I’m not gonna lie…this episode was almost a little over an hour. Thankfully, Sony had a State of Play this week, so we had plenty to talk about with that! Man, I can’t wait for some big games to drop…00:00 When the internet goes out, obscure anime, shelving Banishers, Persona 3 Reload, Dragon Quest III HD30:09 Justin’s Skyrim modding addiction persists01:05:45 At least we have the Sony State of Play to talk about!02:11:42 Comments, Questions, Concerns (CQC)Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.comLogo and artwork by John GholsonAnnouncer: John GholsonJoin our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelectEmail: [email protected] 2024 Space Monkey Mafia Productions 

Well, we like to say that you never know what to expect each week on The Stage Select, because sometimes not even we know what to expect! This week, we mostly catch up on the games we played during the season break, and wrap up by answering some of your questions that built up while we were gone. Enjoy this very loose show!00:00 Introduction17:16 What Justin got up to over the break: Cyberpunk 2077, Baldur’s Gate 3, modding Skyrim01:25:32 What Julian got up to over the break: Sexbot, Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden01:51:17 Dynasty Warriors Origins, The Sims Legacy Collection, Berserk, Paradise02:23:51 CQC: Comments, Questions, ConcernsTheme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.comLogo and artwork by John GholsonAnnouncer: John GholsonJoin our Discord, learn about how you can support the show,and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelectEmail: [email protected] 2024 Space Monkey Mafia Productions 

SEASON PREMIERE! It’s been six weeks since Julian and Justin got together to record The Stage Select, and we thought there was no better way to kick things off than to talk about our personal top ten lists from 2024. Sure, our game of the year deliberations had us put together a communal list, but our individual ones look quite different. It’s also time to check in on the staff at The Stage Select studio to see how they’ve been getting on during the break. It’s great to be back!00:00 Introduction, NANOMACHINES, SON, announcements12:44 Personal Top 10s: 10-7, checking in on Abramo01:15:46 Personal Top 10s: 6-4, thanking patrons01:56:30 Personal Top 10s: 3-2, checking in on Richard Harden, Private Detective02:28:00 Honorable mentions03:10:09 Checking in on Bing Bing, God of the Loom, revealing our number 1sA Gamer Looks at 40 is back, with their Final Fantasy VIIseries: https://agamerlooksatforty.buzzsprout.com/Please check out the new RetroFits YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRetroFitsShowTheme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.comLogo and artwork by John GholsonAnnouncer: John GholsonJoin our Discord, learn about how you can support the show,and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelectEmail: [email protected] 2024 Space Monkey Mafia Productions 

Hey there, folks. Well, it was a good run, but Julian and Justin have gone their separate ways, and it's time for something new. Julian is striking out on his own with a one man show.This surely won't be a terrible idea at all.

Now that the dust has settled on the 2024 game of the year deliberations, Julian thought it would be fun to take a look back at the silly bits and skits that ran during the first season of The Stage Select. Consider this a kind of behind the scenes look at how some of these dumb things were created. You may start to understand the workings of Julian’s addled brain!Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.comLogo and artwork by John GholsonAnnouncer: John GholsonJoin our Discord, learn about how you can support the show,and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelectEmail: [email protected] song lyrics:What could this possibly be?Seems a lot like a podcast… Wonder what specifically?Talkin’ bout video games,With your hosts, you’re in good hands.Not more of the same!Now we’ll jump right in,So expect the unexpected and more.  Now we’ll get groovin,’Never know who’s gonna walk through the door!There just might be some treasure in this chest,Having fun with our special guests,Time for Stage Select!Copyright 2024 Space Monkey Mafia Productions 

And lo, the final seal was broken, and it was time to reveal the top ten games of 2024, as decreed by The Stage Select and their special guests: Westen from Big Nerd Gaming and Xavier Kreiger! But not before we spend hours deliberating on said list!00:00 Introduction, game of the year nominations11:21 Beginning the cutting process01:51:49 Cutting the final 6 games to get to a list of 1002:59:11 Ordering the top 10, and crowning the 2024 Game of the YearCheck out Westen’s blog, Big Nerd Gaming: https://bignerdgaming.com/Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.comLogo and artwork by John GholsonAnnouncer: John GholsonJoin our Discord, learn about how you can support the show,and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelectEmail: [email protected] song lyrics:What could this possibly be?Seems a lot like a podcast… Wonder what specifically?Talkin’ bout video games,With your hosts, you’re in good hands.Not more of the same!Now we’ll jump right in,So expect the unexpected and more.  Now we’ll get groovin,’Never know who’s gonna walk through the door!There just might be some treasure in this chest,Having fun with our special guests,Time for Stage Select!Copyright 2024 Space Monkey Mafia Productions 

