Into the Aether · Episode 40 · May 6, 2026 · 1 hr 35 min
Waiting for Joey (feat. Esoteric Ebb, Saros, Bobo Bay, and more!)
Joey's head pierces the veil of the chained apartment door as blinding sunlight pours in behind him. His eyes are wrong — they're the color of jewels, reds and blues all mixed up and coating every millimeter. His expression is contorted, almost beyond recognition. "THE CEASELESS FEAST OF WANT," he yells into the room, "A GLEAMING BEACON SHIMMERING ON THE HORIZON." He tries to force his way into the room again, but the chain holds. "WE ARE WANTED. WE ARE HERE TO SERVE AND REST OUR BONES UPON A GOLDEN THRONE. THE SUN IS FOREVER, AND SO TOO SHALL WE BE." Joey from the hit sitcom Friends retreats from the crack in the door, leaving a radiant glow spilling into the room. Discussed: Joey, George Costanza, Captain Picard, Esoteric Ebb, Disco Elysium, getting into CRPGS, neo-noir and grooviness, Saros, AAA roguelikes, Danny Boyle’s “Sunshine”, Bobo Bay, Vampire Crawlers 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 (00:40) - The Friends to Seinfeld spectrum (05:18) - Esoteric Ebb | Curb Your Charisma Check (37:34) - Tiding from Abby to Kellan! (38:31) - Saros | Normal guy in normal land (01:11:53) - Break (01:11:54) - Bobo Bay | Prayers answered (01:19:13) - Vampire Crawlers: The Turbo Wildcard Game from Vampire Survivors | You like cards? (01:30:21) - What's coming out? (01:32:37) - Wrapping up --- Thanks to all of our amazing patrons, including our Eternal Gratitude members: 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 ★ ]]>