December 8, 2024 • 18 mins
Atticus Shaffer, renowned for his roles in "The Middle" and "Frankenweenie," shares his inspiring journey from the bright lights of acting to the immersive world of gaming.
Discover how the pandemic served as a catalyst for Atticus to embark on a new adventure in the realm of Twitch.
We explore the playful yet thought-provoking debate of PC versus PlayStation, and delight in Atticus's whimsical choice of mom's barbecue ribs as a forever meal. The conversation takes a fun twist as we discuss his ultimate desert island games, like "Escape from Tarkov" and "The Long Dark," each offering unique challenges and immersive storytelling, before things get deeply controversial with his choice of game to burn for heat!
Join us for an episode filled with humour, nostalgia, and a fascinating glimpse into the life of Atticus.
Let us know where we're going wrong....or, like, right...maybe.
Follow the adventure, support the show, listen with both ears - https://linktr.ee/DesertIslandGamer
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome, dear listener, to Desert Island Gamer
, a quick-fire interview podcastdigging into those video games
that shaped us into thewholesome, kind-hearted people
we are today.
The entirely original premiseone desert island, one guest,
three games they adore, one gamethey abhor and a carefully
selected gaming character withwhich to spend an eternity of
(00:22):
moonlit walks along the beach.
It could be weird, it could beunhinged and it could have
crappy sound quality, but atleast it will be short To the
island.
Welcome to Desert Island Gamer,the podcast that pretends not
(00:45):
to care about podcast chartsbecause they don't care about us
.
And today I am joined by MrAtticus Schaefer.
Welcome, sir.
Speaker 2 (00:53):
Thank you very much.
I'm happy to be here, man, howare you?
Speaker 1 (00:56):
I'm very good, I'm very happy to have you here.
Oh, dude, thank you so much.
People listening.
You probably know Atticus asBrick on the Middle, edgar in
Frankenweenie, ono in Lion Guard, some serious array of
characters, and you're only 22,which for a man of my age is
kind of depressing.
I'm sorry, I'm going to catchup one day.
However, do people know Atticusthe presenter?
(01:16):
Atticus the gamer and star ofTwitch streaming?
This is where you're going now.
Speaker 2 (01:21):
Yes, sir, it is.
You know, it's kind of funnyhow it started.
Actually, COVID really messedeverybody up.
Speaker 1 (01:27):
Right Big time.
Speaker 2 (01:28):
Oh yeah, and the funny thing is is it really
showed that people in Hollywoodare by no means immune to what's
going on in the world.
You know what I'm saying?
We're real, just like everybodyelse.
So when we get affected bysomething, we get affected by
something.
You know.
Hollywood kind of shut downyeah, I think it's still shut
down.
It seems to me like there'sonly a handful of things that
are going nowadays.
(01:49):
And so I really sat back andactually, thankfully, I kind of
had this conversation withmyself before you know, covid
was really an issue here in theStates.
But I sat back and I said tomyself Okay, what do I want to
do?
What do I really want to dowith my time?
What can be a little bitlucrative, but something that I
have a passion for and I enjoy.
And, of course, that's athought process that I have
after I play video games andhang out with my friends and do
(02:11):
the things that I look up to andI admire, and I've got a couple
that I like to watch, and theyalso double as YouTubers as well
.
And I said you know what?
That would be a really cool jobto have, because I'm fairly
knowledgeable about video games.
I'm okay playing them, butmostly I have fun with it, right
(02:35):
?
I figured you know what thismight be a great way of kind of
transitioning into building upmore behind the scenes
creativity, less on the actingside, more of the creative like
what can I do as a person?
And actually the caveat of thatis my production company,
because I made a productioncompany and I'm kind of doing
(02:56):
things through that and then allof a sudden I just started
going on Twitch and streaming.
Prior to that, it started withYouTube.
I did some video gameplaythroughs on YouTube and it
started to get a following.
So then I transitioned over toTwitch, which really blew up
very quickly and, man, I reallythe timing of it couldn't have
been better because of COVID,because it ended up where you
know, we were all stuck at homeanyway and it was still
something I could do and stillhave fun, bring people together
(03:17):
and try to be, you know, apositive light, which is really
what I want to be.
Speaker 1 (03:20):
That's what shines through.
It is a very positive channel,the creative process itself.
You're just all aboutspontaneous interactions with
the viewers.
Speaker 2 (03:33):
Actually, the really cool part of this is that my
experience being on the showsthat I've been on really kind of
taught me about publicity.
Right, how do you strategicallybuild a business, how do you
get the word out and stuff likethat.
And it's actually kind ofamazing because the Hollywood
has changed so drastically nowthat really entertainment you
can only get it online.
Now it's not going to be wherewe can go into theaters and
(03:54):
watch plays or movies orwhatever.
We can't do that and we're notgoing to be able to do that for
the foreseeable future.
So now the way that I structureit is I'm looking at it like
okay, this is my network andit's kind of a variety show.
