Into the Aether - A Low Key Video Game Podcast

Big thanks to Murray for joining us on this one!
Follow Murray on Bluesky! And play Wax Heads!
"Making games for work and making games for fun. In a sense, it was heaven" - Yoshio Nishimura on Veritas Tales: Witch of the Dark Castle by Mikhail Madnani on RPG Site
Discussed: Wax Heads with Murray Somerwolff, the making of Wax Heads, games about music, Brendon and Stephen’s barista days, the release and reception of Wax Heads, composing music with repetition in mind, modern state of music and games, the importance of following your passions, the secrets of Repeater Records, some music recommendations, Mixtape, Tomba!, genre names, Veritas Tales: Witch of the Dark Castle, Rotta the Hutt, The Bear, Meccha Chameleon, the era of friendslop, games we’re excited to return to

Find us everywhere: https://intothecast.online
Buy some merch, if you'd like: https://shop.intothecast.online
Join the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/intothecast
---
Follow Stephen Hilger: https://bsky.app/profile/stephenhilger.bsky.social
Follow Brendon Bigley: https://bsky.app/profile/bb.wavelengths.online
Produced by AJ Fillari: https://bsky.app/profile/ajfillari.bsky.social
---
Season 8 cover art by Scout Wilkinson: https://scoutwilkinson.myportfolio.com/
Theme song by Will LaPorte: https://ghostdown.online/
---
Timecodes:

(00:00) - Intro

(00:28) - Welcome Murray Somerwolff

(01:18) - What led to the creation of Wax Heads?

(07:38) - Post-Wax Heads

(11:23) - How much is from real life?

(24:43) - Challenges in gamification

(34:35) - How it is releasing a game now and seeing reviews/reactions

(42:03) - Give Yourself Up to the Music by Gina Loughlin, Wax Heads OST

(42:30) - SPOILERS FOR WAX HEADS

(01:07:45) - Shoutouts to the team!

(01:09:34) - Music recs

(01:11:14) - Break

(01:11:16) - Thanks Murray!! Play Wax Heads!!

(01:11:31) - Mixtape | We're done with the discourse right?

(01:34:20) - Veritas Tales: Witch of the Dark Castle | Hey where'd this come from?

(01:52:49) - Break

(01:52:50) - Into the uh... Chicago

(01:54:51) - MECCHA CHAMELEON | Art, but make it gaming

(02:06:32) - Games in the Aether

(02:14:46) - Wrapping up

---
Thanks to all of our amazing patrons, including our Eternal Gratitude members:
Michael C
Brian M
SuperThisWay
Nick G
Starfallrondo
Susan H
0nlygh0sts
Vincent J
Patrick K
Ed A
Samantha D
North Hero
Sam H
Snzzn
Gregory Mark S
Cmndr Biscuit
iceman
Christian H
Rydan B
Caleb H
Arden F
Eye of the Duck
Kale
Nathan E
J. H. A
joelchrono
Mellow
Matthew B
Robin LP
SeekingSeaking
Jimmers
zoey!
Vinny M
Matt
Kerry K
Brian M
Noah D
Zach D
Christopher TD
Hugo W
Todd
Chris B
Lukerfuffle
Stephen Y
Daniel G
Eric F
Taran W
Brendan O
Chris Z
Clayton M
Zach R
Dylan N
Federico V
Tigerz Revenge
Logan H
Alan R
John A
Mike L
mattjanzz
David M
HeavyPixels
Kaleb H
Tyler J
Corey Z
Susan H
Barry T
Robert R
Chris J
Brett Allen H
Dan S
Jack S
Garrett C
jimiibo
John H
Dirch F
Jim E
Jim W
Tristan L
Evan B
AwfulHanzo
min2
Aaron G
Jean H
Todd N
red_wagon
Neil
Peter B
John V
v
Erik M
Redmage77
Joshua J
Tony L
Danny K
Gibson G
Kate Duncan B
Richard M
Daniel N
Seth M
James
Andy H
Demo
Emma
Lyn E
Corey T
Caleb W
Jake L
Jesse W
Mike T
Codes
Matt B
Wesley
mebezac
Alex L
Sergio L
ninjadeathdog
Rory B
A42PoundMoose
Robert M
Michael W
Andrew
this_JUSTIN
Ryan O
14.3 billion years
Brendan K
Megan B
SecretAgentKoala
Noah O
Arcturus
Andrew W
hepahe
Chase A
LoveDies
Nick Q
Chris M
RB
Karen H
Adam F
Scott H
Alexander S
Matt H
Murray
David P
Jason K
Micah O
Kamrin H
Andrew D
Kyle S
Philip N 

