The Polybius Conspiracy
Jon Frechette, Todd Luoto
Jon Frechette, Todd Luoto
Originally heard on Radiotopia's Showcase, THE POLYBIUS CONSPIRACY tells the story of a mysterious arcade game from the '80s whose alleged existence in the Pacific Northwest is fueled by a blending of fact and fiction. ** Coming soon: THE SKIES ARE WATCHING. A new podcast from the creators of THE POLYBIUS CONSPIRACY & THE INCIDENT AT ONG'S HAT. Launches July 5th via BBC Radio 4. **
Aug 18, 2022
The Polybius Conspiracy is a seven-part series, originally heard on Radiotopia's Showcase in 2017, which tells the complex story of two men united by a decades-old urban legend. Polybius, a mysterious arcade game from the '80s whose alleged existence in the Pacific Northwest is fueled by myth and an obsessive online fan base, and which may have factored in the abduction of two teenage boys. Told as a hybrid documentary/fictional story, the series is an artful meditation on how urban legends take hold and spread, and an exploration into how we consume and perpetuate information in the internet age.
Aug 18, 2022
An investigation into the origins of the Polybius legend leads to Bobby, who claims the game was responsible for his abduction as a teenager. In the thirty-five years since, Bobby has remained steadfast with his story, going so far as to organize a for-profit walking tour while obsessively searching for the one person he believes could corroborate his allegations. Local players from the Portland arcade scene cast doubt on Bobby’s story, as do journalists who refute the game as ever having existed.
Aug 18, 2022
As a man comes forward to potentially corroborate Bobby's story, the path forward plunges into the darkness of another Oregonian legend: the infamous Shanghai Tunnels.
Aug 18, 2022
The search for answers leads the team to a retired journalist with a bizarre connection to Coin Kingdom, and unsettling allegations of abuse at an international youth academy.
Aug 18, 2022
Sometimes journalists pursue a mystery; other times, it pursues them. An unexpected phone call from Naomi Halbrook leads to more revelations, while a competing documentary project about Polybius leads to conflict.
Aug 18, 2022
New clues about the whereabouts of Rubin's missing partner shed light on secrets Bobby might prefer stay hidden. The team looks into how one might go about vetting the authenticity of a Polybius cabinet.
Aug 18, 2022
Questions about Bobby result in a surprising lead, as Rubin comes to believe he's cracked the code on Polybius.
Aug 18, 2022
Fact, fabrication, history and hoax converge as the search for Marc comes full circle.
