My Perfect Console with Simon Parkin Chandana Ekanayake, founder Outerloop Games (Falcon Age, Thirsty Suitors, Dosa Divas).
May 5, 2026
Chandana Ekanayake, game developer and Outerloop Games co-founder known for Falcon Age and Thirsty Suitors. He talks about releasing Dosa Divas, its cooking-themed turn-based combat and sister-driven story. He reflects on food as cultural memory, family trauma and reconciliation, remote studio life, and the choices that shape personal game-making.
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Full Throttle Turned Curiosity Into A Career Choice
- Full Throttle inspired Chandana to pursue game-making by showing cinematic pacing and character-driven adventure.
- Its animated 2D characters over 3D pre-rendered sequences made him realize people make games and pushed him to teach himself tools.
An Overdose, DIY Demos, And A Bethesda Break
- After suspending art school following an acid overdose, Chandana returned home, worked at Costco, and taught himself animation and 3D.
- A VHS demo of his team's 3D work accidentally led to Bethesda hiring them for cinematics, launching his industry career.
Half-Life 2 As A Masterclass In Game Craft
- Half-Life 2 taught Chandana how to weave first-person gameplay with deep character moments, physics puzzles and worldbuilding.
- He saw it as a masterclass that combined art, design and storytelling into a cohesive gameplay experience.