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Quest Markers episodes
- EP 19 | The Sims: Comfort and Chaos in Player-Led Narratives (with Leminnie)
Marina and Minnie sit down to talk about one of the most beloved games of the last 2 decades: The Sims.
They talk about player-led emergent narratives, the stories they crafted for their Sims, how differently they played the games, the chaos of co-op mode, the first time they saw the Grim Reaper, and their particular fondness of The Sims 2.
* * * * * * *
TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) Intro
(05:05 Game overview
(07:38) What Sims games we’ve played
(09:28) Sims 2 is peak Sims
(11:28) The Sims 4 is still adding content
(13:57) how we played The Sims
(28:28) The Grim Reaper, guinea pigs, fires, swimming pools, and Sunny the clown
(40:15) Would we stream The Sims?
(42:20) Why is The Sims so beloved?
(45:17) Final thoughts and outro
* * * * * * *
LINKS & SOCIALS:
The Sims GDC Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjuOSgPdtS0Quest Markers: https://linktr.ee/questmarkers
Minnie’s socials & Etsy store: https://linktr.ee/leminnie
Marina’s socials: https://linktr.ee/marinaryan
48 min - EP 18 | Nier Automata: Mastery in Misdirection (with Zack Parkerson)
Marina sits down with Zack Parkerson to talk Nier once again, but this time, we’re trading in Replicant for Automata.
We talk about Nier Automata’s masterful narrative design, how it misdirects the player until the very end, our favourite side quests, and why we love this game so much.
Grab some headphones, make a coffee, and let’s talk about one of the greatest games ever made.
* * * * * * *
TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) Introductions & What We’re Currently Playing
(09:51) Story Summary
(10:37) Is This “Depression, The Game?”
(14:08) A Deeply Human Game
(15:59) The Philosophy Debate
(17:08) Nier Automata’s Narrative Design
(19:39) Nier Reincarnation & Drakengard 3
(20:56) Mastery in Misdirection
(30:37) Favourite Builds
(35:07) The Music
(40:03) Should You Play Automata or Replicant first?
(46:18) Favourite Side Quests
(52:11) Final Thoughts & Wrap Up
* * * * * * *
SOCIALS:
Quest Markers: https://linktr.ee/questmarkers
Zack’s socials: https://twitter.com/GOcastZack
The Gaming Outsider: https://thegamingoutsider.com/
Marina’s socials: https://linktr.ee/marinaryan
57 min - EP 17 | Story Predictions for Upcoming Games, Currently Playing, & Community Questions (Side Quest)
Marina sits down for a solo episode and the first one on our new segment, Side Quest!
She answers some community questions and dives into Elden Ring’s new DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree, FFXIV and Dawntrail, FF7 Rebirth’s upcoming release, Baldur’s Gate 3, Bloodborne, and Resident Evil 7. A HUGE thank you to our community for all the support.
Grab some headphones, make a coffee, and let’s talk games.
* * * * * * *
TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) Introduction
(01:49) Elden Ring DLC: Shadow of the Erdtree
(08:53) FFXIV & being caught up on MSQ
(09:59) FF7 Rebirth & reflections on Final Fantasy 7
(13:58) Baldur’s Gate 3 Act 3
(14:51) Bloodborne NG+ fashion run
(17:57) Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
(20:53) Music & more community questions
(24:50) Outro
* * * * * * *
SOCIALS:
Quest Markers: https://linktr.ee/questmarkers
Marina’s socials: https://linktr.ee/marinaryan26 min - EP 16 | How Video Game Music Shapes Narratives (with MarcoMeatball)Marina sits down with professional opera singer-turned-voice actor MarcoMeatball to talk all things video game music.We talk about how FFXIV and Granblue Fantasy: Relink blend genres, the sadness in Bloodborne’s soundtrack, how vertical music sequencing is used in Nier Automata, how ambient music is used to shape a narrative, and much more. We also talk about the music in the games we’re currently playing, as well as some of our favourites.Grab some headphones, and let’s dive in.* * * * * * *TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Introduction(01:51) Meeting Marco(05:40) Marco’s Recent Games: Granblue Fantasy: Relink, Warframe, Yakuza: Kiwami(09:54) Bloodborne, its brilliant sounds design choices, & how its music sets its narrative tone(15:26) Baldur’s Gate 3 takes us back to medieval times(18:18) Initial thoughts on Nier Music(19:25) Warframe, using music to displace pain, and whether context matters(21:21) There’s so much good video game music out there(22:50) How Enshrouded’s music surprised Marco(24:05) Nier Automata, Chaos Language, and the game’s use of vertical music sequencing(32:01) FFXIV and blending genres(38:02) Music, storytelling, and how the player feels(43:05) FFXIV and Answers’ narrative misdirect of the century(46:14) Community question: “How does ambient music help the player understand the tone of the narrative?” (Elden Ring, Bloodborne, World of Warcraft)(52:07) Final thoughts & outro* * * * * * *SOCIALS:Quest Markers: https://linktr.ee/questmarkersMarco’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MarcoMeatballMarco’s socials: https://linktr.ee/marcodmeatballMarina’s socials: https://linktr.ee/marinaryan57 min
