Kinda Funny Games Daily: Video Games News Podcast Episode: D.I.C.E. Nominated WHAT for Game of the Year?!
Release Date: January 10, 2025

1. Introduction and Host Banter (00:22 - 04:09)

The episode kicks off with hosts Greg Miller and Stella Chan engaging in their characteristic lighthearted banter. They discuss their excitement about returning to the D.I.C.E. Awards and share personal anecdotes, including Greg's playful comments about Stella's wife, Belinda, and the unveiling of Stella's new tattoos inspired by games like Elden Ring and Bloodborne.

Notable Quote:

• Greg Miller (01:01): "It's never a boring time doing the Dice Awards with you. You keep me on your toes."

2. D.I.C.E. Awards Nomination Reveal (05:12 - 33:35)

The core segment of the podcast centers around the reveal and analysis of the nominees for the 28th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards. Greg and Stella delve into various categories, discussing their predictions and the implications of the nominations.

a. Game of the Year Contenders

Nominees:

• Astrobot Helldivers 2
• Balatro
• Black Myth
• Wukong
• Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

Both hosts express strong support for Astrobot Helldivers 2 and Balatro, citing their broad appeal and innovative gameplay. They also discuss the absence of heavyweight titles like Elden Ring and Final Fantasy in the nominations, sparking debate over the selection criteria.

Notable Quotes:

• Greg Miller (07:25): "Astrobot starts over on PlayStation VR where so many people were like, oh my God, it's the Mario 64 of VR."
• Stella Chan (09:02): "I'm not surprised at the games that are here."

b. Outstanding Achievement Categories

The hosts review multiple categories, including Animation, Art Direction, Character, Original Music Composition, Audio Design, and Technical Achievement.

• Animation: Astrobot, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, Neva, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2.

• Art Direction: Black Myth: Wukong, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, LEGO Horizon Adventures, The Plucky Squire, Senua Saga: Hellblade 2.

• Character: 1000X Resist, The Watcher, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, Yuffie, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Dr. Henry, Senua Saga: Hellblade 2.

• Original Music Composition: Astrobot Helldivers 2, Monument Valley 3, Senua Saga: Hellblade 2, Star Wars Outlaws.

• Audio Design: Frostpunk 2, Helldivers 2, Monument Valley 3, Senua Saga: Hellblade 2, Still Wakes the Deep.

• Technical Achievement: Astrobot, Batman Arkham Shadow, Skydance's Behemoth, Starship Home, Underdogs.

Predictions and Discussions:

• Astrobot Helldivers 2 is favored for multiple categories due to its polished gameplay and nostalgic elements.
• Senua Saga: Hellblade 2 receives praise for its audio design and storytelling, with Stella highlighting its collaboration with psychologists to authentically depict psychosis.
• Batman Arkham Shadow is recognized for successfully adapting the Arkham series into a VR experience without causing motion sickness, a significant technical feat.

Notable Quotes:

• Stella Chan (16:28): "The soundtrack is fantastic in this game."
• Greg Miller (21:30): "Batman Arkham Shadow really made it work and make it fun and enjoyable."

c. Additional Categories

• Adventure Game of the Year: Nominees include 1000X Resist, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. Both hosts discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each nominee, with a leaning towards Animal Well despite its limited exposure.

• Family Game of the Year: Astrobot, Cat Quest 3, Little Kitty Big City, The Plucky Squire, Super Mario Party Jamboree are nominated. Astrobot is predicted to take the top spot due to its universal appeal.

• Fighting Game of the Year: Blazing Strike, Dragon Ball Sparking Zero, Mortal Kombat 1: Chaos Reigns, Tekken 8. Tekken 8 is favored to win due to widespread acclaim within the fighting game community.

• Racing Game of the Year: F1 24, MotoGPTM 24, Night Runners TM Prologue are in contention, with F1 24 expected to dominate.

• Role-Playing Game of the Year: Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, Dragon Age: The Veil Guard, Elden Ring, Shadow of the Erdtree, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, Metaphor, Refantazio. Hosts debate the merits of each, with Final Fantasy and Elden Ring strong contenders.

• Sports Game of the Year: EA Sports College Football 25, EA Sports FC 25, MLB The Show 24, NBA 2K25. College Football is the likely winner.

• Strategy Simulation Game of the Year: Balatro, Caves of Coot, Cross Punk 2, Tactical Breach Wizards, Satisfactory. Balatro is expected to secure the award.

• Immersive Reality Game of the Year: Alien Rogue Incursion, Batman Arkham Shadow, Skydance's Behemoth, Starship Home, Underdogs. Batman Arkham Shadow is predicted to win due to its successful VR integration.

• Outstanding Achievement in Game Design: Animal, Astrobot, Balatro, UFO; Astrobot and UFO are front-runners.