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Near, far, wherever you are, I believe the airship soars on.
"A Link between hairstyles" by Angelica Frey
Discussed: Three Houses at SGDQ, Rhythm Heaven Groove, the last Switch 1 game, potential future of Rhythm Heaven, Nintendo’s surprise updates, an exciting announcement, FFIX, the horrors of Tetra Master, daydreaming about FFXIV on Switch, if JaVert was funny, Shovel Knight Dig, various eras of roguelikes, No Man’s Sky, multiplayer in NMS, survival games, Big Bang Betty, Fields of Mistrial 1.0 on the horizon 

Find us everywhere: https://intothecast.online
Buy some merch, if you'd like: https://shop.intothecast.online
Join the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/intothecast
---
Follow Stephen Hilger: https://bsky.app/profile/stephenhilger.bsky.social
Follow Brendon Bigley: https://bsky.app/profile/bb.wavelengths.online
Produced by AJ Fillari: https://bsky.app/profile/ajfillari.bsky.social
---
Season 8 cover art by Scout Wilkinson: https://scoutwilkinson.myportfolio.com/
Theme song by Will LaPorte: https://ghostdown.online/
---
Timecodes:

(00:00) - Intro

(00:38) - It's SGDQ!

(01:35) - Rhythm Heaven Groove | A game on the original Nintendo Switch

(20:27) - An exciting announcement!

(27:50) - Thank you so much for your support!!!!!

(29:25) - Break

(29:26) - Final Fantasy IX | 🚨GENERAL PLOT SPOILERS 🚨

(55:48) - Break

(55:49) - Steiner is gone

(56:27) - Shovel Knight Dig | Roguelike talkshow

(01:18:10) - Break

(01:18:11) - No Man's Sky | Welcome back to "Whose Sky Is It Anyway?" where the worlds are procedurally generated and the points don't matter

(01:34:18) - Wrapping up

---
Thanks to all of our amazing patrons, including our Eternal Gratitude members:
Michael C
Brian M
SuperThisWay
Nick G
Starfallrondo
Susan H
0nlygh0sts
Vincent J
Patrick K
Ed A
Samantha D
North Hero
Sam H
Snzzn
Gregory Mark S
Cmndr Biscuit
iceman
Christian H
Rydan B
Caleb H
Arden F
Eye of the Duck
Kale
Nathan E
J. H. A
joelchrono
Mellow
Matthew B
Robin LP
SeekingSeaking
Jimmers
zoey!
Vinny M
Matt
Kerry K
Brian M
Noah D
Zach D
Christopher TD
Hugo W
Todd
Chris B
Lukerfuffle
Stephen Y
Daniel G
Eric F
Taran W
Brendan O
Chris Z
Clayton M
Zach R
Dylan N
Federico V
Tigerz Revenge
Logan H
Alan R
John A
Mike L
mattjanzz
David M
HeavyPixels
Kaleb H
Tyler J
Corey Z
Susan H
Barry T
Robert R
Chris J
Brett Allen H
Dan S
Jack S
Garrett C
jimiibo
John H
Dirch F
Jim E
Jim W
Tristan L
Evan B
AwfulHanzo
min2
Aaron G
Jean H
Todd N
red_wagon
Neil
Peter B
John V
v
Erik M
Redmage77
Joshua J
Tony L
Danny K
Gibson G
Kate Duncan B
Richard M
Daniel N
Seth M
James
Andy H
Demo
Emma
Lyn E
Corey T
Caleb W
Jake L
Jesse W
Mike T
Codes
Matt B
Wesley
mebezac
Alex L
Sergio L
ninjadeathdog
Rory B
A42PoundMoose
Robert M
Michael W
Andrew
this_JUSTIN
Ryan O
14.3 billion years
Brendan K
Megan B
SecretAgentKoala
Noah O
Arcturus
Andrew W
hepahe
Chase A
LoveDies
Nick Q
Chris M
RB
Karen H
Adam F
Scott H
Alexander S
Matt H
Murray
David P
Jason K
Micah O
Kamrin H
Andrew D
Kyle S
Philip N 

