Kinda Funny Games Daily: Video Games News Podcast

Episode: EA Sold for $55 Billion to Saudis, Investors
Date: September 29, 2025
Hosts: Tim Gettys & Andy Cortez (with contributions from Barrett)

Episode Overview

This episode unpacks a historic day in gaming news: EA’s acquisition for $55 billion by a Saudi and investor consortium. Tim Gettys and Andy Cortez discuss the deal’s implications, the growing trend of massive global investment in gaming, and the complex ethical landscape now facing the industry. Other notable topics include PlayStation 5’s record-breaking generation, Magic: The Gathering's PlayStation collaboration, rapid Silent Hill sales, Fortnite’s continuous evolution, and the ongoing indie hit, Hades 2. The team keeps a characteristically energetic, irreverent tone while balancing criticism, industry enthusiasm, and humor.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. EA Sold for $55 Billion to Saudis and Investors

[08:29 - 18:03]

• Details of the Deal:
  • EA sold to an investor consortium: Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF), Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners.
  • All-cash transaction; $210 per share, a 25% premium on EA's share price.
  • EA leadership remains; HQ stays in Redwood City, California.
• Industry & Ethical Ramifications:
  • Saudi Arabia’s increasing influence in the gaming industry, previously owning stakes in Nintendo, Capcom, and others.
  • Human rights concerns, with hosts referencing Saudi policies and the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi (see quote below).
  • Fears about creative freedom for future EA titles, particularly those with inclusive content (e.g., Mass Effect, Dragon Age).
• Cost and Company Direction:
  • EA is still financially obligated for $20 billion over coming years, foreshadowing more cost-cutting and layoffs.
  • Hosts worry about “soulless” focus on annual franchises like EAFC and Madden.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Tim Gettys: “It just really feels like there’s no solution for this. …They have the money to do whatever the fuck they want.” [15:00]
  • Andy Cortez: “This is all bad. …I really hope that any game that is in development right now—Mass Effect, Jedi 3… I hope those games get released before this deal finalizes.” [13:49]
  • Barrett (producer): “Continue to fund a genocide.” [13:46]
  • Andy Cortez: “...if you talk shit about the Crown prince, you get decapitated, you get chopped up and put into a briefcase. And that’s just, that's terrifying.” [16:23]

2. PlayStation 5: Most Successful Generation Yet

[29:55 - 34:11]

• Headline Metrics:

  • PS5 has brought in $136 billion in sales, surpassing all previous PlayStation generations.
  • Growth attributed to worldwide expansion of gaming, more players per household.
  • Revenue includes ongoing PS4 hardware/software sales.

• Discussion:

  • Not surprising given growing market and hardware/software prices.
  • Cross-gen revenue will further blur generation-specific records in future.

• Notable Quote:

  • Andy Cortez: “This isn’t too surprising…I think this is almost as surprising as when Apple says the most powerful iPhone ever.” [31:37]

3. EA Sale: Ethics, Money, and the Global Games Industry

[10:01 - 19:42]

• Saudi Investment Critique:
  • The panel discusses parallels with global sports, referencing how Saudi money has shaped everything from football (Cristiano Ronaldo example) to WWE and comedy festivals.
  • Raises concern over “whitewashing” human rights abuses via entertainment investments.
• Community Input:
  • Chat and super-chats express concerns about the impact on inclusive game development and “boycotting” games as a protest.
• Mass Effect & Dragon Age's Future:
  • Both beloved franchises seen as vulnerable to post-acquisition censorship or cancellation.
  • Worries about LGBTQ+ themes surviving under new ownership.

4. Magic: The Gathering x PlayStation Collaboration

[34:32 - 38:46]

• PlayStation’s 30-year Anniversary Celebrations:
  • Announced: Magic the Gathering card set featuring iconic PlayStation franchises—Last of Us, God of War, Horizon, Uncharted, and Ghost of Tsushima.
  • Hosts debate card art styles and how adaptations can vary in quality.
• Product Impressions:
  • Andy prefers more stylized, “painted” designs over screenshot-based art.
  • Discussion extends to collectible card game aesthetics and how these crossover sets might be received by players.

5. Silent Hill F Launches Stronger Than SH2 Remake

[39:01 - 41:38]

• Breakout News:

  • Silent Hill F sold over 1 million copies in 24 hours, outpacing the SH2 remake.
  • Represents a healthy return for Konami to meaningful new game development.

• Hosts’ Analysis:

  • Signals confidence in Konami’s ability to revitalize both new and classic franchises.

• Notable Quote:

  • Tim Gettys: “Good to see Konami be healthy again and to be putting out great, successful remakes, but then also great successful new iterations of franchises.” [39:35]

6. K Pop Demon Hunters Coming to Fortnite

[23:24 - 27:46]

• Leaked Collab:
  • K Pop Demon Hunters reportedly main 2025 Fortnite Mares Halloween collab, featuring more than just skins (potential for game mechanics).
  • Joins other collabs: Scream, Friday the 13th, Scooby Doo.
• Daft Punk Virtual Concert:
  • Tim describes it as “one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen in a video game, period.” [25:31]
  • Hosts continue to marvel at Fortnite as a platform for cultural moments, not just a battle royale.

