Closing Staff Podcast

It has been awhile since we uploaded some episodes, but we're still here and talking about more video game stuff, especially the Pokemon Gen 4 remakes and FromSoftware's upcoming Elden Ring!

Wow, for whatever reason, this is being uploaded much later than intended! This episode was actually sitting ready for upload but somehow flew under the radar! We talk about the Skyward Sword HD and the 2020 Game Awards (yes, it's THAT late of a notice). We only noticed because we were just about to upload a new episode!

Although this was recorded quite a few months ago, much of the topics discussed is still relevant now for GameStop, or if anything, brings into more detail with how employees dealt with changes that were happening with the onset of the pandemic. In this episode, we have new guests FDO (at the time, recently left GameStop) and Marketing (who was still working there). We talked about the TikTok Competition, GME Stocks, courier change from UPS to FedEx, working during the release of PS5/XSX, changing to the new bestsellers game displays format and working the holidays - all during the pandemic (along with how some stores initially handled opening, if they opened, in the beginning). Also...you'll hear some knocking partway in - there were people working on the roof that we weren't aware of ahead of time, but that doesn't last very long relative to the entire recording.

Expect SPOILERS!! And we're back! We recorded this episode way back in January 27, but due to a lot of life things, it just wasn't finished editing until recently. This is quite a long one as we discuss PlayStation Exclusives (or in the case of Horizon, previously exclusive) and predict where the sequel may take the games; as such, we've split this recording into 3 segments (although you can listen to it in full on our YouTube channel!) This segment focuses on God of War and we have Cyrus joining in again (with the full team)! Disclaimer: We discuss a lot of additional Nordic lore!

Expect SPOILERS!! And we're back! We recorded this episode way back in January 27, but due to a lot of life things, it just wasn't finished editing until recently. This is quite a long one as we discuss PlayStation Exclusives (or in the case of Horizon, previously exclusive) and predict where the sequel may take the games; as such, we've split this recording into 3 segments (although you can listen to it in full on our YouTube channel!) This segment focuses on Spider-Man and we have Cyrus joining in again (with the full team)! Disclaimer: Tradehold goes into some nerdy Spider-Man comic book lore!

Expect SPOILERS!! And we're back! We recorded this episode way back in January 27, but due to a lot of life things, it just wasn't finished editing until recently. This is quite a long one as we discuss PlayStation Exclusives (or in the case of Horizon, previously exclusive) and predict where the sequel may take the games; as such, we've split this recording into 3 segments (although you can listen to it in full on our YouTube channel!) This segment focuses on Horizon, which isn't a very long discussion since Horizon is a completely new IP that doesn't use any previous established lore to go on! At the time, Distro and Cashwrap had not completed Horizon, so this first segment is only with Cyrus and Tradehold!

Debuting our new segment, Game Talk! Starting with the Yakuza series, in tandem with the new Yakuza: Like A Dragon release (Time Stamps below for topics)! Because we're not all always available at the same time, it becomes difficult, especially near the end of the year, to schedule a podcast, so Game Talk is a new segment where any of us can host a game topic of discussion and invite anyone else to join, without needing another CS member to be present (though they still can be). This discussion on Yakuza brings up a lot of topics though remains spoiler free to much of anyone listening (for the most part, unless specified). This recording was meant to be published 2 weeks ago but due to many different circumstances including internet outage and editing, but what better day than Yakuza: Like A Dragon's release right? We also have this uploaded on YouTube! Because our guests were out-of-state/country, there was a lot of delay in responses, hence why editing was done (roughly 10 mins of silence was edited out) - there were also spots that sounds like they were edited, but was actually due to mic drop-out. The recording format also of back-and-forth, as opposed to a more lively discussion, was also due to our equipment not built to handle group calls. Time Stamps: Our backgrounds on the series - 2:44 Start with Yakuza Kiwami or Yakuza 0? 6:06 Will they make a Kiwami 3? 8:21 Thoughts on gameplay change for Yakuza: Like A Dragon - 11:40 Will they remaster and localize the spin-off games (some spoilers mentioned here for Ishin)? 22:37 Dubbing - 34:58 Wrapping up - 48:17

Our next Profiles segment, this time focused on our soothe-singer Cashwrap! Initially, we didn't plan on having these Profiles back-to-back and wanted some normal episodes in-between (we have plenty of topics left, trust us), but we all really wanted to try the hot sauces! Again, this is an homage to Hot Ones, though Cashwrap chose to go with boneless chicken this time! With a few minor tweaks to the Hot Ones format! This is actually a video recording that is only available on our YouTube channel; no faces again, because as we've mentioned before, preventing any possible legal issues (again, we know, it's not as fun without seeing the facial reaction; maybe in the future)!

