Gary Whitta, Rogue One co-creator, has struck quarantine gold. Like most of us, Mr. Whitta has been practicing responsible and safe social-distancing. He is an avid Twitch streamer and has been using the platform to connect with fans throughout the quarantine. Every weekday morning, he streams Animal Crossing: New Horizons, but has begun a new venture. Late-night Animal Crossing with a twist! Whitta is hosting “Animal Talking” — an evening talk show set inside the world of Animal Crossing.
Join Whitta’s LOG (Legion of Gary)
You might be unfamiliar with the name Gary Whitta. But, you 100% know some of his work. As mentioned, he co-developed the Star Wars spinoff Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. He was also the screenwriter of The Book of Eli and was editor-in-chief at PC Gamer. For us gaming nerds, we’ll know him from some projects like Prey and Gears of War. Not to mention a personal favorite of mine, Telltale’s The Walking Dead.
If you’ve been paying a lick of attention recently, you’ll know what Animal Crossing is. Everyone is playing it, and the game has been a godsend during these challenging times. Players have been connecting globally through the game, and friends are spending quality time with one another despite the world’s current climate. The game truly has transcended video games in 2020. And now, with “Animal Talking,” Whitta’s legions of fans are getting a live Animal Crossing: New Horizons talk-show.
A Great First Week
Set in the basement of his Nook home, Whitta has promised that the show will feature celebrities and musical talents. The pilot episode went live last Saturday, April 25. His first guest was an actor and accomplished host Naomi Kyle.
Whitta pulled out all the stops, designing the set after real-world counterparts like The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and Conan. It is quite charming. While hosting from a swanky desk, his guests hang out on a nearby couch. The room is decorated with sharp, green plants and sports cameras and professional-grade lighting fixtures.
All In On “Animal Talking”
Truth be told, I don’t play Animal Crossing: New Horizons. The game doesn’t speak directly to me, but I see and appreciate what this game is. And watching Mr. Whitta’s “Animal Talking” was a worthwhile experience. I tuned in a few nights back to watch Whitta interview fellow Twitch streamer Kate Spark. The care and love for the project were palpable. It shows that even in dark times, people can shine and be awesome!
A few more episodes have aired since the initial pilot episode. The lineup of guests has been impressive. Names like Raquel Lily, Mike Drucker, and Mary Kish have featured.
The concept is fantastic, and Whitta is putting on a dynamite show. “Animal Talking” is blending the real world with the video games world, and it’s truly a blissful program. This is the type of content that we need, and we all owe him a thank-you! Stop by one of his Twitch streams and tell him yourself. Or, send him a quick Tweet. “Animal Talking” can be viewed on Twitch at 7:00 pm PST every Wednesday.
