The Training Stage

Animal Crossing: New Horizons is here and Tyler has lots to say about it. A crazy lineup of early 2020 games makes us excited for what's coming next. What will the next big game be?

Twitter: @TTStage
Music by Rukunetsu, used with permission.

TIMESTAMPS

05:57 - Games Talk with John (Mega Man Legends)

19:10 - Games Talk with Tyler (Tales of Zestiria, Animal Crossing: New Horizons)

47:51 - Review Rundown - (DOOM Eternal, Ori, Half-Life: Alyx, Animal Crossing, Persona 5 Royal)

1:17:05 - What games are next to reach this level of quality in 2020?

1:28:10 - Wait, that's it for this episode?! To be continued on Episode 66...

Ghost of Tsushima finally has a release date and we discuss how it may be 2020's unexpected hit. Sony is bringing Horizon: Zero Dawn to PC and Microsoft reveals the official specs for their upcoming Xbox Series X. Additionally, we discuss the possibility of a new Tony Hawk game and the future of GameStop.

Twitter: @TTStage
Music by Rukunetsu, used with permission.

TIMESTAMPS

03:43 - "Vita Land" with John (Mega Man Legends, Final Fantasy VII Demo)

18:36 - Games Talk with Tyler (Smash Ultimate, DOOM, Ring Fit Adventure, Tales of Zestiria)

30:29 - Ghost of Tsushima launches on June 26th, 2020 for PS4.

37:51 - Horizon: Zero Dawn is coming to PC this summer, published by Sony.

42:54 - Former Sony Santa Monica head, Shanon Studstill, to head new Stadia studio in Playa Vista.

47:20 - Xbox Series X official specs revealed by Microsoft.

56:03 - Reggie Fils-Aime joins GameStop’s Board of Directors.

59:41 - Updates on PlatinumGames’ “Platinum 4” initiative, including The Wonderful 101 Remastered and Project G.G.

1:04:31 - Square Enix is not planning to release next-generation exclusives until “somewhat further down the road.”

1:07:49 - An unannounced Star Wars game, Project Maverick, has leaked onto the PlayStation Store.

1:10:00 - The NFL and 2K announce a new partnership to produce multiple “non-simulation” football games.

1:14:01 - According to an American punk rock band, a new Tony Hawk game is planned for release in 2020.

1:18:46 - Riot Games reveals Valorant, their new 5v5 character-based tactical shooter.

1:23:15 - Adult Swim Games announce Samurai Jack: Battle Through Time.

1:27:04 - Lightning Round (DuckTales, Death Stranding on PC, The Last of Us HBO, Spawn in MK11, and more).

On this special recording, we discuss the effects of the coronavirus on the video games industry. From convention cancellations and product delays, we discuss the impact that the virus has had across the industry.

Twitter: @TTStage
Music by Rukunetsu, used with permission.

TIMESTAMPS

01:34 - A general note about the severity of the coronavirus.

06:11 - SXSW cancelled over concerns of coronavirus in the city of Austin, Texas.

14:34 - GDC postponed after several exhibitors dropped over concerns of spreading the coronavirus.

18:26 - Gamescom in Germany announces the first wave of exhibitors planning to attend their show in August.

21:34 - There are currently no plans to cancel or postpone EVO 2020. However, an event for MK11 was cancelled on the day before it was supposed to start.

30:26 - Nintendo, Microsoft, and Destiny developer Bungie are allowing employees to work from home.

32:15 - Konami has delayed the release of their upcoming TurboGrafx-16 Mini console due to the coronavirus outbreak.

34:11 - Are we prepared to see the next generation of console gaming delayed?

43:42 - What is going to happen with E3 2020?

The coronavirus reeks havoc across the globe, which has in turn affected the operations of the gaming industry. Should we be concerned about a next-gen delay? E3 2020 loses a major attendee and big publishers across the industry share plans for the future.

Twitter: @TTStage
Music by Rukunetsu, used with permission.
This podcast is available on iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker, and YouTube. Limited availability on SoundCloud, shortly after release.

TIMESTAMPS

06:39 - Coronavirus reeks havoc across the industry. Could next-gen be delayed?

15:10 - Geoff Keighley to skip E3 2020. What does it mean for the show?

22:28 - GTA co-writer Dan Houser leaves Rockstar Games.

27:27 - Schreier: Sources indicate that EA cancelled another Star Wars game, early last year.

36:31 - Need for Speed is heading back to Criterion.

38:44 - BioWare is redesigning Anthem, while also supporting the current version.

43:00 - Ubisoft plans to release five AAA games in fiscal year 2020-21.

49:40 - Activision outlines its plans for 2020, which includes a new Call of Duty.

52:54 - 2K Silicon Valley studio branded as 31st Union, with work underway on a new AAA IP.

55:14 - An update on The Wonderful 101 Remastered.

57:38 - A brief recap of the Animal Crossing: New Horizons Direct.

1:04:49 - EVO 2020 lineup revealed.

1:12:20 - Smash Ultimate's second Fighters Pass is planned to be the last round of DLC.

