Kinda Funny Games Daily: EA Lays Off Hundreds, Cancels Titanfall Game - Episode Summary

Release Date: April 30, 2025

Hosts: Greg “GameOverGreggy” Miller, Tim Gettys, Blessing Adeoye Jr., and a rotating cast of gaming industry veterans and guests.

1. EA's Major Layoffs and Titanfall Cancellation

The episode opens with a deep dive into Electronic Arts' (EA) recent strategic moves, including significant layoffs and the cancellation of an upcoming Titanfall game.

• Layoffs Overview:

  • EA has eliminated between 300 and 400 positions, with around 100 from Respawn Entertainment (12:11).
  • Justin Higgs, an EA spokesperson, stated, “As part of our continued focus on our long-term strategic priorities, we've made select changes within our organization that more effectively aligns teams and allocates resources in service of driving future growth” (11:45).

• Titanfall Game Cancellation:

  • The canceled project, codenamed R7, was an extraction shooter set in the Titanfall universe.
  • Respawn Entertainment announced on social media, “Made the decision to step away from two early-stage incubation projects and made some targeted team adjustments” (12:11).
  • Greg Miller comments, “It's a tough situation for Respawn, given their history with Titanfall and Apex Legends. It feels like EA isn't fully investing in the Titanfall legacy anymore” (15:37).

Notable Quotes:

• Blessing Adeoye Jr.: “This is part of EA's ongoing strategy shifts, but it's heartbreaking for the Respawn team” (14:22).
• Greg Miller: “Apex Legends was one of the best releases of 2019, and now EA questions the future investments” (15:35).

2. Nintendo's Switch Virtual Game Card System Update

The hosts discuss Nintendo's latest firmware update, Firmware 20, which introduces a new virtual game card system for the Switch.

• Key Changes:

  • Digital games are now treated like physical cartridges, allowing virtual loading and ejecting between consoles (45:46).
  • This update prevents two separate Switch consoles from playing the same digital game online simultaneously, unlike previous capabilities.

• Impact on Players:

  • Families may need to purchase additional copies for simultaneous play.
  • Comparison made to PlayStation's system where a single digital purchase can be shared across multiple consoles using designated home units (48:17).

Notable Quotes:

• Greg Miller: “They made this as clear as day. It’s frustrating for families wanting to share games on multiple consoles” (47:53).
• Blessing Adeoye Jr.: “This change makes it harder for households to share digital games, potentially increasing costs for gamers” (50:08).

3. Lost Soul Aside Game Delay

The studio behind Lost Soul Aside has pushed its release date from May 30th to August 29th.

• Background:
  • Lost Soul Aside is often compared to titles like Final Fantasy and boasts high-profile visuals reminiscent of PlatinumGames' style (51:18).
  • Originally scheduled to coincide with major releases like Elden Ring, the delay aims to provide the game with a better launch window.

Notable Quotes:

• Greg Miller: “I’m glad they delayed it. I don’t even know what this game is, but I hope it shines when it finally releases” (51:37).
• Blessing Adeoye Jr.: “Looking forward to seeing how it evolves with the extra time” (52:32).

4. Gearbox's Borderlands 4 Release Date Shift

Randy Pitchford, CEO of Gearbox, addresses rumors surrounding the Borderlands 4 release date adjustment.

• Official Statement:

  • Pitchford denied any influence from Rockstar’s GTA 6 on the decision to advance Borderlands 4’s release (53:40).
  • “Our decision is literally zero percent about any other product's actual or theoretical launch date” (53:47).

• Community Reaction:

  • Hosts express skepticism about Pitchford’s assurances, referencing past controversies and lack of trust in his statements (54:10).

Notable Quotes:

• Greg Miller: “Randy Pitchford’s track record makes me doubt any positive outcomes from this shift” (54:23).
• Blessing Adeoye Jr.: “It’s hard to take his word without seeing tangible changes” (54:35).