There's definitely a heavyemphasis on, like you said, the
spontaneity of it andinteractions with the viewers.
But I do I kind of like I lookahead and I go, okay, what games
(04:16):
are coming out, what's going tobe popular, that'll bring in
viewership, but then there'sother stuff here that can be fun
, like independent games, and soI kind of structure it like a
network, make sure I havevariety.
Uh, for example, like even onsaturdays, I try to keep things
a little bit more kid friendly.
The way that I look at it isit's like saturday cartoons you
know what I mean.
Speaker 1 (04:34):
You've got a great variety on there.
You've got minecraft.
Your next stream is minecraft.
In fact, isn't it later todayexactly?
You've got serious stuff likeghosts of tsushima yeah, seven
Days to Die which is a properadult kind of game.
So it's cool that there's abroad spectrum there for
everyone, particularly when youcan deliver it in such a smooth
way, which I guess the actingbackground is a super creative
person in her own right.
Speaker 2 (04:54):
I really give her the credit for my artistic view and
the ability really to evencomprehend art and man.
Dude, she is like the bestdirector of photography
cinematographer I could everhope for.
(05:15):
She does all my like publicityphotos, my thumbnails, all that
stuff.
She's my camera operator andman.
It's just so cool to be able tolike even in in that regard.
This is a way where my mom andI can bond and we're able to do
fun things together and it justso happens to be helping me to
build this business that I am.
So I mean, this thing is hugein like every way.
Speaker 1 (05:34):
It's such a blessing it must be great to have that
support as well oh yeah becausethere's parents out there who
will frown upon video games, youknow.
But for yourself, that must bethe other side of the coin.
For sure Is this a new journeyyou hope will one day become the
new day job.
Speaker 2 (05:48):
I'll be honest with you, man, I do Seriously,
because this is something thatI've really.
It's funny.
I was talking about this withmy mom the other day because I
did interact with a couple ofpeople who were kind of
poo-pooing the notion of memaking this into a job, and my
mom turned to me and she said,listen, you busted your butt for
12 years as an actor and youwere helping to make other
people's creative visions cometrue.
(06:09):
That's great because thathelped you in many ways.
But now you're doing your ownthing and it's more about the
creativity than anything and youcan be your own boss, make your
own schedule and whatever, andit just so happens to be this
positive light that other peoplecan join and take part in.
That's really where the root ofit is is building that
community and having thatfellowship, that fun, that
(06:30):
laughter and, like we talkedabout earlier, that light,
especially in today's times.
So for me, absolutely, if thiscan become my new like day job
and this is what I can say is mycareer, man, that would be
awesome.
Speaker 1 (06:41):
And to build it off, something you're so passionate
about as well is just the icingon the cake, I suppose oh,
absolutely, for sure, we aregoing to dig into some of your
gaming loves and gaming hates,but I do like to start with
icebreaker questions.
Question one xbox playstationor pc gaming have you got a
preference?
Speaker 2 (07:01):
Oh my word, this is hard.
It's definitely PC, butPlayStation is right there in
its backpack.
Speaker 1 (07:10):
I'm an Xbox man as well.
We shouldn't be talking For thegames you're running.
You've got a pretty impressivePC setup going on.
Speaker 2 (07:19):
Oh for sure man.
This thing is definitely mybaby.
I dig this.
I cherish this thing.
Speaker 1 (07:27):
Question two if you had to eat one meal every day
for the rest of your life, whatare you eating?
Speaker 2 (07:33):
Oh, that's an excellent question.
Oh, my word, let's see Probablymy mom's barbecue ribs.
Seriously, oh dude, they'remelting your mouth, it's so good
.
Speaker 1 (07:43):
I haven't eaten yet you should have asked that
question.
Speaker 2 (07:47):
Oh, it's going to be a long interview.
Speaker 1 (07:51):
Question three and to be honest I had to ask this one
what fictional family would youlove to be a member of?
Speaker 2 (07:57):
Oh, fictional family.
Oh, my word, you know what?
I'll be honest with you.
Probably the Finches fromAtticus, finch to Kill a
Mockingbird, my namesake.
Speaker 1 (08:07):
Oh wow, I thought you were just just gonna pick like
the dunfys or something frommodern family sympathy like the
hex was so poor and the dunfysare so well off.
Speaker 2 (08:14):
Man, I thought you'd want that no, bro, take me back
in time, I'll just sit andlisten to uh, my namesake talk
to me and handle lawyer casesgreat answer great.
Speaker 1 (08:26):
You are stranded on a desert island and you get to
pick three games you either loveor games that have mattered to
you over the years.
Atticus what would be gamenumber one?
Speaker 2 (08:35):
Okay, game number one hands down.
I've fallen in love with thisgame again since I got my PC set
up.
Hands down would be Escape fromTarkov.
Speaker 1 (08:43):
Talk to me about it, because it's a game I've heard
of but not yet played.
Speaker 2 (08:46):
So Escape from Tarkov .
