The full video interview and audio only podcast can be found below.

Audio Only Podcast

Lotus Juice Talks: Persona, Rapping, Anime Magic, and More

A few of the topics discussed include:

• The creation of his stage name

• Blending anime and hip hop music

• Being a gamer and anime fan

• Advice for anyone starting in music

• Recording Max Destruction for Persona 3

• Working with Shoji Meguro

• Favorite anime and video game

• Writing process

• Being part of the Persona franchise

• Changes in the music industry

More from Anime Magic can be found here.

More From Heart As Art

Are you a fan of Persona? Sound off in the comments below.

Thanks for reading! Be sure to subscribe to HeartAsArt.com (100% free) to receive the latest wrestling and gaming opinions, editorials, interviews, and other content straight to your inbox. Be sure to follow on socials, and feel free to reach out to HeartAsArtMedia@gmail.com

The full video interview and audio only podcast can be found below.

Audio Only Podcast

Miss Mariah B Talks Dragon Ball Z and More at FAN EXPO Chicago 2026

A few of the topics we discussed include:

• Dragon Ball Z Fandom

• Creating the first form Frezia cosplay

• Other cosplays done

• Where to keep up with her

Keep Up With Miss Mariah B

• Instagram

• TikTok

• Facebook

• WhatNot Hosting

More from FAN EXPO Chicago can be found here.

More From Heart As Art

Did you grow up with Dragon Ball Z or other anime? Sound off in the comments below.

Thanks for reading! Be sure to subscribe to HeartAsArt.com (100% free) to receive the latest wrestling and gaming opinions, editorials, interviews, and other content straight to your inbox. Be sure to follow on socials, and feel free to reach out to HeartAsArtMedia@gmail.com

The full video interview and audio only podcast can be found below.

Audio Only Podcast

Brendan Wayne: Mandalorian Interview: FAN EXPO Chicago

A few of the topics we discussed include:

• Being the grandson of legendary actor John Wayne

• Learning the acting craft

• Growing up a Star Wars fan

• Early days on the set of the Mandalorian

• Working with Barry Lowin

More from FAN EXPO Chicago can be found here.

More From Heart As Art

Did you watch The Mandalorian? What were some of your favorite episodes? Sound off in the comments below.

Thanks for reading! Be sure to subscribe to HeartAsArt.com (100% free) to receive the latest wrestling and gaming opinions, editorials, interviews, and other content straight to your inbox. Be sure to follow on socials, and feel free to reach out to HeartAsArtMedia@gmail.com

FAN EXPO Chicago took over the Donald E Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL, just outside of Chicago, August 14th-16th. Fans were able to meet stars such as Kurt Russell, the cast of The Boys, Supernatural, and more.

The full video interview and audio only podcast can be found below.

Audio Only Podcast

Mandy Fay Interview at FAN EXPO Chicago 2026

A few of the topics we discussed include:

• FAN EXPO Chicago activities

• Getting started in cosplay

• Learning to sew and applying it to cosplay

• Being a Star Trek fan and favorite series

• The Hannah Taylor Dress

Keep Up With Mandy Fay

• Instagram

More from FAN EXPO Chicago can be found here.

More From Heart As Art

Are you a Star Trek fan? Which series or captain is you favorite? Sound off in the comments below.

Thanks for reading! Be sure to subscribe to HeartAsArt.com (100% free) to receive the latest wrestling and gaming opinions, editorials, interviews, and other content straight to your inbox. Be sure to follow on socials, and feel free to reach out to HeartAsArtMedia@gmail.com

The full video interview and audio only podcast can be found below.

Audio Only Podcast

McKenzie Shane Talks Cosplay, Crafting, Anime and More at FAN EXPO Chicago 2026

A few of the topics we discussed include:

• FAN EXPO Chicago lineup

• How she started with cosplay

• Anime fandom

• Favorite Sailor Guardian

• Graphic design and artwork

Keep Up With McKenzie Shane

• Instagram

• TikTok

• Facebook

More from FAN EXPO Chicago can be found here.

More From Heart As Art

Did you grow up with Sailor Moon or other anime? Sound off in the comments below.

Thanks for reading! Be sure to subscribe to HeartAsArt.com (100% free) to receive the latest wrestling and gaming opinions, editorials, interviews, and other content straight to your inbox. Be sure to follow on socials, and feel free to reach out to HeartAsArtMedia@gmail.com

The full video interview and audio only podcast can be found below.

Please note there is a spoiler for Expedition 33’s ending. We give plenty of warning in the interview for you to pause if you don’t want to hear the ending spoiler.

Audio Only Podcast

Magpie Crossing Interview at FAN EXPO Chicago 2026

A few of the topics we discussed include:

• FAN EXPO Chicago activities

• Getting started in cosplay

• Crafting with different methods

• Fantasy Cosplays

• Expedition 33 ending choice (spoiler warning)

Keep Up With Magpie Crossing

• Instagram

• 3D Modeling

More from FAN EXPO Chicago can be found here.

More From Heart As Art

Did you play Expedition 33? What did you think of the ending? Sound off in the comments below.

