Desert Island Gamer

Atticus Shaffer, renowned for his roles in "The Middle" and "Frankenweenie," shares his inspiring journey from the bright lights of acting to the immersive world of gaming. 

Discover how the pandemic served as a catalyst for Atticus to embark on a new adventure in the realm of Twitch. 

We explore the playful yet thought-provoking debate of PC versus PlayStation, and delight in Atticus's whimsical choice of mom's barbecue ribs as a forever meal. The conversation takes a fun twist as we discuss his ultimate desert island games, like "Escape from Tarkov" and "The Long Dark," each offering unique challenges and immersive storytelling, before things get deeply controversial with his choice of game to burn for heat!

Join us for an episode filled with humour, nostalgia, and a fascinating glimpse into the life of Atticus.

Let us know where we're going wrong....or, like, right...maybe.

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What happens when a die-hard Sega fan takes a leap of faith into the world of Nintendo? 

Join me as I briefly reminisce on how the Switch rekindled a long-lost passion for multiplayer mayhem and the simple joy of gathering loved ones around a screen. It's not just the sleek handheld mode that captivated me, but the nostalgic memories of split-screen chaos reminiscent of old-school Xbox LAN parties. Imagine the scene: Mario Kart and Super Smash Bros. bringing laughter and competition into my living room, bridging the gap between past gaming glories and modern innovations. This episode is a testament to how the Nintendo Switch became a pivotal turning point, redefining my relationship with Nintendo and reminding us all why these pixelated adventures hold such a special place in our hearts.

Let us know where we're going wrong....or, like, right...maybe.

Support the show

Follow the adventure, support the show, listen with both ears - https://linktr.ee/DesertIslandGamer

He's been Grabbed by the Ghoulies, he has a taste for FIFA, and he doesn't track his runs, it's only Dylan Jack!

In this episode, we go old-school Lord of the Rings. get brutal on Halo 5 and get cuddly with Gears of War Cole, as we talk about games old, new, and everything in between.

Recorded back in 2020

Let us know where we're going wrong....or, like, right...maybe.

Support the show

Follow the adventure, support the show, listen with both ears - https://linktr.ee/DesertIslandGamer

On this episode we welcome the man of a million voices, or thereabouts, Gavin Hammon! This living legend has played roles in titles such as Oxenfree, Return to Monkey Island, Wayfinder, and Telltales Walking Dead series as the absolute legend that is KENNY!

Here we talked about some old games, some good games and one that was destined for the fire. Although it wasn't Destiny, Gavin quite enjoyed that game.

So tune in and let this absolute gent guide you through some of his own gaming ups and downs.

PS. A little side note that I felt I had to add as it says a lot about the human that is Gavin Hammon. After recording we chatted for a while and I mentioned that Kenny was my daughter's all-time favourite gaming character. A few moments after we ended the call a message landed on my phone. A message for my daughter from Kenny (Okay, it was Gavin playing Kenny, but you know). It made her year, and was just a magical thing for him to do. 

Let us know where we're going wrong....or, like, right...maybe.

Support the show

Follow the adventure, support the show, listen with both ears - https://linktr.ee/DesertIslandGamer

There has always been something special about the relationship between video games and the festive season. Yet, I've often wondered, where the heck are all the Christmas games!

Let me take five minutes of your time to stew over the dearth of quality festive fodder and ask the question, where are you Christmas...games.

Let us know where we're going wrong....or, like, right...maybe.

Support the show

Follow the adventure, support the show, listen with both ears - https://linktr.ee/DesertIslandGamer

Kiwi in Japan, aka Laurie is a New Zealander who left his homeland to live and work in Japan as an English teacher on the Jet program. He is also a wonderfully wholesome, big-hearted, life-affirming content creator.

With a combination of IRL tours of Japanese hot spots, more sushi restaurants than seems feasibly possible, and brilliant gaming live streams, he is a creator who never fails to deliver.

He also once went viral for chasing a spider the size of Godzilla...almost.

We talked retro gaming, Stardew Valley, the occasionally toxic online space, how one game really let him down, and how his Mum used to fight Zelda boss battles for him. Oh, and of course we discussed the mammoth spider.

Enjoy!

Find Kiwi in Japan right here.

Let us know where we're going wrong....or, like, right...maybe.

