diabolical: Recent Episodes
Erik Kain
Erik Kain talks about video games, movies, politics and more with all the finest people.
diabolical.substack.com
I had a great time chatting with Vito Gesualdi, a YouTuber and comedian who is currently running an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign for his first comic book, Superkiller. The conversation covers a wide range of topics, from Star Wars to comedy to the problems with mainstream entertainment and more. Hope you enjoy!
Check out Vito’s YouTube channel here. You can take a look at Superkiller here.
Watch the video version of this podcast below:
You can subscribe to my diabolical podcast on iTunes.
Be sure to subscribe to this newsletter as well!
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit diabolical.substack.com/subscribe
In the latest episode of my diabolical podcast I talk about the controversy surrounding the Hogwarts Legacy video game and the boycotts of said game by Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling’s detractors. I also pay a visit to my favorite gaming website, TheGamer.com, because I love the smell of hypocrisy in the morning almost as much as napalm.
I’ll have further thoughts on Hogwarts Legacy soon, but the TL;DR version is that it’s absolutely phenomenal—I’m more excited about this RPG than any in recent memory (that weren’t titled Elden Ring). You can watch some of my gameplay right here.
Subscribe to the diabolical podcast on Apple iTunes. And subscribe to this newsletter below.
Here’s the YouTube version of this episode in case you feel like staring into my eyes while I ramble:
Subscribe to my YouTube channel here. Be excellent to each other, my droogies.
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit diabolical.substack.com/subscribe
In an interview with Bloomberg, Sarandos says that Netflix has never cancelled a successful show. But this ignores the fact that some shows become successful over time, and that investing time and money in something for the long-run can be a very smart business move. I discuss this and Netflix’s follies in the latest episode of the diabolical podcast. Thanks for listening and subscribing.
diabolical is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit diabolical.substack.com/subscribe
In my latest rant / podcast episode I talk about Velma, the origins of the current woke movement and how the reactionary anti-woke movement is becoming what they hate. Also why you should never say “go woke and you go broke” within earshot of me. I might just go apeshit. Or something. Thanks for listening!
diabolical is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit diabolical.substack.com/subscribe
My latest two-part interview is with the amazing cast of the animated fantasy series The Legend Of Vox Machina, a show based on the Critical Role Dungeons & Dragons campaign DM’d by Matthew Mercer with characters played by the same actors who voice the cast of the show. With Season 2 just around the corner, our conversation spans all sorts of topics. Enjoy!
In this episode I talk with Liam O’Brien (Vax), Marisha Ray (Keyleth) and Sam Riegel (Scanlan). Check out the diabolical home-page for Part 1 with Ashley Johnson (Pike), Matthew Mercer (various voices), Taliesin Jaffe (Percy) and Travis Willingham (Grog). Laura Bailey (Vex) was out sick.
Subscribe to the diabolical podcast on Apple iTunes. And subscribe to this newsletter below.
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit diabolical.substack.com/subscribe
My latest two-part interview is with the amazing cast of the animated fantasy series The Legend Of Vox Machina, a show based on the Critical Role Dungeons & Dragons campaign DM’d by Matthew Mercer with characters played by the same actors who voice the cast of the show. With Season 2 just around the corner, our conversation spans all sorts of topics. Enjoy!
In this episode I talk with Ashley Johnson (Pike), Matthew Mercer (various voices), Taliesin Jaffe (Percy) and Travis Willingham (Grog). Check out the diabolical home-page for Part 2 with Liam O’Brien (Vax), Marisha Ray (Keyleth) and Sam Riegel (Scanlan). Laura Bailey (Vex) was out sick.
Subscribe to the diabolical podcast on Apple iTunes. And subscribe to this newsletter below.
diabolical is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit diabolical.substack.com/subscribe
In my latest ramble—and I intend to write a more in-depth piece on this soon here at diabolical—I talk about the mythical ‘modern audience’ that so many TV shows and movies seem to be chasing these days. It’s tied invariably into efforts at superficial, token diversity and disregard for faithfulness to source material when it comes to adaptations, spinoffs and sequels—and it’s neither a win for a more progressive entertainment landscape or the fans who made fantasy and science-fiction lucrative in the first place. Enjoy, and thanks for listening! The video version of this is below.
You can subscribe to my YouTube channel here, to the diabolical podcast on Apple Podcasts, and to this newsletter:
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit diabolical.substack.com/subscribe
In my latest ramble, I discuss the upcoming video game Hogwarts Legacy, an open-world fantasy RPG set in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The game has become one of the most controversial in recent memory thanks to its association with author J.K. Rowling who has, inexplicably, enmeshed herself in one of the most divisive subjects in the culture wars. The game is destined to be the subject of a great deal of conversation and rancor in the coming weeks and months, a locus point in the ongoing pop culture wars, and something we can all agree we’re never going to agree on.
I discuss this in my latest video which I’ve also made into a podcast (audio up above). You can subscribe to my YouTube channel here, to the diabolical podcast on Apple Podcasts, and to this newsletter:
Here’s the video version:
What do you think of this topic and Hogwarts Legacy? What about Rowling? And do you want me to keep making my videos into podcasts here? Let me know in the comments!