- EP 15 | Elden Ring: Lore, Loss, & Difficulty as a Tool for Storytelling (with Jack & Sherveen)Marina sits down with games journalist Jack Alex Roberts and game dev Sherveen Uduwana to talk about our Tarnished journeys in the Lands Between.We talk about our love of Elden Ring’s lore, narrative design, music, how we got into the Soulsborne genre, what builds we played, our favourite moments in the game, how difficulty is used as a lever for intentional storytelling, and much more.Grab a coffee, and let’s dive into the Lands Between.* * * * * * *TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Introduction(03:10) Meeting our guests(08:06) Story summary(16:45) Our Tarnished and the builds we played(26:15) Elden Ring’s narrative design, open world, and experience(38:50) How we felt exploring the environments in the Lands Between(45:46) Favourite narrative themes(54:05) “Marika is Radagon”(1:03:45) Music chat(1:11:48) Community questions(1:42:41) Final thoughts & symbolism(1:48:08) Outro* * * * * * *THANK YOU’S:VaatiVidya: https://www.youtube.com/@VaatiVidyaV-Limit: https://www.youtube.com/@VLimit11Anyone who’s contributed and annotated the Elden Ring Fandom site: https://eldenring.fandom.com/wiki/Elden_Ring_Wiki* * * * * * *SOCIALS:Quest Markers: https://linktr.ee/questmarkersSherveen: https://twitter.com/SUduwanaMidautumn Game: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1582380/Midautumn/Jack Alex Roberts: https://twitter.com/jackalexrobertsMarina Ryan: https://linktr.ee/marinaryan1 hr 49 min
- EP 14 | Life Lessons from Video Games
Marina Ryan sits down to recap Quest Markers’ first year – and the life lessons that video games can teach us.
We talk about community, grief, love, finding meaning in life, overcoming despair, becoming your own saviour, and so much more.
Hope you enjoy!
* * * * * * *
(00:00) Introduction
(02:07) The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
(04:00) Metroid Dread
(05:48) Final Fantasy VII & Final Fantasy 7 Remake
(07:12) Xenoblade Chronicles
(08:31) NieR: Replicant
(09:55) The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
(11:26) Pokémon Gold & Silver
(12:36) Hollow Knight
(14:16) The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
(15:25) Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker
(17:00) NieR: Automata
(18:25) Resident Evil 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 Remakes
(20:34) The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask
(22:07) What’s coming next year for Quest Markers
* * * * * * *
Quest Markers: https://linktr.ee/questmarkers
Midautumn Game: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1582380/Midautumn/
The Gaming Outsider: https://thegamingoutsider.com/
Ren: https://twitter.com/renraven_
Billy: https://twitter.com/saturn_sounds
Snugboy: https://www.youtube.com/@Snugboy
Zack Parkerson: https://twitter.com/GOcastZack
Jack Alex Roberts: https://twitter.com/jackalexroberts
Sherveen: https://twitter.com/SUduwana
Scott Clark: https://twitter.com/GOcastScott
Thomas Roland: https://linktr.ee/thomasroland
Marina Ryan: https://linktr.ee/marinaryan
24 min - EP 13 (PART 2 OF 2) | Majora’s Mask: Humility, Community, and Having the Courage to Try Again (with Kinsey)
Marina Ryan sits down with Kinsey for part 2 of Quest Markers’ anniversary episode! Thank you for 1 year of conversations, coffee, and laughs 🖤
Grab your ocarina and let’s fall into Termina for the sequel to our very first episode with our very first guest. We talk about how Majora’s Mask tells a story of pain and healing through trauma, and we speculate about what the Fierce Deity's mask actually symbolizes.
* * * * * * *
(00:00) Introduction
(01:39) Link’s memories, pain, and trauma
(03:10) The symbolism of the Fierce Deity's mask
(08:40) Majora’s Mask is so good at making you FEEL
(10:22) Would this game come out in 2023?
