CheckpointXP: On Demand Podcast

This week on Checkpoint XP:

• (0:00) Every stream platform growing except Mixer
  • COVID-19 has us all scrambling for entertainment to watch while in quarantine. This has been to the benefit of many streaming platforms like Twitch and Facebook Gaming? So why isn't Mixer growing?
• (12:00)  Valorant's Launch
  • Valorant has officially launched, well ahead of schedule. And yet, the viewership numbers on Twitch aren't telling a great story. What's going on in the world of Valorant?
• (23:58) Gaming companies supporting BLM
  • Protests against police brutality are happening all over the country. It's no surprise that game developers are weighing in on the situation. Who's handling it well and who isn't?
• (34:00) Dafran becoming a farmer?!
  • There are lots of career paths available to esports athletes when they hang up the sticks. From casting to streaming, there are plenty of options. But former Overwatch pro Dafran is trying something kinda new.
• (43:50) RPG Character or Porn Star?
  
  • Kali joins us for a round of your new favorite game: RPG Character Name or Porn Star?
• (55:50) Gaming and Esports News - 
  • Esports Pro, Uzi, retires from league of legends due to health concerns
  • Destiny Holds Their First In Game Live Event
  • Sony Fined 2.4 Million by Australian Courts
  • Games $2200 Limited Edition Includes Full-Size Foosball Table
  • EA Brings a bunch of games to steam
• (1:07:48) Patient Gamer - Skyrim
  • On this week's edition of the Patient Gamer, Robbie introduces us to one of the most successful video games of all time in Bethesda's Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim.
• (1:17:49) Social Media Check-in
  • We check in with our social media followers to find out the story on how you got your gamer tag!

This week on Checkpoint XP:

• (0:00) Cheating During COVID-19
  • While most esports are still being played online due to COVID-19, we've seen a spike in cheating during competition. But how come it seems like it's mostly traditional sports athletes who are the perpetrators?
• (12:00)  LCS Average Salaries
  • Would you believe the average salary in the LCS is just shy of half a million dollars? As esports salaries continue to climb, we strike a comparison between them and traditional sports salaries.
• (24:01) Friday Night League
  • Producer Kali joins us to talk about the upcoming LCS summer split. Riot is making a big change as they introduce Friday Night League.
• (34:02) Skyrim Grandma
  • The guys talk about a news story in which Skyrim Grandma, a popular Youtuber, announces she's going to be doing less videos. They also share stories of their grandparents and gaming.
• (43:51) Video Game Movies Fan-Casted
  
  • This week, the guy's are going over some of the people they'd like to see casted in video game movies. Can we create the perfect film?!
• (55:51) Gaming and Esports News - 
  • Amazon Releases Crucible To A Resounding Yawn
  • Dexerto Reports Ugly Conditions around the Vancouver Titans Roster release
  • Silent Hill Returns in Dead by Daylight
  • Blizzcon Has Been Cancelled
  • The Next Chapter of Eve Online Lets You Side With Aliens
• (1:07:49) Patient Gamer - Dead Space 1
  • On this week's edition of the Patient Gamer, Weirdbeard breaks down Dead Space 1, heralded as one of the best sci-fi horror games of all time. We also preview the next month in gaming.
• (1:17:52) Social Media Check-in
  • We check in with our social media followers to find out what your favorite gaming line of all time is.

This week on Checkpoint XP:

• (0:00) Microsoft responds to backlash
  • Last week, we talked about the backlash that Microsoft received due to their 'gameplay' footage during the Summers Games Festival. Microsoft has responded to the criticism.
• (12:02)  Tony Hawk's Pro Skater Remakes
  • Tony Hawk's Pro Skater rules the late 90's and early 2000's. Now, the original THPS and its first sequel are being remastered. More importantly, the classic music is coming back! The guys break it down.
• (24:02) NHL Charity Fortnite Tournament
  • The NHL still remains on hiatus due to COVID-19, but they're looking to keep active! 60 players from the NHL are running a Fortnite charity tournament with proceeds going to combat coronavirus.
• (34:03) Valorant Changes and Weirdbeard's experiences
  • Valorant remains one of the most popular up and coming games in the world, and some major changes are in store for it. Weirdbeard also breaks down some of his experiences in the game.
• (43:52) Name that character
  
