New Arcadia: Stage One Audiobook By Eric Jason Martin cover art

New Arcadia: Stage One

A LitRPG/GameLit Adventure

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New Arcadia: Stage One

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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Now with a brand-new introduction to the world of New Arcadia, featuring Sam Riegel.

Experience the first book in the AudioFile Earphones Award-winning trilogy.

NEW ARCADIA: JUDGMENT DAY - STARRING ROBERT PATRICK - COMING JULY 2025

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, John has started spending much more of his time grinding in virtual reality role-playing games.

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 real-as-life 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 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, and potentially life-saving, implications for the real world.

Starring
Eric Jason Martin(Heads Will Roll)
Matthew Mercer (Critical Role)
Dave Fennoy (Fortnite)
Erika Ishii (Ghost of Yotei)
Sam Riegel (Critical Role)
Dana Snyder(Aqua Teen Hunger Force)
Andy Merrill (Space Ghost: Coast to Coast)
and John DiMaggio(Gears of War, Futurama)

And a full cast

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

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

©2021 Eric Jason Martin (P)2021 Sound Off Productions Humorous Science Fiction Funny

Editor's Pick

Journey back to 199X in this listen that’s like a movie
This one brings together a bunch of elements I enjoy to create what I call a “cinematic” audio experience. In addition to some of my favorite audio storytellers (Eric Jason Martin, director of Audible Original Heads Will Roll), it has voice talent from the worlds of animation (John DiMaggio, Bender on the sitcom Futurama), video games (Erika Ishii, Fortnite and Cyberpunk 2077), and Twitch streaming (Matthew Mercer, Critical Role). It’s got a fun “chiptune” soundtrack that recalls the catchy simplicity of early video games, and some tastefully done sound design that helps build a strong sense of the environment for the story. And, like many great films, this listen has a story that’s based in a world like ours but tweaked just enough to grab and hold your attention. In New Arcadia, it’s 2023 and most everyone is trapped, isolated, and on edge. An unlikely hero is tapped to journey back to 199X, beat up the bad guys, and maybe change the fate of the real world. If you’ve looked around lately and thought things are starting feel a little dystopian here on Earth, pop in your earbuds, drop in a quarter, and get ready for Stage One. —[Scott J., Audible Editor]

Nostalgic 90s References • Full Cast Production • Outstanding Voice Cast • Talented Voice Actors • Engaging Sound Effects
Highly rated for:
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This is a decent LitRPG story (since most that I have listened to aren't that great). Ready Player One is however one of the most creative, unique and all around best novels in this genre, and I'm afraid that comparing New Arcadia to RP1 is just not at all appropriate. To be fair, I grew up in the 80's so RP1 was more for me, and maybe some of the 90's video game references were after my time. I did like the full cast production & the sound effects, and the story was OK and very timely. "Chum" the ubiquitous corporation that runs the world reminded me a bit of the story "The Warehouse" which is definitely worth a read. So, If you go into New Arcadia with that expectation that it will be like RP1 you'll likely be disappointed as I was.

Ready..Player..Yawn!

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So, this is a book this isn’t bad but isn’t good, and the issue falls squarely in the lap of the main character. He really is so introverted and calm that the tale takes on the same energy. There’s nothing in this book that makes him stand out, and that hurts the text. The book really starts picking up when the main character makes a friend, but it takes quite a while to get there. It’s not terrible either. It just doesn’t excel at anything but the voice acting, but that can’t save a boring hero from bringing the text down with him. It’s not unbearable but it isn’t going on my favorites. However, I’m curious about the next title because of the depth I believe the surrounding characters will add, but this book will be my “Cheers” text for now. You put it on to fall asleep. Great premise but a lack of a hero and villain makes this a book that needs a sale for a pick up. It is not worth one credit - wait for a sale.

Needs a Sale and a Hero

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If you were a kid in the late 80s & 90s this will take you back. In the not too distant future where a deadly virus has everyone on lockdown for years, the solution to social entropy is a full immersion VR 90s beat em up game (think Double Dragon, Streets of Rage). Lots of movie/video game references. While not destined for literary greatness, it is a very fun ride. although if you born after say 1985 maybe just skip it.

Fun story full of nostalgia

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Loved the story details reminding me of my childhood. The characters were relatable as was the eerily all-too-feasible sci fi story line. I find myself chomping at the bit for stage 2. When does it come out?!

Perfect book for an 80s 90s kid

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I enjoyed the performance, good story. it kept me coming back to finish it, main character wasn't the most believable, had some inconsistent character flaws...

great title, good narration

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I really loved listening to this audio performance. the story was fun too new take on LitRPG.

Best audio performance ever

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I can't not give this book 5 stars. Sorry haters. It blends Ready Player One with aspects of Maze Runner and Mad Max alongside video game and LitRPG tropes while adding in COVID era relatable aspects. Terrifying to think that an Amazon-esque company would have such complete control and be able to also be the only possible entity established enough to be the solution to the virus and societal rebirth.

It's rife wkth 90s nostalgia (and some 80s and 70s in some small ways). Everyone likes a good escape world. It's kinda like LitRPG yet managed to steer itself away from the genre enough where I didn't feel gross listening to it.

I kept appreciating the almost accurate bit-tune music. Not sure why a game about whaling was the top choice to start the story, but ok bro. You do you. (Why did Michael Jackson's "Will You Be There" have such a fixture hold in the whaling game? Free Willy, I know, but...that's...I mean...Willy wasn't being hunted for his blubber, right?)

Anyways, I'm coming off as critical but I really liked this book. Eager to hear the next! Left us on a cliffhanger anyways so I can't walk away. Well played.

Cheesy but ::mwah:: Chef's Kiss

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The blend of nostalgia and adventure is just right. I enjoyed all of the voice acting and post production music as well. The story was pretty good, predictable, but I didn’t need it to be anything different. I had a blast and can’t wait for more.

Quite the Romp

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I really enjoyed this book not as much as ready player one but it was really good and I can’t wait to listed to the next one. I hope it gets released soon.
I would like to find more books like these I really get into them and don’t want to stop listening.
The way they did the music and character voices it’s almost like watching it listening to a movie.
I would like to see more content in the next one. More depth on his job and the way he rights is not as detailed as I would like.
I will be listening to this book many times.
Thank you,
Josh

Great if your from the 90’s

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I enjoyed this, modern yet retro and fun. Different yet also possible. I would recommend it

Not so typical

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