Bookwarm Games plays on the connection between games, books, and life: O, she's warm! If this be magic, let it be an art Lawful as eating. - The Winter's Tale You're back! Don't bother yourself with talking now, you look too tired. Mothers understand these things. Eat some [favorite food] and scoot up to bed. - EarthBound Deep dives into video games and books, including a trove of audio for the Video Game Academy, co-hosted with Ben Kozlowski. Get involved at https://www.patreon.com/Professo ...
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The audio from a discussion held at TexMoot 2024. Among the voices you'll hear is that of Corey Olsen, the host of the event and president of Signum University. This one proved more engaging than my talk on Final Fantasy and King Arthur. I don't know if that was because it was more open-ended and participatory, of if it was because the other was at…
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Final Fantasy and the Once and Future King
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Inspired by Prof Kozlowski's recent post on FFVIII and IX, I'm sharing the audio from my talk on a not-too-dissimilar essay, Rat Tail and Knights of the Round: Summoning King Arthur in Final Fantasy IV and VII. Abstract: Video games play a significant role in transmitting images of heroism in contemporary culture. This talk concerns allusions to Ki…
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Danganronpa 2 ch 6 (and 0) - Video Game Academy
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Resolving everything, including seemingly arbitrary AU retelling material, up to the end of Danganronpa 2. https://videogameacademia.org/courses/current-semester/danganronpa/ Thanks for listening!
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Danganronpa 2 ch 5 - Video Game Academy
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Exploring the final island and the limits of luck. https://videogameacademia.org/courses/current-semester/danganronpa/ Thanks for listening.
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Danganronpa 2 ch 4 - Video Game Academy
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Lost in the Funhouse that is Danganronpa 2... https://videogameacademia.org/courses/current-semester/danganronpa/ Apologies for the abrupt cessation of audio. Such are the vicissitudes of the killing game. Thanks for listening!
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Danganronpa 2 ch 1-3 - Video Game Academy
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Somewhere in the ocean, an island paradise named after the Lewis Carroll poem "Jabberwocky" hosts the sequel to Danganronpa. https://videogameacademia.org/courses/current-semester/danganronpa/ Between our last release and this, a few discussions went unrecorded, but we're carrying on undeterred. Thanks for listening!…
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Westworld and The Divine Comedy with Alexander Schmid
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Just published in the journal Humanities, Contrapasso, Violence, and Madness in Dante’s The Divine Comedy and Westworld, by Alexander E Schmid, is freely available to read: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0787/13/5/109 We discuss reveries and memory, freedom and madness, truth and representation, and how they connect these medieval and contemporary works…
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Outer Space and Donuts - Danganronpa Chapter 2 - VGA Ultimate Summer School
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The Ultimate Summer School Discussion treads carefully though intrepidly through the manly bonds and broken promises of Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc Chapter 2 - Boys Life of Despair. https://videogameacademia.org/courses/current-semester/danganronpa/ Spoilers and CW: be ready to talk about gender, sexuality, jealousy, transphobia, and "Gentlema…
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Ultimate Summer School - Danganronpa Prologue & Chapter 1 - Video Game Academy
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A discussion of the opening case of Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc, with appropriate levels of hope and despair foreshadowing major philosophical stakes ahead. https://videogameacademia.org/courses/current-semester/danganronpa/ Spoilers and CW: see the M rating on the game. Thanks for listening!
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Red and The Green Knight
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Sorry, no Tom Bombadil here. Well, a brief mention... Moses Norton, aka the Well-Red Mage, joins me to dig into the recent film adaptation of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Tolkien, Dune 2, Dragonslayer, and lots of Gamelogica references round out our discussion of the film's visuals, characters, story, and themes. Enjoy! Gamelogica youtube chann…
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Dylan Holmes, author of A Mind Forever Voyaging: A History of Storytelling in Video Games
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Dylan Holmes joins me to discuss his history of storytelling in video games, A Mind Forever Voyaging. Read his book if you're interested in games like FF7, MGS, Deus Ex, and Dear Esther, or in questions about cinematic technique, player choice, power and escapism. Read Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, by Gabrielle Zevin all the way to the end …
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Of Podcasting Paradiso: Dante and the Digital Humanities
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We come full circle, as it were, Alex and I, discussing his recently published paper "Popularizing Paradiso: On the Difficulties of Podcasting Dante’s Most Academic Canticle" and his work bridging popular culture with the field of comparative literature.
