Call Me By Your Game

On this episode we are joined by actor, improvisor, podcast host, and honorary 26th man of the Chicago Cubs, Jacquis Neal as we discuss one of the greatest games on the PlayStation 2, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (2001). Conner and Jacquis make temporary peace between the Cardinal and Cub nations to introduce the obligatory baseball talk segment of the podcast, discuss games that are intriguing enough that you’ll just sit and watch a friend play, and Jacquis appreciates how this game benefits from telling such an engaging story in an earned and grounded reality. Website: callmebyyourgame.com The Show – @callmebyyourgamepod (Instagram) Jacquis Neal – @jaquisneal (Twitter/Instagram) Podcasts: Culture Kings, The Deliberation Conner McCabe – @conner_mccabe (Gram/Twit) Jeremy Schmidt – @ocarinaofcrime (Insta) @scaremyschmidt (Twit)

We’re diving into a mountain of coins for this one! That’s right, we’re doing our best Scrooge McDuck imitation as we talk Ducktales (1989) for the NES with comedic gem, Joan Ford. This week Joan and Conner have more than a ball of fun. Joan recalls the stakes that came with choosing the lone game that she and her siblings would rent for the weekend and hoping it was a good choice, renting Ducktales at Video World enough times that her parents eventually caved and bought it, and how sometimes that finding a great property tie in game like Ducktales means wading through the turds first. Website: callmebyyourgame.com The Show – @callmebyyourgamepod (Instagram) Joan Ford – @joanhaleyford (Twitter/Instagram) twitch.tv/joanhaleyford Conner McCabe – @conner_mccabe (Gram/Twit) Jeremy Schmidt – @ocarinaofcrime (Insta) @scaremyschmidt (Twit)

The birds are chirping, the bees are buzzing, and the kids are not having any of that mother nature crap because they’re inside making the best use of their time by playing video games. On this special seasonal episode of the show, producer Jeremy Schmidt joins Conner as they reminisce about their favorite Spring gaming memories. This one is a grab bag of nostalgia as we talk about Super Smash Bros., the Animaniacs Game Pack, Halo, The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker, Animal Crossing New Leaf, and Pokémon Soul Silver. Grab yourself a glass of lemonade, get on your good weather clothes, and pop in those earbuds because this episode brings you back to Mother Nature’s finest hour: Spring. Website: callmebyyourgame.com The Show – @callmebyyourgamepod (Instagram) Conner McCabe – @conner_mccabe (Gram/Twit) Jeremy Schmidt – @ocarinaofcrime (Insta) @scaremyschmidt (Twit)

Sketch writer, improv master, and charming dog dad Charlie Mihelich joined us to talk about the (not really) sequel to Super Mario World, Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island (1995). On this episode Conner and Charlie reminisce about the euphoria and misery of past trips together to New York City for the improv marathon DCM (much love to UCBNY), how a trip to target proved that Charlie might have been the best kid in the world, and how as adults they set the same video game restrictions on themselves as their parents did to them as kids. They became the thing they swore to destroy. Take a listen to these lads as they gush about this great game. Charlie Mihelich – @charlesmihelich (Twitter) The Show – @callmebyyourgamepod (Instagram) Conner McCabe – @conner_mccabe (Gram/Twit) twitch.tv/conziscool69 Jeremy Schmidt – @ocarinaofcrime (Insta) @scaremyschmidt (Twit)

Ambassador of the Pacific Northwest, host of the upcoming podcast PS: I Love Romcoms, and UCB improviser Mia Schauffler joined the show to discuss SpongeBob SquarePants: Revenge of the Flying Dutchman (2002). On this episode (the very first remote recording WAY back at the beginning of quarantine) Conner and Mia have a wonderful time chatting away and catching up. Mia recalls renting this game from Blockbuster with her siblings, loving the game enough that she brought her Gamecube to Canada for a wedding so that she could play it, and loved that playing this game meant getting to spend even more time in SpongeBob’s beloved home, Bikini Bottom. Website: callmebyyourgame.com Mia Schauffler – @miaschauffler (Twitter) The Show – @callmebyyourgamepod (Instagram) Conner McCabe – @conner_mccabe (Gram/Twit) twitch.tv/conziscool69 Jeremy Schmidt – @ocarinaofcrime (Insta) @scaremyschmidt (Twit)

