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Artwork for State of the Arc Podcast

State of the Arc Podcast

Resonant Arc
Final Fantasy IX
Tactics Ogre
Xenosaga
Final Fantasy
Philosophy
Metal Gear Solid 2
Video Games
Terranigma
Expedition 33
Nobuo Uematsu
Alan Wake
Garnet
Final Fantasy VII
Localization
Hideo Kojima
Denim
Square Enix
Planescape: Torment
Kuja
Final Fantasy X

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!

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes353Founded10 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Arts

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Artwork for State of the Arc Podcast

Latest Episodes

We revisit the ending of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. This time we take it as far as we can go. We focus on the philosophical justifications for each choice in the ending scenario. We discovered some surprising things, and come to a very similar conc... more

We finally make the choice. Which one, you ask? The right one, of course! Join us as we have a discussion with Dude McGuy and Keith Comito from www.lifespan.io . Thanks for watching, and don't forget to support us on Patreon~ www.patreon.com/... more

Final Fantasy Tactics doesn’t sound like a typical Final Fantasy game. That’s exactly why it works. In this episode, we break down the soundtrack of Final Fantasy Tactics, composed by Hitoshi Sakimoto and Masaharu Iwata, and explore how its music rei... more

We play Act 3 in this episode, and stop JUST SHORT of the ending and the return to Lumiere. That being said, we talk about end of game spoilers here. SPOILERS, BEWARE! Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is such a blast to play! Thanks for watching, and don'... more

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Recent Guests

Keith Komito
Frequent guest on the show; discusses life extension and philosophy related to Expedition 33
Lifespan Research Institute
Episode: The Mask Begins To Slip | Expedition 33 [Ep.8] | State Of The Arc Podcast
Ryan (The Night Sky Prince)
Avid creator discussing Final Fantasy development history
The Night Sky Prince YouTube channel
Episode: What Really Happened To Final Fantasy vs XIII? | State of the Arc Podcast
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
Game writer and former Japanese to English game translator, known for his work on Final Fantasy X, XII, Vagrant Story.
Episode: Alexander O. Smith Returns to Discuss Localization | State of the Arc Podcast

Hosts

Mike
Host with frequent appearances across episodes; central voice in discussions about storytelling and game narratives.
Kason
Co-host with strong emphasis on critical discussion and game studies.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 1k ratings
  • Sometimes They Miss Things

    I really like this podcast and what they cover. It is excellent and much classier than other gaming podcasts. However, they often miss details that would otherwise color their reactions differently. For example, John Kirby was hired by the original NoA president, Lincoln, to represent Nintendo in the Donkey Kong case. That’s where the Kirby franchise, something that has been running for 30+ years, got its name. And if you’ve ever been to Japan… Kirby is kind of important. Another example is forg... more

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    shinaramusha
    United States2 months ago
  • A must for the rpg sickos

    What a great find

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Popo_Nono
    United States4 months ago
  • One of my favorite podcasts

    Incredible in-depth analysis, that gets behind the storytelling and development of video games in an intelligent and beautiful way. Meaningful discussions from people who have a great rhythm and chemistry thanks to their friendship and dedication to the craft of investigating some of the most beloved titles in video games. Always impressed by their take.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    EbbySwetty
    Australia5 months ago
  • What a great find!

    Just stumbled across the State of the Arc podcast and completely loaded up my listening backlog. Great, cerebral analysis of different video games/topics, with a heavy FF/RPG focus. An upcoming series of Expedition 33. Love how they get deep into the details in a balanced way.

    These guys are going to keep me busy for a while.

    Love finding a new obsession!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Liebd11
    United States5 months ago
  • 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 States8 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Some listeners note controversy around a host's off-platform views, affecting perception for a portion of potential sponsors.
Show is valued for its focus on storytelling and philosophy in games and media.
Listeners praise in-depth, thoughtful analysis and strong chemistry between hosts.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#175
Indonesia/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#186
Finland/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#190
Japan/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.

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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?

This show centers on deep-dive analyses of storytelling across games, movies, and broader culture, with frequent focus on RPGs, game design, and literary themes. Episodes explore techniques, symbolism, and how narratives are constructed, often treating games as narrative art and sometimes tying in music and related media. A standout aspect is the duo's book-club style discussion, which invites listeners to play along and reflect on philosophical ideas, ethics, and history within media. Expectations for sponsorship or guest opportunities include their thoughtful approach to narrative fidelity, character arcs, and long-form breakdowns of complex works, plus a community that values nuanced discourse.

A notable strength is the thoughtful, lite... more

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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. Triple Click
2. Axe of the Blood God: An RPG Podcast
3. Retronauts
4. Friends Per Second
5. The Cane and Rinse videogame podcast

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

State of the Arc Podcast launched 10 years ago and published 353 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. Keith Komito
2. Ryan (The Night Sky Prince)
3. Pat Holleman
4. Pat Holloman
5. Chris Guen
6. Alan Gabbard
7. Marcin Paczyński
8. Keith Comito

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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