Hey, the Xenosaga pod starts kind of soonish
Added 2023-07-19 01:39:25 +0000 UTCHi everyone,
I haven't made a post in a while, so here's a post.
Season 5 (featuring Xenosaga Episode I) is on the way. We're already six episodes deep into production, which sounds like a lot, but we're usually a bit further ahead. Part of that is because there are many life things happening right now. My kids do sports and I have to mule them around quite a bit — I don't really mind it though, it's kind of a fun way to bullshit with the dads, be outside, and see the little fellers do cool shit. Also, I'm studying UX through a certification program in an attempt to pivot my career slightly. Who knows if it'll pay off, but it's going pretty good right now.
But also, this is Xenosaga.
Xenosaga is a challenging game to cover in this particular format, not only because we have to take into account voice acting, but also how the camera is used in cutscenes, and of course, the deep lore and real world influences.
Earlier today, I was documenting a moment early in the game where chaos touches KOS-MOS on the shoulder. She doesn't react, but she blinks twice before the camera cuts to a different angle. It made me think about how we're covering Xenosaga vs. how its been covered in other venues.
Unlike a lot of other Xenosaga coverage out there, this podcast will (and must) remain beholden to the mantra of chapter-by-chapter, beat-by-beat. There's so much great coverage out there about the thematic questions and religious lore that Xenosaga swims in — and we're certainly going to swim in it, too.
But unlike Suikoden, we're not working with a bunch of text boxes and the occasional bespoke animation. There's a lot to be gleaned from each cut of the camera and the deliberately animated body language. I guess you could say that the chapters are packed full of beats, and I really hope we can capture all those nice beats in a way that makes for an entertaining and informative podcast.
Season 4 will rage on for a bit more. It was a long one. We'll of course wrap the season up with a character tournament and a wifecast soon. Season 5 starts on 8/14/2023 on the early access feed and 8/28/2023 on the free feed.
See you there!
Chris
Comments
Absolutely stoked for Xenosaga coverage. Even with its flaws, the Xenosaga trilogy is near and dear to the pseudo-intellectual 15 year old inside me
2023-07-22 22:56:17 +0000 UTCThanks. I don't anticipate we'll actually have any delays in release as we hit a good cadence on prepping and recording the shows. Although it's a little more challenging, I expect the coverage of this game is be pretty refreshing for us. Also, I sort of like the idea that we've never missed a Monday release in almost four years.
Chris
2023-07-21 15:40:46 +0000 UTCI think it's appropriate to call this operation "hobbyist grade". I don't expect you guys to churn out content like IGN or something. What you do is appreciated and if Xenosaga takes more time and effort, then I can't imagine many people who like this pod will get grumpy. Like it or not, you're the video game equivalent of a deep dive fly fishing podcast, and most of us are the crustiest of RPG fishermen who have already waited decades to hear our favorite lures and ties discussed.
Evan Jenkins
2023-07-21 03:02:26 +0000 UTC
