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Artwork for State of the Arc Podcast

State of the Arc Podcast

Resonant Arc
Tactics Ogre
Denim
Kachua
Vice
Wallister
Matsuno
Valeria
Jurassic Park
Dinosaurs
Balbatos
Denam
Golgastan
Balmamusa
Philosophy
Galgastan
Vyce
Final Fantasy Tactics
Nostalgia
Evolution
Ethics In Science

Our podcast breaks down the techniques of great storytelling across our favorite games, movies, literature, and music. I also occasionally upload music I've arranged or composed!

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes332Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Arts

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for State of the Arc Podcast

Latest Episodes

For the start of our Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 analysis we take a slightly different tact than we have previously. Instead of doing Dev History first, we're just diving right into the game itself! Thanks for watching, and don't forget to support us... more

JRPGs weren’t born where you think. We unpack the origins of the term, the genre, and the influences that defined it. In this episode of State of the Arc, Mike and Casen begin a multi-episode deep dive into the history of JRPGs—where the genre came f... more

JRPGs weren’t born where you think. We unpack the origins of the term, the genre, and the influences that defined it. In this episode of State of the Arc, Mike and Casen begin a multi-episode deep dive into the history of JRPGs—where the genre came f... more

While Final Fantasy 13 is often praised for its graphics, it is the music that really elevates this game to a whole new level. The complexity and creativity on display here by Masashi Hamauzu make this soundtrack a spectacular treat for the ears. We ... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Pat Holleman
Author of the Reverse Design series and director of the Indie RPG Quartet.
Indie RPG Quartet
Episode: The History Of JRPGs | Ep.1 | What Was The First JRPG? (Ft. Pat Holleman)
Pat Holloman
Developer at Quartet, previously involved with Xenogears
Quartet
Episode: Should YOU Make A Video Game? | The Realities of Indie Game Development
Chris Guen
Developer of GeoMythica, an action RPG
GeoMythica
Episode: Should YOU Make A Video Game? | The Realities of Indie Game Development
Alan Gabbard
Creative Director of Shrine's Legacy
Positive Concept
Episode: Should YOU Make A Video Game? | The Realities of Indie Game Development
Marcin Paczyński
Senior Business Developer at GOG
GOG
Episode: Preserving Good Old Games | State of the Arc Podcast
Keith Comito
Insights on storytelling and childhood nostalgia with 'The NeverEnding Story'.
Episode: Way Deeper Than You Remember | The NeverEnding Story Analysis | State of the Arc Podcast (Ft. Keith Comito)
Alexander O. Smith
Professional Japanese to English translator and game writer.
Episode: Localization Controversy | A Discussion With Alexander O. Smith | State Of The Arc Podcast
Max Derrat
Content creator and analyst known for his unique perspectives on video games, influenced by psychology and mythology
YouTube
Episode: Alchemy, God and Carl Jung w/ Max Derrat | State of the Arc Podcast
Coffee Potato
Premier creator for Tactics Ogre on YouTube
Episode: The End w/ @CoffeePotato Ivan @WarrenReport | Tactics Ogre Analysis (FINALE) | State of the Arc

Host

Mike
Co-host of the podcast, often contributing his insights into the storytelling techniques in gaming and how they resonate with broader themes.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 1k ratings
  • Wow! Fantastic, in-depth, and media literate discussion

    Probably listened to about 20 episodes or so and mostly pretty recent ones. These guys really try to dive deep and give a proper appreciation and effort to understand these works of art called video games. Their effort and respect given to the art form is very evident and makes this show special. If you’re lucky enough to have them cover your favorite games, you will be struck by their insight and feel joy that someone else is noticing the things you notice after having played your favorite game... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Skoooollllll
    United States3 months ago
  • Please don’t stop making podcasts

    I just want to say I resonate with your views, opinions , and life experience as well as video game tastes. Your podcasts are so good. Please don’t stop!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ATL0202
    United States6 months ago
  • A pleasant corner of the internet

    In depth conversations and analysis about mainly video games topics and science fiction fantasy genres entertainment. If you were growing up and gaming in the 00s in 90s you’ll likely identify with the interest and background. Their discussions both celebrate and critically analyze a game and often have a book club feel as you can play along with them to vicariously join the conversation. They often add related discussions of broad themes of philosophy, good writing, design, game history, and et... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Twinson_Snow
    United States8 months ago
  • Wanted to love it

