A graphic designer from Argentina transforms into a game developer despite industry obstacles in his home country. Jorge, creator of Astrozombies, shares his remarkable journey of perseverance and creative vision on Desert Island Gamer.

The emotional vulnerability of releasing a passion project stands at the heart of this conversation. Having poured years into Astrozombies, Jorge reflects on the challenge of public scrutiny with remarkable wisdom: "Take the feedback that helps you improve, and remember different strokes for different folks." His balanced approach to criticism reveals the maturity necessary to thrive as an independent creator.

His deliberate choice to buck current gaming trends makes Jorge's story particularly compelling. While the industry races toward expansive open worlds and hyper-realistic graphics, he crafted a game that harks back to the golden era of platformers. "I figured there's already a lot of people doing that," he explains. "These things go in cycles. If it's fun, it's fun." This philosophy extends to his ambitious vision of Astro Zombies as the first in a trilogy – each game complete in itself but forming a greater whole.

His desert island game selections reveal the DNA of his creative influences. He passionately describes each game's unique qualities. The thoughtful incorporation of a standout soundtrack in Astro Zombies demonstrates how these influences manifest in his creation.

Curious about the nostalgic platformer that's capturing hearts? Discover Astro Zombies today and experience a game created with genuine passion for the medium's roots while bringing something fresh to modern players.

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Remember hauling your console and a bulky TV to a friend's house just to play multiplayer games? Or strategically deciding which save files to keep on your precious 8MB memory card? Gaming has evolved at a breathtaking pace, and along the way, many once-essential elements have vanished into obsolescence.

This nostalgic journey explores five gaming foundations that once seemed permanent but have crumbled beneath the weight of technological progress. From the chaotic joy of LAN parties – where friends would gather with controllers, snacks, and tangled wires to play Halo 2 until sunrise – to the tactile satisfaction of those bright red buttons on a Kempston joystick that made us feel like we were piloting spacecraft. We reflect on how physical game collections that once proudly lined our shelves have increasingly given way to the convenience of digital downloads, allowing us to remain "melted deep into the sofa" while browsing our libraries.

The console wars themselves have transformed dramatically. What was once a battlefield with numerous contenders – Spectrum, Amstrad, Commodore, Atari, Sega, and more – has consolidated into essentially a Microsoft-Sony duopoly, with Nintendo happily playing emperor from the sidelines. And who among us still remembers the strategic chess game of managing limited blocks on memory cards, a challenge that would baffle today's gamers as much as cassette tapes confuse young music fans?

What gaming elements do you miss from the past? Share your own gaming nostalgia and let us know which fallen foundations you wish had survived the relentless march of progress.

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

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