Step inside the mind of a game designer in this insightful and deeply human episode featuring Penelope Murphy - Senior Games Designer at The Three Thousands Studios, industry mentor, and lifelong lover of games. From nostalgic childhood memories to professional design philosophy, this episode explores what it really means to build a career in game design - and how games shape the way we can understand life itself. Pen shares her journey from growing up in Canberra to moving to Melbourne’s thriving games industry, revealing the often non-linear path into becoming a designer. What starts as a love for games evolves into a nuanced exploration of video game careers, creative identity, and the challenge of defining what “design” actually is in a professional studio environment .

Through stories of early gameplay experiences from the Fable franchise to The Sims, this episode uncovers powerful parallels between game mechanics and real-world emotions. Pen reflects on how systems in design can teach us about relationships, decision-making, and even loss, highlighting the power of video games in understanding complex human experiences .

Whether you’re an aspiring developer, a seasoned designer, or simply curious about how games influence the way we find meaning in systems, creativity, and play, this episode is a must-listen.

In this episode, Executive Producer Lu Gigliotti takes us on a journey through his incredible career in the gaming industry —from his early work on the cult classic Earthworm Jim to shaping iconic titles like The Neverhood and DmC.

Lu shares insights into the creative process of game development and dives into the evolution of gaming, the rise of AI, and the future of interactive entertainment.