a huge fan of @simonparkin.bsky.social. Getting to be on the show was a delight, and folks are telling me it was good - I'm glad to hear.
After his game, Ridiculous Fishing, became a hit, @ramiismail.com found a touching way to thank his parents for the sacrifices they made to help him achieve his dreams.
Find out what he did — and how it all began — in this week’s episode: bit.ly/48LMMRB
Find out what he did — and how it all began — in this week’s episode: bit.ly/48LMMRB
October 29, 2025 at 10:31 AM
I am such a huge fan of @myperfectconsole.bsky.social, because I'm such a huge fan of @simonparkin.bsky.social. Getting to be on the show was a delight, and folks are telling me it was good - I'm glad to hear.
While alive, Einstein fought all attempts to use his name and likeness as a promotional gimmick. His death, however, turned his face into a battleground, kickstarting the celebrity image rights industry.
Inside the murky world of Einstein’s rights, now in audio:
www.theguardian.com/news/audio/2...
Inside the murky world of Einstein’s rights, now in audio:
www.theguardian.com/news/audio/2...
October 26, 2025 at 12:12 PM
While alive, Einstein fought all attempts to use his name and likeness as a promotional gimmick. His death, however, turned his face into a battleground, kickstarting the celebrity image rights industry.
Inside the murky world of Einstein’s rights, now in audio:
www.theguardian.com/news/audio/2...
Inside the murky world of Einstein’s rights, now in audio:
www.theguardian.com/news/audio/2...
Reposted by Simon Parkin
🚨 It's that time of year again! Please sign up for the upcoming ISSUE 6 campaign! 🙌🙏
www.kickstarter.com/projects/caz...
www.kickstarter.com/projects/caz...
Coming soon: A Profound Waste of Time: Issue 6
The sixth issue of A Profound Waste of Time. Kickstarter coming late 2025.
www.kickstarter.com
October 22, 2025 at 5:08 PM
🚨 It's that time of year again! Please sign up for the upcoming ISSUE 6 campaign! 🙌🙏
www.kickstarter.com/projects/caz...
www.kickstarter.com/projects/caz...
*The Audience Versus* is coming to The Pleasance, Islington next Tues, 28th Oct.
Face-off against @elliegibson.bsky.social and www.instagram.com/_ednight/ in a series of bastardised video game-challenges.
With host @thenewsatglenn.bsky.social.
Tickets here: www.pleasance.co.uk/event/audien...
Face-off against @elliegibson.bsky.social and www.instagram.com/_ednight/ in a series of bastardised video game-challenges.
With host @thenewsatglenn.bsky.social.
Tickets here: www.pleasance.co.uk/event/audien...
October 23, 2025 at 1:07 PM
*The Audience Versus* is coming to The Pleasance, Islington next Tues, 28th Oct.
Face-off against @elliegibson.bsky.social and www.instagram.com/_ednight/ in a series of bastardised video game-challenges.
With host @thenewsatglenn.bsky.social.
Tickets here: www.pleasance.co.uk/event/audien...
Face-off against @elliegibson.bsky.social and www.instagram.com/_ednight/ in a series of bastardised video game-challenges.
With host @thenewsatglenn.bsky.social.
Tickets here: www.pleasance.co.uk/event/audien...
Reposted by Simon Parkin
The success of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 caught everyone by surprise, including those intimately involved in its creation.
Join @SimonParkin.bsky.social in conversation with Lorien Testard as he recounts his journey from guitar teacher to game's composer.
Listen now: apple.co/47xkVDw
Join @SimonParkin.bsky.social in conversation with Lorien Testard as he recounts his journey from guitar teacher to game's composer.
Listen now: apple.co/47xkVDw
October 21, 2025 at 8:04 AM
The success of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 caught everyone by surprise, including those intimately involved in its creation.
Join @SimonParkin.bsky.social in conversation with Lorien Testard as he recounts his journey from guitar teacher to game's composer.
Listen now: apple.co/47xkVDw
Join @SimonParkin.bsky.social in conversation with Lorien Testard as he recounts his journey from guitar teacher to game's composer.
Listen now: apple.co/47xkVDw
Reposted by Simon Parkin
I'll be talking with @simonparkin.bsky.social today for a live recording of the @myperfectconsole.bsky.social podcast as part of the University of Chicago's amazing Year of Games Symposium. Come through if you can! www.eventbrite.com/e/my-perfect...
October 18, 2025 at 3:45 PM
I'll be talking with @simonparkin.bsky.social today for a live recording of the @myperfectconsole.bsky.social podcast as part of the University of Chicago's amazing Year of Games Symposium. Come through if you can! www.eventbrite.com/e/my-perfect...
Chance the Rapper vs Animal Crossing - prob the best thing I made in lockdown tbh.
October 16, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Chance the Rapper vs Animal Crossing - prob the best thing I made in lockdown tbh.