Kinda Funny Games Daily: Video Games News Podcast Summary Episode: Is Game Pass Killing Xbox?
Release Date: July 7, 2025
Hosts: Greg “GameOverGreggy” Miller, Tim Gettys, Blessing Adeoye Jr.

Introduction

In this episode of Kinda Funny Games Daily, hosts Greg Miller, Tim Gettys, and Blessing Adeoye Jr. delve into a pressing debate within the gaming industry: Is Game Pass Killing Xbox? Released on July 7, 2025, the discussion navigates through recent layoffs at Xbox, criticisms of Microsoft's subscription model, and broader implications for game developers and the gaming ecosystem.

Main Topic: Is Game Pass Killing Xbox?

Industry Criticisms of Game Pass

The conversation opens with concerns raised by industry veterans about Microsoft's Game Pass subscription model. Raphael Colantonio, founder of Arkane Studios, has publicly slammed Game Pass, deeming it “unsustainable” (10:46) and questioning its long-term viability:

Raphael Colantonio (Arkane Studios Founder): "I think Game Pass is an unsustainable, unsustainable model that has been increasingly damaging the industry for a decade, subsidized by Microsoft's infinite money. But at some point, reality has to hit. I don't think Game Pass can coexist with other models. They'll either kill everyone else or give up."

Blessing Adeoye Jr. expands on this sentiment, linking Game Pass to broader issues within Xbox's business strategy:

Blessing Adeoye Jr.: "It's Xbox's business strategy... it's the capitalism of it. It's the AI shift... how there's a race to implement AI and cost-shifting away from actual workers."

Microsoft and Xbox’s Response

Greg references Phil Spencer's defense of Game Pass, asserting its growth and sustainability:

Phil Spencer (Xbox Boss, 2021 Statement): "Game Pass is very, very sustainable right now as it sits and it continues to grow."

However, the hosts debate whether this optimism holds true in 2025, especially in light of recent layoffs and studio closures.

Impact on Developers and Studios

The episode highlights the struggles of several studios under Microsoft's umbrella. Blessing discusses the shutdown of Initiative’s Perfect Dark project and the cancellation of Everwild, raising concerns about Xbox's commitment to fostering diverse and innovative game development:

Blessing Adeoye Jr.: "I'm seeing Ever Wild get canceled... how am I supposed to look at the other failings that we keep hearing about and look at Xbox first party and be like, oh, well, the problem is that... games don't come together sometimes."

The closure of Romero Games, following the withdrawal of Microsoft’s funding, exemplifies these issues:

Blessing Adeoye Jr.: "Romero Games has fully closed following the withdrawal of publisher funding... making it another casualty of Microsoft's recent layoffs."

Sustainability of the Subscription Model

Barrett Courtney draws parallels between Game Pass and other subscription-based services like Netflix, questioning the long-term sustainability and potential pitfalls:

Barrett Courtney: "The trajectory of Game Pass and where Netflix has been... it's where Netflix has seen productions only last like a season because of the scale of expectation. That's where I get concerned about where Game Pass looks in a few years."

Greg concurs, expressing skepticism about the endless sustainability of Game Pass:

Greg Miller: "There's only one way this ends. And I don't know if it's in a year or in three decades, but Game Pass goes away at some point. This can't go on forever."

Personal Anecdotes and Other News

Hosts’ Weekend Updates

• Blessing Adeoye Jr. shares his memorable birthday celebrations, including a "brew boat" party (01:10), enhancing the episode's personable tone.

• Greg Miller recounts attending the Monster Jam World Finals in Salt Lake City (03:24), juxtaposing personal experiences with industry discussions.

Nintendo’s Development Strategies

The hosts discuss Nintendo’s approach to managing development costs for the upcoming Switch 2, highlighting Nintendo President Shuntaru of Furukawa’s plans to implement shorter development periods without compromising game quality (54:23):

Nintendo President Shuntaru of Furukawa: "Our development teams are devising various ways to maintain our traditional approach to creating games... develop game software with shorter development periods that still offer consumers a sense of novelty."

Final Fantasy 9 Remake Speculations

Speculations around the development of a Final Fantasy 9 remake are examined, fueled by Square Enix's 25th-anniversary celebrations and leaks from a GeForce Now database (58:54):

Jordan Miller (VGC): "Reports of an in-development remake persist... multiple sources claim that one is indeed in development."

Greg and Blessing express cautious optimism, though Blessing remains skeptical about announcements following anniversary promotions (61:25).

Conclusion

The episode wraps up by reiterating the complex landscape Xbox faces with Game Pass at its core strategy. While Game Pass offers significant value to consumers, its sustainability and impact on game development and studio stability remain contentious. The hosts encourage listeners to reflect on the balance between consumer benefits and industry health, emphasizing the need for sustainable business models that support both gamers and developers.

Notable Quotes:

• Blessing Adeoye Jr. [14:22]: "There is a conversation as far as it being unsustainable... the AI shift... the industry maturing and money coming out of the games section of the industry."

• Greg Miller [24:16]: "When you have a parent company coming in and doing these things, it gets into this inky bit of like, all right, cool."

• Barrett Courtney [36:54]: "There's a lot of similarities between the trajectory of Game Pass and where Netflix has been."

Final Thoughts

Is Game Pass Killing Xbox? presents a critical examination of Microsoft's subscription service, balancing industry insights with personal experiences. The detailed discussion underscores the tension between innovative business models and the fundamental needs of game developers, leaving listeners with much to ponder about the future of gaming ecosystems.