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

My guest today is Adriel Wallick a programmer, developer and creator of the Train Jam, an annual game jam that, unsurprisingly, takes place on a train as it travels across the US toward GDC.

We talk about juggling work and creativity, living in the Netherlands, making a game a week for a whole year, the origins of Train Jam, transitioning from working on satellites to the videogame industry and why 1997 was such a vintage year.

We hit on a ton of games too, the endless exploration of Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, why Thomas was Alone was the perfect game at the perfect time and the gut wrenching laughter of QWOP - The Opera. We also light a candle for the tireless footsoldiers of GameFAQs.

What is a man? (flings his wine glass aside) A miserable little pile of secrets! But enough talk... Have at you!

iTunes HERE - SUBSCRIBE / RATE / REVIEW

RSS HERE

Games discussed: Super Mario Bros, Final Fantasy 9, Unirally, Destiny, Halo, Chrono Cross, Thomas was Alone, Rock Band, Jackbox Party, Diablo 3, Castlevania - SOTN.

Cover design: Craig Stevenson - http://onedinosaurandhisballoon.blogspot.co.uk

Music: Samuel Baker - http://soundcloud.com/furoshiki