One thing I’ve been looking into is starting a forum or message board. I don’t want this whole effort to be about me, the conversations and community is essential and I want a place to exist where people can discuss these topics openly and for security and posterity for the future.

We do have a variety of means to communicate here: this project started on Reddit where I wanted people to share findings they had on occult game introspection. Eventually a Discord server was created for more casual and private chat. These are GREAT resources, but they have a specific scope and maybe either too public or too private.

Enter… THE FORUM–

https://gamearcane.com/forum

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This feels like a small and maybe inconsequential landmark, but it does have potential. On one hand it will definitely require some sort of participation which is sometimes more of a drought than a deluge… But at some point it may at least be a bastion for some. Any feedback welcome!

Hey, why can’t it get personal? Just from me to you, eh?

Sometimes when I am planning on writing some post for this ol’ blog here, one thing that weighs too much on my mind is SEO: Search Engine Optimization. That is certain things like word use, sentence length, images, common phrases, hyperlinks. All the crunch bits that search engines like Google or… Bing. Yahoo. Netscape. The internet. The things that internet looks for.

I’ll tell you though, sometimes you just have to let that go. Sometimes you just have to do it, go, jam it out. That’s what I’m doing here.

If you want more output, you get a few stinkers like this.

More prose than content

Empty space.

This

Yes indeed, the year has ended and depending on what calendar you follow- we have breached into the new year. I’m gonna try something different.

Here’s my personal list of Game and Arcane. Specifically: games that I streamed with intent of looking for occult and esoteric teachings or experiences. If you haven’t stopped by before I usually stream on Twitch and sometimes YouTube.

