Nier - Lessons in Applied Nier-ology

[// Pregenerate link to episode ahead of time: - clicktotweet.com- sharelinkgenerator.com]: # > Everything that lives is designed to end. We are perpetually trapped in a never-ending spiral of life and death. Is this a curse? Or some kind of punishment? I often think about the god who blessed us with this cryptic puzzle...and wonder if we'll ever get the chance to kill him. > > — Nier: Automata Uh... we're talking about Nier this week, and hopefully we don't dive too far down the existentialist rabbithole. Plus, we've got special guest Sarah (aka SMZeldaRules) as our resident Nier-ologist to get us through it all. Next week, we'll dive into that long-running and epic fandom: Final Fantasy fans (with special guests, Dan and Ari)! ## Where can I learn more about SMZeldaRules? Do you like Cosplay? Perhaps Video Games? Good news! SMZeldaRules is a huge fan of both! If you want to follow her work, you can find her on... - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smzeldarulesartandcosplay - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smzeldarules/ - Twitter: https://twitter.com/smzeldarules - Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/smzeldarules - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/smzeldarulescosplay ## Episode outline ### Fandom Facts **History and Origins:** Nier... is actually a complicated game series to explain. It is definitely most well-known because of the 2017 entry in the series, _Nier: Automata_, but technically that is a sequel to the less popular _Nier_ (2010), which itself is a sequel to Ending E of _Drakengard / Drag-On Dragoon_ (2003). I think I've got that right. [// Interject and ask if Sarah can provide some additional detail without a tone of spoilers ]: # Speaking just about _Nier_ and _Nier: Automata_ (for the moment), the games are set in the far future where Earth has been left in a state of decay. _Nier_ focussed on the character of the same name attempting to find a cure for an illness, the Black Scrawl, and the sequel focusses on a combat android, 2B, in the midst of a proxy war between androids and machines created by otherworldly invaders. Did we mention it gets complicated? Both _Nier_ and _Nier: Automata_ were written by the eclectic Yoko Taro. And combined have sold over 2.5 million copies worldwide. [// Someone could easily do a history lesson on how all the games fit together ]: # **Search Data:** Given the complicated nature of the series, I looked up _Drakengard_, _Nier_, and _Nier: Automata_. The data is [very spiky](https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=all&q=%2Fm%2F013f6zqs,%2Fm%2F09k6px6,%2Fm%2F02glg9), but generally interest has gone up since 2004 (although most interest has been since March 2017 - approximately the release date). Since _Automata_ has the most data, we used it for looking at interest by region. The top 10 countries, by search data: South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Philippines, Moldova, Malaysia, Russia, Puerto Rico. (_Nier_ data is pretty similar in terms of top five, but Canada makes an appearance at 6th and Australia at 10th) **Size of Fandom:** Looking at the data we have from a few sources: - There are almost 31 000 subscribers on [r/nier](https://www.reddit.com/r/nier/) - [Metacritic has over 2700 user ratings for Automata](http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-4/nier-automata/user-reviews) - [Nier: Automata has sold over 2 million copies by March 2018](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nier:_Automata) It's fair to say that there are tens of thousands of dedicate fans of Nier. **Fanac Fast Facts:** - Archive Of Our Own has about [400 fics related](https://archiveofourown.org/tags/NieR:%20Automata%20(Video%20Game)/works) to the [Nier series](https://archiveofourown.org/tags/Nier%20Gestalt%20%7C%20Nier/works): - ... Most of which are F/M (224) - ... Most of which have no crossover - ... Most of which involve 2B (296) or 9S (280) - In a 'best girl' survey on the Nier subreddit, [2B narrowly beat out A2](https://www.reddit.com/r/nier/comments/61qutn/best_girl_survey_results/) ### [Last Episode's](http://fanthropological.com/e/wes-anderson-not-to-scale/) Famous Last Words **Z** The popularity of Nier is as small as it is because it came out after Sony had disrupted the Nintendo-based gaming monoculture. **T** How did