  • Ric's insisting we get our impression pants on. We don't know what it means and we don't like it. 
• (55:51) Gaming and Esports News - 
  • Ubisoft Sues Google over R6 Siege Clone
  • World Class DOTA2 Org Banned for Match Fixing
  • Don’t Expect Anthem 2.0 Anytime Soon
  • Paper Mario Origami Announced
  • Pokemon Tournaments Move Online
• (1:07:49) Patient Gamer - Batman: Arkham Asylum
  • On this week's edition of the Patient Gamer, Robbie breaks down Batman: Arkham Asylum. Mark Hamill returns as the Joker. The combat is amazing. What could go wrong?!
• (1:17:52) Social Media Check-in
  • We check in with our social media followers to find out what games defined you as a kid.

This week on Checkpoint XP:

• (0:00) XBox Game Stream
  • COVID-19 has axed the major gaming shows this year. With no E3 this June, XBox is running a series of streams over the summer. The first one was held last week, and they've apparently forgotten what gameplay footage means.
• (12:00)  Is Overwatch League in trouble?
  • It's been rough sailing this year for the Overwatch League and they don't seem to be getting the same benefit of the doubt that other esports are enjoying from fans. How come?
• (24:00) Streets of Rage 4
  • James dove head first into Streets of Rage 4 over the weekend and can't help but feel the women are over-sexualized. Not the complaint we expected out of him.
• (34:03) Pewdiepie Youtube Deal
  • YouTube signed one of their most popular content creators to an exclusive deal, and Weird Beard has an interesting take on why.
• (43:49) The more popular search
  
  • Ric's got a game for us to play! He's found a site that shows what the most popular searches are by location, and the rest of the crew has to figure it out.
• (55:52) Gaming and Esports News - 
  • Fortnite holds its first Party Royal
  • Guy who wrote the C + Joke for Sea Bass in Animal Crossing is sick of it too
  • The Washington Justice lose both of their DPS Stars, making their season look even more hopeless.
  • Western Valorant Esports Events had 7.08 Million Hours watched in April
  • AOC plays Animal Crossing
  • Toyko Game show has been cancelled
• (1:07:53) Patient Gamer - Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition
  • On this week's edition of the Patient Gamer, Weirdbeard takes us back to one of the all time great role-playing games: Baldur's Gate II.
• (1:17:54) Social Media Check-in
  • We check in with our social media followers who turned out en masse when we criticized Microsoft over their concept of gameplay footage.

This week on Checkpoint XP:

• (0:00) COVID-19 Cancels More Events and Summer Games Festival Announced 
  • COVID-19 has claimed more events that we we're looking forward to. However, out of the ashes of this year's E3, the Summer Games Festival has been announced.
• (12:00)  Streets of Rage 4 and James V Robbie
  • Streets of Rage 4 is here, introducing some much needed memories of good times. The cast breaks down the newest release in the series, then James and Robbie's rivalry heats up.
• (24:00) Assassins Creed Valhalla
  • You'll never guess who on the cast hates the Assassin's Creed games. The crew talks the upcoming title in the long running franchise, plus they announce the Free Game of the Week.
• (33:58) Lone Star Showdown and Katie Hates Ric
  • The guys talk about the Lone Star Showdown event going on down in Texas between the Houston Outlaws and the Dallas Fuel. Plus, Weirbeard had an awkward experience when he went over to Robbie's house last week.
• (43:46) Energy Drink Flavor or RPG Spell Attack?
  
  • The title says it all. Kali joins the guys to see if they can figure out whether it's an attack in a video game or an energy drink flavor, with dire consequences.
• (55:49) Gaming and Esports News - 
  • A New Line of Pokemon Clothing Ruined Social Distancing in Japan
  • Uzi become a free agent in League of Legends
  • Ninja partners up with Postmates
  • After Half Life Alyx, Only 2% of Steam Users have VR
  • Danny Trejo plays Animal Crossing
• (1:07:49) Patient Gamer - Mass Effect 2
  • On this week's edition of the Patient Gamer, Robbie highlights one of the best games of the 2010's  - Mass Effect 2.
• (1:17:52) Social Media Check-in
  • We check in with our social media followers to see which game needs to be in the hall of fame!