Thanks for reading! Be sure to subscribe to HeartAsArt.com (100% free) to receive the latest wrestling and gaming opinions, editorials, interviews, and other content straight to your inbox. Be sure to follow on socials, and feel free to reach out to HeartAsArtMedia@gmail.com

Audio Only Podcast

Chris Tergliafera Talks Gaming Voice Roles and More

A few of the topics we discussed include:

• Growing up a gamer

• Working in the Marvel Universe as Sigma in Marvel vs. Capcom Infinite

• Preparing for the role as Sigma

• Working as Megatron at Universal Studios

• Being part of the Ace Combat series

• Lending his voice to the Resident Evil franchise

More from Anime Magic can be found here. Thank you to the media team at the convention for coordinating the interview.

More From Heart As Art

Did you attend Anime Magic? What is your favorite Chris Tergliafera role? Sound off in the comments below.

Thanks for reading! Be sure to subscribe to HeartAsArt.com (100% free) to receive the latest wrestling and gaming opinions, editorials, interviews, and other content straight to your inbox. Be sure to follow on socials, and feel free to reach out to HeartAsArtMedia@gmail.com

Mr. T talked all things WWE Hall of Fame, tossing out the first pitch for the Chicago Cubs, singing Take Me Out to the Ball Game, his time in the WWE, and, of course, being on set for Rocky, the A-Team, and more. Mr. T was part of WrestleMania I and is also part of the celebrity wing of the WWE Hall of Fame. He returned to his hometown of Chicago for FAN EXPO Chicago 2026.

Audio Only Podcast

Mr. T Talks WWE Hall of Fame and WrestleMania I

A few of the topics we discussed include:

• Throwing out the first pitch at Wrigley Field

• Interacting with fans at FAN EXPO Chicago

• Being part of WrestleMania I

• Being in the WWE Hall of Fame

More Fan Expo content can be found here.

More From Heart As Art

What is your favorite Mr. T moment? Is it from wrestling, Rocky, A-Team, or something else? Sound off in the comments below.

Thanks for reading! Be sure to subscribe to HeartAsArt.com (100% free) to receive the latest wrestling and gaming opinions, editorials, interviews, and other content straight to your inbox. Be sure to follow on socials, and feel free to reach out to HeartAsArtMedia@gmail.com

Audio Only Podcast

Chewie Melodies Talks Stellar Blade Live Performance and More: Anime Magic 2026

A few of the topics we discussed include:

• Becoming a musician at a young age

• Becoming a gamer

• Becoming a Twitch streamer

• Working on a Final Fantasy Soundtrack

• Playing Final Fantasy XIV

• Performing the music of Stellar Blade at Anime Magic

Keep Up With Chewie

• Twitch

• Spotify

• Apple Music

• YouTube

• Website

• Instagram

• Twitter

• Patreon

• Discord

• TikTok

More from Anime Magic can be found here.

More From Heart As Art

Do you play Final Fantasy XIV? What is your favorite expansion? Sound off in the comments below

Thanks for reading! Be sure to subscribe to HeartAsArt.com (100% free) to receive the latest wrestling and gaming opinions, editorials, interviews, and other content straight to your inbox. Be sure to follow on socials, and feel free to reach out to HeartAsArtMedia@gmail.com

Please note there is a spoiler for Expedition 33’s ending. We give plenty of warning in the interview for you to pause if you don’t want to hear the ending spoiler.

Audio Only Podcast

Pealeaf Talks Stellar Blade and More: Anime Magic 2026

A few of the topics we discussed include:

• Growing up a musician

• Family members getting her into video games

• Collaborating with Linkin Park’s Mike Shinoda

• Working on the Stellar Blade Soundtrack

• Being a Final Fantasy fan

• Expedition 33’s ending (spoiler warning)

Keep Up With Pealeaf

• Twitch

• YouTube

• Spotify

• Apple Music

• Patreon

• Instagram

• Twitter

More from Anime Magic can be found here.

More From Heart As Art

Did you play Stellar Blade? What did you think of the soundtrack? Sound off in the comments below.

Thanks for reading! Be sure to subscribe to HeartAsArt.com (100% free) to receive the latest wrestling and gaming opinions, editorials, interviews, and other content straight to your inbox. Be sure to follow on socials, and feel free to reach out to HeartAsArtMedia@gmail.com

Road Dogg has done it all in the wrestling world. From being a member of DX and the New Age Outlaws to working behind the scenes in creative and producing for WWE, he has many stories to tell from the world of pro wrestling.

Audio Only Podcast

Road Dogg Live From Fan Expo Chicago

A few of the topics we discussed include:

• Favorite Chicago wrestling moments

• Being in different mindsets for wrestling vs. producing vs. commentating

• Being in the Davis Arena for Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW’s) 1,400th episode

• The crowd reaction when Dough Basham pulled a swerve on the crowd

• His friendship with David Herro

More coverage from FAN EXPO Chicago can be found here.

More From Heart As Art

What is your favorite Road Dogg or DX moment? Sound off in the comments below.

Thanks for reading! Be sure to subscribe to HeartAsArt.com (100% free) to receive the latest wrestling and gaming opinions, editorials, interviews, and other content straight to your inbox. Be sure to follow on socials, and feel free to reach out to HeartAsArtMedia@gmail.com

Jim had a busy weekend with panels, autographs, and panels with fellow Supernatural stars. Thank you to Jim and his team for being available to chat as well as Acacia Media Consulting for coordinating the interview.

Audio Only Podcast

Jim Beaver - Supernatural Live from FAN EXPO Chicago 2026

A few of the topics we discussed include:

• His weekend of panels, autographs, and fan interactions

• Working on-set with Jared Padalecki, Jensen Ackles, Misha Collins, and more

• Working with the different classic cars on the set of Supernatural

More coverage from FAN EXPO Chicago can be found here.

