Kinda Funny Games Daily: Dragon Age & FC Underperform: Is EA in Trouble?
Release Date: January 24, 2025
Hosts: Greg “GameOverGreggy” Miller, Tim Gettys, and Blessing Adeoye Jr.

Introduction

In this episode of Kinda Funny Games Daily, hosts Greg Miller, Tim Gettys, and Blessing Adeoye Jr. delve deep into the tumultuous financial state of Electronic Arts (EA), analyze the latest console sales trends, and explore exciting developments in the gaming world, including a mysterious new boss in Mortal Kombat 1. The discussion is rich with insights, community interactions, and expert opinions that shed light on the current state and future prospects of the gaming industry.

1. EA's Financial Woes: $6 Billion Market Value Loss

Timestamp: [00:00] – [16:45]

The episode kicks off with alarming news about EA incurring a staggering $6 billion loss in market value. This financial downturn is primarily attributed to the underperformance of EAFC 25 and Dragon Age: The Veilguard.

• EAFC 25's Decline:
  EAFC 25, a flagship live service game, experienced a slowdown during the Christmas period, leading to diminished live service revenue projections. Analysts highlighted that Ultimate Team, a significant revenue stream for EA, is crucial for maintaining consistent earnings.

  Monif Nathanson, Analyst at VGC: "Ultimate Team has come to be viewed as a near Swiss clock of interactive media bookings growth. If it's stagnant, it puts enormous pressure on EA to fill the void."
  [13:30]

• Dragon Age: The Veilguard's Underperformance:
  The BioWare RPG released in October failed to meet expectations by 50%, reaching only 1.5 million players instead of the anticipated 3 million. This shortfall is a significant blow to EA, especially considering the high expectations for a beloved franchise returning after nearly a decade.

  Greg Miller: "When we talk about Dragon Age: The Veilguard missing by 50%, that seems like a massive miscalculation."
  [15:04]

• Industry Implications:
  The discussion underscores a broader concern about the saturated gaming market and shifting consumer preferences, with players gravitating towards established live service games like Fortnite and Call of Duty, as well as older titles that maintain a dedicated fanbase.

  Tim Gettys: "The gaming market is all over the place... it's a very interesting stage where when you have a talented team like BioWare putting out Dragon Age, a beloved franchise, and now it just doesn't hit."
  [17:49]

2. Console Sales Update: PS5 Leading Ahead of PS4; Xbox Series X/S Lagging

Timestamp: [41:00] – [53:21]

The hosts pivot to discussing the latest console sales data, revealing that the PlayStation 5 (PS5) is now tracking ahead of the PlayStation 4 (PS4) in the U.S. market, while the Xbox Series X/S is lagging behind the Xbox One.

• PlayStation Dominance:
  According to Matt Piscatella, Executive Director at Circana, PS5 has surpassed PS4’s sales pace, indicating robust continued demand for Sony’s flagship console.

  Matt Piscatella: "PS5 lifetime unit sales are 7% ahead of PS4's pace, while Xbox Series trails Xbox One by 18%."
  [43:21]

• Xbox Struggles:
  In contrast, the Xbox Series X/S has failed to match the performance of the Xbox One, with Sales declining by 38% compared to the previous generation. This gap highlights the broader challenges Xbox faces in rekindling the same level of consumer enthusiasm.

  Tim Gettys: "Xbox Series X/S lagging behind Xbox One... it's telling of the current situation."
  [50:29]

• Future Outlook:
  The discussion touches on Xbox’s strategic shift towards an open ecosystem and the integration of services like Game Pass across multiple platforms, including PCs. However, the hosts express skepticism about whether these strategies can fully compensate for the lagging hardware sales.

  Tim Gettys: "Xbox Series X is the most powerful console ever... but it doesn’t sell as expected."
  [52:36]

3. Video Game History Foundation's Digital Library Launch

Timestamp: [60:03] – [63:15]

A beacon for gaming historians and enthusiasts, the Video Game History Foundation (VGHF) is set to make its digital library publicly accessible starting January 30, 2025. This initiative will provide unprecedented access to rare and archival materials that chronicle the evolution of video games.

• Library Features:
  The digital repository will include never-before-seen game development materials, artwork, press kits, and promotional materials from iconic titles. Additionally, more than 1,500 out-of-print video game magazines will be available, fully text-searchable for ease of research.

  Chris Scullion, VGC: "After years of collecting, cataloging, and digitizing video game history materials, the VGHF is finally opening the virtual doors to its library."
  [61:18]

• Hosts' Excitement:
  Tim Gettys shares his personal excitement, recounting a visit to the VGHF’s physical archives and expressing enthusiasm about the digital accessibility.