It's essentially I know wherethe concept came from.
The concept came from whenthose troubles were going on in
Ukraine and that little proxywar was going on, and it's set
in a fictional city of Tarkovand what it is is essentially
think of PUBG with the detail ofCOD, modern Warfare, like
that's like that, and itcombines like I'm such a dude I
(09:08):
often say my spirit animal is asquirrel, so it combines like
the love of scavenging withawesome gunplay and action, a
little bit of Battle Royale toit, and it's just such a dope
game.
It's so good.
Is it an online game only?
It is.
Yeah, it's an independent game,pc only.
Speaker 1 (09:27):
Ah, I'm game, only it is.
Speaker 2 (09:28):
Yeah, it's an independent game, pc only oh I'm
wondering if I'm looking at mypc thinking can you run that
game, maybe it's worth a go.
Speaker 1 (09:31):
Hey, if it can, you'll be addicted seriously oh
well, that's definitely not agood idea, then.
Because I get easily, that's agreat first choice.
I always like it when someonepicks a game that obviously
throws me as well, because it'salways something I can then go
and check out myself for sure.
Game two Game two.
Speaker 2 (09:47):
Man, it's definitely a game that you can spend a lot
of time on, but it's veryrelaxing too.
At the same time, I would haveto pick the Long Dark.
Speaker 1 (09:55):
Right cool.
I do really enjoy this game.
Speaker 2 (09:57):
It's solid, and especially if I'm on a desert
island, I mean learning all thebushcraft stuff in the game will
probably be helpful.
Speaker 1 (10:03):
Definitely.
What is it about the game?
Is it just the survival aspect?
Speaker 2 (10:15):
You know it's a survival aspect, but they've
really done a good job with thestory like it's an engaging
story, even in its simplicityand the way that I liken it it's
.
It's it's very much like liamneeson's the gray right.
If you've ever seen that movieyeah, I'm aware of that one,
yeah.
Yeah, it's really solid man.
It kind of it subtly givesencouragement and strength, like
in a very difficult situation,but it also it also has those
high moments too and very simplebeauty.
It's really solid.
Speaker 1 (10:33):
I adore the setting.
It doesn't make things easy foryou.
It's a real struggle at thestart of that game to get from
day to day.
Absolutely Another great game.
That is one I'm aware of andthat's one I do enjoy very much.
Straight on to game numberthree.
Speaker 2 (10:48):
Game number three man .
It's funny because this gamekind of came and went when it
came out, but I can appreciatethe art of it as well as the
story, and I have to go withdays gone because I'm an xbox
player.
Speaker 1 (11:00):
That's one again.
I'm aware of that, but Ihaven't had the pleasure of
playing it yet it's.
Speaker 2 (11:04):
It's a very long-running, engaging game, and
what the developers did is theyadded this sense of realism,
even though it's an incrediblyfictitious story.
They added this sense ofrealism, and what I love about
it, too, is they really let you.
If you really got yourselfdedicated to it, you could do
everything that there is to doin the game in one playthrough,
(11:26):
and it's stupendous.
Speaker 1 (11:28):
Yeah, it's an apocalypse setting.
It is.
Speaker 2 (11:30):
Yeah, it's not necessarily like zombie
apocalypse, it'sinfectedupendous.
Yeah, it's an apocalypsesetting it is.
Yeah, it's not necessarily likezombie apocalypse, it's
infected apocalypse, but yeahit's.
It's a unique take on it too,because what I love about this
game especially and this is mespeaking as an american we have
a lot of divisiveness in ourcountry and we have,
unfortunately, for a few yearsnow, and they really kind of you
know our country is at a pointwhere it's you're either on one
(11:52):
side or the other, and that'sthe way that they want to make
people think.
But the reality is is there'sso many people that are caught
in the middle of those twoopposing sides.
And what I love about Days Goneis they really stick you in a
realistic setting of America,like there's all these different
encampments, there's all thesedifferent groups and they all
have diametrically opposingviewpoints, right, but you as
(12:14):
the main character and most ofthe characters that you engage
with, you are literally caughtin the middle, where you just
sit there and you go.
Okay, I can see your point onthat issue.
I can see your point on thatissue, but then, for the most
part, in a lot, lot of otherrespects, he just plain doesn't
care and he just wants to likeagain.
This story is is what he?
He's mourning the loss of hiswife, he's trying to find a
(12:37):
reason to survive.
He's pseudo helping people, buthe's also really guarded into
and I really could identify withthe character in that respect
and especially the realism thatthey painted him in.
So the developers did anoutstanding job with that in
telling that story.
Speaker 1 (12:51):
It sounds incredible and I love how invested you get
into the games.
You can tell you've got agenuine passion for these things
.
Speaker 2 (12:56):
Oh dude, absolutely.
You know, games are art.
Games are art, just like amusic video or a movie or a TV
show or whatever it may be.
Man, they're in art form.
Speaker 1 (13:06):
I think that's starting to be recognized,
because if it was a long time,it definitely wasn't.
