Kotaku Splitscreen

Episode 223: Kirk, Jason, and Maddy talk about Persona 5 and Animal Crossing, the cures for everyone's woes, then share some stories from listeners (43:19) about how they're coping with corona. Then they talk about a certain show that Jason's finally watching... (1:09:17) Music pick: “Tropicalia” by Beck from Mutations, 1998 Maddy's stream this weekend: https://www.twitch.tv/gamers4bernie

Episode 222: As the coronavirus pandemic upends all of our lives, let Kotaku Splitscreen distract you for a little while with talk of delightful video games. First up, Jason, Kirk, and Maddy talk about Kentucky Route Zero, Persona 5 Royal, and Ori and the Will of the Wisps, then dive into the recent PS5 spec reveal (32:44) and talk about how they're coping with self-isolation. Then it's time for off-topic chat (1:07:25) on The Wire, McMillions, and The Wrecking Crew. Music pick of the week: “Cabin Essence” by Brian Wilson from Smile, 2004

Episode 221: Jason, Maddy, and Kirk talk about their adventures in Nioh 2, Black Mesa, and Persona 5 before taking a deep dive into the cancellation of E3 2020 (43:44), an unprecedented move that comes in the wake of the global coronavirus pandemic. What will this mean for the video game industry? Then they get into off-topic (1:05:15) on I Think You Should Leave, Castlevania, and one fantastic episode of Reply All. Music pick of the week: “Blues Stride” by McCoy Tyner from Infinity, 1995

Episode 220: Kirk, Jason, and Maddy talk about Kentucky Route Zero, Baldur's Gate 3, and a bit more Kirby before jumping into a few different topics (24:24) including their gamer personalities, a frustrating VentureBeat article about Quantic Dream, and the much-hyped Final Fantasy VII remake demo, which they have LOTS of thoughts about. Finally, off-topic discussion (1:28:38) on Curb Your Enthusiasm and Bojack Horseman. Music pick of the week: “Get By’ By Talib Kweli from Quality, 2002 Links: Quantic Foundry surveys, Jason's thoughts on Final Fantasy VII Remake, CanardPC on QuanticDream, Kirk and Leigh Alexander on Final Fantasy VII

Episode 219: Jason, Kirk, and Maddy talk about Dragon's Dogma, Death Stranding, and Divinity: Original Sin 2 for a while before diving into the game that everyone's playing -- Kirby: Planet Robobot (33:27). Then they talk about how the coronavirus pandemic may impact the video game industry this year in some big ways and discuss whether Trials of Osiris will bring Kirk and Jason back to Destiny 2. Finally, some off-topic chat on Uncut Gems, RoboCop, and Better Call Saul. Music pick of the week: “By Fire” by Hiatus Kaiyote from Choose Your Weapon, 2015 Links: "The Universe Has Been Outsourced" - Michael Thomsen Apple Music playlist: https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/kirks-strong-songs/pl.u-V9D7mXEHJ7o0a Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1zRtCq81Z6kXKmGCK0Xm7u?si=2qwuFExCTfCkRFY9d3hUhA

Episode 218: Jason returns to complete the trifecta and take his rightful place as Splitscreen's Triforce of Power... or is it Triforce of Courage? He, Kirk, and Maddy talk about some video games they're playing, including Dragon's Dogma, Death Stranding, and Enter the Gungeon. Then they dive into a Disco Elysium spoilercast (38:31) to talk about the game's guiding ethos, its ending decisions, and what it all means. Finally, it's off-topic talk (1:16:53) about Mythic Quest, the new Apple TV show about video game development, is actually pretty damn good!!! Music pick of the week: D’angelo and the Vanguard - “Ain’t That Easy” from Black Messiah, 2014 Links: Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/kirks-strong-songs/pl.u-V9D7mXEHJ7o0a Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1zRtCq81Z6kXKmGCK0Xm7u?si=2qwuFExCTfCkRFY9d3hUhA Cameron Kunzelman on the end of Disco Elysium: https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/v7445x/the-mysterious-magical-end-of-disco-elysium-was-one-of-the-years-best

Episode 217: Kirk and Maddy start by discussing the upcoming "reinvention" of Anthem, then talk about what we're playing, with Kirk having beaten The Evil Within 2 and Maddy playing Death Stranding and Super Metroid. Next we bring on Kotaku senior reporter Nathan Grayson (20:41) to talk about the new Metro Exodus DLC, as well as his recent reporting on Twitch and Mixer and the lucrative deals that streamers have been cutting with platforms. We close with off-topic talk (53:46) about John Wick, Birds of Prey, and Sex Education. Music pick of the week: “Incwadi Encane” by Simmi from her 2018 album Tugela Fairy Links: BioWare Plans A 'Substantial Reinvention' Of Anthem Top Streamers Are Leaving Twitch Amidst Big Money And Shady Deals Why Twitch Fans Donate Money To Wealthy Streamers Music Picks Playlists - Apple Music, Spotify

