The fabled episode 53 is finally releaseable, and it's all about Turok, which has just been announced for physical formats and will be released later this year! I jumped at the opportunity to chat about Turok with the team at Nightdive because it's a truly seminal FPS that has endured for generations. Joining me to discuss are Nightdive's Eric Serio ( Senior Developer) and Grover Wimberly IV (Producer) to dive deep into all the bells and whistles that are included in the remaster, along with ple...
Jun 27, 2025
Golden Tee has been a staple of bars and arcades for decades, thanks to its inviting and intuitive trackball controls and pitch-perfect golf game feel. But how, you may ask, would you translate that to consoles that aren't equipped with a trackball? A great question that can only be answered by a couple of returning guests from Digital Eclipse who tackled this very question. Calvin Vu (producer) and Jason Cirillo (engineer and artist) walk me through the ins and outs of the title and the process...
Jun 20, 2025•57 min
Atari's legendary title, Adventure, was the first of its kind and laid the groundwork for the future of game design. When Ilex, a small team in Brazil, showed Tower of Samsara to us for the first time, we were immediately captivated by its beautiful pixel art and animation and inspired by its mix of old and new gameplay hooks to create a unique metroidvania. Even more surprising was the opportunity to weave the classic Adventure into this sprawling epic, now titled Adventure of Samsara. We walk ...
Jun 09, 2025•1 hr 8 min
MobyGames has been THE gaming repository well before Atari's acquisition of it in 2022, and one that gaming professionals and consumers alike are constantly hitting up. As a big fan myself, it was a pleasure to bring on Jim Leanard, co-founder of MobyGames, and Tracy Poff, current developer and long-time contributor. We talk through the website's founding, its decades-long journey to now, and what's currently happening behind the scenes under Atari's stewardship. YouTube: https://youtu.be/h8796M...
May 23, 2025•1 hr 5 min
Leading up to the release of Llamasoft's I, Robot, Atari put on the I, Rebel game jam, challenging independent creators to "create a game Jeff Minter will love." Everyone had one week to create the game and a secret theme to abide by. Then, it was up to Llamasoft to judge the winners. Following the process, I invited Jeff (the Ox) and Ivan Zorzin (the Goat) back on the podcast to play the winning games and some select favorites that just missed the cut. YouTube: I, Robot AVAILABLE NOW! Steam: ht...
May 09, 2025
Things have been busy here at Atari. Real busy! Following a string of game previews, announcements, and releases - not to mention the things you DON'T know about - there was a gap in the schedule, and I needed to get creative. Thankfully, I rounded up a trio of guests to talk about some games and do some silly trivia. Joining me for this short and sweet episode are Sam Brown (Release Manager), Shah-Rukh Faridi (Marketing Coordinator), and returning champion Mark Perloff (Senior Producer). YouTub...
Apr 11, 2025•46 min
About two weeks ago, we unveiled a new take on the classic series, Missile Command. The teaser is just that, but there's so much more to say about the game! Fortunately, the team that worked on the title was kind enough to join me and talk through a deeper look at the game. My guests are Dave Proctor (Executive Producer on MCD), Tom McCall (Creative Director on MCD), and Mark Perloff (Senior Producer at Atari). YouTube: https://youtu.be/2f9pECQfzY4 Wishlist Missile Command Delta: Steam: https://...
Mar 28, 2025•1 hr 7 min
About two years ago, a small indie team released Bread & Fred on the unassuming masses. Starring two adorable penguins, the game became a viral sensation with its hilariously challenging gameplay that's been streamed to millions of viewers. On the heels of its success, Sand Castles Studio got to work on a free add-on for those looking for an even greater challenge. Dubbed The Lab, that update was released on March 7th. Just before that, I was able to wrangle the team together to talk with me...
Mar 14, 2025•46 min
Following the release on Switch in 2020, which followed the original release back in 2004, RollerCoaster Tycoon 3 is now coming to PlayStation and Xbox for the first time via our friends at Muteki. Due to some untimely illnesses, only one of the three planned guests, Andrew Hynek (Lead Programmer on the RCT3 port), was able to join me for this one, but that didn't stop us from having a spirited talk as we toured through the title running on current-gen hardware. YouTube: https://youtu.be/aU5RPS7...
Feb 28, 2025•59 min
Please accept this disclaimer for flashing lights and errant farm animals because we have a new Llamasoft joint on the horizon! The legendary Jeff Minter (the Ox) and Ivan Zorzin (the Goat) join me to discuss their latest Atari title revamp: I, Robot. We talk about the new game, some classic I, Robot history, and a story involving a South American ox festival and the pope. Enjoy! YouTube: https://youtu.be/vxGh348EGEY Wishlist I, Robot: Xbox: https://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/store/i-robot/9phf27s...