More From Heart as Art

Did you watch Supernatural? What were some of your favorite moments? Sound off in the comments below.

Thanks for reading! Be sure to subscribe to HeartAsArt.com (100% free) to receive the latest wrestling and gaming opinions, editorials, interviews, and other content straight to your inbox. Be sure to follow on socials, and feel free to reach out to HeartAsArtMedia@gmail.com

The show floor will be filled with vendors, artists, and more engaging with fans throughout the weekend. Some of these vendors and artists will have a charitable element to them; a few of those can be found below. More info on Fan Expo Chicago, including tickets, can be found here.

Charitable Vendors at FAN EXPO Chicago 2026:

PAWS

One of the celebrities attending the convention will be Peggy the Dog, otherwise known as “Dogpool”. The British Pugese dog was one of the many Deadpool variants in the Deadpool & Wolverine movie that released in 2024.

Peggy was born in 2018, a mix of Pug and a Chinese Crested Dog, also known as a Pugese. She was the runt of the litter and adopted by Holly Middleton. She was entered into the 2023 ugly dog competition and was named Brittan’s Uggliest Dog.

Holly and Dogpool will be donating $5 from each photo opp and “pawtograph” during the weekend to PAWS Chicago. PAWS is a no-kill animal shelter in the Chicago area and serves as one of the biggest no-kill shelters in the nation. Photo opps can be purchased here.

Sigma Comics

Sigma Comics is a comic book publisher dedicated to stopping animal cruelty. Their flagship comic Calico, is an anti-hero that takes the brutality of the Punisher Comics and applies it to animal abusers. Many of the stories printed by the group are based on true stories that did not receive mass media coverage.

One of the reasons for the publisher’s creation was to give back to animal charities that have been vetted to ensure the money raised is going directly to the animals that need it most. Every comic sold helps animal shelters continue to do their work in the communities they serve. They will be set up in Artist Alley at table AP25. More about the publisher can be found here.

Extra Life

Extra Life is a charity that supports children's hospitals and the research and care they provide for patients. The Chicago Guild supports Lurie Children’s Hospital, and the guild will be out in full force for the entire weekend.

The group will be set up in the Community Zone where attendees can learn more about the mission of the charity and donate to get their hands on some awesome merchandise! All proceeds directly benefit the patients at Lurie Children’s Hospital, and attendees can learn more about signing up to live stream themselves playing video, board, and other games to raise funds for the hospital.

Costumers With a Cause

Costumers With a Cause is a national charity that has seven divisions spread across the country. The Midwest Division will be in attendance at Fan Expo Chicago in the Community Zone to interact with attendees. The charity will have a backdrop and photobooth available for cosplayers to take photos in.

The group partners with other charities to raise funds on their behalf and also hosts and participates in community events to bring smiles to the faces of children. Members attend events in costumes, portraying superheroes and interacting with children at different events year-round.

Windy City Ghostbusters

Ever wanted to see a real-life proton pack? See what gear the Ghostbusters use to take down Slimer and other spirits and ghosts? Windy City Ghostbusters has you covered!

They will have a table set up in the community zone with Ghostbusters cosplayers showing off all the gear the pros use to keep us safe from angry spirits. Get into the Halloween spirit early and hang out with the Ghostbusters as they take donations for La Rabida Children’s Hospital in Chicago. More on the group can be found here.

League of Enchantment

The League of Enchantment will be set up in the Community Zone with a few events taking place throughout the weekend. Friday, the group will host a kids superhero fitness class and will host a kids storytime with superheroes on both Saturday and Sunday. The group will also host Captain America shield making on Sunday for kids to make and take home their own shield.

The goal of the group is to put smiles on the faces of children in the community through appearing in costume at hospitals, events, and more. More about the group can be found here.

Are you planning to hit FAN EXPO Chicago? Sound off in the comments below.

Thanks for reading! Be sure to subscribe to HeartAsArt.com (100% free) to receive the latest wrestling and gaming opinions, editorials, interviews, and other content straight to your inbox. Be sure to follow on socials, and feel free to reach out to HeartAsArtMedia@gmail.com

Mad Dog Connelly is based out of central Illinois and has worked his way through promotions on the independent scene such as Warrior Wrestling, GCW, ZERO1, and more. Best known for his brawler style work in the ring, Mad Dog is one you will want to watch out for on the independent circuit. Let’s take a look at a few of the reasons why you’ll want to watch out for the Mad Dog.

Mad Dog Connelly: One to Watch

Fierce Intensity

From the time he comes through the curtain you feel an intensity that stays with you until he is back through the curtain after the final bell. Connelly is able to convince you that he is not one to be messed with, without saying a single work into a microphone (but his promos are great, more on that later) or to a fan sitting live in attendance. His presence does that all on its own, and it is one that makes you a little bit scared.

That energy portrays through the camera on shows that are live streamed. A perfect example is when he took on WARHORSE at Warrior Wrestling’s Resurrection event. During his in ring entrance he came within inches of the camera (and camera man) with a brutal strike. Even those watching the match on YouTube could feel the intensity that Connelly brings any time he steps through the curtain.

The intensity does not stop when the bell rings, in fact it gets turned up a notch. Although known as a brawler, his strikes will want to be avoided at all costs. His facial expressions and eye contact with the crowd make it so you feel like he is going to rip through anyone and anything in his way. The intensity is something to be seen live to fully comprehend and worth going an indie card that Connelly is on.

