The Press Box

The Ringer's Ben Lindbergh and Jason Concepcion talk to Jordan Thompson, lead software engineer for the latest Google Doodle game, about building games for a massive search-engine audience with unique control constraints and compatibility concerns (0:15). Then they bring on Ubisoft creative director Jason VandenBerghe to discuss the innovative combat system at the center of newly released fighting game 'For Honor,' why sword-fighting is so tough to translate to video games, and how he created the concept of Vikings versus Samurai (19:30).

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Ringer editor-in-chief Sean Fennessey sits down with Academy Award winning director Gore Verbinski to discuss his new film 'A Cure For Wellness' (0:40)as well as his career arc of going from directing music videos and television commercials to big budget features like the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' and 'Rango' (11:00).

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The Ringer's Chris Ryan and Ryan O'Hanlon discuss Arsenal–Bayern Munich (5:00), Barcelona-PSG (13:00), and the concept of club identity in the sport (20:00). Then, USMNT member and Seattle Sounders forward Jordan Morris joins (30:00) to give thoughts on the role of college development on the pitch (34:00), break down what a manager actually does during a game (38:00), and discuss how he watches soccer as a fan (42:00).

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The Ringer’s David Shoemaker teams up with Bleacher Report’s Dave Schilling to break down the main event from 'Elimination Chamber' (01:30), Bray Wyatt’s future as champion (03:05), Emmalina and the most meta moment in professional wrestling (23:35), Bailey ending Charlotte’s reign (29:00), Kevin Owens betraying Chris Jericho at the 'Festival of Friendship' (36:10), and the upcoming Andre the Giant documentary (41:55).

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The Ringer’s Juliet Litman sits down with the Bachelor, Nick Viall, to talk about being on the show four times (1:30), kissing in front of the other contestants (7:14), and his biggest surprise thus far(11:20).

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The Ringer's Ben Lindbergh and Jason Concepcion discuss PS4 Pro envy and 'Resident Evil 7' (0:40) and talk to The Guardian's games editor Keith Stuart about the continued sales success of 'Grand Theft Auto V,' the perpetual repackaging of old titles, and the worst US presidents in video games (6:08). Lastly, they talk to Polygon's Owen Good about the latest bad news for NBA Live, why so many sports games are going extinct, and the NBA's plans to partner with Take-Two to launch an official 'NBA 2K' esports league (26:05).

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Ringer editor-in-chief Sean Fennessey sits down with writer and director Barry Jenkins to discuss his film ‘Moonlight’ and its eight Oscar nominations, what it’s like working with his old friends (6:30), casting nonactors (12:52), and whether or not he plans to speak out politically onstage if he wins at the Academy Awards (28:13).

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The Ringer's David Shoemaker, Bleacher Report's Dave Schilling, and "Hollywood" Dan St. Germain team up to preview the "Elimination Chamber" (00:30) and discuss Bray Wyatt and babyface Luke Harper (02:20), booking Samoa Joe (16:45), Jeff Jarrett's control of TNA (23:00), Hulk Hogan's rumored return (27:30), and the Hall of Fame induction of the Rock 'n' Roll Express (32:00).

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The Ringer’s Juliet Litman and Amanda Dobbins discuss Beyoncé’s big Instagram announcement and her pop star supremacy (1:30), Lady Gaga’s personae and Super Bowl performance (13:05), Chris Evans and Jenny Slate’s breakup (20:15), and Ed Sheeran and Russell Crowe’s unlikely friendship (25:50).

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The Ringer's Juliet Litman sits down with Johnny "Bananas" Devenanzio to discuss 'The Challenge: Invasion of the Champions' (00:30), staying competitive (06:30), the 'Are You The One?' kids (7:15), the best 'Challenge' competitor of all time (10:35), and what comes next (25:40).

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