Episode 118

Episode 108: Priced Out of Gaming

Published on: 8th July, 2026

It’s a heavy episode this week, as Julian’s health issues come to a head and the crazy news in the video game industry causes deep depression and has far-ranging implications for the future of this very podcast.

00:00 Introduction, shelves

12:34 Update on Julian’s health

16:18 The sad reality of video game pricing (and the effect it has on The Stage Select)

01:05:41 Kathy Rain

01:12:49 Dave the Diver

01:20:14 Midnight Suns

01:44:36 WWE 2K26 and general wrestling game talk

01:51:49 Final thoughts on Hades *FULL SPOILERS*

02:03:42 Supergirl (2026)

02:13:57 Justin’s movie round-up (The Strangers franchise, Project Hail Mary, Is God Is)

02:37:04 Obsession *FULL SPOILERS*

02:52:22 CQC (Comments, Questions, Concerns)

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: thestageselectpod@gmail.com

Copyright 2024-2026 Space Monkey Mafia Productions

Next Episode All Episodes Previous Episode

Listen for free

Show artwork for The Stage Select

About the Podcast

The Stage Select
Video Game Variety Show
Welcome to The Stage Select: a video game variety show hosted by Julian Titus and Justin Hamm! We guarantee that we'll talk about video games. Beyond that, you never know what (or who!) to expect each week.
Support This Show

About your hosts

Julian Titus

Profile picture for Julian Titus
Since first seeing a Galaga cabinet in the arcade at the age of 5, Julian has always been fascinated by video games, leading to a lifelong obsession. He dabbles in game collecting, history, and industry analysis, but most of all, he loves talking about video games! Inspired by podcasts such as 1up Yours, The Giant Bombcast, and Rebel FM, Julian has been podcasting since 2011, and has no plans on stopping anytime soon!

Justin Hamm

Profile picture for Justin Hamm
Julian told me I had to make a bio on here. I don't know how to write them. Here's some things about me. I eat chips sometimes. I enjoy lying about boat ownership. I have another podcast called This Is Video Games where I'm Justin Hamm and I talk about video games with weird adult themes... Like being naked and stuff. Those games. I should make more of it. I don't know what else to add. Hopefully this fulfills my mandated biography writing. Thank you for your time to the 6 people who will read this. Oh! Im also on The Stage Select Podcast... Or I will be. I will have to update this when it starts officially.