Support the show

Follow the adventure, support the show, listen with both ears - https://linktr.ee/DesertIslandGamer

Embark on a time-traveling audio journey with Desert Island Gamer and our special guest, MrSteJ, a Twitch streaming icon revered for reviving the golden age of '80s and '90s gaming and nerd culture. Get whisked away by tales of retro gaming goodness and the pure joy of uniting gamers who relish the nostalgic echoes of pixelated pasts. As we unwind the cassette tape of our guest's life, you'll find yourself at the intersection of cherished childhood memories and the birth of a Twitch channel that has become a beacon for companionship and retro revelry.

We explore not just the games that shaped our guest's love for the humble pixel, but also the man who crafted a stage built on the magic of human connection. So join us as we discover the good, the bad and the kinda heavily Nintendo-flavoured choices our Twitch-streaming legend makes!

To the island!

And be sure to check out MrSteJ's empire of goodness (as I call it), it's big-hearted, funny, retro-infused, and all kinds of wonderful.

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/mrstej
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MrSteJ
Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/mrstej/donate
Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/MrSteJ

Follow the adventure, support the show, listen with both ears - https://linktr.ee/DesertIslandGamer

Ever dreamed of strolling through the gates of Disneyland without reaching for your wallet? Richard Bazley knows that feeling well, and he's here to recount the tale from his Devon roots to the heights of animation with Disney to a new-found adventure as a film director.

Richard, an Emmy-nominated animator celebrated for his work on "The Iron Giant," shares the rollercoaster ride of his career with a candor that's as refreshing as it is inspiring. He peels back the curtain on the industry's highs and lows, from the sting of layoffs to the joy of professional triumphs, proving that steadfast devotion to one's passion can truly make dreams come true.

From the golden age of 'Star Wars' to the tactile wonder of practical effects, we saunter through the annals of film, revisiting the stories that have etched themselves into our collective consciousness. Richard and I ponder the movies that would keep us company in isolation, sparking laughter as we debate the cinematic treasures we'd reluctantly feed to the flames for a bit of warmth.

Richard's parting thoughts, steeped in his profound love for storytelling and film, leave us eagerly awaiting the next chapter of his illustrious career, as well as the untold stories he has yet to share with the world.

Find out more about Richard and the films he's involved with at the following places:

https://www.youtube.com/@richardbazley7170
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0003667/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1

Censure Trailer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1g8gpDb254

Confines Trailer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2BXRdkdI0Y

Follow the adventure, support the show, listen with both ears - https://linktr.ee/DesertIslandGamer

Unleash your nostalgia, as we take a trip back in time to the golden era of gaming! We promise an episode filled with cherished memories, exploring two pillars of the gaming world - Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. 

We talk candidly about the groundbreaking innovations they introduced, the popular franchises they brought to life, their evolution into comprehensive entertainment hubs, and their role in unfolding the online gaming revolution.

We share personal anecdotes and discuss the triumphs and missteps of this legendary gaming era. From reminiscing about the phenomenal Call of Duty, FIFA, and Halo franchises to the dreaded 'red ring of death', it's a rollercoaster ride of emotions. 

We talk about how gaming matured and expanded its horizons, attracting casual gamers and even the elderly. Finally, we'll celebrate the unprecedented explosion of online gaming, fostering a unique camaraderie among gamers worldwide. 

Join us in this nostalgic episode, honoring the golden age of gaming, and relive the excitement!

Follow the adventure, support the show, listen with both ears - https://linktr.ee/DesertIslandGamer

Ever find yourself stuck in the trenches of the age-old Sega vs. Nintendo war? If yes, then prepare for a ceasefire. Welcome to a curious tale of a lifelong Sega devotee who has finally succumbed to the charm of the Nintendo Switch. In a heartwarming narration filled with nostalgia, this episode takes you through the evolution of the speaker's gaming journey, from his early Sega days to his new-found love for the Nintendo universe.

In this episode, you're privy to the speaker's in-depth appreciation for the Switch, a console that has managed to resurrect the magic of split-screen multiplayer gaming from the golden eras. Marvel at the depiction of the Switch's varied games catalogue, innovative control system, and unique handheld mode. 

More importantly, witness the switch (pun intended) from a Sega fanatic to a Nintendo believer!

Follow the adventure, support the show, listen with both ears - https://linktr.ee/DesertIslandGamer