  Tim Gettys: "I was overwhelmed... this is just history of all of this stuff."
  [62:50]

4. Mortal Kombat 1's Secret Boss: The Floyd Fight

Timestamp: [63:16] – [66:17]

The gaming community is abuzz with the discovery of a secret boss fight in Mortal Kombat 1, featuring the enigmatic character Floyd the Pink Ninja. This hidden content has sparked widespread excitement and collaborative efforts among players to unlock this elusive fight.

• Discovery Details:
  Wesley in Pool at IGN reports that Floyd can be unlocked by completing a series of Floyd challenges, though the exact sequence varies per player, adding to the mystery.

  Wesley in Pool, IGN: "Players are working together to try to crowdsource the answer, but the exact process remains unknown."
  [64:26]

• Community Involvement:
  Modders and data miners, like the Thinny, are actively dissecting the game to decipher the requirements needed to trigger the Floyd fight. The rewards for defeating Floyd include a new, visually stunning stage, enhancing the game's appeal.

  Tim Gettys: "It's so fun to see the community come together to figure this out. I love every single thing about this."
  [65:16]

• Creative Naming:
  The hosts humorously link Floyd’s name to the legendary band Pink Floyd, suggesting a playful nod from the developers.

  Tim Gettys: "Why is his name Floyd? Pink Floyd. And why is the purple ninja named Rain? Purple Rain."
  [65:53]

5. Astral Chain Director Leaves Platinum Games: New Beginnings?

Timestamp: [66:22] – [68:27]

In intriguing industry news, it appears that Takahisa Taura, the director of Astral Chain and designer of Nier: Automata, has likely departed from Platinum Games to establish a new venture, possibly named Eel Game Studio.

• Departure Indicators:
  Observations from fans noted the removal of Platinum Games references from Taura’s social media handles and the formation of a new company in Tokyo, distinct from Platinum's Osaka headquarters.

  Tim Gettys: "Astral Chain director likely leaving Platinum Games is big news."
  [67:35]

• Future Implications:
  The hosts express mixed feelings, acknowledging the outstanding work Taura has produced while speculating on the potential impact of his departure on future projects.

  Greg Miller: "Astral Chain was great, so hopefully, whatever he ends up working on next is going to be a banger too."
  [68:21]

6. Wii News Channel: Super Nintendo Online Announcements and More

Timestamp: [69:05] – [71:05]

Wrapping up the main stories, the hosts introduce the Wii News Channel, covering smaller yet noteworthy updates in the gaming landscape.

• Super Nintendo Online Games:
  Announcements include Fatal Fury 2, Super Ninja Boy, and Sakura Hakun joining the Super Nintendo Online repertoire, delighting fans of classic titles.

  Tim Gettys: "Sonic X Shadow Generations has sold over 2 million copies. That's a big deal!"
  [69:52]

• Upcoming Releases and Events:
  Highlights include the Silent Hill series, Genshin Impact 5.4 update Moonlight and Misted Dreams, and community-driven events like live streams and beta tests.

Conclusion

This episode of Kinda Funny Games Daily provides a comprehensive overview of EA's financial struggles, shifting console sales dynamics, and exciting community-driven discoveries in games like Mortal Kombat 1. The hosts offer insightful commentary on industry trends, supported by engaging discussions and notable quotes that enrich the listener's understanding of the gaming world. As EA navigates its current challenges and the console landscape continues to evolve, the insights shared in this episode are invaluable for gamers and industry enthusiasts alike.

Notable Quotes

• Monif Nathanson, Analyst at VGC:
  "Ultimate Team has come to be viewed as a near Swiss clock of interactive media bookings growth. If it's stagnant, it puts enormous pressure on EA to fill the void."
  [13:30]

• Greg Miller:
  "When we talk about Dragon Age: The Veilguard missing by 50%, that seems like a massive miscalculation."
  [15:04]

• Tim Gettys:
  "The gaming market is all over the place... it's a very interesting stage where when you have a talented team like BioWare putting out Dragon Age, a beloved franchise, and now it just doesn't hit."
  [17:49]

• Wesley in Pool, IGN:
  "Players are working together to try to crowdsource the answer, but the exact process remains unknown."
  [64:26]

• Tim Gettys:
  "It's so fun to see the community come together to figure this out. I love every single thing about this."
  [65:16]

This summary encapsulates the critical discussions and insights from the episode, providing a clear and engaging overview for those who haven't listened to the podcast.