Welcome to Interview Reenactment Theater, where we recreate some of the greatest video game interviews of all time. Today's episode reenacts Next Generation magazine's 1996 interview with David Perry, the personable developer behind Earthworm Jim, Disney's Aladdin and Cool Spot. What does Dave think of the oft-delayed Nintendo 64? Find out in this brand new episode of Interview Reenactment Theater.

CAST: Cyril Lachel as Next Generation, Steve Jaworski as David Perry.


WHO IS DAVID PERRY? David Perry was just about the closest thing the video games industry had to a rock star in 1995. He had made a name for himself at Virgin Interactive with well-received games like Mick & Mack as the Global Gladiators, 7-Up's Cool Spot and Disney's Aladdin. With his good looks, laidback attitude and great sound bites, magazines were quick to turn David Perry into a star.

By 1995, the outspoken developer had left Virgin to start his own company -- Shiny Entertainment. Their first game was Earthworm Jim on Super NES and Sega Genesis, and it was a massive hit with both critics and gamers alike. This was followed by the equally popular Earthworm Jim 2, as well as MDK and Wild 9. Unfortunately, Perry's shine began to dim, thanks in large part to games like Messiah and Enter the Matrix. The developer who at one time could do no wrong was unable to find his footing in a new era full of 3D video games.

This interview takes place in 1995, long before Perry's star burned out. He had Earthworm Jim 2 in the wings and everybody wanted to know his take on the impending 32-bit console war. The result is a fascinating interview where he predicts the winners and losers, while also pointing out what each hardware maker is doing wrong. Which system would David Perry buy in 1995? Spoiler alert: It's not the Jaguar.

SPECIAL THANKS: We would like to thank Next Generation magazine for not only running this interview, but also asking challenging questions. This episode would not have been possible without the editors at Next Generation, as well as Howard Lincoln. I would also like to thank Steve Jaworski for taking on the role of David Perry. What's even more impressive is that Steve has nothing to promote, not unlike the former head of Shiny Entertainment.

	Next Generation Interviews Tom Kalinske	Sega	Mark McAvoy	17:13
	Next Generation Interviews Tom Zito	Sega	Jed Pressgrove	17:09
	Next Generation Interviews Sam Tramiel	Atari	Aaron B.	8:10
	Next Generation Interviews Howard Lincoln	Nintendo	Jeremy LaMont	12:02
	Next Generation Interviews David Perry	Shiny	Steve Jaworski	8:54
	Next Generation Interviews Sen. Joe Lieberman	Politics	Daniel Santos	16:07
	Next Generation Interviews Steve Race	Sony	Brad Gallaway	24:49
	Next Generation Interviews Jeremy Smith	Core	Justin Celani	20:10
	Next Generation Interviews Eugene Jarvis	Retro	Kevin Bailey	15:01
	Next Generation Interviews Sam Tramiel (Part 2)	Atari	Aaron B.	26:58