Rorchad's Journal with Brandon Sheffield (feat. Demonschool and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond)

Rorchad's Journal with Brandon Sheffield (feat. Demonschool and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond)

Author: Stephen Hilger + Brendon Bigley December 12, 2025 Duration: 2:02:46

We're joined this week by Brandon Sheffield — creative director at Necrosoft Games and cohost of the fantastic Insert Credit podcast — for a conversation about making games, and making Demonschool specifically. Afterwards, we have a conversation about the highs and lows of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and making a version of Rorschach who is somehow even worse than the original.

Discussed: Brandon Sheffield is here, the pitfalls of men’s fashion, the release of Demonschool, the beauty and importance of 7/10 games, the PS1 era, design informed by limitation, Jeanne d’Arc, how tactics games could be streamlined, News Tower, the specific era we’re in, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, Myles Mackenzie, Metroid as a series, the Zune, Nintendo’s Disney Era


Vote in the GOTY poll, if you’d like! https://forms.gle/E6wRvbdBnw7KDNSy7 


Brendon's Silksong video

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
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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
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Season 8 cover art by Scout Wilkinson: https://scoutwilkinson.myportfolio.com/
Theme song by Will LaPorte: https://ghostdown.online/
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Timecodes:

  • (00:00) - Intro
  • (00:14) - Demonschool | Brandon Sheffield is here!
  • (01:05:04) - Break
  • (01:05:05) - Metroid Prime 4: Beyond | I will not make a Myles joke. I will not make a Myles joke. I will not make a Myles joke. I will not make a Myles joke.
  • (01:57:34) - Wrapping up
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Thanks to all of our amazing patrons, including our Eternal Gratitude members:
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Looking for a video game podcast that feels more like a conversation between friends than a formal review show? Into the Aether-A Low Key Video Game Podcast is just that. Hosts Stephen Hilger and Brendon Bigley steer clear of hype cycles and scores, opting instead for thoughtful, personal discussions about the games they're actually playing. You'll hear them delve into everything from brand-new releases to forgotten classics, often exploring the design choices, stories, and pure fun that define the experience. The tone is consistently relaxed and genuine, mirroring the kind of chat you might have on a couch after a long gaming session. Produced by AJ Fillari, this podcast is a welcoming space for anyone who enjoys games beyond the headlines. It’s perfect for listeners who want to engage with video games on a deeper, more reflective level without the noise. Each episode of this podcast feels like a breath of fresh air in the gaming discourse, focusing on the medium's artistry and the simple joy of play.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Into the Aether - A Low Key Video Game Podcast
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