Retronauts Episode 160: Memoirs of a Game Counselor
Added 2018-07-09 16:36:52 +0000 UTCIt's a more laid-back episode than usual this week, since it's two very laid-back people chatting about video game history and experiences. Back in May, I stopped by the offices of developer 17-Bit (of Skulls of the Shogun and Galak-Z fame) to talk to the studio's founder, Jake Kazdal. While currently based in Kyoto, Japan, Jake grew up in Seattle and got his start in video gaming as a teenager working the Nintendo Game Counselor tip line. From there, he went on to become involved with some of the greatest game creators of all time, ranging from Enix to Lobotomy to Sega's United Game Artists. We ended up having a rambling conversation full of anecdotes and memories (and a rather lengthy sidebar about why Kyoto has become a hotspot for game development), but it's a conversation that people who are curious to hear more about what life inside all of these legendary studios was like should enjoy.
Comments
Loved this episode.
2018-07-14 22:40:56 +0000 UTCJake's story sounds like what my eight-year old self wanted to do! It was great to hear the story of someone who made it. :)
Stew Shearer
2018-07-12 15:44:56 +0000 UTCWay back in the day, I didn't understand that the protagonist of The Legend of Zelda wasn't named Zelda. My little brain just couldn't understand it. To prove it to me, my stepfather called the Nintendo "Powerline" to settle the argument. I have a very distinct memory of him extending the call to flirt with the counselor on the other line. Very uncomfortable.
Matt from Hidden Machine
2018-07-11 22:58:10 +0000 UTCJake has some great stories. There's definitely value in a free-flowing interview with people with first-hand experience of the making of classics. Loved this episode.
Kormakur Gardarsson
2018-07-11 07:39:45 +0000 UTCThis is probably my favorite interview that you've done, and I've never even played any of his games.
Sadie Carter
2018-07-10 10:40:17 +0000 UTCFor me this episode is amazing. My favorite podcast ever with one of my favorite humans ever as a guest. I'm going to eat tacos with Jake tonight too. Thanks for making this happen Jeremy!
Mark Lentz
2018-07-10 05:46:39 +0000 UTCWow...so when's the movie of his life coming out?
Normallyretro
2018-07-10 00:11:21 +0000 UTCGod, hearing him mention ELMO at the start. That was still the database name in 09 when I worked consumer support. Our specific call center wasn't allowed to do game counselor calls, but a few times we broke that rule. Had to explain to a kid how to get shedinja.
Renzuko
2018-07-09 21:42:13 +0000 UTC