Feb 14, 2025•58 min
After much teasing, we're back with some game announcements and, in turn, some previews with the devs! Breakout Beyond has taken a fascinating journey leading up to its release - starting as an ill-fated Amico title before finding a second life under Atari publishing. We get into all of that and more in this episode thanks to my guests: Garrett Varrin (Programmer / Systems Designer at Choice Provisions), Mike Roush (Cofounder of Choice Provisions), and Jason Cirillo (Engineer/Designer at Digital...
Feb 04, 2025•1 hr 9 min
One more talkie before the gameplay podcasts resume, I promise! Dan Amrich, Content Editor at Digital Eclipse, was kind enough to come back on the podcast to discuss his journey to where he is today. Dan has covered a lot of ground in his writing career, spanning many entertainment genres and a lot of ground geographically. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did. YouTube: https://youtu.be/cLYwRr-WlgA Check out the latest Digital Eclipse releases: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita's...
Jan 17, 2025•50 min
Due to holidays taking a chunk out of our schedule, we're interrupting the regularly scheduled podcast with Atari Feud! Ethan Stearns (VP of games) cooked up a competition for Tim Lapetino (Creative Director) and Digital Eclipse's Mike Mika to test their games knowledge. YouTube: https://youtu.be/BkPStNEOVas Join the Atari Club on Discord: https://discord.gg/atariclub Follow us: X: https://x.com/atari BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/atari.com Jason Polansky: https://bsky.app/profile/jaysofdoom...
Jan 03, 2025•47 min
Earlier in December, Nightdive Studios shadow-dropped The Thing Remastered to much fanfare. Both the game and the movie that it serves as a direct sequel to have strong cult-followings and the folks at Nightdive did what they do best to make sure their remaster of the 2002 title exceeded those fans' expectations. Joining me to talk more about it all are Mark Atkinson (Original Technical Director of the 2002 Thing video game, Programming Team of Remaster), Albert Marin Garau (Technical Artist), K...
Dec 20, 2024•1 hr 20 min
Following a long run of game preview episodes, things slow down a bit for this one. I invited some members of the Atari games team to join me to just talk games and play some silly trivia games. Among them: Ethan Stearns (VP of Games), Sam Brown (Publishing Coordinator), and Shah-Rukh Faridi (Marketing Coordinator). Hope you enjoy this one and we'll get back to game previews and dev chats in the next one! YouTube: https://youtu.be/3SS2nbAxc5E RollerCoaster Tycoon Classic for Switch is OUT NOW! h...
Dec 06, 2024•1 hr 11 min
RollerCoaster Tycoon is a legendary title that's stood the test of time for 25 years. Now, thanks to the efforts of Graphite Lab, RollerCoaster Tycoon Classic is finally coming to Switch to ignite the passion of the most diehard fans and introduce a new generation of players to the original title that kicked off the enduring franchise. I'm joined by two return guests: Matt Raithel, studio director at Graphite Lab, and Carly Francis, community manager at Atari and RCT fan number one. We talk abou...
Nov 22, 2024•1 hr 4 min
After a one-episode break, we're now back to Digital Eclipse content with the impending release of Tetris Forever. Joining this week are DE's Chris Kohler, editorial director, and Jason Cirillo, lead designer and programmer of Tetris Timewarp, an original title included in Tetris Forever. We cover a lot of ground in this one, from our first experiences with Tetris, some behind-the-scenes of the development of Tetris Forever, a lot about Tetris Timewarp, and, of course, playing a silly game. YouT...
Nov 08, 2024•59 min
Just in time for Halloween, Nightdive Studios did what it does best. They released a remastered gem from first-person-shooting history that blended spooky shooting with live-action FMV story: Killing Time Remastered. Fortunately, I was able to assemble four guests from the team that worked on the title to speak about it. Joining this pod are Nightdive's Grover Wimberly IV (Project Manager/Producer), Adam Grayshon (Project Coordinator), Josh Dowell (Game Programme), and End (Game Programmer). We ...
Oct 25, 2024•1 hr 18 min
Since its debut in 1993, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers has continued to capture generations of kids while leaving a deep and enduring nostalgic love for the colorful heroes. Enter Digital Eclipse's Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita's Rewind - the 90s-era beat-em-up that never was. Joining me to preview the title are returning guests Dan Amrich (content editor) and Stephen Frost (head of production) in addition to Jeremey Williams (lead engineer). We talk about our history with Power Rangers, the...
Oct 11, 2024•1 hr
Two years ago, Atari and Digital Eclipse released one of the greatest odes to video game history Atari 50: the Anniversary Celebration. Turns out there's a lot more story to tell, thus leading to two announced DLC for the darling title. Joining me to dive into the first installment of the DLC, The Wider World of Atari, are Digital Eclipse's Dave Rees (Software Engineer), Dan Amrich (Content Editor), and Stephen Frost (Head of Production). We talk about what led to the creation of the DLC, how a ...
