mandaloregaming
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Emergency Poll: Of COURSE today SOMA Started an ARG
🕑 Added 2025-09-22 22:14:20 +0000 UTCPOLL RESULTS: These were a little too close to where I think it wouldn't be a good idea to kick the video down the line, especially with how close to done it is. So it's being relegated to some extremely light connections to its existence, and should be out early next week just in case something nuts happens on Friday plus it'll give me time to be sure captions and all those other tweaks are in place. The YouTube backend has changed a lot to where I had to figure out how to disable some AI foreign language autodubbing thing along with a bunch of other annoying backend changes. In any case, the video should be out in time with the Patreon cycle and we should be back on track this coming week!
It would figure that Frictional has had several other games hit ten year anniversaries with only some merch or other out of game fanfare, and THIS time the game starts up with an email with a cereal box cipher leading to https://www.hotelsamsara.com/. For reference the game has always updated near daily because it does something odd with save files and the cloud on both GOG and Steam, but today had some cryptic patch notes about Simon's spam filter followed by an in-game email.
So most likely this is teasing a new game, but there's a chance that some of the Switch port features could lead to a remaster, or at least some sort of patch for the game. If it's a visual update that'd be annoying, but I don't think it'd change much of what I think about the game unless it was a really horrendous looking one. However this does tie into some things I've found in SOMA itself, meaning either spending a bit longer looking for things in this that connect to SOMA along with anything else that gets revealed in the next few days, or just saying -fuck it- and throwing the video farther down the timeline in favor of some shorter Halloween projects I could turn focus on. I'm not entirely in favor of that, but with how long this video has taken it feels like it'd be a waste to then ignore something topical happening to get it out some days earlier. Either way this means a pay cycle will likely go through right before the video is going up since it's either "take a few extra work days to evaluate what all might be passing into this" (there's a chance I've already caught all there is) or say "fuck it" and kick the can down the road. I think I can only laugh at this point since it's just been finding the stability to get the "wrapping up" pass done and this happens. I could also just ignore this entirely and try to get it out earlier, so I will leave it to an admittedly rapid vote, which I'm setting for 2 days but I'll be monitoring in case there's a clear preference earlier.
Thank you as always - VOTE BEGINS
Comments
TechPriest
I like to leave media untouched by me. Let me see the authorial intent in games, music, and even reviews without them feeling obliged to some bias, so I don’t mind one way or another. I am a relatively new supporter here on Patreon, so if I may I’d like the others on the main YouTubes channel to check out Lobotomy Corp Library of Ruina may And Limbus Company All project moon games though, so dunno how that may affect your situation. Nevertheless excellent games, music, and art imo. Extremely difficult, so prob not top priority since difficult to finish in short time frame, but for the sake of others getting to play it would be cools. Another note: Limbus Co, is a gacha. Fairer than others I’ve played, but necessary to note and understandable if left out. Still heartbreakingly good tho. Hope to find you well ^^ take care youse. Omnissiah keep ya
Pink Deer
That video was really damn good. I specifically appreciated how detailed and specific you got with your analysis. Very excited for the build up you've made with your work and hope to see what happens next.
Fearmeister
Looks like it's a new game https://youtu.be/SmHnnvQQxaE?si=DtWU-Xken372Zzmd
Aaron Bandell
Please prioritize yourself in this because people always want more and I'd rather just not see someone lose their mind
Cam Kilgore
Holy crap you people are nuts STOP TORTURING THIS MAN. Mandy, release the vid and mention it at the end. Its probably just a sizzle reel for the Switch release, the story is done we're not getting more SOMA. Okay so there is more evidence it may be something new because it links to Kepler Interactive's site in a few places, my point still stands. Append it to the end.
MandaloreGaming
I actually did this but haven't heard a reply yet
NEMESIS PRODUCTIONS
I would say the first option maintains the teaser-y spirit of what's potentially to come, like a short little addition to the SOMA video would be fun!
C2
Seconded. I don't think there's a correct choice here so I'd say do whatever you want but these days a lot of games are long term projects that get supported for years (even if it's not a full blown live service) so going back to do another video later seems like a win-win for everyone involved.
