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State of the Arc Podcast

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes360Founded10 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Arts

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Artwork for State of the Arc Podcast

Latest Episodes

The Dragon Quest 40th Anniversary livestream has come and gone, and the reaction from fans has been... mixed. After years of silence, Square Enix finally reintroduced Dragon Quest XII, but the announcement raised lots of questions. Why was the game r... more

What are the best RPGs for someone who has never played a JRPG before? Which games teach the foundations of the genre without overwhelming new players? And which games can genuinely turn a casual player into a lifelong fan? We break down why games li... more

We talk Chrono Trigger and the future scheduling for our channel. Then we answer questions from Patreon! Enjoy the podcast, and don't forget to become a part of our Patreon community if you have the means. Thanks for watching! **Listen On Spotify**: ... more

Ever wondered why Cloud feels like an anti‑hero, why Squall radiates lone‑wolf introvert energy, why Zidane is so charismatic, or why Tidus is secretly one of the most emotionally intelligent protagonists in the series? In this episode, we break down... more

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Recent Guests

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
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)

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 States3 months ago
  • A must for the rpg sickos

    What a great find

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Popo_Nono
    United States5 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
    Australia6 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 States7 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 States9 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
#96
Indonesia/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#114
Finland/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#152
Colombia/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#158
Chile/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#182
Singapore/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#211
Philippines/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
Announcement and Q+A
Q: What is the plan for FF7 remake coverage and the trilogy?
The plan is to wait for the entire FF7 remake trilogy to be released and finished before covering it in depth, starting with the original game first and then moving into related material as a back-to-back sequence.
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.

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

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

State of the Arc Podcast launched 10 years ago and published 360 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact State of the Arc Podcast?

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What guests have appeared on State of the Arc Podcast?

Recent guests on State of the Arc Podcast include:

1. Gavin from Overleveled Games
2. Keith Komito
3. Ryan (The Night Sky Prince)
4. Pat Holleman
5. Pat Holloman
6. Chris Guen
7. Alan Gabbard
8. Marcin Paczyński

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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