Sep 27, 2024•1 hr 14 min
Mark Perloff is no stranger to this podcast, but has yet to be the subject. Until now! Being the lead producer on Yars Rising, it seemed like a great to bring him on to learn more about his journey to Atari, pry for some behind-the-scenes insights into Yars Rising, and then ask a slate of random questions that I love to do so much. YouTube: https://youtu.be/rg13xej-yjk Yars Rising AVAILABLE NOW! Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2534370/Yars_Rising/ Epic: https://store.epicgames.com/en-U...
Sep 13, 2024•55 min
Less than 24 hours after getting home from Gamescom in Germany, James Montanga, director of Yars Rising, kindly agreed to join me once again for a more light-hearted episode of the podcast. My goal: talk a bit more about Yars Rising beyond what was covered in our preview in Episode 31, and discuss Gamescom and demoing games to press. We cover all that and more throughout this hour-plus-long episode. Enjoy! Video link: https://youtu.be/vOFlRz-Rdb4 Wishlist/Preorder Yars Rising Steam: https://stor...
Aug 30, 2024•1 hr 12 min
Tim Lapetino, writer of the book, The Art of Atari, was hired as Atari's creative director earlier this year. Few people know our company like he does as he's literally written a book on it! Tim and I (Jason) haven't had too many discussions together, so this was a great opportunity to learn more about his history and share that with you all. I hope you enjoy the discussion as much as I did! Video link: https://youtu.be/sy8YTAWRmlU Wishlist/Preorder Yars Rising Steam: https://store.steampowered....
Aug 16, 2024•1 hr 14 min
A little over a year ago, Atari and Graphite Lab launched Mr. Run and Jump to critical acclaim. Little did we know at the time, that it would catch the speedrunning eyes of Altabiscuit and lead to runs at SGDQ and the upcoming PAX West. What better a time, then, to bring our friends from Graphite Lab, studio director Matt Raithel and MR&J director John Mikula, back to the podcast to talk speedrunning their title and speedrunning in general? Video link: https://youtu.be/AQaHnmScLyg Wishlist/P...
Aug 02, 2024•1 hr 1 min
You ready for some retro-inspired punishment of the Nordic variety? If so, you've come to the right place. Volgar the Viking II is on the horizon and I've asked Kris Durrschmidt (Creative Director / CEO of Crazy Viking Studios) and Calvin Vu (Producer, Digital Eclipse) to join me to discuss all thing Volgarr and the games that inspired it. Video link: Wishlist/Preorder Yars Rising Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2534370/Yars_Rising/ Switch: https://www.nintendo.com/en-gb/Games/Nintendo...
Jul 19, 2024•1 hr
It's quiet and I want some noise, so I asked for questions from you, the audience to provide. And provide you did with dozens of write-ins that comprise the entirety of this episode. Joining me are VP of Games, Ethan Stearns, and Senior Director of Communications, David Lowey. We cover a wide variety of subjects including the future of RollerCoaster Tycoon, details behind Atari hardware choices, and which Spice Girl we'd be. NeoSprint: OUT NOW! Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2217910/N...
Jul 05, 2024•58 min
Yars Rising has been making waves recently with a new gameplay trailer dropping, a demo during Steam Next Fest, and a preview cycle out of Summer Games Fest. To keep the good times rolling, I invited James Montagna (game director) and Mark Perloff (lead producer) to talk all about the title. We dive into the origins of the game's concept, how a metroidvania is crafted, and so much more. Video link: https://youtu.be/SD-xb83rHug The Yars Rising remix contest: https://www.iconcollective.edu/atari W...
Jun 21, 2024•55 min
Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord is out of early access and available across a bevy of platforms. What better time to get Digital Eclipse on the pod to talk about it? I've assembled a party consisting of Ian Sherman (Senior Engineer), Nick Bruty (Art Director), and Justin Rosenthal-Kambic (Animation Lead) to get deep into the maze of development that's brought this classic to modern platforms as only Digital Eclipse can do. Video link: https://youtu.be/6vSjTvEalYc New Release: Wizar...
Jun 07, 2024•59 min
No jokes here: the April 1st-announced PO'ed is very real and out right now, so let's talk about it! Joining this week are Nightdive Studio's CEO, Stephen Kick, and Lead KEX Engineer, Samuel "Kaiser" Villarreal. Samuel is the reason why PO'ed has graced modern platforms and you'll hear all about the title's history and how it's made the journey from the 3DO to 2024. YouTube Link: POed AVAILABLE NOW: Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2697470/POed_Definitive_Edition/ Switch: https://www.ni...
May 24, 2024•48 min
The Recharged series came from the desire to create classic Atari IP from the ground up for modern hardware while retaining its arcade spirit. Enter Alan-1, the team that's bringing the franchise full circle back to Arcades with plenty of surprises along the way. We cover a lot here, including the background of Alan-1 themselves and what makes their first in this collaboration, Asteroids: Recharged, so unique and worthy of your quarters. YouTube Link: Lunar Lander Beyond AVAILABLE NOW: Steam: ht...
May 10, 2024•52 min