Episode 216: Maddy and Kirk talk about games they're playing, with Maddy having beaten Disco Elysium and returning to Death Stranding, and Kirk having beaten A Plague Tale: Innocence and finally able to start The Evil Within 2. After a break (35:53), we bring on Kotaku video producer Paul Tamayo to talk about his coverage of Journey To The Savage Planet. Then, he tries to sell us on playing Dragon's Dogma (and he's pretty convincing). We close with off-topic discussion (59:51) about The Wire, Dunkirk, Cheer and The Good Place. Music pick of the week: “La Villa Strangiato” by Rush from Hemispheres, 1978 Links: Paul Tamayo's Journey To The Savage Planet video The Optional podcast (Paul's show) Music Picks Playlists - Apple Music, Spotify

Episode 215: Kirk and Maddy talk about games they're playing, with Kirk still restricting himself to beating A Plague Tale: Innocence before he can start playing The Evil Within 2. Maddy is playing too many games and has decided to start another one, which is Kentucky Route Zero. After a break (22:54), they bring on Kotaku staff writer Ethan Gach for a Destiny 2 update and more emails from listeners about hard-won gaming accomplishments. Then we get into off-topic talk (1:05:16) about The Witcher, Lost In Space, Joker, and Uncut Gems. Music pick of the week: Timnit Welday, “Weni” - New Ethiopian Tigrigna (tee-greena) music (via YouTube) Links: Henry Cavill breaks down The Witcher fight Music Picks Playlists - Apple Music, Spotify

Episode 214: Maddy and Kirk talk about games they're playing (without Jason), with Maddy starting up Pokemon: Shield and Kirk having finally beaten Disco Elysium, as well as continuing with The Witcher 3 and Plague Tale: Innocence. After that (36:52), we read listeners' stories about the hardest challenges they've ever bested in video games. We don't get through all of them, so we're going to keep that up in future episodes. We close out the show with off-topic discussion (1:06:06) about You Must Remember This, Avatar, and Uncut Gems. Music pick of the week: “Migrations” by Chris Potter feat John Scofield from his 2002 album Traveling Mercies Links: "Game Delays Cause More Crunch" by Jason Schreier The Witcher anime film Music Picks Playlists - Apple Music, Spotify

Episode 213: Jason, Kirk, and Maddy talk about Disco Elysium, Hollow Knight, and Monster Hunter: Iceborne before checking in on some quick news (29:00): Sony's skipping E3 and Final Fantasy VII and Avengers are both delayed. Then they open up the listener mailbag for some questions about the hardest things they've ever done in a video game, whether Microsoft will ever turn Xbox into a living room PC, and the games they might hypothetically speedrun. They close things off with some off-topic talk (1:07:00) on James Cameron, Parasite, and the glorious return of Jason's NFL Playoff stories. Music pick of the week: “The Other Side” by Moonchild from their 2019 album Little Ghost Links: Heather Alexandra on speedrunning. Luke Palmer on Snowpiercer and Willy Wonka Music Picks Playlists - Apple Music, Spotify

Episode 212: Kirk, Jason, and Maddy talk about the games they played over the holidays, like Resident Evil 2, The Witcher 3, and Control, then look back at their predictions for 2019 to see who got the most things right (28:22). Then they make predictions for 2020, a year that will no doubt be full of fun video game nonsense. They close things off with movie talk on Knives Out, Parasite, Little Women, and more (1:10:53). Music pick of the week: “Dream Sweet in Sea Major” by Miracle Musical (??????????) from the 2012 album Hawaii: Part II (Kirk's playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1zRtCq81Z6kXKmGCK0Xm7u?si=2qwuFExCTfCkRFY9d3hUhA)

Episode 211: Jason, Kirk, and Maddy continue their discussion of the games they played in 2019, capping off the year with July through December. The games: Dragon Quest Builders 2, A Short Hike, Fire Emblem: Three Houses, Wolfenstein Youngblood, Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3, Telling Lies, Grandia HD Collection, Rebel Galaxy Outlaw, Control, Remnant: From The Ashes, Madden NFL 20, Eliza, Final Fantasy VIII Remastered, AI: The Somnium Files, No Man’s Sky: Beyond, Zelda: Link’s Awakening, What The Golf?, Assemble With Care, Spek, Bleak Sword, Grindstone, Ori and the Blind Forest (Switch), Gears 5, Hitman 2: Haven Island, Borderlands 3, Untitled Goose Game, Sayonara Wild Hearts, Destiny 2: Shadowkeep, Disco Elysium, The Outer Worlds, Luigi’s Mansion 3, Ring Fit Adventure, Afterparty, Death Stranding, Guildlings, Romancing Saga 3, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, Layton's Mystery Journey: Katrielle and the Millionaire's Conspiracy (Switch), Star Ocean: First Departure R, Heroland, Shovel Knight: King of Cards, Shovel Knight Showdown, Halo: Reach PC re-release

