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New Arcadia: Stage One cover art

New Arcadia: Stage One

Written by: Eric Jason Martin
Narrated by: Eric Jason Martin, Matthew Mercer, Erika Ishii, Dave Fennoy, Sam Riegel, Dana Snyder, Andy Merrill, John DiMaggio
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Publisher's Summary

In a not-so-distant future, a deadly pandemic has forced the world into social isolation. Confined to their homes, millions now survive off drone-delivered food packages and online-only interactions.

It’s an especially lonely life for John Chambers, a drone shipment coordinator for the monolithic Chum Corporation. Trapped in his dead-end job and having just turned 40, John’s started spending more time grinding in virtual reality MMORPGs than he does grinding for his real-world job--and that hasn’t gone unnoticed by human resources!

But when a corporate executive notices the hundreds of hours John’s logged online, he’s offered one last chance to save his job (and his life!). Instead of getting fired, John reluctantly agrees to become prime beta tester for Chum’s top-secret new VR game, New Arcadia--a digital playground inspired by iconic '90s arcade games like Final Fight and Streets of Rage.

In New Arcadia, John gets to go back to a hyper-nostalgic 199X and do it right this time. Reborn as digital streetfighter Blaze, John starts cleaning up crime with his fists of fury while also building an online life for himself that seems so much more meaningful than the one he’d had in "real" life.

But John soon discovers there’s a darker and more ominous purpose behind the Chum Corporation’s new online playground--and as he starts to make real friends in this virtual reality, he also begins to realize that what players do in New Arcadia could have dangerous implications for the real world.

Starring
Eric Jason Martin
Matthew Mercer
Dave Fennoy
Erika Ishii
Sam Riegel
Dana Snyder
Andy Merrill
John DiMaggio

With Marin Ireland, Scott Brick, Suzanne Elise Freeman, P.J. Ochlan, Tara Sands, Justin Michael, Betsy Sodaro, DC Pierson, Neil Hellegers, Johnny Heller, and Ron Butler.

Theme by Lloyd Cole
Original Soundtrack by Casey Trela
Post Production by Mumble Media

©2021 Eric Jason Martin (P)2021 Sound Off Productions

What listeners say about New Arcadia: Stage One

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fantastic

More I need more, great audiobook. really hope they expand on this entry and make a whole universe out of it

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A little close to home but great listen

I really enjoyed it! Great voice acting and sound design, though some of the subject matter hit close to home with current event. This is obviously by design and although a little uncomfortable, sometimes being uncomfortable can be good for you.

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A good read that touches real world issues

While having people go into a video game is not entirely original as "Ready Player One" and "Sword Art Online" have already tackled the subject to a similar degree, this book is grounded fairly close to the modern age. Additionally it is set in our world where COVID-19 has gotten even worse and force permanent lockdowns. The book tackles topics of isolation, society, and 90s pop culture references that can easily be related to in the current state of the world. Combined that with it's easy to follow narrative, FANTASTIC voice acting and sound effects, and unique twists the story takes, this is an amazing book for any gamer, 90s kid, or just someone tired of the current state of the world and would like to unwind a little.

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Not for Me.

I really wanted to like this, but it ended up not being for me.

Performances are strong, I just wasn't into the story.
YMMV.

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