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The Boy and the Heron, or Alexander Schmid and Wesley Schantz
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At long last, Alex and I wander off on another side quest, discussing Miyazaki's recent film, The Boy and the Heron, and its resonances for us with myth and history. (As always, I wish I knew more about the language, like how to translate "How Do You Live?") Other episodes in this series on the storied Studio Ghibli can be found most readily on Ale…
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AI: The Somnium Files - NirvanA Initiative (part 8)
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Concluding thoughts on the visual novel. Thanks for listening! More resources at https://videogameacademia.org/courses/video-game-studies/intro-to-visual-novels/
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AI: The Somnium Files - NirvanA Initiative (part 7)
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Home stretch! More at https://videogameacademia.org/courses/video-game-studies/intro-to-visual-novels/
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AI: The Somnium Files - NirvanA Initiative (part 6)
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More at https://videogameacademia.org/courses/video-game-studies/intro-to-visual-novels/
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AI: The Somnium Files - NirvanA Initiative (part 5)
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Twists! https://videogameacademia.org/courses/video-game-studies/intro-to-visual-novels/
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AI: The Somnium Files - NirvanA Initiative (part 4)
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Onward! https://videogameacademia.org/courses/video-game-studies/intro-to-visual-novels/
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AI: The Somnium Files - NirvanA Initiative (part 3)
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Continuing discussion of the sequel to AI: The Somnium Files. More on visual novels at https://videogameacademia.org/courses/video-game-studies/intro-to-visual-novels/
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AI: The Somnium Files - NirvanA Initiative (part 2)
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The lost audio recovered, continued. More at https://videogameacademia.org/courses/video-game-studies/intro-to-visual-novels/
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AI: The Somnium Files - NirvanA Initiative (part 1)
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The lost audio from last spring recovered at last--mostly--as we discuss the sequel to AI: The Somnium Files, NirvanA Initiative. Thanks for listening and sticking with us. More resources on visual novels at https://videogameacademia.org/courses/video-game-studies/intro-to-visual-novels/
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Justice Questions, Questions of Meaning - Alyse Knorr on Poetry and Teaching
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A conversation with Alyse Knorr, 'achiever' (to cite her Super Mario Bros 3, where I first encountered her work and reviewed it for The Pixels). In which we discuss: - Sweetbitter Podcast, with new episodes coming soon about Mary Magdalen and a fourth season in the works - Switchback Books, which she edits with her wife - Regis University, where sh…
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Enchantment in His Dark Materials: Conversation with MG Prezioso
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MG Prezioso, PhD candidate at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, joins me to discuss her work on the role of enchantment in promoting literacy for young readers, particularly in the case of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials. Her article appears in Children's Literature in Education; for more on Pullman's view of education, see his essays i…
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Shadow Particles with Evan Minto of Ani-Gamers / EarthBound Beginnings and Dragon Quest with Signum
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Cross-pollination and housekeeping here at the break at the end of the year, stirring up dust and sending out links to past broadcasts: First, here's the link to a recent conversation with Evan Minto on Season 3 Episode 3 of His Dark Materials, The Intention Craft. Then, listen on for one of my semi-monthly discussions from the Middle-earth to Eart…
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Conflicting Pirate Agendas: Assassin's Creed 4
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Professor Kozlowski spins us a yarn of the high seas. Pirate opportunism, whale physics, development metafiction, and a polyphony of voices and moral gray areas--it's a good game, but is it actually an Assassin's Creed? Well, yeah. It says so on the box.
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The Menu Requires a Loading Screen: Assassin's Creed 3
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Along for the ride as Professor Kozlowski weaves together the 2012 PS3 game's disparate threads better than the Ubisoft team does: Patriots and Loyalists; colonizers and oppressed; East coast cities and homesteads; first hour fake-outs and begrudging good riddance to the Desmond stuff. But hey, the naval battles are pretty cool. See also: The Year …
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You Buy Rome: AC Brotherhood & Revelations
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No, not Animal Crossing, and not alternating current. It's Assassin's Creed 2's half-baked follow-up games, and Prof Ben has thoughts about them. Join the discussion at videogameacademia.org and professorkozlowski.wordpress.com/ Thanks for listening.
