
Harvey Smith, game director (Deus Ex, Dishonored, Redfall)
About this episode
Harvey Smith is a game designer and writer whose work has helped shape some of the most atmospheric and influential games of the last two decades. After serving in the U.S. Air Force he began his career in video games as a tester on the formative System Shock.
Then he joined Ion Storm worked as lead designer on Deus Ex, one of the most influential immersive sims of the era. In 2008 he became a partner at Arkane Studios, where he co-directed the acclaimed Dishonored series and, most recently, Redfall.
Known for championing player agency, richly layered world-building, and morally complex storytelling, his games invite players to think as much as act. And whether crafting dystopias or dark fantasies, he’s remained a guiding voice in one of the medium’s most ambitious genres.
Become a My Perfect Console supporter and receive a range of benefits at www.patreon.com/myperfectconsole
Take the Acast listener survey to help shape the show: My Perfect Console with Simon Parkin Survey 2025
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Get every episode summarized
Each time My Perfect Console with Simon Parkin publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.
Email me new episodesFree for 3 shows. No card needed.
Hosts & guests
No transcript yet
This episode has not been transcribed. Request it and it moves to the front of the queue.
More episodes
More from My Perfect Console with Simon Parkin

Mike Diver, journalist, author (Aliens: The Video Games)
My Perfect Console with Simon Parkin

Soren Johnson, game designer (Civ III, Civ IV, Spore, Old World)
My Perfect Console with Simon Parkin

Glen Henry, gamemaker, co-founder Jamaica Game Developer Society.
My Perfect Console with Simon Parkin

Amelia Tait, journalist, children's author.
My Perfect Console with Simon Parkin