the series go from Dragons (Drakengard) to Robots (Nier)? [// Complicated as fuck: but from this reddit thread (thanks theblob326): Drakengard's ending E has Caim, Angelus and the queen beast appear in what is essentially our world. They all die and their remains are the source of magic and white chlorination syndrome. WCS causes the apocalypse and magic lets humanity survive it as Gestalts. Then fast forward a LOT more]: # **G** Why are there more albums than games? ### What did we discuss? Questions for Sarah: - What got you into Nier? - What is contentious in the fandom? - Problematic elements of fandom? - What has been the most touching moment you have seen in the fandom? Why do folks like Nier? - Interesting take on New Game + - Music is great! - Lots of questions + lore - Philosophy? Not necessarily deep, but good - Very Anime-esque - Great theme ('endless' repetition) - Self discovery, heartbreak - genre bending: SHMUP sections, 2d, action RPG - FUCKING MUSIC - reminds me of GitS (music, etc.) - Looks pretty fucking good ### The Verdict **G is in~terested.** Attracted to the idea of stories that take place over a very long time. **T is in.** Wants to play through some more, get more endings! **Z is in?** Would really like to play them all... but that might be a fantasy. **Sarah is in.** It's great. As someone in the fandom for just three years, still kind of a newbie. ### This week's spotlight **[Project: C[O]DA](https://nierautomatafanzine.tumblr.com/tagged/faq)** > _What is this Project, Commander? _ > We have been tasked to analyze and reproduce sound data as images. These images will then be compiled into a booklet to be distributed to all unmotivated androids. Glory…to mankind. > > — Project: C[O]DA FAQ It's a fanzine for Nier, with proceeds going to the Brain and Behaviour Research Foundation. Unfortunately, looks to be done now, but worth trying to find. [// Plugs go here ]: # ### Famous Last Words This week's famous last words around *next week's* fandom, Final Fantasy! **G** What is it that has endured about FF7 compared to FF6? **Z** The people who came into the FF world long after the SNES... do they go back and play the old games (and do they like)? **T** Why is it still called Final Fantasy? **Sarah** What is your all-time favourite Final Fantasy song? **EpicFilmGuys** At Zanarkand is the greatest FF song ever written. Debate. **tengumaru** "You son of a submariner" is a good Final Fantasy famous last word... ? ## Where can you find us online? We are everywhere! Most notably though, we like to hang out in a few places on social media: - If you want to be part of our podcast (or just want to check us out), we record our podcast LIVE on [twitch.tv](http://twitch.tv/thenickscast) every Monday at 20:00 Eastern Time! - For all the latest updates, check us out on [Facebook](https://facebook.com/thenickscast) or [Twitter](https://twitter.com/thenickscast) - To see the latest hijinx from our conventions or even our daily lives and adventures, check us out on [Instagram](https://instagram.com/thenickscast) - For our latest convention updates, *Let's Plays*, and other in-real-life video, [check out our YouTube channel](http://youtube.com/thenickscast) - We're also on [iTunes](https://itunes.apple.com/podcast/fanthropological/id1163621210), and [Google Play](https://play.google.com/music/m/Icmngxz7yhaoivdvivvf6q6c2pu?t=Fanthropological), and would love it if you could leave a review and rating! - if you want to reach us, and for some reason none of those work for you, try [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) - You can check out [our website](http://thenickscast.com); that will mostly bring you back to this stuff. - Everything is `thenickscast`, so if you can't find us, go on your social network and search for that! ## What is "Fanthropological"? How did you read this far without asking this question?! Fanthropological is an anthropological (ish) podcast where we bring the fan's-eye view to you! Each week, we take a look at a different fandom, dig up interesting background, trivia, and history, and try to get to why it is that people are a fan. We also try to highlight good causes related to that fandom, and find interesting things that fans have created to share those to the world. Each episode is about an hour. Ish. ## Who is "The Nickscast"? *We* are the Nickscast! Three products of late-80s / early-90s pop