George Sedov
Or you could just try and contact frictional games directly and ask them whether they think you should postpone for a bit :)
Jeanette H
Regardless of how the die lands, I know you'll do right by the games in question. SOMA deserves as deep of a dive, hehe, as possible so I don't mind waiting a little longer for it, if Frictional springs a surprise on us.
Chili Roireau
Tbh your vids are always timeless, I don't think a update or anything would detract from your work
Nomads-of-Korsun
You can always make a second video later. The first review doesn't need to include absolutely everything. Games get DLC's and all that. Regardless, looking forward to your next video Mandalore.
J. N.
D) Creator's choice.I don't know how frustrated you'll be if you ignore and it's something major vs. wait and it's nothing.
Vonerd
I'd say you should try to release whatever you have so far and just make a brief mention about the ARG. that could be another seperate video that you could cover a whole other connected subject about with your findings.
Henske
I'd prefer a more substantial video rather than just having it come out earlier.
Michael Wolf Pedersen
I voted to wait and see - but I am also entirely fine with just waiting for a few days and working what comes up in that time into the video
GenghisPrawn
Having agency in your production schedule feels unnatural. Instead I’m going to leave an unhelpful comment!
Matthew Coleman
Just excited to hear something's coming, one way or another. Hope you're doing well!
Derrick Graham
Don't make this video your Duke Nukem Forever. Adding layers of content as they arrive. Slay the SOMA dragon now before it grows any bigger.
ShadoSpartan
Hold off on it Mando, I prefer your videos well done vs medium rare
Cowit
One again Mandalore has been betrayed by god.
Hyperion 99
Godly timing lol
Ubernook
Holding off for a bit in case of a major addition coming up is a good plan. I'd feel annoyed if I put something big out and it became outdated immediately, especially if it's only a few weeks wait. Don't overdo things if you need a line drawn under the video though. I feel most people here pay to support you, not to receive videos, take all the time you need.
Jacob Alexander Tice
Did Frictional send in spies to see how your SOMA video is progressing in order to prevent you from ever finishing it? Because this is absurd.
Bramble
I mean if you look at the ARG that revealed Soma, it all happened over the course of like 2 weeks... and around this time of year. I think it might be interesting to take a different approach to this, like you took a different approach to the Ring video. Maybe engage with the ARG through YouTube shorts or something while simultaneously teasing your video. Because I'm not sure sprinkling the ARG stuff into your video will age well, but I think it'd be a missed opportunity to just ignore it and what tie-ins you've noticed.
Ben Christianson
I would honestly be happy with anything. It doesn't need to be a definitive video if new developments occur.
LAGisnotRAD
Small videos often become big videos without you knowing it so getting ahead on them seems like a good idea
onesketchy.com
Smort
onesketchy.com
I did not expect such polarizing results in that poll, holy cow. I really hope everything is going well for you, Mando. If we have to wait until Halloween night for the Soma video I'm fine with that. In my opinion, you should leave the "Hotel Samsara" as a footnote.
Cam Kilgore
Just fucking release the video as is, add a note at the end that there were developments as you were in final edit, and you'll do a future update if required.
wilsonwy
I believe in you!
Fearmeister
I think ignoring it is the best option because a) its a tease for the next Frictional game, 2) a major remaster / dlc, in which case it'll probably warrant its own video or 3), a minor remaster in which case it'll be best to ignore it/pin a Youtube comment.
NitemareSpecial
Boot it, happy to wait for a more feature-filled video if anything happens in the next month. But don't break your back dude.
James
Don't feel pressured by release schedule or whatever and do what would make you happiest. I'd sooner you make what feels right to you than worry about anything else, whether that's getting it out now or waiting however long.
Notenome
I think there should be a run off bc two of the options both involve continuing with the SOMA project
ArkSeaside
Voting the third option with the strong caveat of "don't feel obligated to cram more stuff into the video unless you want to"
Eli Ackerman
this video has to be cursed theres no fucking way
Spongeguy
Might be worth reaching out to the devs and asking
Chase Cushman
Damn. The SOMA video is the gift that never stops giving. lol
