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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
Terranigma
Video Games
Expedition 33
Nobuo Uematsu
Final Fantasy VII
Alan Wake
Garnet
Localization
Square Enix
Hideo Kojima
Planescape: Torment
Denim
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!

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes376Founded10 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Arts

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Artwork for State of the Arc Podcast

Latest Episodes

Nintendo just gave us our best look yet at the Ocarina of Time remake, and while nearly everything about it appears remarkably faithful to the original, its new visual direction left us with a lot to talk about! In this episode, Casen goes into the l... more

Gamescom 2026 brought a lot of news for upcoming RPGs. In today's episode, we break down the latest Final Fantasy VII Revelation trailer, including the expanded Weapon encounters, Vincent's new backstory, the Fits system, and the enormous challenge S... more

The 2002 remake of Resident Evil is often considered one of the greatest (and most faithful) video game remakes ever made. But is it really as faithful as its reputation suggests? In this episode of The Remake Trials, we compare Resident Evil (1996) ... more

Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn had the impossible task of rebuilding a failed MMO, and its music had to help redefine what Final Fantasy XIV could be. In this episode of The Music of Final Fantasy, we're joined by composer and musician @AlexMoukal... more

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Recent Guests

Alex Moukala
Composer and educator featured on the episode
Independent musician/voice of Final Fantasy XIV music analysis
Episode: The Music of Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn (ft. Alex Moukala)
Del Walker
AAA game industry veteran and YouTube content creator focusing on games
Episode: Sony Just Killed Physical Media | State of the Arc Podcast (ft. Del Walker )
Hitoshi Sakimoto
Composer for Final Fantasy and related projects
Square Enix related projects (interviewee)
Episode: The REAL Reason Sakaguchi Left Square | State of the Arc Podcast
Gavin from Overleveled Games
Guest from Overleveled Games channel, subject expert on Final Fantasy IX
Overleveled Games
Episode: The Mythical Hero's Journey in Final Fantasy IX w/ @overleveledgames ​
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

Hosts

Casen
Host of the podcast
Mike
Host of the podcast

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 1.1k ratings
  • I wish I played JRPGS more

    I guess the highest praise a man can give is to say I love this show so much that I wish I played more of the games they cover so I could appreciate more of their episodes. But when they cover games I really have enjoyed playing, as they often do, they are the simply the best. Someday I’ll have to get into Final Fantasy, but darn it to heck, I’ve already got such a huge backlog as is.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Steve Superior
    United States2 months ago
  • I love this podcast

    I LOVE OUTER WILDS SO FREAKING MUCH

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    (Gordon freemen)
    United States2 months ago
  • 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 States7 months ago
  • A must for the rpg sickos

    What a great find

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Popo_Nono
    United States9 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
    Australia10 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Podcast is consistently engaging and knowledgeable, often elevating discussions about how stories work.
Hosts bring a rare mix of rigor and accessibility, with strong chemistry.
Depthful, thoughtful analysis that rewards attentive listeners.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#199
France/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#78
Indonesia/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#102
Singapore/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#141
Chile/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#149
Finland/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Xenogears' Ending Is Deeper Than We Thought (ft. Keith Comito)
Q: How has the scene personally affected the guests or hosts in terms of understanding relationships or therapy?
Several participants share how the dialogue reframes their own concerns about understanding others, perception, and the link between trauma, empathy, and connection, illustrating how fiction can influence real-life views on mutual understanding and self-awareness.
Sony Just Killed Physical Media | State of the Arc Podcast (ft. Del Walker )
Q: What do you think about the idea of an institutional safeguard for preservation?
An institutional safeguard could provide a structured path to preserve culture, but it would require careful legislation, funding, and clear guidelines to ensure access while protecting IP and incentivizing ongoing preservation rather than simply locking content away.
Sony Just Killed Physical Media | State of the Arc Podcast (ft. Del Walker )
Q: Del, how do you summarize Sony's move from a developer's perspective?
From a developer's view, the move is disturbing because it shifts risk and control toward the platform owner; it could curb creativity and long-term access, and it highlights the need for clear ownership rights and preservation plans beyond the shelf-life of a single storefront.
Announcement and Q+A
Q: Is the Dragon's Dogma 2 controversy about microtransactions real or exaggerated?
The host explains that the controversy was based on misreporting; fast travel items could be bought with real money in the store, but players could also earn them in-game, and many early reports were corrected with apologies from involved channels.
Announcement and Q+A
Q: When will Chrono Trigger episodes potentially happen and how many?
Chrono Trigger will be covered with a focused, but not overly extended, run; likely fewer than 10 episodes, focusing on depth rather than exhaustive theory work.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
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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 specializes in dissecting storytelling techniques across games, film, literature, and music, with a strong emphasis on how narrative, design, and theme shape audience perception. Episodes frequently explore depth of analysis, from character and worldbuilding to philosophy, ethics, and cultural context, often pairing rigorous critique with accessible, conversational banter. The program stands out for long-form, book-club–like discussions that reward attentive listening and invite listener participation, as well as for engaging guests who illuminate topics such as personality, narrative structure, and adaptation across media.

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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. The Cane and Rinse videogame podcast
3. Triple Click
4. Watch Out for Fireballs!
5. Retronauts

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

State of the Arc Podcast launched 10 years ago and published 376 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. Alex Moukala
2. Del Walker
3. Hitoshi Sakimoto
4. Gavin from Overleveled Games
5. Keith Komito
6. Ryan (The Night Sky Prince)
7. Pat Holleman
8. Pat Holloman

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