Game Scoop! Episode 801: No Genre Is Safe from Split Fiction

Release Date: March 7, 2025

Hosts:

• Daemon Hatfield
• Sam Claiborne
• Mark Medina
• Justin Davis

1. Split Fiction: A New Cooperative Adventure

[02:14] Daemon Hatfield:
"Good news everyone. Acclaim is back. I know the world has been clamoring. They've been missing Acclaim since it went bankrupt in 2004. It's been 21 years, but it's back baby."

The episode kicks off with an enthusiastic discussion about Split Fiction, a new cooperative game from Hazelight Studios. Daemon shares his personal experience playing the game with his five-year-old son, highlighting its ability to bring family members together through engaging and varied gameplay mechanics.

[03:17] Sam Claiborne:
"I already know, so I'm not going to guess."

Daemon praises the game's design for continuously introducing new ideas and gameplay mechanics, ensuring that players are constantly engaged. He cites the seamless blend of platforming, environmental puzzles, on-rails missions, and mini-boss battles as standout features.

[04:16] Daemon Hatfield:
"My son says it's the greatest game ever. Oh, there you go. All right, feel free to use that one."

The hosts commend Hazelight Studios for their innovative approach, comparing Split Fiction to their previous successes like It Takes Two and A Way Out. They discuss the game's co-op nature, emphasizing the importance of cooperation and communication between players.

[08:21] Sam Claiborne:
"I experienced that, too."

Sam likens the learning curve of Split Fiction to that of Mario Party, noting how the game effectively teaches players new mechanics through its diverse challenges. The discussion touches on the game's appeal to both casual and hardcore gamers, underlining its broad accessibility.

2. Acclaim's Triumphant Return to Gaming

[17:00] Daemon Hatfield:
"Acclaim is making a triumphant return. Acclaim was a prolific publisher, mostly in the '90s."

The conversation shifts to the revival of Acclaim, a once-defunct game publisher known for titles like Mortal Kombat, NBA Jam, and Turok. Daemon reads a press excerpt detailing Acclaim's new mission to support indie titles and reignite classic franchises under the leadership of CEO Alex Joseph, formerly of Graffiti Games.

[19:21] Justin Davis:
"I have a lot of... You're right, like Acclaim, the company does not have fans, but many of their games are very well liked."

The hosts reminisce about Acclaim's legacy, discussing both their successful franchises and some of their less acclaimed titles. They ponder the strategic move of resurrecting the Acclaim name in the current gaming landscape, contemplating its potential impact on indie game development.

3. Missing in Action Games: Unreleased and Awaited Titles

[31:13] Daemon Hatfield:
"Let's go to our Missing in Action Games feature."

In this segment, the hosts delve into games that were announced years ago but have yet to receive a release date. Topics include:

• Wolverine from Insomniac: A highly anticipated title with minimal updates since its September 2021 announcement.

  [31:46] Sam Claiborne:
  "But are we being punked right now?"

• Knights of the Old Republic Remake: Despite recent statements from Saber Interactive's CEO, skepticism remains about its release.

  [33:05] Daemon Hatfield:
  "But for Kotor, as recently as last... I don't think so."

• John Carpenter's Toxic Commando: Announced in summer 2023, this game aims to blend cooperative gameplay with horror elements but lacks substantial updates.

  [34:26] Justin Davis:
  "Is there a Toxic Commando movie coming out?"

• Beyond Good and Evil 2: Viewed as a cult classic project plagued by delays, with doubts about its eventual release.

  [37:15] Amy Nicholson:
  "They do the opposite, actually."

The hosts express disappointment over the prolonged development periods and the dwindling possibility of these games seeing the light of day. They also discuss the broader implications of industry trends on game releases.

4. Inside IGN: Work-Life Insights from the Hosts

[47:12] Daemon Hatfield:
"We're going to get into some extracurricular activities."

This segment offers listeners a glimpse into the daily work-life of IGN employees. The hosts share their routines, responsibilities, and the balance between gaming and professional duties.

• Daemon Hatfield:
  Manages three shows, including Game Scoop, Daily Fix, and Next Gen Console Watch. His tasks involve planning, researching topics, and preparing for interviews.

  [50:11] Paul Scheer:
  "Hardly ever anymore. However, ironically, I am previewing a game right now..."

• Sam Claiborne:
  Runs a global team focused on strategy guides. His work includes playing games to create detailed walkthroughs and managing a team of writers and editors.

  [53:23] Sam Claiborne:
  "So that's a lot of time is spent with me and my team being like, okay, upload our save to the cloud..."

• Justin Davis:
  Oversees the IGN store and commerce team. His role involves writing deal articles, managing online sales, and mentoring junior staff.

  [54:02] Sam Claiborne:
  "Mark and I just being in the guides realm..."

The discussion highlights the dedication required to maintain high-quality content and the collaborative efforts behind the scenes.

5. Listener Engagement: Video Game 20 Questions

[68:12] Daemon Hatfield:
"Next, let's go to Video Game 20 Questions."

Listeners participate by suggesting games for the hosts to guess through a series of yes or no questions. In this episode, the chosen game is Dr. Mario.

[73:20] Sam Claiborne:
"Is this a puzzle game?"

[73:22] Paul Scheer:
"Yes. It was NES and Game Boy, so I didn't know how to like..."

After a series of questions narrowing down the platform and genre, the hosts successfully identify Dr. Mario.

[73:45] Sam Claiborne:
"Is it Dr. Mario?"

[73:46] Amy Nicholson:
"It is Dr. Mario."

The segment fosters community interaction and adds a fun, interactive element to the episode.

6. Extracurricular Discussions: Movies and Personal Stories

Towards the episode's end, the hosts discuss recent movies they've watched, such as the animated film Flow, and share personal anecdotes, including:

• Transmission of Emotional Responses:
  Daemon recounts how his son was moved by Flow, highlighting the game's emotional impact.

• Favorite Games and Their Mechanics:
  Discussions about Dr. Mario, Tetris, and other classic games, reflecting on their design and personal preferences.

• Listener Messages:
  A heartfelt message from Bailey Davis, a respiratory therapist, expressing gratitude towards the show for positively impacting listeners' lives.

[69:16] Sam Claiborne:
"I have a job that I know that's helped a lot of people, so that's great."

[75:02] Sam Claiborne:
"So weird. Like, like Deep Cut Yoshi's island bosses..."

These conversations emphasize the hosts' connection with their audience and their genuine passion for gaming and related media.

Conclusion:

Episode 801 of Game Scoop! offers a rich blend of game reviews, industry news, behind-the-scenes insights, and interactive segments that cater to both longtime fans and new listeners. The hosts' engaging discussions on Split Fiction, Acclaim's return, and the challenges of unreleased titles provide valuable perspectives on the evolving gaming landscape. Additionally, personal stories and listener interactions add a relatable and heartfelt dimension to the episode.

Notable Quotes:

• Daemon Hatfield [04:16]:
  "My son says it's the greatest game ever. Oh, there you go. All right, feel free to use that one."

• Sam Claiborne [17:00]:
  "Acclaim was a prolific publisher, mostly in the '90s."

• Paul Scheer [54:02]:
  "It's not like I can't wait to come to work and play that game. It's more that I like that part of the work."

• Amy Nicholson [68:12]:
  "Listeners, remember, you can always reach us at the email address gamescoopgyn.com."

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