Uploaded November 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
JRPGs weren’t born where you think. We unpack the origins of the term, the genre, and the influences that defined it.
In this episode of State of the Arc, Mike and Casen begin a multi-episode deep dive into the history of JRPGs—where the genre came from, how it evolved, and why it took the shape it did. We’re joined by Pat Holleman, author of the Reverse Design series and director of the indie RPG Quartet, whose research into genre origins helps ground this discussion in real historical context. If you enjoy deep-dive game design analysis and want to support future episodes, consider joining our Patreon. Thank you for watching and listening.
Thanks to @patrickholleman9323 for joining us for this discussion!
Play Quartet: store.steampowered.com/app/1307960/Quartet
Reverse Design Series: thegamedesignforum.com/books/books.html
Time Codes:
01. Intro (0:00)
02. The Coining Of The Term "JRPG" (1:30)
02. The Origins Of The "JRPG" (9:31)
03. The Codifying Of The "JRPG" (1:13:00)
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**Listen On iTunes**: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/state-of-the-arc-podcast/id1121795837
**Listen On Pocket Cast**: http://pca.st/NJsJ
Patreon Page: patreon.com/resonantarc
Subscribe Star: subscribestar.com/resonant-arc
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JRPGs weren’t born where you think. We unpack the origins of the term, the genre, and the influences that defined it.
In this episode of State of the Arc, Mike and Casen begin a multi-episode deep dive into the history of JRPGs—where the genre came from, how it evolved, and why it took the shape it did. We’re joined by Pat Holleman, author of the Reverse Design series and director of the indie RPG Quartet, whose research into genre origins helps ground this discussion in real historical context. If you enjoy deep-dive game design analysis and want to support future episodes, consider joining our Patreon. Thank you for watching and listening.
Thanks to @patrickholleman9323 for joining us for this discussion!
Play Quartet: store.steampowered.com/app/1307960/Quartet
Reverse Design Series: thegamedesignforum.com/books/books.html
Time Codes:
01. Intro (0:00)
02. The Coining Of The Term "JRPG" (1:30)
02. The Origins Of The "JRPG" (9:31)
03. The Codifying Of The "JRPG" (1:13:00)
**We're Now On Spotify**: open.spotify.com/show/4gIzzvT3AfRHjGlfF8kFW3
**Listen On Soundcloud**: soundcloud.com/resonantarc
**Listen On iTunes**: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/state-of-the-arc-podcast/id1121795837
**Listen On Pocket Cast**: http://pca.st/NJsJ
Patreon Page: patreon.com/resonantarc
Subscribe Star: subscribestar.com/resonant-arc
Twitter: twitter.com/resonantarc
Facebook: facebook.com/resonantarc
Instagram: instagram.com/resonantarc
TikTok: tiktok.com/@resonantarc
![Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 [Ep.1] | State Of The Arc Podcast](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/qgoAlVkUjtI/mqdefault.jpg "Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 [Ep.1] | State Of The Arc Podcast
For the start of our Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 analysis we take a slightly different tact than we have previously. Instead of doing Dev History first, were just diving right into the game itself! Thanks for watching, and dont forget to support us on Patreon~ https://www.patreon.com/resonantarc
**We’re Now On Spotify**: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gIzzvT3AfRHjGlfF8kFW3
**Listen On Soundcloud**: https://soundcloud.com/resonantarc
**Listen On iTunes**: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/state-of-the-arc-podcast/id1121795837
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![Has Kojima Lost It? Death Stranding 2 Review [SPOILERS]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/rb8QjsmTzyw/mqdefault.jpg "Has Kojima Lost It? Death Stranding 2 Review [SPOILERS]
Gear up for this SPOILER filled review of Death Stranding 2! Guitar battles and dance routines make this game a hard one to pin down, but when dealing with Hideo Kojima, its usually best to leave all your preconceived motions at the door (as much as you can, I suppose). We both loved this game, but have different opinions on the story itself. Please consider supporting us on Patreon if you have the means. Thanks for watching! www.patreon.com/resonantarc
**Were Now On Spotify**: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gIzzvT3AfRHjGlfF8kFW3
**Listen On Soundcloud**: https://soundcloud.com/resonantarc
**Listen On iTunes**: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/state-of-the-arc-podcast/id1121795837
**Listen On Pocket Cast**: http://pca.st/NJsJ
Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/resonantarc
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