5. Miscellaneous News Highlights

• Composer Hiroshi Kawaguchi's Retirement:

  • Celebrating Kawaguchi’s 41-year career at SEGA, known for classics like Outrun (57:16).

• PlayStation Plus May 2025 Essentials:

  • New titles including Balatro, Warhammer 40K Bolt Gun, and Arc Survival Ascended are available, alongside free DLC for Sea of Stars (57:53).

• Upcoming Events:

  • Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 +4 Celebration: Scheduled for May 8th at the El Rey Theater in LA, featuring interviews and live performances by artists like Danny Brown and Lupe Fiasco (58:55).

Notable Quotes:

• Greg Miller: “Excited for the Tony Hawk celebration. It’s a nostalgic moment for so many fans” (59:11).
• Blessing Adeoye Jr.: “Tony Hawk’s influence on skate culture is unparalleled, and this event is going to honor that legacy” (59:43).

6. Listener Interactions and Super Chats

The episode includes various listener comments, reflecting the community's passion and frustrations:

• EA's Handling of Titanfall:

  • Listeners express disappointment over the cancellation and EA’s management of Respawn (61:33).

• Game Updates and Patches:

  • Issues with game saves and patch needs are highlighted by listeners, emphasizing the importance of post-launch support (63:14).

Notable Quotes:

• Listener Ebols22ebols: “Tiny Tina's was great. Shame the way it faded” (60:07).
• Listener Ak.98: “EA's unwillingness to take responsibility is classic game dev BS” (22:33).

7. Conclusion

The hosts wrap up the episode by reiterating the pressing issues within EA, Nintendo’s new policies, and upcoming gaming events. They emphasize the importance of community feedback and encourage listeners to engage via Patreon and other platforms for ad-free content and exclusive shows.

Closing Remarks:

• Greg Miller: “Our thoughts go out to those affected by EA's layoffs. It’s a tough time for Respawn and the gaming community” (14:10).
• Blessing Adeoye Jr.: “Stay tuned for our upcoming games cast and reactions to new state of play events” (66:00).

Timestamps:

1. 12:11 – EA layoffs and Respawn's project cancellation.
2. 11:45 – Justin Higgs' statement on EA's strategic changes.
3. 15:37 – Greg's commentary on Respawn's future.
4. 14:22 – Hosts express sympathy for affected employees.
5. 15:35 – Greg discusses Apex Legends' success.
6. 45:46 – Details on Nintendo's virtual game card system.
7. 48:17 – Comparison to PlayStation’s sharing system.
8. 47:53 – Greg critiques Nintendo's clarity.
9. 50:08 – Blessing addresses impact on families.
10. 51:18 – Announcement of Lost Soul Aside's delay.
11. 51:37 – Hosts discuss Lost Soul Aside’s visuals and delay.
12. 52:32 – Blessing elaborates on Lost Soul Aside.
13. 53:40 – Gearbox's Randy Pitchford on Borderlands 4.
14. 53:47 – Pitchford denies influence from GTA 6.
15. 54:10 – Hosts express distrust in Pitchford.
16. 54:23 – Greg comments on Pitchford’s trustworthiness.
17. 54:35 – Blessing shares skepticism about Borderlands 4.
18. 57:16 – Announcement of Hiroshi Kawaguchi's retirement.
19. 57:53 – PlayStation Plus May 2025 offerings.
20. 58:55 – Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater celebration details.
21. 59:11 – Greg expresses excitement for the event.
22. 59:43 – Blessing emphasizes Tony Hawk's legacy.
23. 61:33 – Listener feedback on EA and Respawn.
24. 63:14 – Listener issues with game saves and patches.
25. 60:07 – Listener praise and criticism of Tiny Tina's.
26. 22:33 – Listener's view on EA's corporate decisions.
27. 66:00 – Hosts mention upcoming games cast and reactions.

Note: This summary omits advertisements, intros, outros, and non-content segments to focus solely on the episode's substantive discussions and insights.