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Somewhere up there, Todd is wondering where he can find the most ferrite dust. He doesn't even realize, ferrite is all around us.
Discussed: Secaucus Junction, Overworld Weekly and Overworld dot vg, Star Fox (2026) and Star Fox 64, No Man's Sky, Crimson Desert, Deltarune: Chatper 5

Find us everywhere: https://intothecast.online
Buy some merch, if you'd like: https://shop.intothecast.online
Join the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/intothecast
---
Follow Stephen Hilger: https://bsky.app/profile/stephenhilger.bsky.social
Follow Brendon Bigley: https://bsky.app/profile/bb.wavelengths.online
Produced by AJ Fillari: https://bsky.app/profile/ajfillari.bsky.social
---
Season 8 cover art by Scout Wilkinson: https://scoutwilkinson.myportfolio.com/
Theme song by Will LaPorte: https://ghostdown.online/
---
Timecodes:

(00:00) - Intro

(00:21) - ITA? More like NJT!

(05:37) - Check out Overworld Weekly!

(10:28) - Star Fox (2026) | BB takes the floor

(29:16) - Break

(29:17) - Tiding from Chris to Jeremy!

(30:13) - One last note about Star Fox

(34:21) - Games That Try To Do Too Much And Sometimes Succeed And Sometimes Fail Depending On Who You Ask

(34:41) - No Man's Sky | GTTTDTMASSASFDOWYA

(01:02:43) - Crimson Desert | GTTTDTMASSASFDOWYA

(01:29:52) - Break

(01:29:53) - Deltarune Chapter 5 | Little Man in A Box: The Game

(01:54:40) - That's Numberwang

(01:55:38) - Wrapping up

---
Thanks to all of our amazing patrons, including our Eternal Gratitude members:
Michael C
Brian M
SuperThisWay
Nick G
Starfallrondo
Susan H
0nlygh0sts
Vincent J
Patrick K
Ed A
Samantha D
North Hero
Sam H
Snzzn
Gregory Mark S
Cmndr Biscuit
iceman
Christian H
Rydan B
Caleb H
Arden F
Eye of the Duck
Kale
Nathan E
J. H. A
joelchrono
Mellow
Matthew B
Robin LP
SeekingSeaking
Jimmers
zoey!
Vinny M
Matt
Kerry K
Brian M
Noah D
Zach D
Christopher TD
Hugo W
Todd
Chris B
Lukerfuffle
Stephen Y
Daniel G
Eric F
Taran W
Brendan O
Chris Z
Clayton M
Zach R
Dylan N
Federico V
Tigerz Revenge
Logan H
Alan R
John A
Mike L
mattjanzz
David M
HeavyPixels
Kaleb H
Tyler J
Corey Z
Susan H
Barry T
Robert R
Chris J
Brett Allen H
Dan S
Jack S
Garrett C
jimiibo
John H
Dirch F
Jim E
Jim W
Tristan L
Evan B
AwfulHanzo
min2
Aaron G
Jean H
Todd N
red_wagon
Neil
Peter B
John V
v
Erik M
Redmage77
Joshua J
Tony L
Danny K
Gibson G
Kate Duncan B
Richard M
Daniel N
Seth M
James
Andy H
Demo
Emma
Lyn E
Corey T
Caleb W
Jake L
Jesse W
Mike T
Codes
Matt B
Wesley
mebezac
Alex L
Sergio L
ninjadeathdog
Rory B
A42PoundMoose
Robert M
Michael W
Andrew
this_JUSTIN
Ryan O
14.3 billion years
Brendan K
Megan B
SecretAgentKoala
Noah O
Arcturus
Andrew W
hepahe
Chase A
LoveDies
Nick Q
Chris M
RB
Karen H
Adam F
Scott H
Alexander S
Matt H
Murray
David P
Jason K
Micah O
Kamrin H
Andrew D
Kyle S
Philip N 