It's nice that we're startingto shift that way.
Absolutely For sure.
Three great games.
People do well on the greatgames, mostly in this show, but
unfortunately you do have topick one awful game.
Speaker 2 (13:19):
It was funny.
When we were talking leading upto doing this interview, I
thought about this and I'm goingto offend a lot of people with
my choice Hear out my reasoningwhen I tell you go on the last
of us, part two.
Speaker 1 (13:36):
Oh right, we need to cut the podcast shut it down,
bro.
Speaker 2 (13:38):
I'm telling you it's 30 hours of hot garbage that's
gonna keep me warm for a longtime, I've often had some
controversial choices made onthe game.
Speaker 1 (13:49):
People don't like I.
I mean what in particular?
Speaker 2 (13:51):
I am a ridiculously huge fan of the first one, the
first game.
It inspired such hope.
The message in the game was agame of hey, you know what?
There's some really crummycircumstances going on, but look
at the perseverance of theprotagonist characters.
They're looking out for eachother purely out of love and
they're this beacon of hope inthis fallen world.
(14:12):
Right, and that was what Iloved about the game.
What I really didn't like aboutthe second game from an
objective standpoint, the secondgame was superior in the first
in terms of the art of thesetting, the gameplay, the
gunplay, the combat, the puzzlepiecing all of that ridiculously
solid, far superior to thefirst game.
But it was the story that gotme, and for me it was almost as
(14:36):
if instantaneously.
Right from the beginning of thegame they just completely undid
everything that was in thefirst game and it really broke
my heart.
It no longer was a story ofthat.
Here's some hope in thesereally trying times.
Yes, this bad stuff occurs, butman, the characters persevered
through and they did whatever.
It really ended up becoming agame where you literally hate
(14:58):
everybody in the game.
Speaker 1 (15:01):
I'm so glad, to be honest, you've chosen that.
It's such a brilliantlycontroversial opinion.
Speaker 2 (15:09):
I'm going to start getting hate mail, bro.
I'm ready for your hate peopleBring it.
I hope not.
I hope not putting maid up.
Speaker 1 (15:12):
I'm going to start getting hate mail, bro, I'm
ready for your hate people Bringit.
Oh my God, I hope not.
I hope not.
Wow, I didn't expect you to saythat, but you were eloquent,
you know.
You maybe have a point there.
Speaker 2 (15:18):
Appreciate that.
Speaker 1 (15:22):
I'm guessing the character you're going to choose
to be on the island isn't fromthe Last of Us 2.
No, so who's it going to be?
Speaker 2 (15:27):
I'll be honest with you, man.
The character that I wouldchoose, hands down, to be on the
island with me would probablybe Deacon St John from Days Gone
, reasoning being especiallyafter watching that game and
seeing that transpire.
He is definitely a person whohas that perseverance in him,
has that will to survive.
And, man dude, he's a huskyninja, like what I lack in my
(15:52):
physique I'll be the brains,he'll be the brawn, and if, for
whatever reason, the island getsattacked by some deranged
pygmies or something like that,he's going to take care of
business oh, you know about thepygmies then oh yeah, for sure
that's a good choice.
Speaker 1 (16:05):
You sound like potentially the new batman and
robin there hey, you know what'sup yeah, when hollywood's back,
I'm pitching it yes, dude, hey,I'll come in, I'll direct it
starring it.
Speaker 2 (16:14):
It'll be great perfect.
Speaker 1 (16:15):
Before we draw it to a close, I always ask are there
any games that you were kind oftorn, that maybe we've taken or
maybe you were gonna burn?
Speaker 2 (16:22):
well, you know definitely nothing that, nothing
else that I would burn.
That's really sad.
Talk about, talk about addingto that controversy.
As far as other games I wouldhave taken, man honorable
mention would definitely havegone to cod, modern warfare and
seven days to die bothincredibly solid games so you're
talking the latest the latestone, the revamp, for sure
(16:43):
because I get so mixed up withthat many modern warfares and
black ops I'm still playing fromlike 15 years ago, nice.
Speaker 1 (16:49):
I think that pretty much draws us to a close.
Obviously, if you haven't yetchecked out Atticus Twitch
channel, definitely do thatright away.
Atticus Schaefer vlog Yepthat's it.
Tremendous amount of content,very upbeat, very welcoming and
just a great enjoyable channel.
Speaker 2 (17:05):
Thank you very much, man.
Speaker 1 (17:06):
I totally, totally appreciate you coming on,
Atticus.
It's been an absolute pleasure.
Speaker 2 (17:10):
Oh, dude, the pleasure is all mine.
Seriously, this was fun.
Speaker 1 (17:13):
I'm glad you enjoyed it.
I definitely enjoyed it.
I enjoyed how controversial youwere as well, which is just
ideal.
Speaker 2 (17:20):
Hey, listen, I'm a typical American, I guess.
Speaker 1 (17:23):
Until next time.
From me goodbye, and fromAtticus.