Games

1. Shin Megami Tensei V (Not complete)
   • Started the year off with a game I had been anticipating. The SMT series since its conception has been deeply rooted in the occult. I could sense the enormity of the JRPG build awaiting me so my entrée was minor. One day I may finish if there is more call to do so. A strong emphasis on the combination of elemental spirits.
2. Loop Hero (Not complete)
   • The game loops and progression of this game is very fun, I highly recommend it. I did not finish yet. I do sense the presence of some Major Arcana, the antagonists can be correlated to archons of the four suits. Let me know if you’ve uncovered anything.
3. Inscryption (Complete)
   • A must-play game worthy of GOTY, as an homage to card games and video games- games in the sense of the word- and not the final chapter I’m sure. This is definitely a game that is shrouded in some mystery due to plot revelations, the gameplay and mechanics change as you progress through the intended experience. The four elemental suits, hidden secrets, solitary and group ritual, inclusion of a scheming wizard and an IRL deity, this truly is GameArcane. [YouTube]
4. Legends of Astravia (Demo)
   • Someone I know put a demo out for the RPG they are making and I wanted to play it and give it a showcase. Magic and transformation are key aspects of the story and gameplay, if you are a fan of Chrono Trigger and/or Golden Sun keep an eye out for this one. High quality indie game and fun combat.
5. Chasing Static (Complete)
   • I had previously played a demo of this game and I had my eye out. Paranormal spirit energy is something that can sometimes be even more taboo a topic than magick. Taking place in the Welsh countryside, the game leans into scientific, technological research of strange supernatural land.
6. Sable (Complete)
   • Taking place on a strange alien planet in the distant future, after a few initiatory rituals the personal journey begins. A game about the masks we wear and the stories we tell, the secrets of the past are eager to take part in ones own spiritual journey. Highly suggested for those of any skill or experience level.
7. Hypnagogia: Boundless Dreams (Complete)
   • Ever should we be observant of the tales of dreams, to know that they are strange expressions of the under/over consciousness. Heavily inspired by retro games and the developer’s dream journal, this is definitely a game to experience blurring the lines between good and evil, real and illusion, and the secrets hidden in the human mind.
8. Norco (Not complete)
   • A strange tale of technological spirituality in the oil refineries and swamp of the American South. I just played the demo but the forgotten mysteries of the past hold interesting tales still. I haven’t played deep enough yet but I’m definitely planning to finish sometime.
9. Disco Elysium (Not complete)
   • I regretfully was not able to complete this due to unforeseen hardware issues, namely my computer had some serious problems that have not yet been solved. When that time arises I will finish this game. Until then it may be doomed to live partially ignored on the shelf. However what experience I have had with it solidified that this is indeed worthy of being GameArcane. I suggest playing it for yourself!
10. Lunacid (Not complete)
    • An homage to Kings Field, the game is full of span and scope. An emphasis on falling down in the time of the moon. Difficulty is high as expected of a “Souls”y game, there is a strong current of magic to be investigated. Due to a bug I was invincible and ended up lost in a place I shouldn’t have been. Labyrinthine.
11. Doors (Complete)
    • A fun and quirky logic puzzle game. I didn’t solve all of the puzzles entirely by figuring them out, occasionally luck or brute force will do. I suggest training yourself with mental inquest, let me know if you spot some unique esoteric teaching. Unfortunately I had a problem with sound while streaming.
12. Lisa (Not complete)
    • Advisory warning: dark humor with emphasis on the dark. Super brutal Earthbound that I switched into hard mode. I could see myself finishing this some day, but it slipped off my priority list and hasn’t been seen since.
13. Dreamwild (Not complete)
    • This one looks good, a unique blend of endless blitz FPS and bizarre RPG, the game was maybe too difficult for me or at least not in the style that I’m proficient at. The speed and twitch accuracy, I can manage but I suppose I would rather take my time a bit more. I didn’t get too far but I know that many will have fun. Let me know if you check out anything in the dreams you find.
14. Producer (2021) (Complete)
    • A unique RPG experience into a drab post-post-apocalyptic future of commoditization in replacement of art. Technology has blended with and replaced technology, producing for the sake of production. Executive disorder and self-potential. There are more secrets I didn’t uncover and a few different endings. It’s short enough you should play it or check it out.
15. Hylics (Not complete)
    • Strange and bizarre poetic RPG filled with dreams and flesh. I plan on finishing this sometime and also playing the sequel. If there is something you’ve discovered I’d be happy to hear it. Often so obtuse and abstract its only definable to that of errant oneiric aberrations.
16. Eschaton (Complete)
    • A brisk and to-the-point slip into a macabre ritual this time in the Scottish distance. Deeply filled with Kabbalistic references that you can get through in one sitting. Successful blending of occult gaming, I highly suggest checking it out.
17. The Heilwald Loophole (Not complete)
    • A 90’s retro escape game in a psychotic German lab. Simple but effective game loop, the story has some secrets to tell but I ran out of time and never got back to finish.

Wow! A lot when you get to it. Halfway done but a strong first half.

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Arcane

I can only share and refer to things personally, so in relation to the ancient mysteries… I can share what I can. How about some of the books I’ve been into? Well, I start a lot of books but only decide to finish some select ones. Or, get distracted and forget I was reading it. 🙂

• Spiritual Cleansing: A Handbook of Psychic Protection by Draja Mickaharic
  • Having now read both this and Psychic Self-Defense by Dion Fortune its hard to tell which is a better introductory book and which is the next to be read. Spiritual Cleansing is written more for a general audience and contains actionable items and experiments. Yet, at the same time it is written as a successor and directly mentions Psychic Self-Defense. In this case I would recommend the shorter book, and suggest you read this for a better understanding of your place in the spiritual world.
• A Garden of Pomegranates by Israel Regardie
  • I would not suggest this read as an introductory book on esoterics but even a learned adept or someone studying Kabballah- even one faithful to Abrahamic religion this is worth reading more than once. This book contains some inspirations for my game Tower of Mirrored Depths. Even after one read i have still not yet learned or understood everything taught in this book.
• One Year Manual by Israel Regardie
  • What better time to read the One Year Manual that at the turn of a new year! Each chapter contains practices and rituals to be performed for each month and usually longer. It may take me more than a year to complete the instructions in this manual but I believe that the instructions are sound enough and the experimental experience is something I will plan on sharing after this year is up!