(11:11) Majora’s Mask’s longevity
(14:46) Music is healing
(15:33) You want to save the world because you care about the world and the small moments within it
(21:50) Pieces of heart symbolism
(23:05) Perfectionism and getting it right the first time around
(24:40) Link processing his trauma and finding his place within in
(26:26) Humility and courage
(28:27) Courage can manifest in other ways that aren’t slaying the monster
(31:58) Despite the dread… life is so precious
(32:32) Developed in 1 year and setting an industry standard
(35:30) Wrap up
(38:07) Outro
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FOLLOW US
Quest Markers: https://linktr.ee/questmarkers
Marina Ryan
Socials: https://linktr.ee/marinaryan
Website: https://marinamakes.co
39 min - EP 13 (PART 1 OF 2) | Majora’s Mask: Healing, Grief, & Responding to a Terrible Fate (with Kinsey)
Marina Ryan sits down with Kinsey for Quest Markers’ anniversary episode! Thank you for 1 year of conversations, coffee, and laughs 🖤
Grab your ocarina and let’s fall into Termina for the sequel to our very first episode with our very first guest. We talk about how Majora’s Mask tells a story of pain and healing through the 5 stages of grief – and how it’s up to us to decide how we respond to a terrible fate.
* * * * * * *
(00:00) Introduction
(01:57) Meeting Kinsey
(08:08) Story summary
(10:17) The Happy Mask Salesman & Defining Majora’s Mask’s tone
(12:45) Time anxiety & grieving future versions of you
(14:32) Agency, the butterfly effect, & helping the people of Termina heal
(16:18) Termina feels alive
(18:35) Finding joy and healing
(20:50) The 5 stages of grief & why Stone Tower Temple is the final stage of grief
(31:15) “This is truly a good happiness”
(33:00) Link’s trauma from Ocarina of time
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FOLLOW US
Quest Markers: https://linktr.ee/questmarkers
Marina Ryan
Socials: https://linktr.ee/marinaryan
Website: https://marinamakes.co37 min - EP 12 | Resident Evil & Why Survival Horror isn't Meant to be Difficult (with Thomas Roland)
Marina Ryan sits down with Thomas Roland for a special Halloween episode covering the Resident Evil series.
This episode covers Resident Evil 0 through 5 Remake.
Grab your green herbs and get ready for a dive into RE’s characters, the themes of fleeting hope and becoming your own saviour, and why the survival horror genre isn’t meant to be difficult.
Welcome to (an accidental) Leon Kennedy Hour.
(00:00) Introduction
(07:33) Story summary for all 5 games
(14:30) Why Resident Evil 4’s change in direction made sense narratively
(21:53) Why is Leon Kennedy a fantastic character?
(26:20) Scariest moments in Resident Evil
(32:24) Jumpscares and RE’s creepy windows
(35:04) Leon’s leather jacket
(35:35) Fleeting hope and becoming your own saviour
(40:29) Multiple endings in RE1
(44:27) Survival horror as a genre isn’t meant to be difficult
(52:03) ‘Saudade’ or ‘The Bullet and the Blade’?
(54:03) Why is the Resident Evil series so popular?
(56:10) Wrapping Up & Question for the Audience
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FOLLOW US
Quest Markers
Listen Everywhere: https://linktr.ee/questmarkers
Thomas Roland
Socials: https://linktr.ee/ThomasRoland
Email: [email protected]
NaNoWriMo: https://nanowrimo.org/participants/thomas-roland/projects/a-company-of-silver
Marina Ryan
Socials:: https://linktr.ee/marinaryan
Website: https://marinamakes.co
SPECIAL THANK YOU
Talking Skull on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKSgmRc-W4Y59 min - EP 11 | Existentialism, Free Will, and Why Androids Wear Blindfolds in NieR: Automata (with Marina Ryan)
Marina sits down for another solo episode to talk about the game she hadn’t stopped talking about for 2 years straight: NieR: Automata.
This episode goes in-depth on NieR: Automata’s story, how its game elements come together, why its use of narrative design is masterful, how it explores existentialism, free will, and the meaning of being alive, and why YoRHa androids wear blindfolds.
(00:00) Introduction
(03:32) Story summary
(21:20) How the game elements come together
(23:36) Mastery in narrative design
(24:39) How NieR: Automata leans into the element of surprise
(27:15) Existentialism, free will, community, joy, and finding meaning
(34:28) Why YoRHa Androids wear blindfolds
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Our NieR: Replicant episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1bC3GLTQz1lIyW6WodGyy2?si=229f9c2ca4c24475
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0nWUGi0LMI
Follow Us:
• Quest Markers: https://linktr.ee/questmarkers
• Marina: https://linktr.ee/marinaryan
• Music: https://marinamakes.co
37 min
About Quest Markers
From the publisher's feed
A monthly-ish podcast about video games and the stories they tell.