To celebrate the 200th episode of Splitscreen, Maddy finally started playing Destiny 2. Meanwhile, Kirk beat Untitled Goose Game. We also bring on Kotaku staff writer Joshua Rivera (30:28) to discuss his article about Blizzard's crackdown on a pro Hearthstone player who spoke out about Hong Kong, and then the three of us discuss Borderlands 3, Destiny 2, and all the looting and shooting that can be done in those games. We close with off-topic discussion (1:17:50) about Gentleman Jack, The Great British Bake-Off, and The Real World.

Music pick of the week: “Since 99” by Vargas and Lagola

Wired PS5 Exclusive: https://www.wired.com/story/exclusive-playstation-5/

Planet Money on Hong Kong: https://www.npr.org/2019/07/19/743480237/episode-928-hong-kong

Joshua Rivera's Hong Kong article: https://kotaku.com/blizzards-hong-kong-missteps-prove-video-games-arent-ne-1838913631

Borderlands 3 review: https://kotaku.com/borderlands-3-the-kotaku-review-1838290570

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Kirk and Maddy start by congratulating Jason on his new fatherhood, then get straight to the heart of the matter: video games. Maddy's still playing Fire Emblem and also tried two cool tabletop games, Sheriff of Nottingham and Escape from Aliens in Outer Space. Kirk's tabletop group is still playing Betrayal Legacy; Kirk also played the new Hitman level and... drumroll... Destiny 2: Shadowkeep. After a break (28:32), we bring on Kotaku's editor-in-chief Stephen Totilo to talk about Ghost Recon: Breakpoint and also attempt to define a sidequest (and shout out some of our favorite ones). We then close out with off-topic talk (1:08:15) about Elementary, Star Trek: The Next Generation and Can You Ever Forgive Me?

Music pick of the week: "Oh My," Natalie Prass

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Kirk and Maddy make do without Jason, who's busy with imminent fatherhood, and discuss the joys of Untitled Goose Game and playing games as a jerk (who is also a goose). Kirk is also stuck on a Gears 5 boss and trying out tons of new offerings in Apple Arcade. We break for news (31:04) about the Oculus Quest, further discussion of Apple Arcade and subscription services, and a bunch of listener emails about weird gaming traditions. We close with off-topic talk (59:54) about Dark Crystal and Hustlers.

Music pick of the week: "Little Wing," Jimi Hendrix

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Episode 197: Kirk, Jason, and Maddy talk about the great new visual novel AI: The Somnium Files, the wonderfully addictive Fire Emblem, and Remnant: From the Ashes, aka Gears of Dark Souls. Then they get into news (34:07) on Nicalis and Apple Arcade, plus a listener question about weird gaming traditions. Finally, off-topic talk (57:16) and the legend of Gardner Minshew continues (or does it?).

Music pick of the week: “Rock Steady” by Aretha Franklin from Young, Gifted and Black, 1972

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Episode 196: The Splitscreen krew talks Gears 5, Link's Awakening, and Telling Lies, then moves into news of the week (33:53) on P.T. discoveries, Destiny's five-year anniversary, and esports in the Olympics. Then they get into off-topic (48:58) chat on Derren Brown's 'Secret,' Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, and Succession, before bringing back "Jason's NFL story of the week" to introduce the legend of Gardner Minshew

Music pick of the week: “7” by Prince and the New Power Generation from The Love Symbol Album

Show notes: Joshua Rivera on five years of Destiny, Kirk Hamilton on three years of Destiny, Kathryn VanArendonk - Is Succession a Comedy?

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Episode 195: Kirk, Maddy, and Jason talk about Gears 5, Final Fantasy VIII Remastered, and Control, then dive into some listener questions (31:21) on buying games from problem companies, the best controllers, and silent protagonists. They close things out with off-topic talk (55:28) on Billions, Bundyville, and some Veronica Mars spoilers.

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Episode 194: The Splitscreen Squad talks about the excellent Control, the grindy Dragon Quest XI, and Maddy's comparisons between Gears of War 4 and Fire Emblem: Three Houses. Then they talk news of the week ((24:28) on Telltale getting revived (as a shambling corpse), industry sexual harassment allegations, and weird controversies surrounding the game Ion Fury. Off-topic talk this week (55:21) is all about The Family, Y: The Last Man, and Billions.

Music pick of the week: “Burning Up” by Marianas Trench from Astoria, 2014

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Episode 193: Maddy, Kirk, and Jason talk about Gears of War 4 and the never-ending Fire Emblem: Three Houses before jumping into this week's news from Gamescom (Kojima! Insomniac! Ori and the Blind Forest to Switch!) and, finally, an Outer Wilds spoilercast (35:34). Then some off-topic talk (1:15:45) on Heaven's Gate, Billions, and Succession.

Music pick of the week: “Pyramid Song” by Radiohead from Amnesiac, 2001

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Episode 192: Jason is back from book leave, so why not talk about the one thing that's been on his mind for the last four weeks: Internet distractions! First the gang talks about the games they've been playing, like Outer Wilds and Eliza, before getting into Fire Emblem (29:22) and some productivity tips. Finally, they talk about Saga, Once Upon A Time... In Hollywood, and Veronica Mars (1:04: 26).

Music pick of the week: “Come Home With Me/Wedding Song” from Hadestown by Anaïs Mitchell

Show notes: Rob Zacny (Vice) on Eliza, Nathan Grayson (Kotaku) on the Epic Games Store

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Maddy and Kirk start by discussing the news from last weekend, citing Joshua Rivera's editorial "We Do Not Need To Defend Video Games From Politicians," as well as Maddy's coverage of the ESA leaking journalists' personal information. Next, they talk about games they've been playing; Maddy's still enjoying Phoenix Wright, and Fire Emblem: Three Houses has taken over Kirk's life. After that, Kotaku editor-at-large Riley MacLeod came on to discuss his coverage of the Fortnite World Cup (27:08) and the kid-friendly atmosphere of the event. We close with off-topic talk (1:01:10) about Schitt's Creek and Kim Stanley Robinson's Mars trilogy.

Music pick of the week: “All Will Be Well” by Gabe Dixon

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