Maddy, Jason and Kirk have all seen Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker, and guess what? They have some thoughts. Our three hosts—a Force Triad, you could say—sat down and recorded a spoilercast that is nearly as long as the movie itself. Because, you see, these things echo. They rhyme. ADDITIONAL READING: Jason and Chris Kohler's conversation about the movie on Kotaku: https://kotaku.com/well-okay-lets-talk-about-star-wars-the-rise-of-skyw-1840561224 Kirk's old article about how The Last Jedi makes The Force Awakens more interesting. (RIP a few of those reasons): https://kotaku.com/star-wars-the-last-jedi-makes-the-force-awakens-much-m-1821721569 The Star Wars leaker's version of the story as posted to Reddit, which Jason references a few times during the cast and which differs from the final movie in some interesting ways: https://www.reddit.com/r/StarWarsLeaks/comments/d5i0ye/the_basic_plot_of_the_rise_of_skywalker_updated/

Episode 210: It's time for everyone's favorite tradition as Jason, Maddy, and Kirk go through all the games they've played in 2019, starting with January through June. (July-December coming next week!) Then (1:30:00) it's time for a Watchmen SPOILERCAST! The games: Slay the Spire, The Hong Kong Massacre, Kingdom Hearts III, Resident Evil 2 Remake, Wargroove, Metro Exodus, Apex Legends, Anthem, Far Cry New Dawn, Tetris 99, Ape Out, Sekiro, The Division 2, Baba Is You, Devil May Cry 5, Days Gone, Phoenix Wright Trilogy (Switch), Mortal Kombat 11, Zanki Zero: Last Beginning, Void Bastards, Rage 2, Outer Wilds, Beat Saber, Gato Roboto, Collection of Mana, Cadence of Hyrule, Timespinner (Switch), My Friend Pedro, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, Mario Maker 2

The 2010s were drawing to a close, and Jason, Kirk and Maddy decided to each pick a single game that defined the decade. It was not an easy decision. Many equally definitive games were left alone on the street, crying "My legacy!!" to any who would listen. A trinity, however, made it across the threshold, ready... for discourse. A hush over the room. Bang! A gavel, like a starter pistol. "I call this discussion to order," said the Judge from Phoenix Wright, who had been brought in especially for the occasion. "Please hold your objections until after the opening statements." Jason ambled to the podium, dragons on his mind. Maddy waited behind him, idly leafing through her notes on character development and archery. Kirk stood off to the side, squinting at a screenshot of an empty Oregon home. Each of their picks defined the decade in one way or another. But which one was... the definitiveist? The Judge's gavel fell once more. The discourse began. ....... Anyway, that segment begins at 26:25. First we talked about the games we're playing, from Shovel Knight: King of Cards to Halo: Reach and Red Dead Redemption 2 on PC. We closed out at 1:11:16 with some off-topic discussion of The Irishman, Elementary, and Good Omens. It was a fun ep. MUSIC PICK OF THE WEEK: "Ectogenesis" by Animals as Leaders from their 2016 album The Madness of Many. MUSIC PICK PLAYLISTS: Apple music: https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/kirks-strong-songs/pl.u-V9D7mXEHJ7o0a Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1zRtCq81Z6kXKmGCK0Xm7u?si=2qwuFExCTfCkRFY9d3hUhA

Episode 208: Jason, Kirk, and Maddy talk a bit about Luigi's Mansion 3, Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order, and Baba Is You before jumping into discussion of the new Half-Life VR game and next-gen consoles (19:11). Then they rave about Watchmen for a while (43:19) and close things out with some Jedi Fallen Order spoiler chat.

Episode 207: Happy turkey day! Kirk, Maddy, and Jason open up the Thanksgiving mailbag to answer some of your questions on their video game origin stories, SNES save states, emulating Death Stranding in Zelda: Breath of the Wild, what other animals should get their own Untitled Goose Game, and much more.

Episode 206: Finally, a good-ass Star Wars video game! Kirk, Jason, and Maddy take a deep dive into Jedi Fallen Order, the great new Star Wars single-player action-adventure game from Respawn. They talk about its influences, its difficulty, and whether Uncharted and Metroid really harmonize. Then they get into Half-Life VR and the tepid launch of Google Stadia (46:35) followed by some off-topic talk (1:04:49) on The Righteous Gemstones and Musicophilia. Music pick of the week: “Will O’ The Wisp” from Sketches of Spain by Miles Davis & Gil Evans

Episode 205: Jason, Kirk, and Maddy talk about a bunch of video games (Disco Elysium, the new Layton, Death Stranding, and so on) before jumping into some analysis of Disney's new Disney Plus streaming service and the Great Streaming Wars (33:32). Is there too much content? Yes. The answer is yes. Plus: His Dark Materials, Big Mouth, and The Mandalorian! Music pick of the week: “Light of a Clear Blue Morning” by Dolly Parton from New Harvest… First Gathering, 1977 Links: 'Disco Elysium' Is a Landmark RPG About the Politics of Our Broken World [Cameron Kunzelman, Vice] Podcast: Pop culture unites us as Americans. Will streaming services change that? [Lauren Katz, Vox] Disney Is Quietly Placing Classic Fox Movies Into Its Vault, and That’s Worrying [Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture]