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 and games that have soothed wounds. Checkpoints!

Mel Croucher is a living legend. You may not have heard of him and might be thinking, 'Declan, that's a bit strong.' and I'd say, 'Listen to the episode first.'

Mel started the first ever videogame company in the UK, Automata. They made games as statements, from profane jabs at the royalty to psychedelic drinking games starring the Pi-man. This all culminated in 1984 with the release of his most ambitious game yet, Devs Ex Machina. It was vastly ahead of it's time. This wasvideogame as concept album. An exploration of life and death with a full celebrity voice cast and a complete musical score. It also proved his undoing.

Mel is packed with extraordinary stories, we talk Sooty Xylophones, designing the first skyscrapers in Duba, broadcasting games across the radio, offering a golden sundial as a videogame prize, working with Christopher Lee and the incredible tale of how piracy caused his downfall and how one of those pirates, 25 years later, brought him back to videogames. This was a treat to record, I hope you enjoy it.

Oh, and remember kids! There's no blood in our games, it's Automata sauce.

Mel Croucher - http://www.melcroucher.net

Checkpoints #6 - http://declandineen.com/checkpoints/ppostid-5

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

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

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