• Outstanding Achievement in Game Direction: 1000X Resist, Animal, Lorelei's Laser Eyes, Thank Goodness You're Here. Thank Goodness You're Here and Lorelei's Laser Eyes are discussed as top contenders.

Notable Quotes:

• Stella Chan (12:21): "They have a plan for what they're doing and why they're doing it."
• Greg Miller (32:08): "I think that says Astrobot to be bright, but this Sega was overah."

3. Nintendo Switch 2 and Xbox Games News (36:15 - 43:35)

Greg and Stella discuss the exciting news that Nintendo Switch 2 will support major Xbox titles, including Halo: The Master Chief Collection and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. This move signifies Microsoft's strategy to broaden the reach of its exclusive titles by making them available on other platforms.

Key Points:

• Halo on Switch 2 and PS5: The inclusion of Halo on new platforms marks a significant shift, traditionally keeping such titles exclusive to Xbox.
• Nintendo's Response to Leaks: Nintendo addresses rumors about the Switch 2, clarifying that leaked images and information are not official, yet they acknowledge the anticipation surrounding the new console.

Notable Quotes:

• Stella Chan (37:34): "If Microsoft wants to get out of its console exclusivity, that's great."
• Greg Miller (39:10): "It's the interesting thing of, like, oh, Switch 2 and this. Microsoft's gonna heavily support Switch 2."

4. Andy Cortez's Preview of Citizen Sleeper 2 (43:35 - 54:33)

Guest host Andy Cortez provides an in-depth preview of Citizen Sleeper 2, discussing gameplay mechanics, story depth, and overall impressions. He praises the game's compelling narrative and excellent soundtrack, highlighting its success in engaging players through strong character development and immersive storytelling.

Key Highlights:

• Gameplay Experience: The game blends role-playing with narrative-driven quests, emphasizing decision-making and character interactions.
• Technical Performance: Andy notes that Citizen Sleeper 2 runs smoothly on the Steam Deck, despite minor bugs related to optimization.
• Story and Writing: The exceptional quality of the writing is a standout feature, with Andy commending the game's ability to deliver poetic and impactful dialogue.

Notable Quotes:

• Andy Cortez (44:30): "Every line is a bar. Like it is just poetry."
• Greg Miller (50:38): "You're a digital entity, right?"

5. Roper Report – Top Gaming News (36:15 - 60:57)

In the recurring Roper Report, Greg and Stella cover various gaming news items, including:

• Nintendo Switch 2 Support for Xbox Titles: Confirmation of Halo and Flight Simulator coming to Switch 2, expanding the console's library.

• Ubisoft's Strategic Update: Ubisoft appoints a group of advisors to explore new company directions amidst rumors of potential restructuring or sale, reflecting ongoing industry changes.

• "House of the Dead 2" Remake: Announcement of the House of the Dead 2 remake launching across multiple platforms in spring 2025.

• Berserker Kazan Demo Release: Anticipation for the Berserker Kazan demo, noted for its prior exposure during the Game Awards.

Notable Quotes:

• Stella Chan (41:21): "Nintendo, you are, but you have a brain."
• Greg Miller (56:33): "We have been sitting here waiting for Ubisoft to get low so you can buy, so you can sell high again."

6. Sound Financial Advice (56:33 - 59:19)

A humorous segment where Greg offers tongue-in-cheek financial advice, notably promoting the purchase of Ubisoft stock amidst its fluctuating price. The segment is filled with self-deprecating humor and interaction with co-host Kevin, who clarifies that Greg's advice is not serious.

Notable Quotes:

• Greg Miller (56:35): "What you want. This is what we've been waiting for. This is what we've been preparing for everybody."
• Kevin Coelho (57:12): "It is not. Just to be clear, audio listeners, I."

7. Closing and Future Episodes (59:28 - End)

Greg and Stella wrap up the episode by acknowledging listener contributions through super chats, promoting upcoming segments like the second annual Kind of Funny Smileys, and teasing future content including exclusive let’s plays and podcasts. They also encourage listeners to support the show through memberships and subscriptions.

Notable Quotes:

• Greg Miller (63:40): "You got to pay attention."
• Stella Chan (63:53): "Yes."

Conclusion

In this episode of Kinda Funny Games Daily, Greg Miller and Stella Chan provide an engaging and comprehensive overview of the latest happenings in the gaming industry, with a special focus on the D.I.C.E. Awards nominations. Their insightful discussions, coupled with humorous interactions and expert guest input from Andy Cortez, offer valuable perspectives for both avid gamers and casual listeners. The hosts effectively balance detailed analysis with entertaining banter, making the podcast both informative and enjoyable.

Note: This summary excludes advertisements, intros, outros, and non-content sections as per the instructions.