Physicality in the Ring

A key part of his character is having a chain wrapped around his neck brough to the ring with him. It isn’t just for looks either, it often gets used to inflict damage on his opponents inside and outside of the ring. The chain is not the only weapon utilized in the ring by Connelly. He has also used chairs and even bear trapes to inflict punishment on his opponents.

He doesn’t always need weapons to inflict damage on his opponents. His hard hitting physical strikes and imposing physical figure do enough damage to his opponents. Being a brawler, he is also known for taking the match outside the ropes and exploring the space around him. He is also no stranger to grabbing things outside of the ring and using them to inflict damage. His latest Warrior Wrestling match included a rematch with WARHORSE that saw WARHORSE get split open after the match brook out onto the exposed cement parking lot.

Regardless if the match stays in the ring or goes outside the ropes or if Connelly is using a weapon or just his bare hands (which are a weapon themselves) the physicality that he brings to the ring always makes a lasting impression on those watching.

A Memorable Character

Without speaking a word Connelly strikes fear into his opponents, camera operators, and fans alike. Just his pure presence is enough of a character to make a lasting impression on anyone watching.

His promos he cuts around his matches add to the larger than life and terrifying character that he portrays. He promos are often shot in dark rooms that add to the brooding aura that he carries with him the the ring. His signature chain is often on display and called back to when he is cutting a promo on opponents. The promos often are straight forward and describe how and why he is going to inflict damage on opponents. They have the spine chilling effect to them and make you worry about the well being of anyone brave enough to step in the ring with him.

The intensity in his promos make you interested in watching the match. It is fun to see him the chain carried around his neck go from his promos, to the ring, and eventually the body of his opponent. It is an intensity that is not seen in many other places on the independent circuit and it rounds out his character as all as connects the character to the in ring action.

Memorable Matches

Everything described above comes together when he steps into the ring. The promos and character make you excited (and scared) to see him come through the curtain and step between the ropes. His brawling style and brutality that he brings to his matches makes them a stand out on any card that he is part of.

Warrior Wrestling put him one on one with Timothy Thatcher in an evenly matched brawl that saw the two tear each other apart. He also brawled all over the venue with Mance Warner, which saw Mad Dog almost toss Mancer over the top of the balcony. His latest match with WARHORSE saw multiple personal and half of the locker room have to remove Mad Dog from an already beat down and bloody WARHORSE.

Watching a Mad Dog match in person or on streaming always always guarantees a memorable moment, or at least a very fun brawl with a larger than life character.

Have you seen any of Mad Dog Connelly’s matches? Which one is your favorite? Sound off in the comments below.

Thanks for reading! Be sure to subscribe to HeartAsArt.com (100% free) to receive the latest wrestling and gaming opinions, editorials, interviews, and other content straight to your inbox. Be sure to follow on socials and feel free to reach out to HeartAsArtMedia@gmail.com

Warrior Wrestling presented “Block Party” from Off Square Brewing in Crown Point, Indiana, on Sunday, July 19th. The show featured The Outrunners, Marina Shafir, and Hazuki among others. The first match of the night saw Trevor Outlaw (with the Leo Brothers) and Sam Beale square off for the vacant Warrior Wrestling Championship.

Trevor Outlaw came up victorious but not without a little bit of help from the Leo Brothers (who were ejected from ringside once before sneaking their way back to ringside to cause more havoc).

After the match, Trevor insisted on having some time with the media. After making a brief statement, he insisted that he had more to say and forced his way onto a podcast with Heart As Art. He also had the Leo Brothers appear unannounced on the podcast to further talk about how the night went for all of them. The entire podcast audio and video can be found below.

Trevor Outlaw and The Leo Brothers Crash Heart As Art

Keep Up with Trevor Outlaw

• Facebook

• Instagram

• X Formerly Known as Twitter

• Pro Wrestling Tees

Keep Up with the Leo Brothers

• Facebook

• Instagram

• X Formerly Known as Twitter

• Merch

More From Heart As Art

Have you been to a Warrior Wrestling show? Have you streamed their shows? Sound off in the comments below.

Thanks for reading! Be sure to subscribe to HeartAsArt.com (100% free) to receive the latest wrestling and gaming opinions, editorials, interviews, and other content straight to your inbox. Be sure to follow on socials and feel free to reach out to HeartAsArtMedia@gmail.com

One of the game developers who took some time to chat with me was Conner Rush of FYRE Games. Conner was demoing his first-person survival horror game, Project Songbird, for fans to play.

Taking inspiration from legendary horror games such as the Silent Hill and Alan Wake franchises, and narrative games like The Last of Us, Project Songbird puts gamers in the shoes of Dakota, a musician who has isolated themselves to power through writer’s block. The entire interview can be found above.

Conner Rush of FYRE Games Talks Project Songbird

A few of the topics we discussed include:

• Games and franchises that inspired Conner

• How Conner got into game development

• How FYRE Games started

• Where gamers can find Project Songbird

Thank you to Conner for taking the time to chat with me and to Too Many Games Philadelphia for organizing an amazing expo that celebrates independent gaming.

