Kinda Funny Games Daily: Video Games News Podcast – Assassin’s Creed Shadows Has Been Delayed AGAIN
Release Date: January 9, 2025
Hosts: Greg “GameOverGreggy” Miller, Tim Gettys, and Blessing Adeoye Jr.
Guests: Stella Chung (Freelancer, formerly of IGN.com) and Paris Lilly

1. Introduction and Host Updates

[00:00 – 02:06]

The episode kicks off with Greg Miller outlining the day's key topics: the repeated delay of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, the upcoming Xbox Developer Direct event, and the impact of the LA fires on various game productions. Stella Chung, recently separated from IGN, shares her transition to freelance work, her increased streaming activities, and her excitement about attending the Apex Legends Global Series Championship in Sapporo, Japan. Stella remarks at [01:44]:
"So Apex Legends has their Global Series Championship that's happening in Japan, so I'm going to Sapporo. So that'll be fun."

2. Assassin’s Creed Shadows Delay

[07:54 – 21:23]

The main focus of the episode is the announcement that Assassin’s Creed Shadows has been delayed again, now pushing its release from February 14, 2025, to March 20, 2025. This marks the game's second delay, following an initial postponement from November 12, 2024.

Ubisoft CEO Yves Gimmel stated at [09:00]:
"We are all behind our team's efforts to create the most ambitious Assassin's Creed opus of the franchise and made the decision to provide an extra month of development to Shadows in order to better incorporate the player feedback gathered over the past three months."

Hosts and guest Stella express skepticism regarding Ubisoft's transparency and the true reasons behind the delay. Stella comments at [14:01]:
"But I feel like that's something that Ubisoft has not been great at."

Discussion revolves around Ubisoft's potential financial struggles and the possibility of a company sale, with Greg noting at [15:14]:
"They are talking about their fiscal year."
Community reactions from super chats highlight mixed feelings, with some understanding the need for quality assurance, while others are frustrated by the lack of clear communication.

3. Xbox Developer Direct Announcement

[21:23 – 38:22]

The hosts shift focus to the upcoming Xbox Developer Direct scheduled for January 23rd at 10:00 AM Pacific Time. This event promises an inside look at highly anticipated games for Xbox Series X/S, PC, and Game Pass subscribers. Featured studios include Compulsion Games, Sandfall Interactive, ID Studios, and a surprise studio.

Paris Lilly discusses potential announcements at [26:40]:
"I just think it's something smaller, like a Double Fine game that they can put out without a stealth launch."

Expectations include possible reveals of beloved franchises such as an Oblivion remake, new IPs from Double Fine, and exclusive titles like Hellblade 2 and Fable. The hosts speculate on the nature and scale of the games that might be showcased, balancing excitement with cautious optimism.

4. Fallout Season 2 Production Halted Due to LA Fires

[41:12 – 43:38]

Production of Fallout Season 2 has been temporarily halted due to widespread fires in Los Angeles County, affecting several major TV shows. Greg reports at [47:42]:
"Horrific. All the photos, all the stories. So many of my friends of kind of funny live in L.A."

The hosts express concern for those impacted by the fires, including personal anecdotes from Stella about friends evacuating and facing loss of property. The conversation underscores the severe and ongoing nature of the fires, attributing their intensity to climate change.

5. Shadow of the Colossus Movie Update

[43:38 – 50:00]

An update on the Shadow of the Colossus movie adaptation reveals that the project is not abandoned but faces significant budgetary hurdles. Director Andreas Muschietti remains passionate about bringing the cult classic game to the big screen but acknowledges challenges in securing the necessary funding.

Andreas Muschietti stated at [47:00]:
"There is a script that I like a lot."

The hosts debate the likelihood of the film's completion, considering PlayStation's expanding role in film and TV production. Stella adds at [48:03]:
"I think it's going to be really cool, but it's really sad. I don't think it's gonna happen."

6. WE News – Lego and Nintendo Collaboration

[50:00 – 52:34]

In the WE News segment, the hosts discuss the exciting collaboration between Lego and Nintendo to release a Lego Game Boy set in October 2025. This follows similar partnerships, such as Bluey-themed Legos and a Power Wash Simulator Wallace and Gromit special pack.

Greg humorously notes at [51:33]:
"They did a time machine one for the DeLorean."

The conversation highlights the quirky and nostalgic appeal of these collaborations, though Stella shares a personal anecdote about childhood fears related to one of the Wallace and Gromit sets.

7. Community Interaction: Super Chats

[55:00 – 57:22]

Throughout the episode, the hosts engage with live super chats from listeners, reading and reacting to various comments. Highlights include supportive messages for Stella, humorous remarks about the hosts' antics, and fan excitement about upcoming game releases and announcements.

One notable super chat at [55:33]:
"Being from the LA area, I hope everyone is safe."
Reflection on community support and the shared experiences of listeners.

8. Personal Updates and Health

[53:15 – 55:58]

Stella Chung opens up about her health struggles, revealing that she is recovering from long Covid and dealing with POTS syndrome, which affects her heart rate and blood pressure. She discusses maintaining a strict regimen to manage her condition.

Stella shares at [54:07]:
"I've been applying to a few positions... I also sometimes do like live episodes on my podcast."

Greg and the hosts offer words of encouragement, emphasizing community support and resilience amidst personal and professional challenges.

Conclusion:

The episode provides an in-depth look at significant developments in the gaming industry, particularly focusing on Ubisoft's struggles with Assassin’s Creed Shadows and the anticipation surrounding the Xbox Developer Direct event. Additionally, it touches on broader issues such as the impact of the LA fires on game production and ongoing efforts to adapt beloved video games into films. Personal anecdotes and community interactions add a relatable and engaging layer to the discussion, making the episode both informative and personable for listeners.

Notable Quotes:

• Stella Chung [01:44]:
  "So Apex Legends has their Global Series Championship that's happening in Japan, so I'm going to Sapporo. So that'll be fun."

• Ubisoft CEO Yves Gimmel [09:00]:
  "We are all behind our team's efforts to create the most ambitious Assassin's Creed opus of the franchise and made the decision to provide an extra month of development to Shadows in order to better incorporate the player feedback gathered over the past three months."

• Stella Chung [14:01]:
  "But I feel like that's something that Ubisoft has not been great at."

• Paris Lilly [26:40]:
  "I just think it's something smaller, like a Double Fine game that they can put out without a stealth launch."

• Stella Chung [54:07]:
  "I've been applying to a few positions... I also sometimes do like live episodes on my podcast."