This is a show about videogames, the people who play them and the people who make them. Each episode, a guest talks about the games that have shaped their life in one way or another. Games that have inspired them, games that have forged connections & games that have soothed wounds. Checkpoints!

My guest on today's episode is Ben Andac. Ben does a whole bunch of stuff: writer, producer, designer, business developer. He's recently gone freelance after spending many years working at larger companies like Sega and Sony, problem solving, fostering new talent and ensuring the games being released on the platform are as good as they can possibly be.

We talk about his early love of the Master System, how his early experience of games was an attempt to wean him off reading, his competitive Virtua Fighter skills and how Rez convinced him to quit his job and get into games.

Also; the thrill of discovering new designers and how to foster relationships, how movies are interactive, his founding role in a games media giant and how a love of Joe Danger led to No Man's Sky.

"Fear is the mind killer."

PATREON - patreon.com/checkpoints

iTunes HERE - SUBSCRIBE / RATE / REVIEW

Games discussed: Alex Kidd, Phantasy Star, Wonder Boy 3, Shinobi, Virtua Racing, Sega Rally, Aladdin, Flash Back, Street Fighter 2, Virtua Fighter, Dance Dance Revolution, Rez, Ico, The Last Guardian, Call of Duty Modern Warfare, World of Warcraft, Pro Evolution Soccer, Journey, Gone Home, Night in the Woods, Crush, Joe Danger, No Man's Sky