You can stay connected with Conner and FYRE Games as well as download Project Songbird here. The game is available on Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S

More From Heart as Art

Thanks for reading! Be sure to subscribe to HeartAsArt.com (100% free) to receive the latest wrestling and gaming opinions, editorials, interviews, and other content straight to your inbox. Be sure to follow on socials, and feel free to reach out to HeartAsArtMedia@gmail.com

He retained the same gimmick on his initial run back in the indies, but after changing his gimmick, he became a mainstay in Game Changer Wrestling (GCW), Warrior Wrestling, and more. Let’s run down the red-hot run he has been on since leaving AEW and returning to the independent scene.

From Fuego to KJ, a Resurgence on the Independent Scene

Shedding the Mask

Upon returning to the independent scene, Orso was still utilizing the Fuego Del Sol gimmick that wrestling fans were familiar with from his time in AEW. He first appeared in GCW with the Fuego Del Sol gimmick, but it wouldn’t last long.

At Spring Break 9, the pinnacle event of the GCW Collective every year (which takes place during WrestleMania week), Fuego put his mask on the line against the career of Atticus Cogar. Fuego lost the match and unmasked in the ring, also removing his boots, implying that he was wrapping up his wrestling career. This was not the case as he returned to GCW unmasked under the KJ Orso name and began his heel turn into the character we are seeing now.

By shedding the mask, Oroso opened up more options with his character. He is now able to play a more dynamic character and cuts much more aggressive promos, which is a steep departure from the Fuego Del Sol we saw inside of an AEW ring. His work was fun to watch in AEW, and he was able to connect with the audience with it, but by rebranding to KJ Orso, he opened up Pandora’s box and found new ways to be creative with his character. He has heated promos with fellow wrestlers and even gets under the skin of audience members in ways he wasn’t able to while utilizing the mask. His character has become much more dynamic, and we are seeing that through his current heel run.

Turning Heel

Shortly after returning to GCW and establishing the unmasked KJ Orso personality, Oroso showed a side of himself that we had not seen on AEW television.

Orso turned on Sam Stackhouse in a move that cemented him as a heel in GCW and on the independent scene overall. This was when we saw Orso embrace the Silver Tongue Sevant personality and deliver scathing heel promos on wrestlers, fans, and anyone else who got in his way. Stackhouse eventually returned and shocked the crowds when he aligned with Orso, forming a heel tag team that ran roughshod on their opponents.

The duo set their targets on another former AEW performer, Marko Stunt. The feud culminated in a tag match between Orso/Stackhouse and Marko Stunt, along with Jack Perry. The match took place at Spring Break X in Las Vegas during WrestleMania 42 weekend. The match was one of the most anticipated matches on the card, and fans live in person and watching at home got to see Stunt get his hands on the duo to get his revenge.

This rivalry was something we never would have seen Fuego Del Sol do in an AEW or any other ring. He was able to use his heel personality to build a truly dislikeable character that drew the ire of audiences from the minute he walked through the curtain. Fuego Del Sol wasn’t known for cutting promos in an AEW ring. The Silver Tongue Sevant KJ Orso cuts scathing promos and performs dastardly tactics in the ring to get an audience to hate him. It is an incredible dynamic to watch and adds dynamics to his character that we did not see while he was a masked wrestler.

Stylistic Mashups

Since making his return to the independent circuit, we have seen Orso compete against a variety of different opponents. When he was in AEW, seeing Fuego against someone that specilizes in deathmatches like Atticus Cogar seemed like a fever dream. He’s also squared off against the likes of Brian Cage and Jason Hotch inside a Warrior Wrestling ring. He proved in these matches that he can do much more than what we saw in an AEW ring. His return to the independent scene has shown that he can be a style bender, working with wrestlers of different sizes and styles while bringing his own mix of power, speed, agility, and pure athleticism into the ring with him. He has been part of longer matches on the independent scene, which have given him the chance to show the potential he has always had.

The transformation from the Fuego Del Sol in an AEW ring to KJ Orso on the independents has been a blast to watch. He’s evolved his character and been involved in heated storylines that have been part of marquee matches on the independent circuit. The transition has allowed him to explore different parts of his character, and connect with audience members live in person and watching at home.

Have you seen KJ Orso’s matches since he left AEW? Which one is your favorite? Sound off in the comments below.

Thanks for reading! Be sure to subscribe to HeartAsArt.com (100% free) to receive the latest wrestling and gaming opinions, editorials, interviews, and other content straight to your inbox. Be sure to follow on socials and feel free to reach out to HeartAsArtMedia@gmail.com

As someone with a giant pile of CDs, vinyl records, DVDs, and VHS tapes (as well as games from many generations of systems), I was sad but not shocked to see Sony announce the discontinuation of physical media. I will still collect physical media of all sorts, but here are just a few things I will miss about physical games.

The End of Discs is Near - What I’ll Miss About Physical Games

The Box and Disc Art

To me, the box art, manual, and disc art were a continuation of the artwork in the game. I miss thumbing through the game manual while riding in the back of my parents’ car on the way home from the store to see what was waiting for me when I got home and popped the game in for the first time. I think back to games like Winback Covert Operations and Metal Gear Solid 2, where the manual contained some of the in-game characters explaining controls and story background. I remember cracking open Jak II for the first time and seeing a map of Haven City on the back of the cover art. The level of detail blew my mind as a kid. All of this was a great precursor to firing up the game.

