State of the Arc Podcast

This week Mike discusses the value of ambient soundtracks, and makes a case for them being just as effective as melodic OSTs at commanding the atmosphere and emotion of the story. Also, Episode Ardyn, Hyper Light Drifter TV series, and Sakaguchi’s new game, Fantasian, are discussed! TIME CODES: 1. Apple Arcade (Sakaguchi’s New Game) (2:01) 2. Monolith Hiring Devs For Zelda (7:46) 3. Hyper Light Drifter TV Series (11:36) 4. Sega Genesis Mini (18:00) 5. Episode Ardyn Thoughts (22:53) 6. Are Melodic Soundtracks Always Better Than Ambient Ones? (53:17) 7. Community Stories (1:35:24) LINKS WE REFERENCED: Apple Acade: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67umVefSXnY Monolith Soft Hiring For Next Zelda Game: http://www.rpgfan.com/news/2019/8933.html Hyper Light Drifter TV Series: https://www.polygon.com/tv/2019/3/28/18285664/hyper-light-drifter-tv-series-alx-preston-adi-shankar Sega Genesis Mini: https://www.engadget.com/2019/03/30/genesis-mini-release-date-sonic-2/ COMMUNITY STORIES: Playtest Riconius’s Game: https://twitter.com/rantonioart Matria Lockdown Challenge: http://materialockdown.com/ Greg Troyan’s Lord of the Rings Synth Cover: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-7gUB2_Uks Join Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/KRZkCHa Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/resonantarc Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/resonantarc Twitter: @resonantarc Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/resonantarc

We discuss Google Stadia, give predictions for Playstation State of Play, and what makes good pacing in storytelling! TIME CODES: 1. New FF9 Interviews (1:45) 2. Google Stadia (2:50) 3. Playstation State of Play (22:45) 4. What Is Good Pacing? (44:10) LINKS WE REFERENCED: New FF9 Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdsqEurMd2I Join Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/KRZkCHa Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/resonantarc Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/resonantarc Twitter: @resonantarc Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/resonantarc

Description: We upload this podcast every Wednesday morning at 5:00am MT! We stream this podcast every Sunday afternoon at 1:00pm MT on Twitch! https://www.twitch.tv/resonantarc We discuss what goes into writing an effective villain for your story, whether you want your audience to fear them or relate to them. You can listen to audio only with the sources below: **Listen On Soundcloud**: https://soundcloud.com/resonantarc **Listen On Google Play**: https://play.google.com/music/listen?u=0#/ps/I5q6igs5n2zydfh6bkfg7kumb3q **Listen On iTunes**: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/dark-pixel-podcast-dark-pixel/id1121795837?mt=2 **Listen On Pocket Cast**: http://pca.st/NJsJ TIME CODES: The Alliance Alive Remastered (1:26) Towers (4:38) What Makes A Great Villain? (7:35) Community Stories (1:12:35) LINKS WE REFERENCED: The Alliance Alive Remastered: https://gematsu.com/2019/03/the-alliance-alive-hd-remastered-coming-west-this-fall Towers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCtYQPRui7Q Join Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/KRZkCHa Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/resonantarc Twitter: @resonantarc Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/resonantarc

We discuss what goes into creating an amazing plot twist. Magician’s actually follow a similar process with sleight of hand. Join us as we get to the bottom of what makes a plot twist satisfying. TIME CODES: 1. Pokemon Sword and Shield Announced (1:36) 2. What Makes A Good Plot Twist? (9:21) 3. Community Stories (1:07:34) LINKS WE REFERENCED: Pokemon Sword and Shield Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YDymZteyH8 COMMUNITY STORIES: Lipstick Song - The Flash:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47OUEvjZWCQ ChocolateRob’s Video Game Story Playlists: Vagrant Story: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0C8E4D57603D0983 Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0EFAE508FC048FF5 Legacy of Kain: Blood Omen: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL17D844C3D70AE0F5

We discuss what goes into creating a smooth and enjoyable UI in video games. TIME CODES: 1. Reggie Fils-Aime Retiring (0:56) 2. Oninaki Impressions (8:51) 3. Square-Enix Restructuring (17:31) 4. What Makes Good UI Design? (23:27) LINKS WE REFERENCED: Reggie Fils-Aime Is Retiring: https://www.siliconera.com/2019/02/21/reggie-fils-aime-is-retiring-and-bowser-is-taking-charge-of-nintendo-of-america/ Nintendo E3 Press Conference 2004: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59gY8iJ4DWw Oninaki Getting Help From Takashi Tokita: https://www.siliconera.com/2019/02/20/oninaki-is-getting-help-from-chrono-trigger-director-takashi-tokita/ Oninaki Famtisu Interview: https://www.siliconera.com/2019/02/21/how-i-am-setsuna-and-lost-sphears-action-rpg-elements-went-into-the-making-of-oninaki/ Oninaki Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eiw5zQ4hX10 Square-Enix Consolidating After Disappointing Q3: https://techraptor.net/content/square-enix-is-restructuring-its-company-after-disappointing-q3

