Alistair Aitcheson

Alistair Aitcheson - Games & Playful Technology

Award-winning game developer, creating and self-publishing games as an independent studio since 2010.

With a portfolio that includes educational games, custom-built controllers and playable stage shows, Alistair specialises in creating welcoming, accessible interfaces that inspire joy and creativity.

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He has developed several games from concept to finished product, and brought them to market. These include games published on the Apple App Store, and alternative-controller games installed in museums and rented out for public events.

Between 2013 and 2025 Alistair was the games expert for Sparx Learning, the UK's leading digital Maths learning platform, serving over 2200 schools.

Alistair has received numerous awards and nominations at international festivals including IndieCade in Los Angeles, PLAY Hamburg, A MAZE Berlin and Game Developer's Conference

His playable stage shows see audiences join in using their phones and custom-made controllers. As host he draws on several years of theatre clown training and has earned a reputation as a fearlessly creative performer who gets everyone joining in.

Having built custom controllers using everything from barcode scanners to paper shredders, he has become a prominent creator in the alternative controller field. He was selected to host the IndieCade Games Festival's Alternative Controller livestream show throughout its three-year run.

Alistair works as a freelance programmer, designer, and user experience (UX) consultant. His wide-ranging skills are applicable to web, cloud, desktop and microcontroller projects.

With his playful imagination, keen UX insight and his practical understanding of software development he could be the ideal design consultant to bring life and usability to your product.

Portfolio
Skills

Outside of his professional projects, Alistair explores the boundaries of play with his touring stage shows and through classic game emulation.

Upcoming Performances

29 Aug 2025 - London Anime & Gaming Convention
5 & 6 Sep 2025 - Side/Step Festival, London
26 - 28 Sep 2025 - QGCon, Montreal
26 Oct 2025 - MCM Comic Con, London
15 Oct 2025 - Front Room Weston Super Mare

Magic Box

Alistair is also the creator of Alistair's Magic Box - a hacked Sega Genesis emulator used for glitchy and alternative ways of playing classic games, including as Sonic the Hedgehog speedrunning challenges.

Details on how to set up and use it can be found here



©2017, 2025 - Alistair Aitcheson