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Episode 10 – Rainfall Films (Metroid: The Sky Calls)

Shinesparkers Podcast
Shinesparkers Podcast
Episode 10 - Rainfall Films (Metroid: The Sky Calls)
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For our tenth podcast, we are joined by Sam Balcomb and Jeff Dodson of Rainfall Films, a company that specialises in production, post-production and audio, and were responsble for the fan film Metroid: The Sky Calls. The movie was created back in 2015 and starred Jessica Chobot and America Young as Samus Aran. To mark its fifth anniversary, we prepared an interview to find out more about the project. The podcast also features host Amanda, and team members Darren and Dalagonash. Check out our feature-length podcast below!

00:31 – Guests: Sam Balcomb & Jeff Dodson
1:22:27 – Topic: Our favourite moments from Metroid: The Sky Calls
1:31:10 – Bloopers

22 Nov 2020
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Feature: Why is Metroid Prime 4 Important to Nintendo?

November 22, 2020

Back in early 2019, Nintendo announcd that it was restarting development on Metroid Prime 4, a title that was received with open arms when it was first announced back in June 2017. Fans may be questioning how important Metroid Prime 4 is to Nintendo, and how it views the series as a whole. Our team member Dalagonash has kindly shared his opinion on why Metroid Prime 4 is important to Nintendo in our latest feature for Shinesparkers.

Click here to check out the feature.

13 Nov 2020
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Community Spotlight: Metroid Trainer

November 13, 2020

Our latest Community Spotlight is now available! This month, we are featuring The Metroid Trainer, a YouTuber whose content includes detailed explanations of bosses in the Metroid series, his theories about mysteries, and imagining Metroid enemies as Pokemon. His videos are a great resource for Metroid fans new and old, and we felt he was very deserving of a Spotlight.

We continue to look for talented creators across the Metroid fan community. If you are creating something that you think we might be able to promote, please don’t hesitate to contact us!

Click here to read The Metroid Trainer’s feature

02 Nov 2020
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Gigi Hadid dressed up as Samus for Halloween

November 2, 2020

Following in the footsteps of Brie Larson, American fashion model Gigi Hadid dressed up as Zero Suit Samus for Halloween this year. Sharing photos of her costume via Instagram, Hadid captioned her post with “choose your player”, potentially a reference to Super Smash Bros. One photo features a gif of Zero Suit Samus doing the default dance from Fortnite. She shared additional photos in her Instagram stories.

Several gossip and media sites have been describing Hadid’s costume as that of a video game character, without naming Metroid or Samus. Regardless, it’s always nice to see celebrities taking notice of Metroid and Samus, and we appreciate the costume.

Source: Screen Rant/Gigi Hadid

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Episode 09 – Kabutroid (Planet Zebeth Webcomic)

Shinesparkers Podcast
Shinesparkers Podcast
Episode 09 - Kabutroid (Planet Zebeth Webcomic)
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For our ninth podcast, we invited sprite comic artist Kabutroid to join us to discuss Planet Zebeth, a long-running series of comics she created seventeen years ago. Kabutroid explains more about her creation, and the team discuss our favourite moments from the comic. We hope you will check out Planet Zebeth, one of the oldest pieces of Metroid fan content on the internet! Podcast also features host Amanda, and team members Darren and RoyboyX.

00:40 – Guest: Kabutroid
12:37 – Topic: What are our favourite moments from Planet Zebeth?
19:35 – Bloopers

Check out Planet Zebeth on the link below:
https://zebeth.shinesparkers.net/planetzebeth/

31 Oct 2020
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Retro Studios to remodel existing premises in 2021

October 31, 2020

According to news agency Intelligence360 who specialise in public and private company information within the United States, Retro Studios will undergo a remodel of their existing premises in Austin, Texas, with a completion set for May 2021. The Metroid Prime 4 developer will invest over $530,000 to renovate over 37,000 square feet of space. It was originally reported that the company would be expanding into a different location, but after investigating ourselves, we found that this was inaccurate and chose not to share the news at the time. Since then, Intelligence360 has updated its website to clarify.

Here are the quotes for comparison:

Old

According to state and local economic development sources Retro Studios plans to invest $530,362.00 to build out 37,335 square feet of new space in Austin. The company plans to occupy the new space at 12345 N Lamar Blvd. Suite 300 in Austin, on or about May 1, 2021.

New

According to state and local economic development sources Retro Studios plans to invest $530,362.00 to remodel 37,335 square feet of space in Austin. The project at 12345 N Lamar Blvd. in Austin, should be completed on or about May 1, 2021.

 

We will continue to update and research this information as accurately as we can, as the story develops.

Source: Intelligence360

30 Oct 2020
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Community Spotlight: Omni42

October 30, 2020

Our latest Community Spotlight is now available! This month, we are highlighting the talented artist Omni42, who recreates environments and areas from Metroid, inside Halo 5’s Forge mode level editor. His portfolio includes redesigned power suits, and a really impressive comic. We were blown away by the creations of Omni42, and felt he was very deserving of a Spotlight.

We continue to look for talented creators across the Metroid fan community. If you are creating something that you think we might be able to promote, please don’t hesitate to contact us!

Click here to read Omni42’s feature

30 Oct 2020
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Retro Studios has found a Lead Producer for Metroid Prime 4

October 30, 2020

Back in August, we reported that a Lead Producer position had opened at Retro Studios. Tonight, it has been reported that this job has been filled by Marisa Palumbo, a veteran game developer. Marisa worked for Blizzard Entertainment for six years as part of the Overwatch development team, and previously for eight years at Rockstar Games, where she produced Grand Theft Auto IV and V, L.A. Noire, Red Dead Redemption and other popular titles. Congratulations to Marisa on her new position!

Earlier this month, we reported that Retro was seeking to hire three Product Testers and a Storyboard Artist. These positions are still open, and Retro is still seeking to fill other jobs such as Lead Graphics Engineer, Senior Level Designer, Lead Animator, Boss / AI Designer and Environment Outsourcing Integration Artist. If we hear about any more hirings, we will let you know. You can see a list of open positions at this link.

Source: Video Games Chronicle/Nintendo Life

18 Oct 2020
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Feature: Becoming Zero Suit Samus

October 18, 2020

For our latest feature, our staff member and podcast host Amanda looks back at her experience cosplaying Zero Suit Samus at PAX West 2019. She reminisces over her time wearing the costume at the convention, and the challenges she faced getting it together in a short space of time, which may resonate with other cosplayers out there. She also shares her thoughts on how she might approach the same cosplay in the future.

You can check out the feature here

08 Oct 2020
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Retro Studios is hiring product testers and a storyboard artist

October 8, 2020

Over the past year, Retro Studios has been on a hiring spree, filling multiple positions from art director to director of development. Now, they are hiring for three product testing positions and seeking a storyboard artist, all contract. The testing jobs opened up on September 30, while the storyboard artist position was listed this past Monday.

What these listings tell us is that Metroid Prime 4 is now in a playable state. While it may not be ready for unveiling yet, it is getting closer. Perhaps Retro is now focusing development on cutscenes and ensuring that the game runs smoothly. We can’t wait to see the finished product.

Source: Nintendo Careers