7. Hades 2 Success & Indie Sequel Momentum

[41:44 - 45:12]

• New Milestone:
  • Hades 2 surpasses 110,000 concurrent Steam players, doubling the original’s all-time peak.
• Indie Games Landscape:
  • Continued success for notable sequels (e.g., Hades 2) signals a healthy appetite for indie roguelikes and is hailed as “so great for a healthy industry.”
  • Frustration that the game isn’t multiplatform at launch—a missed moment for cultural impact.
• Notable Quote:
  • Tim Gettys: “We're in such a great point right now. We're getting sequels to renowned indie games that are just banging.” [42:02]

8. Industry Odds & Ends (“Wee News Channel”)

[50:28 - 54:10]

• Battlefield 6 Release Details:
  • Launch times, no early access phase.
• SNK & PlayStation Hardware Revamps:
  • SNK re-releases Real Bout Fatal Fury 2 with rollback netcode.
  • PS5 Digital now fully matte; chat laments loss of glossy option.
• LEGO and Magic Tie-Ins:
  • LEGO Game Boy now shipping.
  • Rumors of legacy LEGO games getting Switch 2 editions.
• Community Bits:
  • Skyrim Grandma retires from Elder Scrolls videos at age 89.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote / Moment | |-----------|----------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 15:00 | Tim Gettys | “It just really feels like there’s no solution for this…They have the money to do whatever the fuck they want.” | | 13:49 | Andy Cortez | “This is all bad… I really hope that any game that is in development right now—Mass Effect, Jedi 3… get released…” | | 31:37 | Andy Cortez | “This isn’t too surprising…I think this is almost as surprising as when Apple says the most powerful iPhone ever.” | | 35:05 | Andy Cortez | (on Magic x PlayStation art) “The first two… you would think that they were just kind of in game renders, but they are painted in a very nice way. …The second two… a bit more stylized… a bit more what I was hoping to see from these sort of team ups.” | | 39:35 | Tim Gettys | “Good to see Konami be healthy again and to be putting out great, successful remakes, but then also great successful new iterations of franchises.” | | 42:02 | Tim Gettys | "We're in such a great point right now. We're getting sequels to renowned indie games that are just banging." | | 25:31 | Tim Gettys | (on Fortnite Daft Punk concert) "It was fucking awesome. One of the coolest things I've ever seen in a video game, period." | | 15:07 | Andy Cortez | (on Saudi investment) "They have the money to do whatever the fuck they want…absolutely terrifying that this is able to happen so easily." | | 16:23 | Andy Cortez | (on Saudi government) "You talk shit about the Crown prince, you get decapitated, you get chopped up and put into a briefcase." | | 19:15 | Andy Cortez | "Like any sort of semblance of what we thought could be used for expression... I don't have a whole lot of hope for that going forward now anymore." |

Additional Segments & Fun Asides

• Opening Banter:
  Hosts discuss NFL, Cowboys' tie game, and the appeal of sports fandom—using Cowboys’ value as a lens for cultural dominance.
• PlayStation 30th Anniversary:
  Excited reactions to commemorative coffee table books and Reebok shoes.
  Tim Gettys: “God, Reeboks are cool. Remember everyone, this is Kind of Funny Games Daily.” [06:47]
• Community Super Chats:
  Engage with listener questions about October gaming picks (Hades 2 and Yotei recommended), criticism of Magic card art, and upcoming podcast episode 2000.
• LEGO Tangent:
  Extended riff on LEGO’s Game Boy release and the aesthetics of LEGO sets, including “nernies and greebles.”
• Cars Rant:
  Tim vents about dislike for silver window trim on cars. Leads to group ribbing, classic Kinda Funny humor.
  Tim Gettys: “I really don’t like cars that have the silver trim on the windows. I like the black trim on the windows. The silver trim looks very cheap.” [55:14]

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |-----------------------------------------|------------| | EA $55bn Sale/Industry Implications | 08:29–18:03 | | PS5 Most Successful Generation | 29:55–34:11 | | Magic: The Gathering x PlayStation | 34:32–38:46 | | Silent Hill F Outsells SH2 Remake | 39:01–41:38 | | Hades 2 Concurrency, Indie Sequels | 41:44–45:12 | | K Pop Demon Hunters in Fortnite | 23:24–27:46 | | Daft Punk Fortnite Concert | 25:31 | | LEGO, SNK, Battlefield 6 News | 50:28–54:10 | | Car Window Trim Rant | 55:14–57:01 | | Community Super Chats | Throughout |

Tone & Style

The hosts maintain their trademark blend of gaming enthusiasm, pop culture savvy, and biting honesty. Commentary swings between celebratory (for gaming milestones and indie hits) and somber/critical (regarding industry ethics and global investment politics). In-jokes, friendship, and genuine frustration with the state of the world surface throughout, making even dense news segments highly engaging.

Summary Takeaway

This episode marks a historic and contentious turning point for the video game industry. While celebrating gaming milestones (PS5, Hades 2, Silent Hill), the hosts confront the reality that gaming is now inextricably tied to complex global financial and ethical issues—none bigger than the EA sale—and they refuse to shy away from the consequences. Nonetheless, the power of games and community persists, both in news cycles and in the hearts of the Kinda Funny crew.