Speaker 2 (17:26):
Sayonara friends.
Thank you so much.
Speaker 1 (17:29):
Make sure you head over to Atticus Schaefer Vlog on
Twitch and catch his stream.
It's superb, thank you.
Welcome, dear listener, to Desert Island Gamer
, a quick-fire interview podcastdigging into those video games
that shaped us into thewholesome, kind-hearted people
we are today.
The entirely original premiseone desert island, one guest,
three games they adore, one gamethey abhor and a carefully
selected gaming character withwhich to spend an eternity of
(00:22):
moonlit walks along the beach.
It could be weird, it could beunhinged and it could have
crappy sound quality, but atleast it will be short To the
island.
Welcome to Desert Island Gamer,the podcast that pretends not
(00:45):
to care about podcast chartsbecause they don't care about us
.
And today I am joined by MrAtticus Schaefer.
Welcome, sir.
Speaker 2 (00:53):
Thank you very much.
I'm happy to be here, man, howare you?
Speaker 1 (00:56):
I'm very good, I'm very happy to have you here.
Oh, dude, thank you so much.
People listening.
You probably know Atticus asBrick on the Middle, edgar in
Frankenweenie, ono in Lion Guard, some serious array of
characters, and you're only 22,which for a man of my age is
kind of depressing.
I'm sorry, I'm going to catchup one day.
However, do people know Atticusthe presenter?
(01:16):
Atticus the gamer and star ofTwitch streaming?
This is where you're going now.
Speaker 2 (01:21):
Yes, sir, it is.
You know, it's kind of funnyhow it started.
Actually, COVID really messedeverybody up.
Speaker 1 (01:27):
Right Big time.
Speaker 2 (01:28):
Oh yeah, and the funny thing is is it really
showed that people in Hollywoodare by no means immune to what's
going on in the world.
You know what I'm saying?
We're real, just like everybodyelse.
So when we get affected bysomething, we get affected by
something.
You know.
Hollywood kind of shut downyeah, I think it's still shut
down.
It seems to me like there'sonly a handful of things that
are going nowadays.
(01:49):
And so I really sat back andactually, thankfully, I kind of
had this conversation withmyself before you know, covid
was really an issue here in theStates.
But I sat back and I said tomyself Okay, what do I want to
do?
What do I really want to dowith my time?
What can be a little bitlucrative, but something that I
have a passion for and I enjoy.
And, of course, that's athought process that I have
after I play video games andhang out with my friends and do
(02:11):
the things that I look up to andI admire, and I've got a couple
that I like to watch, and theyalso double as YouTubers as well
.
And I said you know what?
That would be a really cool jobto have, because I'm fairly
knowledgeable about video games.
I'm okay playing them, butmostly I have fun with it, right
(02:35):
?
I figured you know what thismight be a great way of kind of
transitioning into building upmore behind the scenes
creativity, less on the actingside, more of the creative like
what can I do as a person?
And actually the caveat of thatis my production company,
because I made a productioncompany and I'm kind of doing
(02:56):
things through that and then allof a sudden I just started
going on Twitch and streaming.
Prior to that, it started withYouTube.
I did some video gameplaythroughs on YouTube and it
started to get a following.
So then I transitioned over toTwitch, which really blew up
very quickly and, man, I reallythe timing of it couldn't have
been better because of COVID,because it ended up where you
know, we were all stuck at homeanyway and it was still
something I could do and stillhave fun, bring people together
(03:17):
and try to be, you know, apositive light, which is really
what I want to be.
Speaker 1 (03:20):
That's what shines through.
It is a very positive channel,the creative process itself.
You're just all aboutspontaneous interactions with
the viewers.
Speaker 2 (03:33):
Actually, the really cool part of this is that my
experience being on the showsthat I've been on really kind of
taught me about publicity.
Right, how do you strategicallybuild a business, how do you
get the word out and stuff likethat.
And it's actually kind ofamazing because the Hollywood
has changed so drastically nowthat really entertainment you
can only get it online.
Now it's not going to be wherewe can go into theaters and
(03:54):
watch plays or movies orwhatever.
We can't do that and we're notgoing to be able to do that for
the foreseeable future.
So now the way that I structureit is I'm looking at it like
okay, this is my network andit's kind of a variety show.
There's definitely a heavyemphasis on, like you said, the
spontaneity of it andinteractions with the viewers.
But I do I kind of like I lookahead and I go, okay, what games
(04:16):
are coming out, what's going tobe popular, that'll bring in
viewership, but then there'sother stuff here that can be fun
, like independent games, and soI kind of structure it like a
network, make sure I havevariety.
Uh, for example, like even onsaturdays, I try to keep things
a little bit more kid friendly.
The way that I look at it isit's like saturday cartoons you
know what I mean.
Speaker 1 (04:34):
You've got a great variety on there.
You've got minecraft.
Your next stream is minecraft.
In fact, isn't it later todayexactly?
