Kinda Funny Games Daily – January 20, 2026
Episode: Fable Leaks, Large Open World?!
Hosts: Greg Miller, Blessing Adeoye Jr.
Key Topics: Fable open-world leaks, Life is Strange: Reunion announcement, Doug Bowser’s new role, Riot’s MMO news, and more.
Episode Overview
This episode dives deep into Fable's newly-leaked concept art that hints at a large open world for the highly anticipated reboot. The hosts also react in real time to the surprising leak and trailer release for Life is Strange: Reunion, discuss games industry news including Doug Bowser joining Hasbro’s board, and consider the future of MMOs with Riot’s ongoing efforts. Passionate, humorous, and opinionated as always, Greg and Blessing serve up plenty of discourse—and plenty of tangents.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Fable Open World Leak (06:29 – 22:49)
- Concept Art Leaks: Greg summarizes the leaks (sourced from IGN's Tom Phillips), showcasing expansive fantasy landscapes, darker tone, and returning locations like Bloodstone.
- Playground’s Task: Discussion around Playground Games (known for the Forza Horizon series) taking over the franchise and using their open-world engine for Fable.
- The Challenge of Reboots: Greg questions modern reboots: "I feel like we are at a point right now in 2026 with Video Game IP, that when you're trying to do anything with a storied, beloved IP, you're just going to fail." (10:14)
- Fan Hype vs. Reality: Blessing notes that the online hype amplifies Fable’s legacy, even for people who may never have played it.
- Expectations Set: Blessing says he’s more realistically expecting an 8/10, noting hesitancy to believe Fable can be a game-of-the-year contender but hopeful for surprises.
- Fable’s Unique Appeal: Both note Fable’s humor and whimsical, British fantasy setting could let it stand out from darker RPGs. Greg: "Fable leaning into that humor...as smile-inducing as the gameplay itself." (14:51)
- Modernization Concerns: Blessing hopes the game remains true to its quirky roots and doesn't homogenize with contemporary RPGs: "One of the things that gets lost in modernization is becoming homogenous with what's contemporary." (18:54)
Notable Quotes
"I want Fable to fucking be amazing. It's like, it's back to being a Chicago Bears fan. They're going to fucking shit the bed so I don't have to worry about it."
— Greg Miller (09:48)
"If you can get that [tone] right here, I think you go above and beyond what we're seeing other people in the genre do."
— Greg Miller (15:45)
"My favorite feature was...I never realized Jet Force Gemini had a zombie level called 'Tophrit,' which anagrams to 'wet fart.' That’s British humor for you."
— Blessing Adeoye Jr. (16:49)
2. Life is Strange: Reunion Leaks & Trailer Reaction (22:49 – 36:50)
- Announcement Leak: The sequel is titled Life is Strange: Reunion, featuring Max and Chloe both as playable characters with different mechanics.
- Timeline & Choices: The game promises to honor player decisions from the earlier games, including whether Chloe lived or died, as well as the nature of Max and Chloe’s relationship.
- Live Trailer Reaction: Both react to the debut trailer, express mixed feelings about the character designs, and question if Ashley Burch returns as Chloe’s voice actress. (She does not.)
- Emotional Stakes: Blessing expresses reservations about bringing back Chloe: "Chloe’s sacred. I made that choice at the end...let Chloe rest." (28:44)
- Finale or More? The game is billed as the “thrilling finale to the Max and Chloe saga," but both hosts are skeptical about whether this is really the end.
- Concerns for the Franchise: They discuss Deck Nine’s rocky development history, layoffs, and what future (if any) Life is Strange might have. Don’t Nod, the original studio, is floated as a possible returnee if Deck Nine steps away.
Notable Quotes
"I don't want more from these characters. I laid these characters to rest. Let Chloe rest."
— Blessing Adeoye Jr. (28:44)
"The thrilling finale to the Max and Chloe saga. A chapter that brings their book to a close. I'll believe it when I see it."
— Greg Miller (30:06)
Important Trailer Segment
- Trailer Playback: (25:17 – 27:49)
- Both hosts react, reminisce about what Life Is Strange means to them, and ponder if the magic can be recaptured.
3. Doug Bowser Joins Hasbro Board (40:18 – 41:35)
- Doug Bowser, freshly retired from Nintendo of America, now joins Hasbro’s board of directors.