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Drop the Loot: Assassin's Creed 2
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Professor Kozlowski returns. Our resident guest lecturer is back with a discussion of Assassin's Creed's splashy sequel, and... it's complicated. After the let-down that was their Prince of Persia reboot, the developers had to go big. So Renaissance Italy, andiamo~! More variety! More da Vinci! More weapons! But. It's kinda. Not as fun. Join the di…
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Lamb Dad, Lion Dad: Introducing The Thoughtful Dad Podcast
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Another guest lecture, after a fashion. Joe and I started a new series on being a dad. Share it with a dad or thoughtful caretaker in your life! Show notes: First episode! We share thoughts on news sources, TV at dinnertime and screen time in general; the "Tiger Mom" Amy Chua interview on Honestly with Bari Weiss and what sorts of dads we are; back…
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Surprise! It's a Lecture: Assassin's Creed Retrospective
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Professor Kozlowski lays it down. Everything is permitted? We see your forthcoming book, Cameron Kunzelman of the Game Studies Study Buddies, and raise you one podcast (this one) and one article replete with Dostoevsky references (also forthcoming). Ante up with Ben's history and dev history; getting to know the open world; crowds in-game and recep…
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Geez, you're persistent - Ch 8: All Things... MOTHER 3 (8/8)
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Mild spoilers and theorizing for the end of MOTHER 3. Audio clips from the soundtrack as preserved at starmen.net; discussion audio hosted by 3rdStrongest. Join the conversation at our humble Video Game Academy. Thanks for listening.
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I Make Sparkly: Ch 7 The Seven Needles (cont.) - MOTHER 3 (7/8)
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You've come a long way...through snowy mountains and volcanoes, sea-beds and islands, back to Saturn Valley. Time for a coffee break. Audio clips from the soundtrack as preserved at starmen.net; discussion audio hosted by 3rdStrongest. Join the conversation at our humble Video Game Academy. Thanks for listening.…
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Ch 6: Sunflower Fields & Ch 7: The [First Four] Needles - MOTHER 3 (6/8)
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On the symbolism of sunflowers and the inclusion of references to EarthBound. Audio clips from the soundtrack as preserved at starmen.net; discussion audio hosted by 3rdStrongest. Join the conversation at our humble Video Game Academy. Thanks for listening.
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Forlorn Junk Heap: Ch 5 Tower of Thunder - MOTHER 3 (5/8)
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Theoretical possibilities in the series include beating Belch without Fly Honey and the Pork Trooper without the DCMC Pamphlet, but why would you? Audio clips from the soundtrack as preserved at starmen.net; discussion audio hosted by 3rdStrongest. Join the conversation at our humble Video Game Academy. Thanks for listening.…
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Trust in Destiny: Ch 4 Club Titiboo - MOTHER 3 (4/8)
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We finally play as Lucas again, finding fireworks and rhythms in gift boxes and playing Stone-Sheet-Clippers for the fate of the world. Audio clips from the soundtrack as preserved at starmen.net; discussion audio hosted by 3rdStrongest. Join the conversation at our humble Video Game Academy. Thanks for listening.…
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In this psychic dojo: Psychonauts - Intro/Basic Braining
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We cozy up to the campfire for another Video Game Academy summer playthrough--another game about kids with psychic powers: Psychonauts. This time, we're meeting some characters, running through battlefields of mental baggage and social dynamics, and sticking the landing on some bouncy tightropes. Join the conversation at our humble Video Game Acade…
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If I say dance, you dance! Ch 3: The Mysterious Peddler - MOTHER 3 (3/8)
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In which we discuss Fassad and Salsa's relationship and how it is even worse than Wess and Duster's; with yet more insight into Itoi's fascination with monkeys. Audio clips from the soundtrack as preserved at starmen.net; discussion audio hosted by 3rdStrongest. Join the conversation at our humble Video Game Academy. Thanks for listening.…
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My humble little [favorite food] patch: Ch 2 Thief Adventure - MOTHER 3 (2/8)
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Infiltrating the castle? Meeting the princess? What kind of follow-up to EarthBound is this? Audio clips from the soundtrack as preserved at starmen.net; discussion audio hosted by 3rdStrongest. Join the conversation at our humble Video Game Academy. Thanks for listening.
