Kinda Funny Games Daily: Baldur’s Gate 3 Studio New Game At Game Awards?!

Episode Date: December 10, 2025
Hosts: Tim Gettys, Blessing Adeoye Jr., guest contributors
Podcast: Kinda Funny Games Daily

Episode Overview

On Game Awards Eve, Tim, Blessing, and guests break down major stories in the video game industry, with hot topics including a possible new Divinity game from Larian Studios teased for The Game Awards, fresh reveals from PlayStation and former Naughty Dog vet Bruce Straley, a strategic shift for Call of Duty’s annual releases, nominations for the 2026 BAFTA Game Awards, and a flurry of nostalgic and current games news. The episode blends speculation, deep dives, and community banter characteristic of Kinda Funny’s lively, humorous, and accessible style.

Key Discussions & Insights

1. Game Awards Statue Mystery Solved: Larian Studio’s Next Game

[11:28 – 18:54]

• The gaming community speculated about a mysterious statue teased by Game Awards producer Geoff Keighley, featuring dark fantasy imagery.
• Investigative fans linked the statue to three new Divinity-related trademarks filed by Larian Studios (makers of Baldur’s Gate 3), suggesting a Game Awards reveal.
• Blessing notes: "I think Divinity Original Sin 3, if that is what it is being announced, is such a great thing because coming off of Baldur's Gate 3, you have a more mainstream audience than before now aware of what Larian can do." [13:34]
• Tim: "Baldur’s Gate 3 won game of the year at the Game Awards two years ago, so there’s definitely excitement… from the creators of Game of the Year." [13:34–13:45]
• Discussion: Is Larian making Divinity: Original Sin 3, a remaster, or an entirely new Divinity universe game?
• Community sentiment is split between desiring a direct sequel and wanting a new saga entry. Tim and Bless underscore that a Larian turn-based game is a draw for many, regardless.

Notable Quote:
“It’s the most exciting game ever for a wider group of people, because Baldur’s Gate 3 hit the streets like crack.” — Blessing Adeoye Jr. [14:30]

2. PlayStation and Naughty Dog Vets Teasing Game Awards Reveals

[19:58 – 26:31]

• PlayStation will showcase "Soros," from Housemarque (creators of Returnal), at The Game Awards.
• Wildflower Interactive, led by Bruce Straley (co-creator of Uncharted and The Last of Us), is debuting its first game. Studio promises “smallish, creatively charged, uniquely stylized games that explore the possibilities of the medium.”
• Tim: "Every word used there was a choice to say something and it’s something I want to hear." [21:07]
• The hosts note the trend of studios founded by beloved devs making “hopeful but risky” indie/midsized games, referencing both success stories and missteps.
• Discussion of balancing surprise vs. announced reveals at game shows—hosts wish for more surprise but acknowledge the promotional value of pre-show teasers.
• Blessing questions: “What if you tease co-op [in Soros] this early — does that dissuade people from wanting to hop in singleplayer?” [26:31]
• They reminisce on surprise moments, joke about Andy Cortez secretly voicing main characters.

3. Call of Duty Shakes Up Its Annual Formula

[33:16 – 43:10]

• Activision confirms it will no longer release Modern Warfare and Black Ops games in back-to-back years; wants each annual COD to be "an absolutely unique experience.”
• Recent CODs were criticized for feeling like expansions rather than full games.
• Tim: “It’s not the sameness of following up a Black Ops to a Black Ops. It’s the fact that it’s lesser than and it feels lesser than.” [34:54]
• They highlight market pressures: annualization, expectations of massive sales, and the Game Pass effect.
• Discuss the impossible expectations set by yearly timelines and the creative/financial strain.
• Blessing: “The task of putting out a major—like, let’s say, a Black Ops 6 and a Modern Warfare 2 level game every year… No, I don’t think you can." [37:51]
• Concerns about studios being repurposed to support COD, referencing Microsoft’s growing stable.
• The perpetual rebranding issues (joking about the eventual re-re-release of "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare").