- Blessing wonders what board members actually do; Greg explains it’s mostly meetings and brand recognition.
“Get that bag, go out there, send us some Transformers.” — Greg Miller (41:35)
4. MMO Industry Moves: Riot Hires WoW Veteran (41:36 – 48:43)
- Raymond Bartos, a former WoW lead producer, joins Riot to help with their long-gestating League of Legends MMO.
- Both hosts question if there’s room for another major MMO in the market and if Riot will actually ever deliver, given their recent trends of layoffs and resets.
- The Hytale story is brought up as an example of surprising industry twists: Riot dropped the game, only for it to be picked up and find massive success independently.
Notable Quotes
"What kills all of this is gestating too long...I'm sure internally they have every intention of getting this game out, but...eventually: how much money have we sunk into this MMO that we still don't have a date for?"
— Greg Miller (44:23)
5. Rockstar Grants Terminally Ill Fan’s GTA 6 Wish (49:00 – 51:58)
- Coverage of Rockstar Games ensuring a terminally ill fan got to play GTA 6 before release.
- Hosts praise Rockstar, highlighting the emotional impact:
“That one actually as I was reading it originally made me tear up a little bit. I don't know what about it, but that's such a feel good story.”
— Blessing Adeoye Jr. (50:26)
- Greg jokes (darkly) about what the fan could leak, then pivots to debate if the game’s November release is on track.
6. Lightning Round: Industry Tidbits (Wii News) & Community Q&A (52:01 – end)
- Quick News:
- Rubato: Quirky new indie platformer, trailer reaction
(53:12 – 54:41) - Sony Spinning Off TV Business
- D&D x Fortnite Collab
- Sonic’s Chaotix Case Files podcast
- Game Pass January Updates
- Rubato: Quirky new indie platformer, trailer reaction
- Super Chats:
- Viewers comment on Fable expectations, Life is Strange, recommendations for SF restaurants, and game industry takes.
- Humorous Tangents:
- British humor in games
- Sonic lore and "feet" jokes
- Left Eye Lopez’s 1994 house fire story clarified by chat (63:54)
Memorable Moments & Quotes
-
Fable leaks:
"I started Fable Anniversary last night...I'm so ready again. The problem is, since we've come back, a little Na' Vi, like fairy...named Snowbike Mike has been whispering in my ear, he's been putting the nectar in my ear that Fable's gonna be good."
— Greg Miller (09:20) -
On Xbox’s RPG expectations:
"Outside of that, I've stopped expecting a 9 out of 10 from Xbox games. I expect 8 out of 10...But I don't know if hoping Fable ends up coming out as a 10 out of 10 is a wise thing."
— Blessing Adeoye Jr. (13:40) -
On the MMO race:
"Riot games fumbled, essentially. The next Minecraft. Who knows if...we'll see if its legs are like that."
— Blessing Adeoye Jr. (45:29) -
On Life is Strange’s future:
"It's a cursed idol where whoever works on a Life is Strange just goes down a bad path."
— Blessing Adeoye Jr. (29:18) -
On fan service and endings:
"The thrilling finale to the Max and Chloe saga. A chapter that brings their book to a close. I'll believe when I see it."
— Greg Miller (30:06)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- Fable Leak Starts: 06:29
- Fable Nostalgia & Franchise Expectations: 09:48 – 16:18
- British Humor & Fable’s Unique Vibe: 16:46 – 17:56
- Audience Hot Takes on Fable: 17:59 – 18:49; 19:30
- Life is Strange Reunion Leak & Trailer Reaction: 22:49 – 27:49
- Max & Chloe Discourse: 28:44 – 30:44
- Doug Bowser Joins Hasbro: 40:18
- Riot’s MMO, Hytale Story: 41:36 – 46:29
- Rockstar Grants GTA 6 Wish: 49:00 – 51:58
- Rubato Trailer: 52:52 – 54:41
Episode Tone & Style
Informal, lively, and irreverent, with frequent comedic tangents and off-the-cuff banter. Hosts balance nostalgia, skepticism, and sincere critique—with time spent in “what ifs” and community reflections. Their genuine fandom for video games and their histories shines throughout.
Summary: Why Listen?
A jam-packed, wide-ranging episode blending headline video game news with passionate community engagement and deep-dive opinions. Essential listening for fans following the return of Fable, Life is Strange, and the evolving games industry at large.