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 HD

30:09 Justin’s Skyrim modding addiction persists

01:05:45 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.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Copyright 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 Introduction

17:16 What Justin got up to over the break: Cyberpunk 2077, Baldur’s Gate 3, modding Skyrim

01:25:32 What Julian got up to over the break: Sexbot, Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden

01:51:17 Dynasty Warriors Origins, The Sims Legacy Collection, Berserk, Paradise

02:23:51 CQC: Comments, Questions, Concerns

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show,

and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Copyright 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, announcements

12:44 Personal Top 10s: 10-7, checking in on Abramo

01:15:46 Personal Top 10s: 6-4, thanking patrons

01:56:30 Personal Top 10s: 3-2, checking in on Richard Harden, Private Detective

02:28:00 Honorable mentions

03:10:09 Checking in on Bing Bing, God of the Loom, revealing our number 1s

A Gamer Looks at 40 is back, with their Final Fantasy VII

series: https://agamerlooksatforty.buzzsprout.com/

Please check out the new RetroFits YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRetroFitsShow

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show,

and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Copyright 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.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show,

and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Theme 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 nominations

11:21 Beginning the cutting process

01:51:49 Cutting the final 6 games to get to a list of 10

02:59:11 Ordering the top 10, and crowning the 2024 Game of the Year

Check out Westen’s blog, Big Nerd Gaming: https://bignerdgaming.com/

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show,

and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Theme 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 RetroFits

27:20 Best New Character

02:39:47 The Character That Impresses Shania Twain Much Award

03:45:01 The Owen Wilson Award

Be sure to check out RetroFits at their new channel! https://www.youtube.com/@TheRetroFitsShow

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show,

and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Theme 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 2024

01:29:26 We Played it For the Story (aka Best Porn Game)

03:04:58 Best Looking Game

Check out Mike’s new comedy project, Tents: https://linktr.ee/BigWeasel

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show,

and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Theme 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