    I really wanted to support the podcast because they cover so many games that I love and are well spoken, but one of the hosts (Casen) follows a bunch of extremely hateful people on twitter and it completely soured me on the whole thing. :( hard to believe he’s a chud, but oh well. Raw egg nationalist, really? They want to keep it apolitical clearly, but it’s hard to square that away with one of the main hosts flirting with fascism.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    VieraVel
    United States9 months ago
  • Wonderful show

    Relatively newer listener (last 25 shows) but wanted to chime in after your recent music podcast. You had me at video game music, but the touching stories of family and specifically, the one about a hosts friend who lost his mom and using the Super Mario RPG OST to help. Games can transcend aspects of our lives we cannot voice, push beyond what words could achieve, thank you for sharing guys.

    You delved into a deeper aspect of games most gaming pods sorely lack, it’s something f I’ve been look... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JasonRoseEh
    Canada10 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some criticisms have arisen related to one host's social media interactions, which may affect listener perceptions.
The camaraderie between hosts adds to the enjoyment, making it feel like a conversation among friends.
Listeners appreciate the in-depth analysis and discussions, noting how the podcast enhances their understanding of video games' narratives.
Positive reviews mention the emotional connections the podcast encourages with video game narratives.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#82
Indonesia/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#88
Philippines/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#157
Finland/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#159
Singapore/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#208
Saudi Arabia/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#217
Switzerland/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

BONUS Final Fantasy IX Episode w/ @GamingWithSpoons and @FinalFanTV | FF9 Analysis
Q: What was your experience with Final Fantasy IX?
My recent playthrough hit harder than my first experience, and I've discovered that the themes resonate more deeply with my personal experiences.
Discard your memories of past games | The Philosophy of Mono No Aware | State of the Arc Podcast
Q: Hian, do you want to really quick just kind of talk about what Mono No Aware means, how you came across this philosophy and what it has meant to you and how it prompted this essay that you wrote?
Mono No Aware is a Japanese aesthetic principle that originated in the Heian period, focusing on an emotional appreciation of transience and the fleeting beauty of moments.
Nightmares Exist Outside Of Logic | Alan Wake Analysis: (Ep.2) | State of the Arc Podcast
Q: What can we glean from the significance of the light versus darkness theme in Alan Wake?
The light symbolizes hope and guidance, while darkness represents fear and the unknown, echoing universal struggles with creativity and the unpredictability of life.
Die While You Still Can W/@maxderrat | Planescape Torment Analysis (Ep.2)
Q: What is the significance of the Nameless One's character development throughout the game?
His journey explores deep themes of identity, the nature of self, and the consequences of past lives, asking whether one can be held accountable for actions taken in previous existences.
The Future Of This Podcast
Q: What are the new changes for the podcast?
We're moving to two episodes a week with one focusing on game analysis and the second on broader topics.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About State of the Arc Podcast

What is State of the Arc Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A unique exploration of storytelling techniques across various forms of media, particularly video games, literature, and music, with a focus on analyzing narrative structures in titles like Final Fantasy IX and Death Stranding. The hosts create a blend of deep-dive analyses, philosophical discussions, and personal anecdotes, often reflecting on the emotional connections that games foster. With a commitment to examining themes such as identity, friendship, and mortality, the content invites listeners to reconsider their favorite narratives through a thoughtful lens, adding layers of meaning that enhance appreciation for these artistic works.

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How many listeners does State of the Arc Podcast get?

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Which podcasts are similar to State of the Arc Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with State of the Arc Podcast:

1. Axe of the Blood God: An RPG Podcast
2. Retronauts
3. Watch Out for Fireballs!
4. Friends Per Second
5. Kinda Funny Gamescast: Video Game Podcast

How many episodes of State of the Arc Podcast are there?

State of the Arc Podcast launched 9 years ago and published 332 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on State of the Arc Podcast?

Recent guests on State of the Arc Podcast include:

1. Pat Holleman
2. Pat Holloman
3. Chris Guen
4. Alan Gabbard
5. Marcin Paczyński
6. Keith Comito
7. Alexander O. Smith
8. Max Derrat

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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