It’s week 2 of The Stage Select’s Game of the Year deliberations! This week, James and JJ from RetroFits return to talk about some of the dumbest categories we have this year, as well as a massive talk about the best new characters of the year!00:00 Introduction, what happened to RetroFits27:20 Best New Character02:39:47 The Character That Impresses Shania Twain Much Award03:45:01 The Owen Wilson AwardBe sure to check out RetroFits at their new channel! https://www.youtube.com/@TheRetroFitsShowTheme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.comLogo and artwork by John GholsonAnnouncer: John GholsonJoin our Discord, learn about how you can support the show,and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelectEmail: [email protected] song lyrics:What could this possibly be?Seems a lot like a podcast… Wonder what specifically?Talkin’ bout video games,With your hosts, you’re in good hands.Not more of the same!Now we’ll jump right in,So expect the unexpected and more.  Now we’ll get groovin,’Never know who’s gonna walk through the door!There just might be some treasure in this chest,Having fun with our special guests,Time for Stage Select!Copyright 2024 Space Monkey Mafia Productions 

Welcome to the first week of The Stage Select’s Game of the Year extravaganza! This week, we’re joined by friend and frequent guest Mike Fallek to go through a few categories, including one you’re not likely to see in the other video game podcasts you listen to. Enjoy!00:00 Introduction (if you can call it that)14:47 Best Game Not Released in 202401:29:26 We Played it For the Story (aka Best Porn Game)03:04:58 Best Looking GameCheck out Mike’s new comedy project, Tents: https://linktr.ee/BigWeaselTheme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.comLogo and artwork by John GholsonAnnouncer: John GholsonJoin our Discord, learn about how you can support the show,and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelectEmail: [email protected] song lyrics:What could this possibly be?Seems a lot like a podcast… Wonder what specifically?Talkin’ bout video games,With your hosts, you’re in good hands.Not more of the same!Now we’ll jump right in,So expect the unexpected and more.  Now we’ll get groovin,’Never know who’s gonna walk through the door!There just might be some treasure in this chest,Having fun with our special guests,Time for Stage Select!Copyright 2024 Space Monkey Mafia Productions 

It’s the final episode of The Stage Select’s first season! It’s been a wild ride so far, so we wanted to close things out by taking a look back at the year in gaming, the status of the show, and what you can expect while we take a much-needed break, as well as next season. Enjoy, and thank you for being here!00:00 Introduction, tires06:51 Looking back at a catastrophic year for the video game industry42:00 The failure of Concord, and the blame left at its feet.55:58 Despite all the woes in the industry, it continues to be an incredible time for gaming, looking towards next gen01:48:42 Looking forward to gaming in 202502:13:17 Looking at the state of The Stage Select: year one02:37:46 What to expect between seasons, wrapping upTheme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.comLogo and artwork by John GholsonAnnouncer: John GholsonJoin our Discord, learn about how you can support the show,and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelectEmail: [email protected] song lyrics:What could this possibly be?Seems a lot like a podcast… Wonder what specifically?Talkin’ bout video games,With your hosts, you’re in good hands.Not more of the same!Now we’ll jump right in,So expect the unexpected and more.  Now we’ll get groovin,’Never know who’s gonna walk through the door!There just might be some treasure in this chest,Having fun with our special guests,Time for Stage Select!Copyright 2024 Space Monkey Mafia Productions 

Our penultimate episode of our first season has our final guest for the year, and it’s a big one! We’ve got Jeff Eckman from No One Can Know About This, Julian’s favorite podcast (and a must-listen for RPG fans). Join us as we catch up with Jeff, talk about The Game Awards, and much more!00:00 Introduction, catching up with Jeff Eckman18:05 The state of the TV industry, Telltale Games39:02 Five questions46:55 Recapping The Game Awards01:29:19 Taking Jeff Eckman to space01:57:38 Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Marvel Rivals02:05:22 Fields of Mystria, Closer the DistanceCheck out Mike Fallek’s new project, Tents: https://linktr.ee/BigWeaselTheme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.comLogo and artwork by John GholsonAnnouncer: John GholsonJoin our Discord, learn about how you can support the show,and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelectEmail: [email protected] song lyrics:What could this possibly be?Seems a lot like a podcast… Wonder what specifically?Talkin’ bout video games,With your hosts, you’re in good hands.Not more of the same!Now we’ll jump right in,So expect the unexpected and more.  Now we’ll get groovin,’Never know who’s gonna walk through the door!There just might be some treasure in this chest,Having fun with our special guests,Time for Stage Select!Copyright 2024 Space Monkey Mafia Productions