8 episodes

Metaverse Reverie is the official podcast of Cloud Monster Online (the critical, analytical, interactive art/media blog). Join us in our secluded discussion hut, afloat in the far reaches of the vast and infinite metaverse, as we discuss the art form in question, our personal experiences, the meaning of life, the true purpose of the universe, popular culture, and anything else that strikes our fancy.

Metaverse Reverie Cloud Monster

    • Arts

Metaverse Reverie is the official podcast of Cloud Monster Online (the critical, analytical, interactive art/media blog). Join us in our secluded discussion hut, afloat in the far reaches of the vast and infinite metaverse, as we discuss the art form in question, our personal experiences, the meaning of life, the true purpose of the universe, popular culture, and anything else that strikes our fancy.

    Metaverse Reverie, Episode 8 – Blow the Candles Out

    Metaverse Reverie, Episode 8 – Blow the Candles Out

    Okay, so this one is late…and great…and number eight, and it’s about gamer gate. The lateness is all Aleks’ fault. He got a little too wound up in the Twine, and his amazing, next gen Ruin Jam Game (shameless self promotion, but hey, Aleks is the one who writes this copy, so he does what he wants). Most of this week’s episode is taken up by discussion on the most recent wave of harassment and controversy (this one refuses to completely die, although Zoe Quinn did give it a rather stiff kick in the gut on the morning of the day of our recording), but Aleks does lapse into a  one sided “what are you playing” type of deal about half way through…except he can’t seem to remember the actual games he’d been playing, so it’s a bit of an extended, delayed roll. Listen to him grapple with his own mind. Listen to him confront the specter of his own encroaching decrepitude and mortality. Also, he sings at one point. Then the two podcast personalities run off to get burritos because the burrito store (which they shall not buzz-market) was to close within the hour.

    The music for this episode was provided by the fantastic Holographic Sticker Club. The intro is taken from Gravitational Collapse, and the outro from Drop 5. Pick up “This is not a Tset” (pay what you want).

    We apologize for Aleks’ coughing, and the more than occasional table bump, which should only make your ears bleed a little bit (we’re sorry Boris), and the noise of people walking upstairs. We’re looking into ways to stabilize the microphone, but it’s currently a bit of a puzzle, considering our ad hoc setup.

    Metaverse Reverie is Supported by Listeners Like You.

    Maybe you patronize us on Patreon, and we maybe get a cool swivel thingy? Eh? Why not Zoidberg? Patronage should allow us (or rather encourage us) to record more often, and, if we meet our first milestone someday, get some sexier, more professional kit. It will also encourage us to love you, and inextricably bind a small shard of our twin soul to yours. Pretty nifty, huh?

    List of Some Games Aleks Has Played Recently, but Forgot the Names Of During Recording:

    – Myriad by Porpentine

    – How to Speak Atlantean by Porpentine

    – Quing’s Quest VII by Deidre “Squinky” Kai

    – Gingiva by John Clowder

    – Brooklyn Trash King by Ben Esposito and Sarah Johnson

    – 3x3x3 by Kayla Overkill

    Other Links of Interest:

    –Payola: I Sleep Beneath the Golden Hill by Lana Polansky

    • 2 hrs 7 min
    Metaverse Reverie, Episode 7 – Shermed Out, or Tears of the Dome-Beast

    Metaverse Reverie, Episode 7 – Shermed Out, or Tears of the Dome-Beast

    In the immortal words of Doctor Sam Beckett, oh boy! Do we have a treat for you this week, lovers and dreamers. For a second episode in a row, we have a guest, and, once again, we’re not worthy! The luminary, artist, and friend Dominick Rabrun (@CountBlackula on the Twitter) joins us for a sit down session of gab. Dom’s known for his work on Dom’s Sketchcast and, most recently, on Hip Hop RPG, an ongoing animated series about rappers battling the Illuminati in a post apocalyptic near future (yes, it’s exactly as cool as it sounds). When Aleks and Arie let him get a word in edgewise between their customary ranting, Dom shares some excellent thoughts, insights, recommendations and scoops.

    The music for this episode was provided by the fantastic Holographic Sticker Club. The intro is taken from Gravitational Collapse, and the outro from Drop 5. Pick up “This is not a Tset” (pay what you want). Aleks didn’t put any robot voices into the podcast this week, so you can listen to the sweet jams without as much interference.

    Stuff We Need to Clarify and Whatever:

    – The full cast list of the British comedy Spaced is on IMDB. Aleks likes this program.

    – Here’s a dry University lecture by a UVA professor (Ian Stevenson) about reincarnation research.

    –Expeditions:Conquistador was developed by Logic Artists. (Aleks says: “Buy this game!” – it’s available on Steam)

    –Sunless Sea is being developed by Failbetter Games (Aleks says: “Looking coooool!” – currently in early access)

    -Here’s Leigh Alexander writing about, playing, and talking about Jason Rubin and Andy Gavin (of Naughty Dog fame) early game, the Dream Zone

     

    • 2 hrs 28 min
    Metaverse Reverie, Episode 6 – Puppies and Unicorns

    Metaverse Reverie, Episode 6 – Puppies and Unicorns

    We’ve been on a bit of a hiatus, but now we’re back (one half of us, at least), and with something of a vengeance. While Arie continues on his adventure junket (he should be back for the next episode, folks), Aleks has a lovely fireside chat with artist Jack Cooke, formerly of Firaxis games. That’s right! We’ve netted us a proper industry insider! We discuss his experiences working at the venerable game studio, game jams, project scope, growing up with and without technology, and all sorts of other stuff. This one’s really not to be missed (mostly thanks to Jack, who is a fantastic guest). So don’t miss it.

    The music for this episode was provided by the fantastic Holographic Sticker Club. The intro is taken from Gravitational Collapse, and the outro from Drop 5. Pick up “This is not a Tset” (pay what you want).

    • 2 hrs 33 min
    Metaverse Reverie, Episode 5 – Everyone in Philly Is a Serial Killer

    Metaverse Reverie, Episode 5 – Everyone in Philly Is a Serial Killer

    Better late than never, and this episode makes up for the delay (which was precipitated by a mixture of ennui and a series of white knuckle adventure junkets) by being extra long. It also includes an amazing and edifying segment on the high cost of living, and what you, yes you, can do about it! Also, talking robots, as always. On we float. This week, we begin the discussion with Heavy Rain and episodic vs. long form experiences, continue on to more L.A. Noire and Assassin’s Creed, and then transition into some dark and soulfully confessional Dark Souls confessions. It gets pretty real.

    The music for this episode was provided by the fantastic Holographic Sticker Club. The intro is taken from Gravitational Collapse, and the outro from Drop 5.

    Pick up “This is not a Tset” (pay what you want).

    Links and Things We Screwed Up

    – Rebecca’s new face was introduced in Assassin’s Creed 3.

    – The original leader of the Assassins (in the real world) was Hassan-i Sabbah (Aleks got him confused with the fictional author of the Necronomicon).

    – On Scrubs, the character of Elliot Reid was portrayed by Sarah Chalke. She also played Becky on Roseanne, which is actually a pretty decent sitcom.

    – Probably other stuff (“I’m really not as thorough about this, as I probably should be.” — Aleks)

    • 2 hrs 33 min
    Metaverse Reverie, Episode 4 – Gaia’s Wrath

    Metaverse Reverie, Episode 4 – Gaia’s Wrath

    Gaia is angry, and Aleks becomes her prophet, preaching destruction and revelation. Fires, plagues, hail and thunder. Mighty winds that can move mountains. The feathered serpent Quetzalcoatl is poised to return to the mortal plane. All the world is a cheap snow globe, and we’ve shook it up one time too many, goddamn it. Aside from all of that, Aleks and Arie celebrate their fourth episode (making for a full month’s worth of delicious content), and discuss replaying old classics, and exploring new ones. They also spend a fair chunk of the podcast gushing about Divinity: Original Sin.

    The music for this episode was provided by the fantastic Holographic Sticker Club. The intro is taken from Gravitational Collapse, and the outro from Drop 5.

    Pick up “This is not a Tset” (pay what you want).

    Links and Things We Screwed Up

    – Simon Templeton voiced Kain in the Legacy of Kain series.

    – The Art of Video Games exhibit was, and possibly still is, housed at the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

    • 2 hrs 17 min
    Metaverse Reverie, Episode 3 – Arachnid Menace

    Metaverse Reverie, Episode 3 – Arachnid Menace

    Join Aleks and Arie on a horrifying and exciting thrill ride as they battle through legions of rabid spiders and face their darkest fears. They also discuss the recent Giant Bomb controversy, inclusivity, the definitions of the terms “community” and “gamer,” Said the sexy, debonair mummy, their deep, emotional responses to Gone Home, and a handful of other stuff.

    Apologies for the less than perfect sound quality on Aleks’ end. Believe it or not, this was recorded with both esteemed personages in the same room at the same time, but, as it turned out, choosing one’s sitting position based solely on proximity to the massive trove of Swedish Fish proved to be less than ideal.

    The music for this episode was provided by the fantastic Holographic Sticker Club. The intro is taken from Gravitational Collapse, and the outro from Drop 5.

    Pick up “This is not a Tset” (pay what you want).

    Links, Notes, and Etc.

    The name of the Shaman in Dragonfall is Dietrich (not Dieter).

    The “Gamer” Episode of Extra Credits can be found here. (Really interesting discussion of the term/label).

    Feminist Frequency, home of Tropes vs. Women can be be found here.

    • 2 hrs 2 min

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