Steven Spielberg, The Ultimate PC Gamer Who Can’t Stand Controllers

Steven Spielberg might be known for his blockbuster films like Jaws, E.T., and Jurassic Park, but it turns out he’s also a serious gamer—though one who’s strictly a keyboard and mouse enthusiast. Despite his son Max Spielberg’s attempts to get him into console gaming, Spielberg has stuck firmly to his PC roots. According to Max, Steven prefers the precision and familiarity of a keyboard and mouse setup, even when the game in question might seem tailor-made for a console.

Spielberg: The OG PC Gamer

It’s not every day you hear that a Hollywood legend like Steven Spielberg is an avid gamer, let alone someone who’s very particular about how he plays. While it might be easy to picture him working on a new film, it’s just as likely that Spielberg is diving into a first-person shooter or exploring an expansive RPG from the comfort of his PC.

“He’s the one who got me into gaming,” said his son, Max Spielberg, in a recent interview. Max, who is the creative director and co-founder of the game development studio FuzzyBot, shared that he and his dad often bond over games. “He loves gaming, especially shooters. I always send him a list of the top five he should check out.”

Dad, Check Out Uncharted! — “No Thanks”

One would think that Spielberg, co-creator of the iconic character Indiana Jones, would love a game like Uncharted, which many gamers see as a spiritual successor to Indy’s swashbuckling adventures. Max tried to introduce his dad to the PlayStation series, pointing out the similarities between Nathan Drake’s adventures and those of Indiana Jones. However, Steven wasn’t having it.

“He’s always like, ‘I can’t do controllers; I only do keyboard and mouse,’” Max recounted. It’s kind of ironic considering Uncharted’s many nods to Spielberg’s Indiana Jones films, but that hasn’t been enough to lure the legendary director away from his beloved PC.

No Online Co-op—Spielberg Prefers Playing In-Person

Spielberg’s love for gaming doesn’t end at genre preferences—he’s also particular about how he experiences games. According to Max, the elder Spielberg prefers to play games locally when they’re together, rather than engaging in online co-op. “He would rather wait for us to play together at his house instead of playing online,” Max shared.

This old-school approach adds a heartwarming touch to their father-son bonding time. Even though we live in a time where online gaming is ubiquitous, Spielberg’s preference for sharing those moments in person makes it clear that, for him, gaming is more than just a hobby—it’s a way to connect with family.

The Indiana Jones Connection

With the release of Bethesda’s upcoming game, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, scheduled for later this year, some fans are wondering if it’ll finally bridge the gap between Spielberg’s love for the character and his gaming preferences. Since the game will be available on both PC and Xbox, Spielberg won’t have to wrestle with a controller. Maybe this time, he’ll get to enjoy playing as the character he co-created with George Lucas.

Max is hopeful, too. “It’s like a dream come true—maybe I’ll finally get him to try it!” If the game captures the spirit of the films, Spielberg might just find himself exploring ancient ruins and solving puzzles as Indiana Jones, albeit with his trusty keyboard and mouse.

A Film Legend Turned PC Gamer

Spielberg’s gaming habit is a testament to the medium’s broad appeal and its ability to transcend generations and professions. The fact that someone who’s been so influential in shaping the world of cinema finds joy and inspiration in video games speaks volumes. It also suggests that Spielberg sees the potential for storytelling in games, something he’s embraced in past projects like Boom Blox for the Wii.

As gaming continues to evolve, figures like Spielberg help validate it as a serious artistic medium. His insistence on sticking to PC over consoles is another example of how gaming can cater to all preferences. It’s not about what platform you use—it’s about the experiences that games can offer, whether they’re cinematic stories or high-octane action titles.

Will Spielberg Try the Next Gen?

While Spielberg might not be a fan of controllers, it’s not impossible to imagine him eventually branching out. The future of gaming is more intertwined with cinematic storytelling than ever before, and with titles like Death Stranding and Cyberpunk 2077 blurring the lines between film and game, maybe there’s a console experience out there that will sway him. Until then, though, it seems like Spielberg is more than content with his keyboard, mouse, and a good list of recommended shooters from his son.