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

How in Philabieldia could you have possibly known those four magical words?
"The Adventures Of Elliot Devs Were ‘Surprised’ That Fans Think The Game’s Fairy Companion Talks Too Much" by Rebekah Valentine
"The Adventures Of Elliot: The Millennium Tales Makes A Strong Argument For Silent Protagonists" by Steve Watts
Discussed: Elliot Summer, The Adventures of Elliot, Team Asano games, open Zelda design. Spawn era, Wax Heads, past creative endeavors, work life balance, Mina the Hollower, Mina 64, Seasick Steve

Find us everywhere: https://intothecast.online
Buy some merch, if you'd like: https://shop.intothecast.online
Join the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/intothecast
---
Follow Stephen Hilger: https://bsky.app/profile/stephenhilger.bsky.social
Follow Brendon Bigley: https://bsky.app/profile/bb.wavelengths.online
Produced by AJ Fillari: https://bsky.app/profile/ajfillari.bsky.social
---
Season 8 cover art by Scout Wilkinson: https://scoutwilkinson.myportfolio.com/
Theme song by Will LaPorte: https://ghostdown.online/
---
Timecodes:

(00:00) - Intro

(00:23) - The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales | Elliot June

(14:59) - SPOILERS FOR THE END OF THE DEMO/INCITING EVENT OF THE GAME

(20:21) - The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales | Elliot June

(54:50) - Break

(54:51) - Tiding from Tom to James!

(55:45) - Waxheads | The Age of 1990

(01:30:06) - Break

(01:30:08) - Mina the Hollower | An update

(01:34:34) - TRINKET SPOILERS

(01:38:02) - Mina the Hollower | An update

(01:43:40) - Wrapping up

---
Thanks to all of our amazing patrons, including our Eternal Gratitude members:
Michael C
Brian M
SuperThisWay
Nick G
Starfallrondo
Susan H
0nlygh0sts
Vincent J
Patrick K
Ed A
Samantha D
North Hero
Sam H
Snzzn
Gregory Mark S
Cmndr Biscuit
iceman
Christian H
Rydan B
Caleb H
Arden F
Eye of the Duck
Kale
Nathan E
J. H. A
joelchrono
Mellow
Matthew B
Robin LP
SeekingSeaking
Jimmers
zoey!
Vinny M
Matt
Kerry K
Brian M
Noah D
Zach D
Christopher TD
Hugo W
Todd
Chris B
Lukerfuffle
Stephen Y
Daniel G
Eric F
Taran W
Brendan O
Chris Z
Clayton M
Zach R
Dylan N
Federico V
Tigerz Revenge
Logan H
Alan R
John A
Mike L
mattjanzz
David M
HeavyPixels
Kaleb H
Tyler J
Corey Z
Susan H
Barry T
Robert R
Chris J
Brett Allen H
Dan S
Jack S
Garrett C
jimiibo
John H
Dirch F
Jim E
Jim W
Tristan L
Evan B
AwfulHanzo
min2
Aaron G
Jean H
Todd N
red_wagon
Neil
Peter B
John V
v
Erik M
Redmage77
Joshua J
Tony L
Danny K
Gibson G
Kate Duncan B
Richard M
Daniel N
Seth M
James
Andy H
Demo
Emma
Lyn E
Corey T
Caleb W
Jake L
Jesse W
Mike T
Codes
Matt B
Wesley
mebezac
Alex L
Sergio L
ninjadeathdog
Rory B
A42PoundMoose
Robert M
Michael W
Andrew
this_JUSTIN
Ryan O
14.3 billion years
Brendan K
Megan B
SecretAgentKoala
Noah O
Arcturus
Andrew W
hepahe
Chase A
LoveDies
Nick Q
Chris M
RB
Karen H
Adam F
Scott H
Alexander S
Matt H
Murray
David P
Jason K
Micah O
Kamrin H
Andrew D
Kyle S
Philip N 