You've got serious stuff likeghosts of tsushima yeah, seven
Days to Die which is a properadult kind of game.
So it's cool that there's abroad spectrum there for
everyone, particularly when youcan deliver it in such a smooth
way, which I guess the actingbackground is a super creative
person in her own right.
Speaker 2 (04:54):
I really give her the credit for my artistic view and
the ability really to evencomprehend art and man.
Dude, she is like the bestdirector of photography
cinematographer I could everhope for.
(05:15):
She does all my like publicityphotos, my thumbnails, all that
stuff.
She's my camera operator andman.
It's just so cool to be able tolike even in in that regard.
This is a way where my mom andI can bond and we're able to do
fun things together and it justso happens to be helping me to
build this business that I am.
So I mean, this thing is hugein like every way.
Speaker 1 (05:34):
It's such a blessing it must be great to have that
support as well oh yeah becausethere's parents out there who
will frown upon video games, youknow.
But for yourself, that must bethe other side of the coin.
For sure Is this a new journeyyou hope will one day become the
new day job.
Speaker 2 (05:48):
I'll be honest with you, man, I do Seriously,
because this is something thatI've really.
It's funny.
I was talking about this withmy mom the other day because I
did interact with a couple ofpeople who were kind of
poo-pooing the notion of memaking this into a job, and my
mom turned to me and she said,listen, you busted your butt for
12 years as an actor and youwere helping to make other
people's creative visions cometrue.
(06:09):
That's great because thathelped you in many ways.
But now you're doing your ownthing and it's more about the
creativity than anything and youcan be your own boss, make your
own schedule and whatever, andit just so happens to be this
positive light that other peoplecan join and take part in.
That's really where the root ofit is is building that
community and having thatfellowship, that fun, that
(06:30):
laughter and, like we talkedabout earlier, that light,
especially in today's times.
So for me, absolutely, if thiscan become my new like day job
and this is what I can say is mycareer, man, that would be
awesome.
Speaker 1 (06:41):
And to build it off, something you're so passionate
about as well is just the icingon the cake, I suppose oh,
absolutely, for sure, we aregoing to dig into some of your
gaming loves and gaming hates,but I do like to start with
icebreaker questions.
Question one xbox playstationor pc gaming have you got a
preference?
Speaker 2 (07:01):
Oh my word, this is hard.
It's definitely PC, butPlayStation is right there in
its backpack.
Speaker 1 (07:10):
I'm an Xbox man as well.
We shouldn't be talking For thegames you're running.
You've got a pretty impressivePC setup going on.
Speaker 2 (07:19):
Oh for sure man.
This thing is definitely mybaby.
I dig this.
I cherish this thing.
Speaker 1 (07:27):
Question two if you had to eat one meal every day
for the rest of your life, whatare you eating?
Speaker 2 (07:33):
Oh, that's an excellent question.
Oh, my word, let's see Probablymy mom's barbecue ribs.
Seriously, oh dude, they'remelting your mouth, it's so good
.
Speaker 1 (07:43):
I haven't eaten yet you should have asked that
question.
Speaker 2 (07:47):
Oh, it's going to be a long interview.
Speaker 1 (07:51):
Question three and to be honest I had to ask this one
what fictional family would youlove to be a member of?
Speaker 2 (07:57):
Oh, fictional family.
Oh, my word, you know what?
I'll be honest with you.
Probably the Finches fromAtticus, finch to Kill a
Mockingbird, my namesake.
Speaker 1 (08:07):
Oh wow, I thought you were just just gonna pick like
the dunfys or something frommodern family sympathy like the
hex was so poor and the dunfysare so well off.
Speaker 2 (08:14):
Man, I thought you'd want that no, bro, take me back
in time, I'll just sit andlisten to uh, my namesake talk
to me and handle lawyer casesgreat answer great.
Speaker 1 (08:26):
You are stranded on a desert island and you get to
pick three games you either loveor games that have mattered to
you over the years.
Atticus what would be gamenumber one?
Speaker 2 (08:35):
Okay, game number one hands down.
I've fallen in love with thisgame again since I got my PC set
up.
Hands down would be Escape fromTarkov.
Speaker 1 (08:43):
Talk to me about it, because it's a game I've heard
of but not yet played.
Speaker 2 (08:46):
So Escape from Tarkov .
It's essentially I know wherethe concept came from.
The concept came from whenthose troubles were going on in
Ukraine and that little proxywar was going on, and it's set
in a fictional city of Tarkovand what it is is essentially
think of PUBG with the detail ofCOD, modern Warfare, like
that's like that, and itcombines like I'm such a dude I
(09:08):
often say my spirit animal is asquirrel, so it combines like
the love of scavenging withawesome gunplay and action, a
little bit of Battle Royale toit, and it's just such a dope
game.
It's so good.
Is it an online game only?
It is.
Yeah, it's an independent game,pc only.
Speaker 1 (09:27):
Ah, I'm game, only it is.