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Rougher! Tougher! Badder! Prologue and Ch 1 - MOTHER 3 (pt 1 of 8)
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In the long-awaited sequel to EarthBound, as localized by Tomato et al., we parse some shocking developments and developer choices. Audio clips from the soundtrack as preserved at starmen.net; discussion audio hosted by 3rdStrongest. Join the conversation at our humble Video Game Academy. Thanks for listening.…
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Powers worthy of a lowly insect: MOTHER / EarthBound Beginnings (8/8)
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Teddy in Ellay through Mt Itoi; EVE in her lake, Queen Mary in her memory, and the ending. Audio clips from the soundtrack as preserved at starmen.net; discussion audio hosted by 3rdStrongest. Join the conversation at our humble Video Game Academy. Thanks for listening.
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What is Itoi's fascination with monkeys? MOTHER / EarthBound Beginnings (7/8)
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Through the desert to Youngtown; through the swamp to Ellay. Audio clips from the soundtrack as preserved at starmen.net; discussion audio hosted by 3rdStrongest. Join the conversation at our humble Video Game Academy. Thanks for listening.
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All work and no play: MOTHER / EarthBound Beginnings (6/8)
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Spookane and the dentures side quest, with a digression on Nathan for You - Gas Station Rebate. Audio clips from the soundtrack as preserved at starmen.net; discussion audio hosted by 3rdStrongest. Join the conversation at our humble Video Game Academy. Thanks for listening.
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Have you seen the woman with a big belly? MOTHER / EarthBound Beginnings (5/8)
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Riding the train through Reindeer to Ana in Snowman. Audio clips from the soundtrack as preserved at starmen.net; discussion audio hosted by 3rdStrongest. Join the conversation at our humble Video Game Academy. Thanks for listening.
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The Custodial Arts: MOTHER / EarthBound Beginnings (4/8)
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Lloyd's school and the factories, with a digression on music (Twinkle Elementary and the File Select remix by Ace Waters). Audio clips from the soundtrack as preserved at starmen.net; discussion audio hosted by 3rdStrongest. Join the conversation at our humble Video Game Academy. Thanks for listening.…
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Are you a forgotten man, too? MOTHER / EarthBound Beginnings (3/8)
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Magicant. Apologies for the lost bit of intro on this one. Audio clips from the soundtrack as preserved at starmen.net; discussion audio hosted by 3rdStrongest. Join the conversation at our humble Video Game Academy. Thanks for listening.
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Starman Zookeeper: MOTHER / EarthBound Beginnings (2/8)
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At the Zoo, via Canary Village. Audio clips from the soundtrack as preserved at starmen.net; discussion audio hosted by 3rdStrongest. Join the conversation at our humble Video Game Academy. Thanks for listening.
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Itoi's Rural America: MOTHER / EarthBound Beginnings (pt 1 of 8)
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From the opening through Podunk and the graveyard. Audio clips from the soundtrack as preserved at starmen.net; discussion audio hosted by 3rdStrongest. Join the conversation at our humble Video Game Academy. Thanks for listening.
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Gamecool 78: Her own key to the garden
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On Ch 38 The Botanic Garden and the Acknowledgments at the end of The Amber Spyglass, by Philip Pullman. Course page for the full list of episodes and suggested reading. Thanks for listening.
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Final Fantasy VI and VII Comparison
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Alex Schmid and I revisit the golden age of the JRPG, with a nod to our oft-collaborating younger selves. https://videogameacademia.org/
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Reekwind and Side Quests - Planescape: Torment pt 4
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Lost audio from the fall. Apologies, all, for the lateness! Video Game Academy is not dead, we've just been on hiatus what with school and everything. https://videogameacademia.org/
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