Our official 1-year anniversary since recording episode and a brand new segment! Our Profiles segment in which we focus and learn more about any members or guests, following the Hot Ones format with a few of our own tweaks, and we're starting with Distro! This is actually a video recording that is only available on our YouTube channel; no faces though, because as we've mentioned before, preventing any possible legal issues (yes, we know, it's not as fun without seeing the facial reaction; maybe down the line)! Our 1-year anniversary was actually 2 months ago, but between the current global circumstances and waiting until we were all able to be present, it was delayed until now.

Sony's PlayStation 5 event is fast-approaching with a claim of a "strong" video game line-up, while Sega is teasing a major announcement for the same day (or is it?); although Cashwrap is MIA again, we have another former coworker, Shrink, joining us in the discussion! Also, we mentioned something exciting last episode, but we are now officially on Spotify!

Here's our latest episode, with the return of Cashwrap on Zoom call! We catch up with him on his activities during self-isolation and discuss the recent Inside Xbox livestream, what systems had the best launch titles and possible future video game announcements! We also have a very exciting announcement to make by our next episode!

The Nintendo Switch has gotten extremely popular amidst the pandemic, but there was a poorly marketed device that would become the technology and precursor to the Switch! Perfect Survey joins us again to discuss this handheld device! Look forward to our next episode when we have a long-awaited return!

Have you all completed Final Fantasy VII Remake yet? This week's bonus episode was devoted in depth to the remake - from comparing to the original, our impressions of the ending and discussing our thoughts of the saga's future Warning: MAJOR spoilers - not just for the remake but the original as well! So if you've only played the remake and are waiting on future installments to learn the story, this is NOT for you (the dev team themselves expressed that they hope new fans will go back and play the original) This is our longest podcast recording yet (by about an hour!) so for reference, our discussions regarding the ending and future installments start at about an hour and a half in!

Hope you're all staying safe! In this next episode, we have FuncoLand returning once again to talk about the perceptions people have of GameStop, and more discussions regarding Reggie Fils-Aime joining their Board of Directors and GameStop as an essential business.

Final Fantasy VII Remake is quickly approaching - who's excited? In honor of the 23-year celebratory release, we have a bonus episode where we talk about our memories of the original Final Fantasy VII (caution: some spoilers were mentioned), thoughts on the upcoming remake, and the franchise. We have special guest Field Destroy back with us today, while Cashwrap is still under the weather. We did go off on a tangent semi-often, but that's to be expected at this point.

You know what's frequently discussed with GameStop? Gutting and resealing display games, and selling opened games as New. We have Field Destroy back with us for this episode to talk about this very subject!

For this episode, we have a special guest that's a personal friend of Tradehold, FuncoLand! We discuss the work environment, policies and transitioning to GameStop from....well, FuncoLand! We also touch upon the early years of GameStop and how it is now! Once again, Cashwrap couldn't join us as he's recovering from (regular) illness and decided to sit out for safety precautions. Disclaimer: A decent amount of retro gaming talk here!

We have a new recording today, coincidentally recorded before and uploaded during GameStop's delivery service Deliver@Door. This episode discusses Reggie Fils-Aimé joining GameStop's Board, as well as GameStop's response as an "essential" business amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, with our special guest Perfect Survey!

While waiting for Distro to arrive, Tradehold talks to our special guest, Perfect Survey, about what's currently hot in the video game market!

In our latest episode, we respond to the most recent news surrounding GameStop amidst declining revenue and the hopeful revitalization from next-gen launches. Now, we did this recording before the news about Reggie and JK joining their Board of Directors, which we will instead get into in our following recording.

Our latest episode features the perspective from a customer (whom we've dubbed Reg1) and his impressions of GameStop!  Fair warning: We go off on tangents fairly often in this episode! Also, there were a lot of expletives, so prepare to hear that alert sound often!

We talk about video games going into 2020 and what we expect, along with the last Game Awards for 2019 and our thoughts on The Last of Us receiving Game of the Decade (among most award givers)!

We talk about where GameStop is headed this year, and discuss our thoughts amidst all the folks predicting the downfall of GameStop (although we start off with a bit of casual talk). Although it's mentioned at the beginning of this episode, I'll go ahead and reiterate it here as well; we likely won't be recording episodes in the months of October to December going forward. Due to our individual schedules and obligations, we've found it becomes quite difficult for the stars (read: our free time) to align.

We have our first segment of the Women of GameStop, featuring Field Destroy, who has worked with GameStop for over 10 years in over 20 stores! Here, she gives us her perspective and insight during her tenure!

