Kinda Funny Games Daily – Episode Summary

Episode Title: Call of Duty Movie Passed On Spielberg - Kinda Funny Games Daily 09.05.25
Date: September 5, 2025
Hosts: Tim Gettys, Snowbike Mike
Guests: Roger Pokorny, Andy Cortez

Episode Overview

This lively Friday episode dives into the latest video game news and culture, centering on the bombshell that Activision passed on Steven Spielberg for the Call of Duty movie. The hosts also discuss the massive launch of Hollow Knight: Silksong, updates on IO Interactive’s publishing misadventures, fresh video game adaptations for film and TV, and big moves in sports games.

The crew’s signature humor, candid opinions, and energetic rapport are front and center, making this episode a must-listen for gaming news fans.

Major Topics & Discussions

1. Activision Passed on Spielberg for the Call of Duty Movie

[09:23 - 13:35]

• News: Paramount is developing a Call of Duty movie after Activision (now under Microsoft) turned down a pitch by Steven Spielberg and Amblin/Universal, opting for David Ellison’s proposal (more studio control, less “Spielberg deal” demands).
• Fan reaction (from Kotaku): "This has got to be one of the biggest fumbles in video game movie history… imagine turning down the guy who made Saving Private Ryan."
• Host Reaction:
  • Tim Gettys was nuanced:

    “Steven Spielberg directing a Call of Duty movie can be a slam dunk… but… I’m not sure that’s worth it. I think… it’s logical they passed.” — Tim ([12:10])

  • Tim questions if Spielberg is the right fit for the franchise in 2025, citing his recent filmography as inconsistent for blockbuster action.
  • Historical irony: The original Call of Duty was inspired by Medal of Honor, a series Spielberg helped create, so Activision passing on him now is a weird twist.
  • Hosts reminisce about the Medal of Honor vs. Call of Duty era.
• Memorable quote:

  “He could make a not just good blockbuster Call of Duty… he could make a great movie… but I also don’t think that in 2025 he’s necessarily the right pick.” — Tim ([12:22])

• Roger’s take: It's "not a major fumble… They just want to be able to make a franchise, and Spielberg might want to do something different and unique. They want what they know works." ([33:19])

2. Hollow Knight: Silksong Launch Reactions

[02:32 - 06:15] & [15:53 - 20:46]

• Hosts’ Hands-on:
  • Tim’s hooked after 3 hours: “I just couldn’t put it down… but I keep hitting these walls.’” ([02:38])
  • Mike’s at 90 minutes, both struggling and loving the early-game challenge and open-endedness.
  • Both praise the art style, pacing, and especially the dense challenge.
  • Andy Cortez’s community marathon stream is a focus; he’s aiming to be among the first to beat the game, journaling enemies with sketches for raffles.
• Sales & Cultural Impact:
  • Silksong rockets past 500k concurrent players within hours of launch; Steam store crashes due to demand.
  • Team Cherry congratulated for “a massive hit.”
  • Game Pass and other platforms expected to boost player count even higher.
• Community question: Do you have to play Hollow Knight 1 first?
  • Roger: “Silksong is a great entry, maybe even better as a first point. But playing the first adds context and appreciation.” ([31:06])
• Notable quote:

  “You’re just smacked in the face with beautiful, gorgeous colors… Every screenshot of this game, I’d put on a wall.” — Tim ([21:00])

3. Video Game Adaptation Updates

[21:33 - 27:36]

• Life is Strange TV Series at Amazon ([21:33 - 24:08])
  • Hosts and Roger agree this adaptation makes sense, “a slam dunk,” given Amazon’s success with young adult dramas.
  • Tim: “Adapting a good story to a different medium, people get interested, hooked… I think this makes so much sense.” ([23:03])
• Street Fighter Movie at Paramount (2026)
  • New live-action film set in 1993, focusing on Ryu, Ken, and Chun-Li.
  • Hosts hype the casting (50 Cent, Jason Momoa, Eric Andre…), period setting, and faithfulness to the classic games.
  • Tim: “There’s again no way that this can be bad. There’s a lot of ways it could be horrible… and I can’t wait.” ([26:30])
  • They fawn over the marketing using classic Street Fighter 2 character select visuals.

