Sumeru's around the corner and there's a lot of Genshin to cover. First on the docket: the Irodori Festival event. 

Inazuma's borders are open, and the Churlmen of the Board head over to buy some doujins. We meet Ayato, forget the names of several Anemo users, discuss the Raiden Shogun's built-in DRM, and watch Kujou Sara take 3 separate L's. Which minigame got nerfed before release? Who's been bullying all the youkai? Find out on The Shade Chamber.

00:00  Intro & Housekeeping (State of the Chamber)

Recorded on July 24, 2022 (ver. 2.8)

Comiket & Fumigation photos used under CC 2.0

Ending theme: Purrple Cat - Neon Tiger

Ending SFX by Vecteezy

Mihoyo is dead, long live Hoyoverse. What does this mean for us, and why is no one talking about it? Come see what hot scoops the churls dug up, because the future, if the boyos from Hoyo have anything to say about it, is gonna be wild.

Was Scapulagate an inside job? What do Hoyoverse's plans have to do with Beefy's cursed virtual past? How smug are the churls about predicting Ei's character arc? Which Churlman didn't realize that Cutwater Margaritas are two servings per can? This time, on the Shade Chamber.

00:00  Story Discussion: Interlude Chapter "The Crane Returns on the Wind"

We did a ton of original research for both parts of 2.5. If you found it interesting, please throw us a review, or just recommend us to  your friends.

Recorded on February 21, 2022 (ver. 2.5)

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-Raiden quest footage & Ningguang shoulder pics: Streetwise Rhapsody

Tangent Time theme:

Ending theme: Purrple Cat - Neon Tiger - Provided by Lofi Records

Ending SFX by Vecteezy

2022 in Genshin is off to a prosperous start. Inazuma's Hot Pink Queen of Mean blesses us with her presence, the two new story quests were bangers, and Lantern Rite gave us more than we dared ask for. What's there to throw shade at? As always, plenty. 

Are new players screwed? What could be done to fix this? Is Beiguang real, or are shippers just crazy? Will the Churlmen of the Board ever figure out their technical issues, or just keep making new ones? This time, on The Shade Chamber. 

Thanks to @Chris Mayek for the interviews that inspired this ep's Culture Talk segment! You can check out more awesome VA interviews on his channel.

00:00  Sign-ons

We did a ton of original research for both parts of Ep 3. If you found it interesting, please throw us a like, a sub, or just recommend us to your friends.  We'd love to do more topic deep dives like this, so if you have any suggestions, please send a comment our way.

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-Doujinshi photo: Kana Natsuno, - CC BY 2.0 / cropped

Ending theme: Purrple Cat - Neon Tiger - Provided by Lofi Records

Let us take you back to winter, 2021. While the greater Genshin fandom wonders, "Who is Albedo?", only the Churlmen of the Board dare to ask the real question: "Who is Jen Shin?"

Now, 7 months after the fact, they finally have their answer.

Also, we ponder how Genshin respects players' time in terms of story pacing, but not in terms of gameplay. Beefy and Rad get to flex their Japanese Folklore chops, and we take a long, loving look at the biggest jobber in Teyvat: our dear Kujou Sara. This time, on the Shade Chamber.

00:00  Story Talk: "Shadows Amidst Snowstorms" postmortem

Recorded on Dec. 12, 2021 (ver. 2.3)

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Spinning top footage: Ramsaur Films

Labyrinth Warriors & Kokomi quest footage: Potatozshara

Ending theme: Purrple Cat - Neon Tiger - Provided by Lofi Records

Ending SFX by Vecteezy

The churls are unhinged in this one. But Labyrinth and Moonchase were awesome! 

Why can't more games just be Hades? Why don't writers do more with the concept of rocks? When will we figure out our release schedule? What the hell is a Keqing?

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00:00  Sign-ons

Recorded on Dec. 12, 2021 (ver. 2.3)

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Ending theme: Purrple Cat - Neon Tiger - Provided by Lofi Records

Ending SFX by Vecteezy

The churls look at inventory-based storytelling (through the lens of more dead people in Raiden's life), as well as some of the spicier topics surrounding Genshin's business model.  Where's all the Signora lore from? Are leakers the equalizer in an exploitative genre? Why is Genshin bogged down with so many minor, but frustrating design choices? And most importantly, when's Chiyo?  

A huge thank you to Astruma2 (https://twitter.com/astruma2) for letting us use their gorgeous "Signora's Story: The Fair Lady" series in our video.  

Recorded on September 18, 2021 (ver. 2.1)

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00:00  Inventory Storytelling pt. 1: Ei's Posse and Signora's Backstory

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Ending theme: Purrple Cat - Neon Tiger - Provided by Lofi Records

Ending SFX by Vecteezy

In this special episode, the churls go hard on Inazuma, the 2.1 Archon Quest, and their new problematic fave, Raiden Ei.

What has Mihoyo learned since designing Mondstadt and Liyue? How do you turn your season antagonist into a marketable character without making her lame? And how can the churls possibly defend "The Ei Date"?

00:00  What If It Was Purple?: The level design of Inazuma

Recorded on September 18, 2021 (ver. 2.1)

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Tangent Time theme: Casa Bossa Nova by Kevin MacLeod

Fresh off the 2.1 Archon Quest finale, the Churlmen of the Board introduce themselves, recount their personal histories with Genshin, and explain how Inazuma compelled them to finally start talking about this game.

Recorded on September 18, 2021 (ver. 2.1)

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Ending SFX by Vecteezy 

Ending Theme - Purrple Cat - Neon Tiger