Kotaku Splitscreen

Kirk and Jason talk about The Leftovers and Nintendo Labo before moving into the controversial news of the week (18:37), including the shocking bombshell that that's actually Toad's head. Then, Larian CEO Swen Vincke joins the show (36:53) to talk about his incredible new role-playing game, Divinity: Original Sin 2. He talks about what it was like to develop the game, how they find bugs, and what his favorite quests are. Then, Kirk and Jason talk Rise of the Tomb Raider and Monster Hunter: World (1:07:17).

Kirk and Jason talk about weather, Roombas, and football, just like you wanted! Then they get to news (16:44) on the Nolan Bushnell controversy, a revoked world record, and Paragon shutting down because Fortnite was just too popular. After that, writer Leigh Alexander joins the show (32:57) to talk about her work on the clever narrative game Reigns: Her Majesty, and then Kirk and Jason talk through some new games (1:02:41) including Monster Hunter: World and Celeste.

Kirk and Jason talk about Nintendo Labo, Xbox Game Pass, and BioWare (11:03) before answering a whole bunch of YOUR questions (28:21) on YouTubers and kids, video game character creation, Destiny 2 weapons, backlogs, and much much more.

Kirk is joined by Kotaku's Stephen Totilo and Luke Plunkett to talk about Assassin's Creed Origins, which all three of them recently finished. Spoilers abound! 

Kirk and Jason talk about the news of the week including Destiny 2's debacle (5:46) before bringing on former Naughty Dog director Bruce Straley (28:17) to talk about his time directing Uncharted and The Last of Us, his reasons for leaving Naughty Dog, and his plans for the future. Then they rave about Divinity: Original Sin 2 (1:07:11), one of the best RPGs in recent memory.

Prolific RPG speedrunner puwexil joins the show from Awesome Games Done Quick 2018 to tell us what it's like to break the hell out of games like Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy VI. First, Kirk and Jason talk about news of the week (14:35) on Cyberpunk 2077, Overwatch League, and the Nintendo Direct that may or may not exist. Then Jason talks to puwexil (31:00) about what it's like to speedrun massive RPGs, how he discovers glitches, and why he started speedrunning. Finally, Kirk rejoins the show (1:00:43) to talk about Warframe, The Division, and what Jason should play on his brand new PC.

Assuming we don't die in a nuclear holocaust, what will 2018 bring for gaming? Kirk and Jason talk about the news of the week (13:46) including Gravity Rush 2 fans, an innocent man dying to a police swatting call, and Logan Paul's bleak controversy before making their big predictions for the year to come (34:16). Then they talk about their Games of the Year 2017 (57:20), share some behind-the-scenes details on how Kotaku picked its GOTYs, and discuss a few games they've been playing. 

For the last Splitscreen of 2017, Kirk and Jason revisit the predictions they made way back in January. First they talk about the news (5:42), including Final Fantasy's 30th anniversary, Leeroy Jenkins tomfoolery, and Destiny's Music of the Spheres leaking. Then it's time to see who won that big steak dinner bet: Kirk or Jason? (20:36) They close things off by talking Assassin's Creed Origins, Danganronpa, and other games they're playing (34:15).

Jason and Kirk return for part two of their look at EVERY VIDEO GAME OF 2017, this time hitting July through December to break down games like Super Mario Odyssey, Assassin's Creed Origins, and Destiny 2. 

Kirk and Jason are joined by Kotaku staff writer Heather Alexandra to talk about Star Wars: The Last Jedi. May the spoilers be with you! Because there are lots of spoilers in this episode.

It's time for a Kotaku Splitscreen annual tradition as Kirk and Jason go through every major game of 2017, one at a time, to talk about the good, the bad, and the Early Access. This week: January through June. 

Jason and Kirk talk about Mega Man 11 (15:09), Curse of Osiris breaking things, and Xenoblade 2 before playing Guess The Game Award Nominations (35:38) in preparation for the upcoming show. Then they get into Skyrim Switch (1:09:09) and the state of Destiny 2, which is... not good.

Kirk and Jason talk about the Marvel Cinematic Universe (12:52), Skyrim's composer's disappearing Kickstarter, and the Destiny 2 debacle. Then veteran game journalist Geoff Keighley joins the show (41:47) to talk about producing The Game Awards, deciding which games to reveal, and a very special proposal from the people who make Doritos. Finally, Jason shares some gripes about the upcoming RPG Xenoblade 2 (1:18:14).

It's a very special Splitscreen Thanksgiving as Kirk and Jason celebrate turkey day by answering some of YOUR questions on loot boxes, the stagnant cost of video games, what to play if you haven't gamed in 4 years, and much much more. Happy Thanksgiving!

Kirk and Jason jump into the news of the week (6:00) on loot boxes, a rumored Mario movie, and harassment at IGN. Then they bring on Wirecutter editor and fitness expert Casey Johnston to talk about how to get SWOLE (26:06), by lifting heavy things and putting them down. Finally, the Splitscreen duo gets into some more game impressions (1:00:36): Mario Odyssey, Wolfenstein, Xenoblade 2, and Horizon Zero Dawn's DLC.

Jason and Kirk talk about World of Warcraft Classic, the end of Miiverse, and whether the video game industry is really unsustainable. Then they're joined by indie designer Zach Barth (33:13) to talk about his excellent new game, Opus Magnum. Finally, Kotaku's Mike Fahey comes on the show to talk about the Xbox One X (58:36), a console that does exactly what it promises to do... which probably isn't enough for most people.

Super Mario Odyssey -- great game or greatest game? Let's discuss the delights of Nintendo's latest, and why Jason and Kirk are considering collecting over 900 moons. Also on today's show: news (39:37) on Sony's week full of PS4 announcements, the full story behind Visceral Games shutting down, and a slick new GameStop program that might piss off some publishers. Finally, Kirk and Jason talk Destiny 2 PC (1:00:05) and Wolfenstein 2. 

This week the Splitscreen Boyz are talking about Kirk's five-day marathon of Assassin's Creed Origins, a new game about climbing pyramids. Then (31:15) they dig into Animal Crossing mobile, Kinect dying for good, and the implosion of everybody's favorite gaming forum, NeoGAF.

What's good about South Park: The Fractured But Whole? What's bad about it? And how does South Park fit into our lives in 2017? Kirk and Jason take a deep dive into the longrunning comedy show, then jump into the news of the week (40:19) including Visceral's demise, sexual harrassment allegations from an ex-Naughty Dog artist, and the state of Destiny 2. Then they talk about a few games they've been playing (1:08:33), like Stardew Valley and Shadow of War.

It's Kotaku Splitscreen's 100th episode! Join Kirk and Jason for a look back at 2+ years of Splitscreen, followed by news talk (19:09) about loot boxes, Oculus Go, and Valve's Orange Box turning 10. Then (48:27) they talk South Park, Steamworld Dig 2, and the new sexy Shelob game, Shadow of War.