Retronauts Episode 489: Inside Star Control with Pistol Shrimp
Recorded live from the Alaskan wilderness to prevent any publisher interference
Back in 1990, Paul Reiche and Fred Ford co-created Star Control, a space combat game for personal computers and consoles that impressed reviewers and consumers alike. The sequel, released two years later, expanded the formula into a grand open-ended adventure with an entire universe of alien races to contact and interesting characters to meet. Star Control II became one of those games people talk about in exalted terms for, well, three decades now, and the creators of games such as Fallout and Mass Effect cite it as a major inspiration on their work.
Host Nadia Oxford, returning guest Shivam Bhatt, and longtime friend of the show Scott Sharkey got together back in July to discuss the first two Star Control games, but then a funny thing happened. Paul and Fred, now working together at Pistol Shrimp Games, enjoyed that episode so much, they wanted to join us for another discussion on the history (and future) of their outer-space RPGs. We’re not going to say no to that, so please enjoy this second conversation that goes behind the scenes of Star Control and its spiritual successor, The Ur-Quan Masters 2.
Description: Nadia Oxford, Shivam Bhatt, and Scott Sharkey are joined by legendary developers Paul Riche and Fred Ford in a discussion about Star Control. What makes this RPG-adventure pioneer so compelling and popular? What comes next for the Ur-Quan Masters?
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MP3, 49 MB | 1:40:20 Direct download Retronauts on iTunes Retronauts at Audioboom
Artwork for this episode by tbd and editing thanks go to Greg Leahy.