We discuss this week’s Nintendo Direct, the Episode Ardyn Prologue anime, whether there’s any real point to fantasy fiction, and much more! TIME CODES: 1. Nintendo Direct (1:08) 2. Naoki Yoshida On FF16 (23:49) 3. Final Fantasy 15 Ardyn Prologue Anime (27:37) 4. What Is The Point Of Fantasy (32:46) 5. Community Stories (53:25) LINKS WE REFERENCED: Yoshi-P Wants FF16 To Be A ‘Straightforward Fantasy’: https://gamefragger.com/multiplatform/role-playing/final_fantasy_xv/final-fantasy-xiv-director-would-like-ffxvi-to-be-straightforward-fantasy-with-no-mecha-a14492 Episode Ardyn Prologue Anime: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcaNgXq2zLg COMMUNITY STORIES: The World I Never Knew (Original Composition From Symfonikev): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GG34E9EiYeQ Join Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/KRZkCHa Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/resonantarc Twitter: @resonantarc Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/resonantarc

Casen discusses some of his disappointment with Kingdom Hearts III, and Mike chirps in with a few jokes along the way. TIME CODES: 1. Witcher author lawsuit update (2:18) 2. Monster Hunter movie update (13:04) 3. Casen's issues with Kingdom Hearts III (18:36) 4. Community Stories (1:43:40) LINKS WE REFERENCED: Witcher Author Lawsuit Update: https://www.trueachievements.com/n36375/the-witcher-author-to-receive-compensation-from-cd-projekt-red-after-dispute Monster Hunter Movie Update: https://www.siliconera.com/2019/02/09/monster-hunter-movie-set-for-september-2020-premiere/ COMMUNITY STORIES: Beckoned (Game From Jeremy Thevenot): https://www.beckonedgame.com/?fbclid=IwAR2smdOOTeWlm7sfttO1BLf8wF0on0V6nG9UT3pcYe47DOsjw6001xcOsgI

We discuss whether storytelling in video games is limited, the PS5’s rumored backwards compatibility, and much more! Time Codes: 1. PS Classic Now $50 On Amazon (0:48) 2. PS5 To Be Backwards Compatible With ALL Previous PS Consoles? (1:51) 3. Yasunori Mitsuda Doing A Chrono Cross 20th Anniversary Tour (5:27) 4. Another Eden - New Game From Chrono Writer (6:15) 5. Is Video Game Storytelling Limited? (8:17) 6. Community Stories (40:29) Links We Referenced: PS Classic $50 On Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/PlayStation-Classic-Console/dp/B07HHVF2XG/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1549400845&sr=8-3&keywords=playstation+classic PS5 Backwards Compatibility Patent: https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2019/02/ps5_backwards_compatibility_suggested_by_sony_patent Chrono Cross 20th Anniversary Concert Tour: https://www.siliconera.com/2019/02/01/yasunori-mitsuda-celebrates-chrono-cross-20th-anniversary-with-a-live-concert-tour-in-november/ Another Eden - Chrono Writer’s New Game: https://www.siliconera.com/2019/01/28/chrono-writers-smartphone-rpg-another-eden-launches-worldwide-today/ Tactics V: “Obsidian Brigade” Closed Beta: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeBKKxXSOPcRIg1gaTajVC6JbHDHKiAQk0wyJaqawgVccHADA/viewform?fbclid=IwAR36tEPjHoOo8WkhmxKXhol0LRVTG98IGM4gcAQduQaaa7Fgmh112m_kh6c Xenoblade Chronicles 2 Review (by surpremakatakuri): https://fullmetaldrippy.wordpress.com/2019/02/03/xenoblade-chronicles-2/

We discuss Metroid Prime 4’s development trouble, how to properly adapt a video game to film, and our philosophy on what makes a good localization! Time Codes: 1. Cross Code Coming To Switch (1:30) 2. Metroid 4 Rebotting (4:10) 3. How To Adapt A Video Game To Film (20:17) 4. How Much Should Localization Change From Original Japanese? (1:36:27) Links We Referenced: Cross Code Coming To Switch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XU9lz45tKU Metroid Prime 4 Development Rebooted: https://www.siliconera.com/2019/01/25/nintendo-is-restarting-metroid-prime-4-development-retro-studios-involved/ Orson Scott Card Interviews: https://www.deseretnews.com/article/865589522/Critics-community-and-Enders-Game-An-interview-with-Orson-Scott-Card.html https://www.noted.co.nz/archive/listener-nz-2013/an-interview-with-orson-scott-card/ Richard Honeywood Localization Interview: https://web.archive.org/web/20060517012317/http://www.edge-online.co.uk/archives/2006/02/qa_square_enixs_1.php Community Stories: Xylon73’s Fire Emblem: Thracia 776 Translation Project: https://serenesforest.net/forums/index.php?/topic/85081-fe5-project-exile-thracia-776-script-and-menu-translation-script-complete-through-chapter-15/

We discuss the utility of silent protagonists and whether or not they "suck", narrative vs. world building and which is more important for RPGs, and how to become more social and gain confidence! Time Codes: 1. Why do silent protagonists suck? (9:01) 2. Narrative vs. world building (27:01) 3. How to become more social (49:19)