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

If Slippy is just "Wet Krillin," then who are you, dear listener?
Discussed: Elliot tomorrow, first year of the Switch 2, the demo for Star Fox (2026), Dragon Ball in space, what makes an interesting remake, concerns about the Ocarina of Time remake, Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition - Switch 2 Edition, what makes the first Xenoblade so special 

Find us everywhere: https://intothecast.online
Buy some merch, if you'd like: https://shop.intothecast.online
Join the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/intothecast
---
Follow Stephen Hilger: https://bsky.app/profile/stephenhilger.bsky.social
Follow Brendon Bigley: https://bsky.app/profile/bb.wavelengths.online
Produced by AJ Fillari: https://bsky.app/profile/ajfillari.bsky.social
---
Season 8 cover art by Scout Wilkinson: https://scoutwilkinson.myportfolio.com/
Theme song by Will LaPorte: https://ghostdown.online/
---
Timecodes:

(00:00) - Intro

(00:21) - The Week of Elliot

(03:17) - Starfox (2026) | Why is his dad named James, but his name is Fox

(47:44) - Break

(47:45) - Tiding from Alan to Niamh!

(48:09) - Xenoblade Chronicles™: Definitive Edition – Nintendo Switch™ 2 Edition | for the Nintendo Switch 2

(01:23:56) - Wrapping up

---
Thanks to all of our amazing patrons, including our Eternal Gratitude members:
Michael C
Brian M
SuperThisWay
Nick G
Starfallrondo
Susan H
0nlygh0sts
Vincent J
Patrick K
Ed A
Samantha D
North Hero
Sam H
Snzzn
Gregory Mark S
Cmndr Biscuit
iceman
Christian H
Rydan B
Caleb H
Arden F
Eye of the Duck
Kale
Nathan E
J. H. A
joelchrono
Mellow
Matthew B
Robin LP
SeekingSeaking
Jimmers
zoey!
Vinny M
Matt
Kerry K
Brian M
Noah D
Zach D
Christopher TD
Hugo W
Todd
Chris B
Lukerfuffle
Stephen Y
Daniel G
Eric F
Taran W
Brendan O
Chris Z
Clayton M
Zach R
Dylan N
Federico V
Tigerz Revenge
Logan H
Alan R
John A
Mike L
mattjanzz
David M
HeavyPixels
Kaleb H
Tyler J
Corey Z
Susan H
Barry T
Robert R
Chris J
Brett Allen H
Dan S
Jack S
Garrett C
jimiibo
John H
Dirch F
Jim E
Jim W
Tristan L
Evan B
AwfulHanzo
min2
Aaron G
Jean H
Todd N
red_wagon
Neil
Peter B
John V
v
Erik M
Redmage77
Joshua J
Tony L
Danny K
Gibson G
Kate Duncan B
Richard M
Daniel N
Seth M
James
Andy H
Demo
Emma
Lyn E
Corey T
Caleb W
Jake L
Jesse W
Mike T
Codes
Matt B
Wesley
mebezac
Alex L
Sergio L
ninjadeathdog
Rory B
A42PoundMoose
Robert M
Michael W
Andrew
this_JUSTIN
Ryan O
14.3 billion years
Brendan K
Megan B
SecretAgentKoala
Noah O
Arcturus
Andrew W
hepahe
Chase A
LoveDies
Nick Q
Chris M
RB
Karen H
Adam F
Scott H
Alexander S
Matt H
Murray
David P
Jason K
Micah O
Kamrin H
Andrew D
Kyle S
Philip N 

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★