This week on Checkpoint XP:

• (0:00) COVID-19 Update and MSI Is Cancelled- 
  • COVID-19 continues to wreak havoc on the esports world as well as traditional sports. Producer Kali joins the guys to talk about the Mid-Season Invitational getting axed. Plus, Travis Scott performed inside of Fortnite!
• (12:01)  Reply All is the Worst
  • Weirdbeard cemented himself as James's hero when he called out our company for their use of Reply All in an email. We have no doubt we'll be hearing from HR shortly. Plus, James admits to being a controller user. It's time for an intervention.
• (24:02) Nintendo Update
  • Lots of people are stuck at home looking for something to do. Luckily, NIntendo's got some big news on the horizon.
• (34:04) NFL Virtual Draft/Free Game of the Week
  • The NFL held their first virtual draft over the weekend! How'd it go and should they do it again? Plus, Life is Strange is our Free Game of the Week!
• (43:53) Unpoopular Opinions
  
  • No, it's not spelled wrong. We're just immature. We opened up the phone lines to hear your incredibly unpopular opinions and shame you for it!
• (55:53) Gaming and Esports News - 
  •  The Last of Us Two Gets a Release Date
  • Nintendo Confirms 160,000 Accounts were Breached
  • 100 Japanease Households are getting Super Famicoms
  • Doublelift is Welcomed Back to TSM
  • 2k says no WWE2k21, Announces WWE 2k Battlegrounds
• (1:07:54) Patient Gamer - Doom (2016)
  • On this week's edition of the Patient Gamer, Weirdbeard takes us back to 2016's reboot of the Doom franchise.
• (1:17:55) Social Media Check-in
  • We check in on social media to find out what's the best couch co-op game and what games have great difficult puzzles?

This week on Checkpoint XP:

• (0:00) COVID-19 Update and MLB Goes Online- 
  • As COVID-19 continues to keep us in quarantine, the cast looks towards Major League Baseball. They're running an online tournament with a representative from every team.
• (12:00)  China Cracks Down On Gaming
  • China is cracking down on gaming in a scary way. No more international play, no more zombies, no more plagues, or roleplaying among a litany of other bans. Could something like this ever happen in the states?
• (24:00) James' Fantasy Team Update
  • Last week, Ric helped James put together a fantasy team to gamble with. We'll check in and see how that went.
• (34:00) Valorant has scary access to your computer-
  • Riot's new game Valorant is looking to be massively popular, but it has some legitimately scary access to your computer.
• (43:52) Spot the Fake - Gaming Foods
  
  • Can the cast spot which foods are real and which ones are fake? They'll pay the price if they cant.
• (55:52) Gaming and Esports News - 
  • San Diego Comic Con has been canceled
  • Selena Gomez Sues Game for $10 Million
  • PS5 Supply could be lower than the launch of the PS4
  • Voice Actor for Leon Kennedy Dies at 56
  • Echo Was Removed from Professional Play, despite not being played in the OWL
  • ESPN to host Valorant Invitational
• (1:07:52) Patient Gamer - Borderlands 2 
  • On this week's edition of the Patient Gamer, Robbie takes us through Gearbox's classic Borderlands 2.
• (1:17:52) Social Media Check-in
  • We check in on social media to find out what game was better than you expected and which game made you make a difficult decision.

This week on Checkpoint XP:

• (0:00) COVID-19 Update and Esports on Draft Kings- 
  • The cast breaks down the latest goings on due to COVID-19. One of the major changes is esports appearing on Draft Kings. They give their thoughts on how to make some money on CS:GO. Take their advice at your own peril.
• (12:01)  Final Fantasy VII Remake and Easy Mode
  • Final Fantasy VII Remake is officially here and both Robbie and producer Kali are obsessed. They'll try to sell James and Weirdbeard on the game. 
  • Then, should games have an easy mode? When is easy mode too easy?
• (24:00) Robbie's ruined weekend - 
  • We all hate going to the dentist, but a trip this weekend ruined Robbie's plans of playing FF7. When have you had a bad trip to the dentist?
• (34:00) Memorials and remembrances in video games-
  • With the news of a memorial being held in-game for a Final Fantasy XIV player who died of COVID-19, the crew is taking a look at some other examples of memorials and remembrances inside gaming.
• (43:49) Quarantined house with video game characters
  