Speaker 2 (09:28):
Yeah, it's an independent game, pc only oh I'm
wondering if I'm looking at mypc thinking can you run that
game, maybe it's worth a go.
Speaker 1 (09:31):
Hey, if it can, you'll be addicted seriously oh
well, that's definitely not agood idea, then.
Because I get easily, that's agreat first choice.
I always like it when someonepicks a game that obviously
throws me as well, because it'salways something I can then go
and check out myself for sure.
Game two Game two.
Speaker 2 (09:47):
Man, it's definitely a game that you can spend a lot
of time on, but it's veryrelaxing too.
At the same time, I would haveto pick the Long Dark.
Speaker 1 (09:55):
Right cool.
I do really enjoy this game.
Speaker 2 (09:57):
It's solid, and especially if I'm on a desert
island, I mean learning all thebushcraft stuff in the game will
probably be helpful.
Speaker 1 (10:03):
Definitely.
What is it about the game?
Is it just the survival aspect?
Speaker 2 (10:15):
You know it's a survival aspect, but they've
really done a good job with thestory like it's an engaging
story, even in its simplicityand the way that I liken it it's
.
It's it's very much like liamneeson's the gray right.
If you've ever seen that movieyeah, I'm aware of that one,
yeah.
Yeah, it's really solid man.
It kind of it subtly givesencouragement and strength, like
in a very difficult situation,but it also it also has those
high moments too and very simplebeauty.
It's really solid.
Speaker 1 (10:33):
I adore the setting.
It doesn't make things easy foryou.
It's a real struggle at thestart of that game to get from
day to day.
Absolutely Another great game.
That is one I'm aware of andthat's one I do enjoy very much.
Straight on to game numberthree.
Speaker 2 (10:48):
Game number three man .
It's funny because this gamekind of came and went when it
came out, but I can appreciatethe art of it as well as the
story, and I have to go withdays gone because I'm an xbox
player.
Speaker 1 (11:00):
That's one again.
I'm aware of that, but Ihaven't had the pleasure of
playing it yet it's.
Speaker 2 (11:04):
It's a very long-running, engaging game, and
what the developers did is theyadded this sense of realism,
even though it's an incrediblyfictitious story.
They added this sense ofrealism, and what I love about
it, too, is they really let you.
If you really got yourselfdedicated to it, you could do
everything that there is to doin the game in one playthrough,
(11:26):
and it's stupendous.
Speaker 1 (11:28):
Yeah, it's an apocalypse setting.
It is.
Speaker 2 (11:30):
Yeah, it's not necessarily like zombie
apocalypse, it'sinfectedupendous.
Yeah, it's an apocalypsesetting it is.
Yeah, it's not necessarily likezombie apocalypse, it's
infected apocalypse, but yeahit's.
It's a unique take on it too,because what I love about this
game especially and this is mespeaking as an american we have
a lot of divisiveness in ourcountry and we have,
unfortunately, for a few yearsnow, and they really kind of you
know our country is at a pointwhere it's you're either on one
(11:52):
side or the other, and that'sthe way that they want to make
people think.
But the reality is is there'sso many people that are caught
in the middle of those twoopposing sides.
And what I love about Days Goneis they really stick you in a
realistic setting of America,like there's all these different
encampments, there's all thesedifferent groups and they all
have diametrically opposingviewpoints, right, but you as
(12:14):
the main character and most ofthe characters that you engage
with, you are literally caughtin the middle, where you just
sit there and you go.
Okay, I can see your point onthat issue.
I can see your point on thatissue, but then, for the most
part, in a lot, lot of otherrespects, he just plain doesn't
care and he just wants to likeagain.
This story is is what he?
He's mourning the loss of hiswife, he's trying to find a
(12:37):
reason to survive.
He's pseudo helping people, buthe's also really guarded into
and I really could identify withthe character in that respect
and especially the realism thatthey painted him in.
So the developers did anoutstanding job with that in
telling that story.
Speaker 1 (12:51):
It sounds incredible and I love how invested you get
into the games.
You can tell you've got agenuine passion for these things
.
Speaker 2 (12:56):
Oh dude, absolutely.
You know, games are art.
Games are art, just like amusic video or a movie or a TV
show or whatever it may be.
Man, they're in art form.
Speaker 1 (13:06):
I think that's starting to be recognized,
because if it was a long time,it definitely wasn't.
It's nice that we're startingto shift that way.
Absolutely For sure.
Three great games.
People do well on the greatgames, mostly in this show, but
unfortunately you do have topick one awful game.
Speaker 2 (13:19):
It was funny.
When we were talking leading upto doing this interview, I
thought about this and I'm goingto offend a lot of people with
my choice Hear out my reasoningwhen I tell you go on the last
of us, part two.
Speaker 1 (13:36):
Oh right, we need to cut the podcast shut it down,
bro.
Speaker 2 (13:38):
I'm telling you it's 30 hours of hot garbage that's
gonna keep me warm for a longtime, I've often had some
controversial choices made onthe game.