1:18:14 - Lightning Round (Half-Life: Alyx, Outriders, Nioh 2, Biomutant, Temtem, and more).

Platinum Games launches a new initiative, "Platinum4," starting with a crowdfunding campaign for The Wonderful 101 Remastered. Some updates on the Xbox Series X and a new project from Ninja Theory. Pokemon Home details and launch. An amazing new trailer for Final Fantasy VII Remake. All these topics and more discussed on this episode!

01:21 - When are we expecting PS5/Xbox Series X news and a Nintendo Direct?

06:38 - Tyler's thoughts on Days Gone, Bloodstained, and Indivisble.

21:23 - John's Vita update, Mega Man Legends, and the ongoing Warcraft controversy.

49:04 - Nintendo’s nine months financial briefing for FY20. Nintendo IR

58:52 - NIKKEI: Pokemon developer Game Freak appears to be moving near new Nintendo building in Tokyo.

1:04:50 - Pokemon Home launch and pricing details.

1:15:28 - Ninja Theory announces Project MARA for Xbox and PC.

1:21:40 - Brad Sams: Leaked images of the Xbox Series X are legitimate.

1:27:10 - Electronic Arts hopes to publish 14 titles over the next fiscal year.

1:30:53 - “Platinum 4” and The Wonderful 101 Remastered.

1:38:03 - Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 producer leaves Capcom.

1:39:19 - New trailer for Final Fantasy VII Remake.

1:43:31 - Lightning Round (Ori, Granblue Versus, Patapon 2, Animal Crossing, and more updates)

Final Fantasy VII Remake, Cyberpunk 2077, and more delayed in a firestorm of delays. PlayStation skips E3 2020 and Xbox confirms they are still coming to the show. Smash fans are salty over Byleth joining the roster. And could Paper Mario and Metroid be making their grand returns this year? We discuss these topics and more on this packed episode of The Training Stage!

02:40 - Vita storytime with John.

13:31 - Tyler's thoughts on Days Gone.

26:02 - Two big delays from Square Enix: Final Fantasy VII Remake and Marvel’s Avengers from Crystal Dynamics.

31:32 - Dying Light 2 delayed from its Spring 2020 window to an unspecified time.

33:49 - Cyberpunk 2077 delayed from April to September 2020.

37:38 - Any other possible game delays for early 2020?

40:57 - PlayStation is not participating in E3 2020

43:38 - Phil Spencer confirms that Xbox will be at E3 2020.

47:25 - Byleth from Fire Emblem: Three Houses is the next fighter coming to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

55:41 - Fighters Pass Vol. 2 for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

59:43 - RUMOR: Insiders are claiming a new 2D Metroid and a traditional Paper Mario are coming to Switch in 2020.

The first news episode for 2020! Nintendo streams a Pokemon Direct and announces plans for the franchise in 2020. Sony breaks records with their PS5 logo reveal. Microsoft says that Series X won't have any first-party exclusives of its own at launch. Should we be worried that Platinum is receiving money from Chinese company Tencent? Can EA turn things around for next-generation? And how will Capcom handle the launch of their next Street Fighter game? These topics/questions and much more discussed on this episode!

Follow us on Twitter @TTStage!

For episode archives and written posts, visit us on Tumblr.
https://thetrainingstage.tumblr.com/

Your hosts are Tyler (@KokiriKid3) and John (@K1NG_IC3). Music used, with permission, by Rukunetsu.

TIMESTAMPS

02:29 - Pokemon Mystery Dungeon Rescue Team DX announced for Switch.

06:01 - Game Freak details DLC plans for Pokemon Sword and Shield: “The Isle of Armor” and “The Crown of Tundra."

14:07 - Pokemon Home is set for launch in February 2020.

16:58 - Sony reveals the finalized logo for PlayStation 5.

21:03 - Jim Ryan speaks about the upcoming reveal and launch of PS5.

23:06 - No first-party exclusive releases for Xbox Series X at launch.

29:21 - Platinum Games is receiving investment from Tencent to begin self-publishing games.

34:30 - Respawn CEO, Vince Zampella, to lead EA's DICE LA and produce new, original games.

38:35 - Fan fixes Street Fighter V netcode in just two days.

Our predictions for video games in 2020 and a recap of the industry in 2019!

Follow us on Twitter @TTStage!

For episode archives and written posts, visit us on Tumblr.
https://thetrainingstage.tumblr.com/

Your hosts are Tyler (@KokiriKid3) and John (@K1NG_IC3). Music used, with permission, by Rukunetsu.

TIMESTAMPS

03:51 - A review of our 2019 predictions.

20:21 - A brief review of 2019 in gaming and Tyler's favorite games of the year.

35:46 - General media predictions for 2020.

40:19 - Tyler's overarching predictions for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X.

48:37 - Our ten big video game predictions for 2020.

1:09:49 - Two BOLD, unrealistic gaming predictions for 2020.

1:13:56 - Extra predictions for video games in 2020.

On this special episode, Tyler and John share their Top 10 favorite games of all time.