  • As we continue to live in quarantine, it's got us wondering which five video game characters you'd like to bunker down with.
• (55:50) Gaming and Esports News - 
  •  Residents Use the Side of a Building to Play Video Games
  • Animal Crossing New Horizons pulled from some Chinese Stores bc of In-Game Hong Kong Protestors
  • Google Stadia Pro Goes Free for Two Months
  • ESRB will now label games that have loot boxes
• (1:07:51) Patient Gamer - Psychonauts 
  • On this week's edition of the Patient Gamer, Ric tells us all the story of Psychonauts. If you missed this classic from back in 2005, now's your chance to catch up.
• (1:17:51) What game could you play for 24 hours?
  • We check in on social media to find out what character you absolutely hate as well as to name your favorite strong female villain.

This week on Checkpoint XP:

• (0:00) COVID-19 Update - 
  • COVID-19 continues to wreak havoc on gaming and esports. The Last Of Us II has been delayed indefinitely and QuakeCon has now been cancelled. The crew breaks down what's changing in their lives.
• (12:00)  Are movie theaters in big trouble?
  • Coronavirus has shut down most movie theaters and now movies are beginning to release directly on streaming platforms. Is the genie out of the bottle?
• (24:00) Can you compliment another man's truck? - 
  • James had an awkward moment last week when he got a nasty look for complimenting another man's truck? Can a guy compliment a guy? 
• (34:02) Parents interfering in their kid's careers-
  • We've seen it time and time again in traditional sports, but now it's seeping into esports as well. Helicopter parents getting too involved with their kid's careers.
• (43:52) Do you cheat in games?
  
  • Is it a cardinal sin or do you like to cheat in video games? Does it matter if the game is single player or multiplayer?
• (55:53) Gaming and Esports News - 
  • Residents use side of building to play video games
  • Animal Crossing New Horizons pulled from some Chinese Stores bc of In-Game Hong Kong Protestors
  • Google Stadia Pro Goes Free for Two Months
  • ESRB will now label games that have loot boxes
• (1:07:53) Patient Gamer - The Last Of Us 
  • In a new segment called Patient Gamer, the cast looks at incredibly popular games that you may have missed. This week, they discuss The Last Of Us.
• (1:17:55) What game could you play for 24 hours?
  • We're all bingeing games right now, what with being trapped at home. So the crew is wondering, what game could you binge for 24 hours straight?

This week on Checkpoint XP:

• (0:00) Mario is back - 
  • Rumor has it that a bunch of Mario classics are about to be remade for the Switch. In addition, a Nintendo Direct Mini was held last week that showed off some exciting upcoming releases.
• (12:01)  Dungeons and Dragons
  • Robbie and Kali explain why you should be playing Dungeons and Dragons with your family during the quarantine.
  • Afterwards, with Horizon Zero Dawn getting a comic series, the cast discusses which games they'd like to see fleshed out in a comic.
• (24:01) Ric's Tales From Quarantine - 
  • Ric has been quarantine for the last few weeks, and he has many stories of survival. Worse still, his girlfriend is trying to give up smoking. 
• (34:01) Gamestop is at it again-
  • Last week, we talked about Gamestop and their play to stay open as an essential business. This week, as 300 stores prepare to close permanently, a branch of stores is desperately trying to stay open.
• (43:52) Catchphrase
  
  • Ric's got a round of Catchphrase for the cast to play. It's Ric and James vs Robbie and Kali this week. 
  • Then, Half Life: Alyx is out. Will it be the future of VR?
• (55:52) Gaming and Esports News - 
  • FF7 Ships Early, SE asks not to spoil the new content
  • Sony Slows Downs PSN Downloads
  • NYXL Backs out of OWL for time being
  • Cloud9 Knocks Team Liquid out of contention for LCS Spring Split
  • Nevada to Allow Esports Betting
  • Rainbow Six Siege is Falling Apart
• (1:07:54) Gaming binge- 
  • What's the biggest gaming binge you've ever been on? With the crew in lock down, they're looking at beating their own records.
• (1:17:54) Next Month In Gaming
  • With April upon us, the cast breaks down the major releases coming up this month.