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit diabolical.substack.com/subscribe
Aaron Ehasz and Justin Richmond, co-founders of Wonderstorm and creators of Netflix's 'The Dragon Prince' talk about the show's newly released 4th season. I ask them about the time-jump, the aged-up characters and their funky new hairdos, and the mysterious Aaravos. Have a listen and enjoy!
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit diabolical.substack.com/subscribe
I’ve taken a long break from the podcast but I’m back and in style with a really great discussion with composer Austin Wintory, who is the perfect podcasting guest because he has so many stories and is such an eloquent speaker. Wintory has just released a reimagining of his Journey soundtrack called Traveler. He re-composed the entire score and recorded it with the London Symphony Orchestra. It’s beautiful and brilliant and a wonderful way to celebrate Journey’s 10th anniversary.
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit diabolical.substack.com/subscribe
In which I interview Mike Willette, Game Design Manager at Amazon Game Studios, about the new MMORPG New World. We talk game systems, what makes this game stand out from the competition and how it changed from a survival game to the MMO it is today. Audio-only for the time being.
P.S. I’m traveling to the Pacific Northwest today. Time for some more rain!
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit diabolical.substack.com/subscribe
In the latest episode of the diabolical podcast I chat with the creators of Netflix’s The Dragon Prince about the fantasy show, its upcoming seasons and the game that the company is making in conjunction with the series. Enjoy, and thanks for listening!
Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes. Watch the YouTube version here.
(P.S. There was no early access version of this episode this week due to my recent travels).
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit diabolical.substack.com/subscribe
I talk with fellow game journalist JJ Lugo about video games and more video games in a video gamey episode of the diabolical podcast. Enjoy!
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit diabolical.substack.com/subscribe
In episode 4 of the diabolical podcast, I talk about game design, the history of Darkest Dungeon and the upcoming Epic Game Store Early Access exclusive Darkest Dungeon 2 with the game’s creators, Tyler Sigmanand Chris Bourassa.
This episode was released two days early for premium subscribers and Patreon backers. Enjoy!
Video version:
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit diabolical.substack.com/subscribe
I just realized that this didn’t post properly when I released it last week. My bad! I was in the midst of setting up my Patreon and somehow this email fired off without the actual podcast. Embarrassing!
Oh well, what’s done is done. Here’s the full episode with podcaster and game journalist Colin Moriarty of Last Stand Media. This is Episode 3 of the diabolical podcast. Episode 4 goes live today also for premium subscribers to this Substack or Patreon backers. That will go live in just a few minutes.
Thanks, and apologies for the snafu! Enjoy the podcast!
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit diabolical.substack.com/subscribe
I have covered the Chris Avellone story at my Forbes blog and here at diabolical in two different posts and I’ve made two different videos about the matter. The first of those, in its audio form, is this bonus episode of the diabolical podcast. I discuss my frustration with game journalism and the Twitter squabbles I found myself embroiled in this weekend and the Chris Avellone sexual misconduct case. Enjoy—if enjoy is the right word for this kind of controversial story.
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit diabolical.substack.com/subscribe
No guest in this episode. This one is actually the audio version of my latest YouTube video on the Tolkien Society’s gender-and-diversity themed Summer Seminar and why pushing for as much “diversity” and “representation” as possible in Lord of the Rings is the wrong way to approach diversity to begin with. We need more unique stories told from as many points of view, cultural backgrounds and so forth as possible—not forced Diversity Inc. style representation that checks boxes and fills quotas.
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit diabolical.substack.com/subscribe
In the latest episode of the diabolical podcast I speak with Sunless Sea and Fallen London developer Alexis Kennedy and his partner and business partner Lottie Bevan.
The two co-founded the studio Weather Factory, the developer of Cultist Simulator. In 2019, Kennedy was accused of various improprieties—from infidelity to preying on young women in the video game industry and abusing his power as the head of Failbetter Games.
The accusations never made it past Twitter, and the only truly specific allegations had to do with a past relationship that ended badly, but Kennedy was shunned from the industry regardless.
I’ll have a longer written piece up with more backstory to supplement this podcast at diabolicallater this morning (direct to subscribers’ inboxes). The podcast will also be up on my YouTube channel later this morning as well. Thanks for listening!
Update: Here’s the longer article on this story. And here’s the YouTube version.
Listen to the diabolical podcast Episode 1—with game journalist and developer Ollie Barder—right here.
If you enjoyed this podcast and want more like it, please consider subscribing to diabolicalas a paid subscriber to make more of these possible. And if you’d like to send me any tips, you can subscribe to this newsletter and simply reply to any issue in your inbox. I’ll do my best to get back to you.
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit diabolical.substack.com/subscribe
In the very first episode of the diabolical podcast I talk about video games, video game journalism and the video game industry with my colleague Ollie Barder.
Ollie has worked in the industry for years, in testing and development as well as a game journalist at Forbes. He is a font of knowledge about the video game industry and he has a unique perspective as a Brit living and working in Japan.
I really hope you enjoy this and I have lots more planned for the podcast, the YouTube channel and this Substack—all three of which are really part of the same overarching project.
You can watch the video version of this podcast below:
Thanks for watching/listening and subscribing! It’s been crazy crazy crazy busy setting up the YouTube channel, getting guests for the podcast and so forth but I promise I’ll be back to posting more regularly here soon as well. Thanks for your understanding!
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit diabolical.substack.com/subscribe