culture who love exploring fandom and everything geek ... who also happen to have been best buddies since high school, and all happen to be named Nick. Yes, we are super creative (dare we say, the _most_ creative). *Ahem* We are Nick Green, Nick Terwoord, and Nick Zacharewicz: We started the Nickscast as a labour of love, and as a place to entertain and to discuss our love of fans and fandom, and all that is shiny and interesting in that realm. It's what lead us to start our first podcast, our satellite podcasts, Fanthropological, and so much more. We want to help others learn more about different fandoms, and to create empathy with other fans: We dream of a world where other fans aren't "those Weird-o's", but just folks with different tastes. A world where fandom is full of discourse and analysis, and there are plenty of tools and resources to help. Fans building communities to do good in the world. *Because everyone's a fan.* ## Notable quotes from this episode > "Quote" > > —(X) ## Thanks Special thanks to SMZeldaRules for being able to make time in her schedule to share her wealth of knowledge on the Drakengard / Drag-on Dragoon / Nier series! ## Credits ### Sources - [Google Trends - Nier: Automata, Nier, Drakengard](https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=all&q=%2Fm%2F013f6zqs,%2Fm%2F09k6px6,%2Fm%2F02glg9) - [MetaCritic - Nier: Automata](http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-4/nier-automata/user-reviews) - [Reddit - r/nier](https://www.reddit.com/r/nier/) - [r/nier - Best Girl Survey Results](https://www.reddit.com/r/nier/comments/61qutn/best_girl_survey_results/) - [Wikipedia - Drakengard](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drakengard) - [Wikipedia - Nier](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nier_(video_game)) - [Wikipedia - Nier: Automata](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nier:_Automata) - [Nier2.com - Timeline](http://nier2.com/timeline.html) - [r/nier - Connection with Nier and Drakengard](https://www.reddit.com/r/nier/comments/5u47qc/connection_with_nier_and_drakengard/) - [Game Informer - Opinion - Give Me More Weird Masterpieces Like Nier: Automata](http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2017/11/23/opinion-give-me-more-weird-masterpieces-like-nier-automata.aspx) - [YouTube - Lore summary - From Drakengard to Nier: Automata](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JE6n2KGbaZ0) - [Giant Bomb Forum - NieR: Automata - Be Honest With Me: Why Do You Love NieR: Automata?](https://www.giantbomb.com/nierautomata/3030-49998/forums/be-honest-with-me-why-do-you-love-nier-automata-sp-1816970/) - [Quora - How Famous is NieR: Automata](https://www.quora.com/How-famous-is-NieR-Automata) - [Steam Community - NieR:Automata - Curious Why This is So Popular](https://steamcommunity.com/app/524220/discussions/0/135512305396404908/) - [The Verge - Nier: Automata’s Director Explains Why He Wants to “Continue to Fail”](https://www.theverge.com/2018/3/28/17173244/nier-automata-yoko-taro-interview-gdc-2018) - [Waypoint - Does the Designer Behind “NieR: Automata” Believe in God?](https://waypoint.vice.com/en_us/article/xw8xzd/does-the-designer-behind-nier-automata-believe-in-god) - [YouTube - NieR Automata Analysis - Clemps (Part 1)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuShB-g2eog) - [YouTube - NieR Automata Analysis - Clemps (Part 2)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_q4sbh4ETMA) - [YouTube - NieR Automata Analysis - Clemps (Part 3)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lS6d5A-gPVs) - [YouTube - NieR Automata Review - Clemps](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SYabipradE) ### Music / Sound - ["Android Aware: Dawn of Sentience"](http://teknoaxe.com/Link_Code_3.php?q=1198) by TeknoAXE used under [CC BY 4.0](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) - All other music and sound for this week's episode were provided by Nick Green! ### Artwork - ["Glasses"](https://thenounproject.com/term/glasses/132894) by [Anton Anuchin](https://thenounproject.com/antonwebium) used under [CC BY 3.0](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/) - ["Emil Face"](https://raiduk.deviantart.com/art/HoneyMiel-Honeycomb-Additionnal-Icons-684241948) by [raiduk](https://raiduk.deviantart.com/) used under [CC BY 3.0](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/)