You like blonde spiky hair and big swords? Oh, we’ve got blonde spikey hair and big swords. On the eve of release of the long awaited release of its remake, we present to you the Final Fantasy VII episode of this podcast. Already excited? Well wouldn’t you know it our guest for this episode is none other than the pod producing legend himself, the great Jeremy Schmidt. On this episode Conner and Jeremy discuss the influence of video games on other creative outlets, talk about how Jeremy first played this game WITHOUT a memory card, and of course can’t help but reference the remake which is finally about to be released. You can’t miss this episode where Jeremy finally gets a mic and shares some awesome stuff. Website: callmebyyourgame.com The Show – @callmebyyourgamepod (Instagram) Conner McCabe – @conner_mccabe (Gram/Twit) twitch.tv/conziscool69 Jeremy Schmidt – @ocarinaofcrime (Insta) @scaremyschmidt (Twit)

The day that this podcast was born was the day that Mr. Michael McCollor was destined to join us and talk about Resident Evil 2 (1998). So he did. During our delightful discussion we talk about supporting other people’s interests, spend a moment shouting out how thankful we are that Animal Crossing New Horizons is finally here, and unearth the legend of Mr. Jake. It’s another grand time, so hop along for the ride as we talk VG’s and make an Animal Crossing prediction regarding Billy Eilish. Website: callmebyyourgame.com Michael McCollor – @mmccollor (Instagram) @mikeyfromsu (Twitter) twitch.tv/michaelmccollor The Show – @callmebyyourgamepod (Instagram) Conner McCabe – @conner_mccabe (Gram/Twit) twitch.tv/conziscool69 Jeremy Schmidt – @ocarinaofcrime (Insta) @scaremyschmidt (Twit)

Quite possibly the funniest performer in the stinkin’ universe and the definitive queen of New York City Annabel Seymour joined us to talk about her experience playing the Lucas Arts’ point and click adventure Indiana Jones and Fate of Atlantis (1992) for the PC. On this episode Annabel recalls playing this game with her cousins while visiting her grandparents, we differentiate between being above-average and upper-average at something and it MATTERS, and she discusses how this game was one of several special activities for her family during their gatherings. Website: callmebyyourgame.com Annabel Seymour – @annabelseymour (Instagram/Twitter) The Show – @callmebyyourgamepod (Instagram) Conner McCabe – @conner_mccabe (Instagram/Twitter) Jeremy Schmidt – @ocarinaofcrime (Insta) @scaremyschmidt (Twit)

Michael Hearn, the original fresh prince of Philadelphia and current mischief maker of the Zoo Tycoon Crew, came on the podcast to talk about an incredibly influential first-person shooter in DOOM (1993). On this episode Hearn discusses how his Dad’s interest in the technology of video games lead to his own passion for video games, talks about how DOOM’s levels had great incentives for replay, and how some games peak the interest enough to get the player to wonder how they’re constructed. Website: callmebyyourgame.com Michael Hearn – @mchearn (Instagram/Twitter) – The Show – @callmebyyourgamepod (Instagram) Conner McCabe – @conner_mccabe (Instagram/Twitter) Jeremy Schmidt – @ocarinaofcrime (Insta) @scaremyschmidt (Twit)

The golden boy of Michigan and wonder boy of Los Angeles Greg Smith hopped aboard this episode of the Call Me By Your Game podcast to talk about one of the greatest beat’em ups of all time in Streets of Rage 2 (1992) for the Sega Genesis. On this episode we talk about accessibility of video games when it comes to playing with friends, we reminisce about basements as a vg oasis, and talk about how video games can help people touch on emotions in virtual reality instead of real life. Website: callmebyyourgame.com Greg Smith – @smithlgreg (Instagram/Twitter) – www.smithlgreg.com (website) The Show – @callmebyyourgamepod (Instagram) Conner McCabe – @conner_mccabe (Instagram/Twitter) Jeremy Schmidt – @ocarinaofcrime (Insta) @scaremyschmidt (Twit)