4. IO Interactive, Mind’s Eye, and Publishing Challenges

[34:46 - 41:09]

• IOI’s first published game, Mind’s Eye (by Build a Rocket Boy), was a technical disappointment.
• IO’s CEO admits to tough launch but claims faith in the partner dev’s “potential.”
• Both hosts and Roger question IO’s foray into publishing, suggesting they should “stay in their lane” and focus on their strengths, like the upcoming James Bond game.
• Roger: “I want them to succeed making and publishing their own games…I don’t necessarily want them to branch out if it puts them at risk.” ([36:53])
• Candid reflection:

  “The video game industry is not at a safe spot for risks like this… and then it didn’t work.” — Tim ([38:43])

5. Sports Game News: College Basketball Returns

[41:54 - 50:38]

• 2K will bring back college basketball games, featuring 100+ schools starting in 2027, with hints of early content in 2026.
• Mike is elated, sees huge business and fan potential with the NCAA’s new NIL rules allowing athlete compensation.
• Debate about sustainability of multiple annualized sports franchises; Mike dreams of a return to the golden era (EA Sports, NBA Street, NFL Street).
• Fun aside: Mike and Roger explain “buku bucks,” with the conversation devolving hilariously into French pronunciation confusion. ([43:57 - 53:09])
• Tim questions whether Mike prefers EA or 2K to handle college basketball.
• Business context: EA reportedly bowed out of college basketball due to losing out on school licensing to 2K.

6. Metal Gear Solid Delta Surpasses 1 Million Sales

[52:15 - 56:36]

• Update: MGS Delta hits 1 million units sold in its first week, 86 on Metacritic, well-received by critics and fans.
• Hosts see it as a strong result, though maybe not a massive breakout. They compare to Resident Evil remakes as franchise boosters with potential for future sales growth.
• Roger hints at a future MGS3 stream with someone experiencing it for the first time.

7. Quick Hits: Other News & Listener Q&A

• Game launches & platform notes: New “Everybody’s Golf” stream, “Kronos: The New Dawn” Switch 2 launch.
• Octopath Traveler 0 platform specs: Impressive frame rates and resolutions for next-gen systems.
• Lenovo Legion Go handheld: Mixed impressions about in-store demos, hardware, and pricing.
• Starfield’s 2nd Anniversary: Bethesda teases new Armada content.
• Listener corrections & Q&As: Spielberg’s awards record debated, Silksong’s achievement stats, sports game licensing clarifications.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Tim reflecting on Spielberg and Call of Duty:

  “Steven Spielberg directing a Call of Duty movie can be a slam dunk… but it’s not guaranteed.” ([12:10])

• Mike on Silksong’s allure:

  “The moment you turn it on, you are lost. It’s beautiful. It’s inviting.” ([18:31])

• Roger on IO Interactive’s publishing misfire:

  “If it’s going to put them out on a limb… just stay in that lane if that’s what keeps them safe.” ([36:53])

• Andy on Silksong’s brutality:

  “The amount of times I’m like, oh, I nailed this… she lets up, and she’s like, alright, the attack’s over. Too bad.” ([70:38])

• The ‘buku bucks’ digression:
  Mike: “You know—we just want buku bucks.”
  Tim (confused): “Is that a made up thing?”
  Roger: “Mr. Worldwide!” ([44:03])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Call of Duty/Spielberg Story: [09:23–13:35]
• Hollow Knight Silksong Impressions & Launch: [02:32–06:15], [15:53–20:46]
• Life is Strange Series Announcement: [21:33–24:08]
• Street Fighter Movie News: [24:10–27:36]
• IO Interactive and Mind’s Eye: [34:46–41:09]
• 2K NCAA Basketball Announcement: [41:54–50:38]
• Metal Gear Solid Delta Sales: [52:15–56:36]
• Octopath/Platform specs: [59:51–60:35]
• Lenovo Legion Go Handheld: [61:12–62:13]
• Starfield 2-Year Tease: [62:13–63:11]

Tone & Atmosphere

• Fun, irreverent, and honest.
• Candid technical and business insights are punctuated by authentic gamer frustrations and community love.
• The dynamic between Tim, Mike, Roger, and Andy is full of playful ribbing and inside jokes, but they provide sharp, level-headed analysis on all major news.

Episode Takeaway

This episode exemplifies Kinda Funny Games Daily at its best: dissecting the week’s most important gaming news and industry stories with humor, passion, and perspective. Whether it’s Spielberg being snubbed, Silksong fever, or the strategy behind a Street Fighter movie, the crew always brings unique insight—while never missing a chance for a sidelong joke or sports tangent.

For New Listeners

If you missed the episode or just want the essentials, this summary covers all the breaking news, major opinions, and classic Kinda Funny moments. For deeper dives, check the timestamps above for your favorite topics!