4. BAFTA Games 2026 Long List & Notable Nominations

[44:12 – 49:02]

• BAFTA announces the long list of 64 games for the 2026 awards, with “Best Game” potential nominees including Arc Raiders, Death Stranding 2, Ghost of Yote, Hades 2, Indiana Jones, and Split Fiction.
• Tim: “If you were to expand the Game Awards list, these are the things I would expand it to.” [45:57]
• They discuss surprise inclusions and their personal top picks for the year (e.g., Indiana Jones, Split Fiction).
• “Best British Game” highlights the unique UK-centric category, prompting a sideline investigation into game studios’ British credentials.
• Notable performer nominations include Aaron Paul ("Dispatch"), Laura Bailey, Troy Baker, and standout work in "Hades 2."

5. Gaming Nostalgia & Community Banter

[52:41 – 56:32]

• Celebrates classic titles arriving to platforms (Rayman 2, Tonic Trouble, Soul Caliber 3); confusion and speculation over why Donkey Kong 64 continues to be snubbed for rerelease.
• Friendly debate: Is Nintendo “salty” about DK64, or are they saving it for a future big drop?
• Jokes about military propaganda and “surprising amount of tits” in Donkey Kong lore.
• Reflections on characters and personal game favorites echoing the hosts' signature playful tone.

6. Quick News (WE News) Roundup

[52:00–58:25]

• Doom creator John Romero’s canceled game is back in development
• PlayStation Plus Premium/Extra December lineup: Assassin's Creed Mirage, Wo Long, Skate Story, and more.
• Expansion Pack adds: Soul Caliber 3, Rayman 2, Tonic Trouble to Switch.
• Xbox Design Lab launches Pip Boy controller
• Death Howl dated for February 19, 2026 on all platforms.

7. Super Chats & Lighthearted Banter

[58:47–end]

• Q&A covers topics from portable gaming PCs to British studios to Kingdom Hearts 4 hopes.
• The hosts riff on pronouncing "corps," UK game dev geography, and game nostalgia.
• A running gag about “Cream the Rabbit” and Sonic names closes the show:
  Tim: "Yeah, I got an anti-cream agenda.” [67:01]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Baldur’s Gate 3 hit the streets like crack." — Blessing [14:30]
• "If it’s a turn based Larian game, I’m in.” — Summing up Divinity/Baldur's Gate fan sentiment ([18:28])
• “It’s not the sameness... It’s the fact that it’s lesser than and it feels lesser than.” — Tim on Call of Duty fatigue [34:54]
• "The task of putting out a major... every year... No, I don’t think you can." — Blessing [37:51]
• "They're going to, Modern Warfare 1 3, yeah. I bet you within 10 years we get another Call of Duty: Modern Warfare." — Tim, on COD naming loops [43:47]
• Passionate, playful exchange about Donkey Kong 64’s absence from NSO and Nintendo’s attitude towards the game. [53:34–54:20]
• "There's a surprising amount of military propaganda in Donkey Kong Country. And a very big surprising amount of tits." — Tim [55:04–55:12]
• Anti-cream agenda: Tim’s mysterious anti–Cream the Rabbit stance, left unresolved for comedic effect. [67:01]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Intro and Banter: 02:28–11:06
• Larian/Divinity Statue: 11:28–18:54
• PlayStation/Wildflower reveals: 19:58–26:31
• Call of Duty strategic change: 33:16–43:10
• BAFTA Games long list: 44:12–49:02
• WE (Quick) News: 52:00–58:25
• Donkey Kong 64 Nostalgia: 52:41–56:32
• Super Chats & Wrap-Up: 58:47–67:25

Conclusion

This lively, speculation-rich, and often irreverent episode sees the Kinda Funny crew in top form—debating big industry news, riffing on gaming’s past and future, and making direct appeals to their community. Fans unfamiliar with the show will experience a whirlwind of video game culture, inside jokes, industry insight, and infectious hype for Game Awards season.