I vividly remember reading the manual for Tekken Tag Tournament on the drive home from Gamestop at Arrowhead Towne Center in Glendale, Arizona. It may have only been a 25-minute drive home, but reading over the stats and character bios of all the starting characters made the ride feel endless with anticipation. I couldn’t wait to get home and put together a team (Paul Phoenix and Yoshimitsu) to enter the King of Iron Fist Tournament (tag edition).

Look, I know I am not that 10-year-old kid anymore and would likely bypass a manual these days anyway. But the thought of future generations not having that same feeling bums me out a bit. The box art, disc art, and manuals were an extension of the in-game universe and brought us into the universe of the game before even turning a game console on. This extension of the game art has already been missed by me and will continue to be missed as we go fully digital.

Special Editions

I can never be accused of packing light when it comes to my music/movie/gaming collection. I am the type of person who will buy a special edition of a new album from my favorite band or favorite game series. It is to the point where I am running out of room to display these pieces, and my credit card is yelling at me every time I buy a new one (I regret nothing)

To me, an art book, soundtrack, world map, lithograph, etc., is all the more reason to buy an expanded edition of a physical game. These are also some of my favorite things to get signed by voice actors at the various comic cons I go to.

Gaming has always been about logging into another world for me. Like how the box art and manuals add to the lore of the world, so do the collectibles that come with expanded physical editions of games. Sure, there are digital deluxe editions that include various in-game items like weapons, in-game currency, character skins, etc., but they don’t add to the excitement and lore of the worlds like the physical collector editions do. I guess one upside is I will have a little more display room in the game room and less on the credit card. Going to have to get those airline miles some other way.

Used Games and Trading

As mentioned earlier, I used to frequent GameStop (and the smaller regional Game Crazy that was connected to Hollywood Video). As a kid on a tight budget that extended all the way through high school and college, I always appreciated the used game options. It saved me some cash and allowed me to jump into more game series that I was unfamiliar with. As a kid on a budget, I was reluctant to pay $50-$60 on a new game or series that I might not like. Get a used copy for $25 after the game had been out for a year, and you had me. This is how I got into Assassin’s Creed, Batman: Arkham, Tomb Raider, Saints Row, and many other games that I know and love and replay to this day.

Being an adult (at least allegedly) now, the bigger crutch for me to game is time instead of money, but again, I am kind of bummed out for the next generation of kids that won’t be able to hit the used games section at a local Gamestop and find some gems while randomly searching on a Saturday afternoon.

More From Heart as Art

Obviously, a lot of the reasons I’ll miss digital games are nostalgia-driven and a longing for a simpler time in life. Digital isn’t all bad; services like Xbox Game Pass have made many games accessible to many people. I will, however, always be a physical media collector and will always miss cracking open a new game and popping a disc into a console for the first time.

Do you prefer physical games? Sound off in the comments below.

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Metal Gear Solid launched onto the sixth generation of game consoles in 2001 with the release of Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty. Fans stepped back into the boots of Solid Snake for the first act of the game before unexpectedly being placed into the boots of rookie operative Raiden. The character had a controversial debut, but through a heavy evolution in Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots and Metal Gear Rising Revengeance, the character had a much more positive reception in later releases. Let’s dive into what made Flynn’s performance iconic.

Stepping into Skull Suit: Quinton Flynn as Raiden

The Actor

Outside of his work in the Metal Gear series, Flynn voiced Axel in the Kingdom Hearts series. His other roles in the gaming world include Isaaru in Final Fantasy X and X-2, Silver the Hedgehog in the Sonic the Hedgehog Series, and more. On the anime side of things, he voiced Reno in Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children, Iruka Umino in Naruto, and Kon in Bleach.

The Series

The Metal Gear Solid series is heavily based on stealth action gameplay. Regardless of what protagonist gamers are in control of, they are encouraged to only use a weapon as a last resort.

The series also tends to focus on complex storylines that may take more than one playthrough to completely digest. The Raiden character ends up being in the mix of one of the most complex storylines in Metal Gear Solid 2, which leads to themes of artificial intelligence, memory manipulation, social engineering, and more. These themes are prevalent throughout the entire Metal Gear series as part of the advanced storylines that play out throughout the series.

The gameplay changes in Rising Revengance when stealth is still a mechanic of gameplay, but gamers can also hack and slash their way through the story alongside over-the-top boss fights that push gamers’ swordsmanship to the limit.

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The Character

We first meet Raiden in the second part of Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty. Raiden is sent into the Big Shell, an offshore oil cleanup facility built after a tanker carrying a Metal Gear unit is taken down off the shore of New York City. Solid Snake is aboard the tanker in the first act of the game and is believed to have died in the tanker sinking.

The Big Shell is seized by a group of terrorists during a visit from high-ranking government officials, including the President of the United States. Raiden, who has experience in the US Army and extensive VR training, is sent in alone to extract the President. Although he has some combat experience, he is depicted as a young rookie with no solo field experience. As the story progresses, we learn that Raiden was a child soldier in a civil war that left him emotionally broken, feeling as if he is only useful when on a battlefield. This is played out via codec conversations with mission analyst Rose, who is also Raiden’s partner. As the game progresses, we learn more about how his past made him afraid to love and the struggles he and Rose are going through as a couple.

His character underwent a heavy physical redesign for Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots and Rising Revengance. Raiden debuts a new look that has him in a heavily modified tech-infused body, making him appear more machine than man. The look is kept for Rising Revengance with gamers given the ability to upgrade Raiden’s body as the game progresses.

What Made The Role Iconic?

