Michael Papaeleftheriou (Crossroads Film Journal): Resident Evil, Disco Elysium, and Gaming as Craft

Michael Papaeleftheriou (Crossroads Film Journal): Resident Evil, Disco Elysium, and Gaming as Craft

Michael, a filmmaker and screenwriter from Australia, joins us to share five games that shaped his creative journey. We discuss conquering childhood nightmares with Resident Evil 2, the meta-narrative brilliance of Disco Elysium, and how Knights of the Old Republic captures pure Star Wars magic. Michael shares his filmmaker's perspective on how technical limitations breed creativity, the moral weight of survival in This War of Mine, and how Heroes of Newerth taught him the real game is mastering people, not mechanics. These aren't just great games. They are the ones that taught him how to tell stories, overcome challenges, and find community in unexpected places. Michael's Five Games: * Resident Evil 2 (1998) * Disco Elysium (2019) * Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (2003) * This War of Mine (2014) * Heroes of Newerth (2010) Also in this episode: We discuss Honourable Mentions including Batman: Arkham City. Find Michael: * Instagram: @crossroadsfilmjournal [https://www.instagram.com/crossroadsfilmjournal/] * Linktree: Michael Papaeleftheriou [https://linktr.ee/michaelpapaeleftheriou] About Desert Island Disc Drive: Each episode, one guest picks five video games they'd take to a desert island and shares the personal stories behind them. This isn't about the "best games ever" or technical reviews. It's about the games that shaped who we are as players. * Website: discdrivepod.com * Email: joe@discdrivepod.com [joe@discdrivepod.com] * Social: @DiscDrivePod

Neil (Ancient History Hound): GoldenEye, Skyrim, and Games as Refuge

Neil from the Ancient History Hound podcast joins us to share five games that shaped his life. We discuss discovering the expansive worlds of Tomb Raider 2, evenings playing GoldenEye with university housemates, and the all-consuming nature of Championship Manager. Neil shares how Rome: Total War finally brought together his two passions, ancient history and gaming, and how Skyrim became a vital refuge during challenging times. These aren't just great games. They are the ones that were there during the moments that mattered. Neil's Five Games: * Tomb Raider 2 (1997) * GoldenEye 007 (1997) * Championship Manager (1990s) * Rome: Total War (2004) * The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011) Also in this episode: We discuss Honourable Mentions including Red Dead Redemption 2 and Medieval 2: Total War. Find Neil: * Podcast: Ancient History Hound (wherever you get podcasts) * Social: @ancientblogger (X, Bluesky, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube) About Desert Island Disc Drive: Each episode, one guest picks five video games they'd take to a desert island and shares the personal stories behind them. This isn't about the "best games ever" or technical reviews. It is about the games that shaped who we are as players. * Website: discdrivepod.com [https://discdrivepod.com] * Email: joe@discdrivepod.com [joe@discdrivepod.com] * Social: @DiscDrivePod

Trailer: Welcome to Desert Island Disc Drive

Welcome to Desert Island Disc Drive - the video game podcast where guests choose the games they'd bring to a desert island. If you could only take a handful of video games with you forever, which would you choose? And more importantly - why? Each episode, we sit down with game developers, content creators, journalists, and gamers to explore the personal stories behind their essential games. This isn't about ranking the "best" games - it's about the games that shaped us, the ones we can't stop thinking about, and what they reveal about who we are as players. Subscribe now so you don't miss the first episode. Got a great desert island game list? Want to be a guest? Email: joe@discdrivepod.com [ joe@discdrivepod.com] Follow us: * Twitter/X: @DiscDrivePod [https://x.com/DiscDrivePod] * YouTube: @DiscDrivePod [https://www.youtube.com/@DiscDrivePod]