Speaker 1 (13:49):
People don't like I.
I mean what in particular?
Speaker 2 (13:51):
I am a ridiculously huge fan of the first one, the
first game.
It inspired such hope.
The message in the game was agame of hey, you know what?
There's some really crummycircumstances going on, but look
at the perseverance of theprotagonist characters.
They're looking out for eachother purely out of love and
they're this beacon of hope inthis fallen world.
(14:12):
Right, and that was what Iloved about the game.
What I really didn't like aboutthe second game from an
objective standpoint, the secondgame was superior in the first
in terms of the art of thesetting, the gameplay, the
gunplay, the combat, the puzzlepiecing all of that ridiculously
solid, far superior to thefirst game.
But it was the story that gotme, and for me it was almost as
(14:36):
if instantaneously.
Right from the beginning of thegame they just completely undid
everything that was in thefirst game and it really broke
my heart.
It no longer was a story ofthat.
Here's some hope in thesereally trying times.
Yes, this bad stuff occurs, butman, the characters persevered
through and they did whatever.
It really ended up becoming agame where you literally hate
(14:58):
everybody in the game.
Speaker 1 (15:01):
I'm so glad, to be honest, you've chosen that.
It's such a brilliantlycontroversial opinion.
Speaker 2 (15:09):
I'm going to start getting hate mail, bro.
I'm ready for your hate peopleBring it.
I hope not.
I hope not putting maid up.
Speaker 1 (15:12):
I'm going to start getting hate mail, bro, I'm
ready for your hate people Bringit.
Oh my God, I hope not.
I hope not.
Wow, I didn't expect you to saythat, but you were eloquent,
you know.
You maybe have a point there.
Speaker 2 (15:18):
Appreciate that.
Speaker 1 (15:22):
I'm guessing the character you're going to choose
to be on the island isn't fromthe Last of Us 2.
No, so who's it going to be?
Speaker 2 (15:27):
I'll be honest with you, man.
The character that I wouldchoose, hands down, to be on the
island with me would probablybe Deacon St John from Days Gone
, reasoning being especiallyafter watching that game and
seeing that transpire.
He is definitely a person whohas that perseverance in him,
has that will to survive.
And, man dude, he's a huskyninja, like what I lack in my
(15:52):
physique I'll be the brains,he'll be the brawn, and if, for
whatever reason, the island getsattacked by some deranged
pygmies or something like that,he's going to take care of
business oh, you know about thepygmies then oh yeah, for sure
that's a good choice.
Speaker 1 (16:05):
You sound like potentially the new batman and
robin there hey, you know what'sup yeah, when hollywood's back,
I'm pitching it yes, dude, hey,I'll come in, I'll direct it
starring it.
Speaker 2 (16:14):
It'll be great perfect.
Speaker 1 (16:15):
Before we draw it to a close, I always ask are there
any games that you were kind oftorn, that maybe we've taken or
maybe you were gonna burn?
Speaker 2 (16:22):
well, you know definitely nothing that, nothing
else that I would burn.
That's really sad.
Talk about, talk about addingto that controversy.
As far as other games I wouldhave taken, man honorable
mention would definitely havegone to cod, modern warfare and
seven days to die bothincredibly solid games so you're
talking the latest the latestone, the revamp, for sure
(16:43):
because I get so mixed up withthat many modern warfares and
black ops I'm still playing fromlike 15 years ago, nice.
Speaker 1 (16:49):
I think that pretty much draws us to a close.
Obviously, if you haven't yetchecked out Atticus Twitch
channel, definitely do thatright away.
Atticus Schaefer vlog Yepthat's it.
Tremendous amount of content,very upbeat, very welcoming and
just a great enjoyable channel.
Speaker 2 (17:05):
Thank you very much, man.
Speaker 1 (17:06):
I totally, totally appreciate you coming on,
Atticus.
It's been an absolute pleasure.
Speaker 2 (17:10):
Oh, dude, the pleasure is all mine.
Seriously, this was fun.
Speaker 1 (17:13):
I'm glad you enjoyed it.
I definitely enjoyed it.
I enjoyed how controversial youwere as well, which is just
ideal.
Speaker 2 (17:20):
Hey, listen, I'm a typical American, I guess.
Speaker 1 (17:23):
Until next time.
From me goodbye, and fromAtticus.
Speaker 2 (17:26):
Sayonara friends.
Thank you so much.
Speaker 1 (17:29):
Make sure you head over to Atticus Schaefer Vlog on
Twitch and catch his stream.
It's superb, thank you.
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Cold Case Files: Miami
Joyce Sapp, 76; Bryan Herrera, 16; and Laurance Webb, 32—three Miami residents whose lives were stolen in brutal, unsolved homicides. Cold Case Files: Miami follows award‑winning radio host and City of Miami Police reserve officer Enrique Santos as he partners with the department’s Cold Case Homicide Unit, determined family members, and the advocates who spend their lives fighting for justice for the victims who can no longer fight for themselves.