Felipe Falanghe’s journey into the world of PC gaming began with a simple yet captivating experience: playing Flight Simulator 4 on his father’s laptop. “I remember having no idea what I was doing,” he recalls, reminiscing about the days spent alongside his brother, navigating the skies with nothing but a keyboard. This early exposure to gaming, particularly through titles like Flight Simulator and The Sims, sparked his interest in modding and eventually led him down the path of becoming a game developer.
In 2010, while working at a marketing firm called Squad, Falanghe found himself at a crossroads. Discontent with his job, he was presented with an unexpected opportunity: “They said, ‘If you help us these next couple of months, we’ll let you make your game here,'” he remembers. Skeptical yet intrigued, he took the leap, leading to the creation of Kerbal Space Program, a rocket science simulator that would go on to become one of PC Gamer’s highest-rated games. “I was always working with this idea that for all I know next week this is over, so let’s do anything I can under that assumption,” he reflects, acknowledging the boldness required to pitch such an ambitious project to a traditional game studio.
What game are you currently playing?
Currently, Falanghe is immersed in the remastered version of Oblivion. “It’s actually been really good,” he admits, noting how revisiting the game has provided him with a deeper understanding of its mechanics. “I didn’t get very far into it back in the day, but now, with my experience from Skyrim and other Bethesda titles, it all makes so much more sense.” He describes himself as a stealth archer, claiming it to be “the only correct way to play.” Interestingly, he prefers to stream the game to his Steam Deck for a more comfortable experience on the couch, utilizing a control setup that enhances his gameplay.
What was the previous game you played, and is it still installed?
Falanghe’s gaming repertoire is diverse; while he is currently engrossed in Oblivion, he also enjoys the light-hearted first-person shooter BattleBit. “I’ve played an untold amount of hours already,” he shares, captivated by its unique blocky aesthetic and satisfying gameplay. Additionally, he recently revisited Old School RuneScape, a game that holds nostalgic value as it was his introduction to the world of gaming back in 2005. “It was surprisingly deep for a browser game,” he recalls, reflecting on how it inspired him to consider a career in game design.
Among the titles he keeps installed are Fragile Allegiance, an old DOS strategy game about managing mining colonies on asteroids, and Full Throttle, which he has in its remastered form. “Both of them are just so good,” he states, emphasizing the timeless quality of these classics.
What is the highest number of hours you have in any given game, according to Steam?
When it comes to logged hours, Falanghe has dedicated nearly 2,000 hours to Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and 2024 combined. “The rest of my life playing Flight Sim not included,” he adds with a hint of humor. He recalls the disappointment of Microsoft halting the series after FSX, leading to a long hiatus where he explored alternatives like X-Plane. However, nothing compared to the joy of the new Flight Simulator, which allowed him to fly over his childhood home in Brazil, creating a powerful emotional experience.
What game will you never, ever uninstall?
For Falanghe, the answer is clear: Flight Sim and Fragile Allegiance are two games he will never part with. “I even managed to install Fragile Allegiance on my phone once,” he shares, showcasing his dedication to these beloved titles.
What’s a piece of non-gaming software installed on your PC that you simply couldn’t live without?
Falanghe highlights OBS as an essential tool, particularly for remote work. “I use it for everything,” he explains, detailing how it facilitates screen sharing and content creation. He also praises OneCommander, a file explorer that enhances his productivity with its multi-column view, making navigation more intuitive.
How tidy is your desktop screen?
When it comes to desktop organization, Falanghe admits, “I’ve definitely seen worse than mine.” He prefers the classic Windows 10-style Start menu, accessing most of his applications from there. However, he humorously acknowledges a “screen of shame,” cluttered with icons and reminders that have lingered for far too long.