Extreme Evolution

When gamers are first introduced to Raiden, they meet a naive and young operative who was dropped into a hostile situation. He constantly called his Colonel and Mission Analyst (Campbell and Rose, although Campbell ends up not actually being Campbell…) early in his campaign. As he meets up with Snake and Otacon, he begins to rely on and communicate with them more. He admits to all of these characters at different points that he feels overwhelmed by the pressure of the situation he is put in.

At the conclusion of Sons of Liberty, we find a different version of Raiden that is now battle-tested and ready to join Snake on his campaign to rid the world of Metal Gear units and take down the machine that the Patriots created.

This bleeds into Metal Gear Solid 4 and Rising Revengance when Raiden is portrayed as a cyborg warrior that is hardened by battle and ruthless on the battlefield. Gone is the bright-eyed and overwhelmed rookie that we met off the shores of New York in Sons of Liberty. As Raiden says himself in Guns of the Patriots, “Jack is dead Snake, I am at your side”. That is the first line we hear from Flynn in Gear Solid 4, and it sums up the radical change perfectly.

Flynn is able to give Raiden different levels of maturity that make gamers better understand the different points in life that Raiden is at as they play through his journey. It immerses gamers further into the story and makes them feel like they are deeper into Raiden’s boots.

Navigating Emotional Complexities

Raiden has arguably the most emotional story arcs in the Metal Gear Solid franchise. He is manipulated heavily in Metal Gear Solid 2 by the Patriots during the Big Shell incident. He sent in under the guise of rescuing the President of the United States and disarming a terrorist group that had taken over an offshore oil cleanup facility. In realty, he was being tested to see if he could take over as the next super soilder in the way Solid Snake. The manipulation was taken down to the point that his commanding officer is actually an artificial intelligence commander, and his girlfriend, Rose, being the data analyst on the mission, only for her to confess that she was tasked with becoming his lover by the Patriots to keep an eye on him and that her looks were manufactured to meet his taste to ensure he fell for her.

His character in Metal Gear Solid 4 sees a drastic physical and emotional transformation. The emotionally vulnerable and nervous rookie that we see in parts of Metal Gear Solid 2 is replaced with a cold and ruthless soldier who knows only one thing: battle. He has completely separated from Rosemary after the pregnancy that was uncovered at the end of Metal Gear Solid 2 ended in miscarriage. He has completely shed his real name of Jack and become just Raiden.

Flynn changes his delivery in the early part of Raiden’s campaign to the end after the psychological manipulation has taken its toll on the character. His delivery when talking to Rose, as their relationship is fleshed out to gamers, changes from when he is addressing Snake or the Colonel. When he returns to the series in Metal Gear Solid 4, his delivery is much colder and more blunt. He understood the deep emotional complexities of the character and delivered the role accordingly.

Not Re-Creating Solid Snake

Although the entire Big Shell incident was designed by the Patriots to test Raiden and see if he could become the next Solid Snake, Flynn did not recreate Solid Snake with his delivery of Raiden. He made his own distinctive character that stood side by side with Solid Snake. The characters stood side by side multiple times in the series in battle, but Flynn’s delivery and portrayal of the character is completely different from that of Hayter’s delivery of Snake.

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Hideo Kojima created the world of Metal Gear in 1987 with the first release of the series “Metal Gear” on the MSX2. A sequel came out in 1990, but the series took a big step with the 1998 release, Metal Gear Solid. For the first time in the series, the main protagonist had a voice for gamers to hear as they played through the game. That voice was David Hayter’s, who went on to voice different versions of Snake as the series progressed. Let’s dive into what made this role so iconic.

Stepping into Snake Boots: David Hayter

The Actor

David Hayter is a screenwriter, director, and producer in addition to his voice acting roles. Outside of the Metal Gear series, Hayter has written films such as X-Men, X-2, The Scorpion King, and Watchman. He made his directorial debut with the short film Chasm before directing and writing the 2014 film Wolves.

Outside of the Metal Gear series, Hayter has lent his voice to games such as Yakuza: Like a Dragon, Star Wars: The Old Republic, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, and more. Hayter has also worked in animation with roles in Spider-Man: The Animated Series, Street Fighter II V, Mobile Suit Gundam Wing, and more.

The Series

The Metal Gear series main story played out in releases from 1987 to 2015, with Hayter being in the bulk of the main line releases. The series follows a complex storyline that features deep themes tied back to philosophy and politics. The games also explore dystopian themes with cyberpunk elements.

The core games put an emphasis on stealth as gamers are encouraged to stay out of the enemies' sight and to complete objectives with as little force as possible. The series storylines often delve deep into espionage, social engineering, artificial intelligence, and more. Snake is typically found in a situation where he needs to take down a weapon of mass destruction (a Metal Gear unit) to prevent a war from breaking out.

The Character(s)

Hayter first stepped in for the 1998 installment as “Solid Snake”. He reprised the role in the 2001 release, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, and again in the 2008 release, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots.

Solid Snake is a genetic clone of the legendary soldier “Big Boss” codenamed “Naked Snake”. He is a hardened battle veteran and a former United States Army Special Forces member with extensive training and battlefield experience.

In Metal Gear Solid and Metal Gear Solid 2, Hayter brings a hardened combat veteran who is sent back into the field to take down a Metal Gear unit to life.

Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots sees Hayter voice a much older version of Snake. Armed with years of combat knowledge and experience, he must push his aging body to the limit to finish off one final mission.

Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater serves as a prequel to the entire series. Hayter returns to voice Big Boss/Naked Snake, who would serve as the foundation of what a super soldier would become. His genes were cloned to create Solid and Liquid Snake; the latter became a core antagonist in the series. Gamers adventure with Hayter as Big Boss as he embarks on a mission that earns him the code name “Big Boss” and begins his legacy on the battlefield.

What Made The Role(s) Iconic?

Different Versions of the Same Character

David Hayter voiced Solid Snake and Big Boss through different paces of their respective careers.

Starting in the full-blown prequel to the series, Snake Eater, Big Boss is an experienced soldier, but has not earned the distinction as Big Boss and has not gone down in the history books yet. Hayter plays the role with confidence, but also isn’t afraid to show the vulnerable moments, such as when he is betrayed by his mentor, “The Boss,” or when he takes a nasty fall down into a cave and needs to patch himself up. These tense moments show the hero in a vulnerable position, and Hayter pushes himself to make the gamer feel the pain of Big Boss in those moments.

The character evolves in the Portable Ops game as he works to clear his name after being convicted for starting a revolt. Again, Hayter brings an approach that makes gamers feel like the character is more of a hardened soldier who has left part of himself on the battlefield.

As Solid Snake, we see the character go from a hero in Metal Gear Solid to a wanted fugitive in Metal Gear Solid 2 to a legend that is rapidly aging and has to save the world one more time in Metal Gear Solid 4.

Again, Hayter is able to deliver many different versions of the same character. The way he delivers in Metal Gear Solid 4, the gamers can feel the pain of the character through the screen. The final scenes of the game show Snake in a near-deathly amount of pain, and the aches and screams let out by Hayter are felt by gamers as they play through the dramatic ending. This differs significantly from the Solid Snake in Metal Gear Solid and Metal Gear Solid 2, who is a strong presence in battle with the weight of the world on his shoulders.

Complex Storylines

No one can accuse Hideo Kojima of writing simple storylines. Much of the complex backstory in the series plays out while gamers are in control of either Solid Snake or Big Boss.

Hayter is able to take the lore and deliver it in such a confident and smooth way that it helps gamers take in what is happening in the moment and watch the story unfold in front of them.

Some great examples are at the end of Metal Gear Solid 2, when he is explaining his plans to Raiden, following Aresnel Gear washing up on the shore of New York City.

At that point in the game, the story becomes very philosophical and delves deeper into the topics of social engineering and artificial intelligence. Hayter delivers the dialogue with so much clarity and confidence that it keeps the gamer engaged, even though the story can be hard to follow.

Interaction With Other Characters

Throughout the series, both Solid Snake and Big Boss interact with a slew of different characters. Some characters become constant communication partners, such as Otacon, Roy Campbell, and Raiden. Hayter developed a great chemistry with many of his co-stars, and the relationships are felt through the screen.

At the end of Metal Gear Solid 2, Otacon is forced to cope with the death of his estranged sister. As Snake is by his side during the moment, we can feel the bond between the two. The relationship comes a long way from their initial meeting in Metal Gear Solid, where Snake saves Otacon from Grey Fox, where Snake is suspicious that Otacon may have bad intentions surrounding the Metal Gear unit being housed at the Shadow Moses base in Alaska.

Roy Campbell was his commanding officer during Metal Gear Solid, and we can feel the frustration Snake feels as the plot develops, which is largely taken out on Campbell. Gamers feel more immersed in the games as we can feel the tension rising between Snake and Campbell. Hayter’s gruffness and blunt delivery add to the realism of the dialogue between the two. This is evident when Naomi Hunter is being arrested, and Campbell claims not to know what is going on. Snake is being fed information by Liquid Snake, who is disguised as Snake’s former mentor, Master Miller. The blunt and gruff approach and back and forth with Campbell pulls gamers in beyond the screen.

Raiden is introduced in Metal Gear Solid 2 and goes through quite a personal journey as the game progresses. He meets Snake early on in his section of Metal Gear Solid 2, and Snake becomes somewhat of a mentor to him.

Hayter delivers key lines with a confident and philosophical approach to a struggling Raiden, such as:

“Find something to believe in, and find it for yourself. When you do, pass it on to the future.”

“Life isn’t just about passing on your genes. We can leave behind much more than just DNA. Through speech, music, literature, and movies... what we’ve seen, heard, felt... anger, joy, and sorrow... these are the things I will pass on. That’s what I live for.”

The quotes themselves go down in gaming history, but Hayter’s delivery made them stick with gamers as they replayed the series time and time again. In this moment, Snake is trying to keep Raiden grounded after Raiden has a big part of his reality crushed. We get the feeling through the screen that Snake is playing a big brother and mentor role to Raiden through the connection between the voice actors and the characters they are playing.

An Iconic Role

David Hayter has worn a few different character hats in the Metal Gear Solid universe. His delivery of different versions of the same character throughout the series, along with his interactions with other characters over a complex storyline, made gamers feel more immersed as they played through the adventures of Solid Snake and Big Boss.

Have you played the Metal Gear series? Which entry is your favorite? Sound off in the comments below.

Thanks for reading! Be sure to subscribe to HeartAsArt.com (100% free) to receive the latest wrestling and gaming opinions, editorials, interviews, and other content straight to your inbox. Be sure to follow on socials, and feel free to reach out to HeartAsArtMedia@gmail.com