80. Visionary Publishing, Sentient Machines, and Interdimensional Mysteries with David Polfeldt

Swedish video game industry veteran David Polfeldt—former managing director at Massive Entertainment—has recently channelled some of his energy into rediscovering the youthful excitement of creativity through his science fiction writing and the creation of Lil Factory, a design-led press publishing limited-edition sci-fi/fantasy books.

In this episode, we delve into Sweden’s changing social fabric and why Malmö’s “dangerous city” reputation doesn’t match daily reality. We trace David’s 30-year path through video game development—from Stockholm’s demo scene to AAA games - and why he thinks video games still haven’t found their “Shakespeare." And we discuss Burns, his story about loneliness and machine sentience.

We also explore generative AI as NPC companions, the ethics of creating minds treated as tools, possible modes of physical expression that extradimensional beings might take in our world, and whether advanced intelligence would shepherd life rather than destroy it.

Books of his we discuss: Burns

lilfac.com

alternatefutures.substack.com

alternatefutures.co.uk

alternatefuturespodcast.wordpress.com