With Endcap back (and Cashwrap MIA again), we discuss what games we're currently playing and what games we're excited about for release

We got one of our friend and former coworker as a guest this time around! Endcap used to work at GameCrazy until they shut down and transitioned into GameStop - we discuss with him how this transition felt, the difference in work environment and policies, and how he compared GameStop's work experience to the job he has now! We've referenced Endcap in previous episodes, although we didn't have a name for him at the time - instead, we had a physical gesture of shaping a beard (which of course you don't see). This time around, Cashwrap was unable to join the recording, but he will return in our next episode!

We talk about individual store budgets, creating incentives and different levels of finances throughout the company in the perspective of corporate, regional and district! You may notice that Cashwrap's audio is a little low - this wasn't an audio issue, but rather more how Cashwrap becomes relaxed and starts to sit further away from his mic, plus his soft-speaking nature.

We have a very special podcast today - well, to us at least! Our former manager joins us in reminiscing over his 11 years of experience (a phrase you will hear a lot) with insight of opening, staffing, and leading a new store! We've aptly gave him the handle of LevelUp!  Unfortunately, Distro was unable to join us for this recording, but will be back for the next episode!

"GameStop employees hold everything for themselves!" We have a new episode today where we discuss limited quantity products and the general beliefs when it comes to holds! Cricket is back with us with an interesting intro! Also, no audio issues this time! Outside of Cashwrap speaking softly.

This episode required a lot of editing due to mic issues (so prepare for amateur-ish audio levels, which we have identified and resolved for future recordings). Anyways, here is our newest upload, where we discuss the evolution of products working at GameStop! We have special guest Cricket joining us again, this time on a normal episode! Ever walked in and wondered, "When did GameStop start carrying these things?" Don't worry, we did too!

Store transfers, borrowing employees, product handoffs/deliveries, friendly (or sometimes, not so friendly) competition - for various reasons, GameStop store employees often worked with other GameStop locations. We talk about handling those relations in this episode, including working at other stores and getting help from other stores! We hope you enjoy and learn more about what it's like working at GameStop!

We have a special guest and former coworker, Cricket, in this bonus episode where we discuss our post-E3 impressions. Also, about 34 minutes in, we discuss a very unlikely theory about next-gen consoles (particularly Sony and Microsoft). We also had a minor issue issue with our mics caused by the USB hub they were connected to causing them to power off, but no significant audio problems were prominent.

There was a time when we were given more free reign over having a midnight launch for big game titles - some stores may still have that option! But often times, they came out of our own pocket to do something fun and exciting!

We have a Bonus episode up! It's a little early in our series, I know, but we're all gamers and every so often we just want to talk about games and events! In this episode, we talk about recent GameStop news, but also anticipation for E3!

In this episode, we talk about our daily operations - from rushing to turn off the alarm after struggling to unlock the shutters and door, checking new updates, printing new labels, marking off currently received inventory, prepping new marketing...all before opening the store! 

You may have noticed that our logo is very similar to GameStop - that's because we're all former employees! Despite what you may believe, this podcast was NOT made to rant about or slander GameStop, but rather to share our experiences, good and bad. We aim to be informative and entertaining, catering to former and current employees, those with aspirations to work at GameStop, as well as consumers. We have a lot "in-store" as we move forward!

Cashwrap finally returns via Zoom call! We discuss his activities during self quarantine, the recent Inside Xbox stream and future gaming possibilities!

Perfect Survey joins us to talk about the handheld device that he considers the precursor to Nintendo Switch!

A highly discussed subject is our subject for this episode - opening a brand new game for display and selling them resealed!

After completing Final Fantasy VII Remake, we discuss in depth our thoughts of the remake, comparing with the original and the future of the saga. Warning: MAJOR spoilers

FuncoLand returns as we talk about people's perception of GameStop, more insight to Reggie Fils-Aime joining the GameStop Board and GameStop as an essential business!

In anticipation of the Final Fantasy VII Remake release, we decided to talk specifically about Final Fantasy VII today (we go off on tangents fairly often though) - expect a few spoilers mentioned!

We talk with our special guest FuncoLand about transitioning to GameStop from...well, FuncoLand!

Today, we discuss high-profile people (mainly Reggie Fils-Aime formerly of Nintendo) joining the GameStop Board of Directors, what kind of impact they may have and whether they can actually save GameStop, as well as GameStop's response in the midst of Covid-19

While waiting for Distro, Tradehold talks to our special guest, Perfect Survey, about what're currently hot on the market!

GameStop has been in many discussions lately among many gaming journalists, from their declining revenue to their hopes of revitalization when next-gen consoles launch; we share our thoughts on the news.

Reg One joins us on our first episode to give us his impressions of GameStop from a customer's perspective